USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume I > Part 101
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On October 9, 1885, he was, in addition, ordered to superintend the installation of elec- tric lights on board of the new steel cruisers "Boston" and "Atlanta"; these were the first cruisers of the new steel navy to be completed, and the contracts for their construction did not include a provision for the installation of electric lights. There was so little known on the subject at the time that the location of each lamp, lighting mains, dynamos, etc., had to be personally made by Lieutenant-Com- mander Bradford. For the performance of these duties he was provided with an office at Newport, Rhode Island, and an assistant.
During the year 1886 he served as a member of the following naval boards: To test a new automatic electric and pneumatic steering ap- paratus installed in the U. S. S. "Tallapoosa"; to test a pneumatic dynamite gun ; to test vari- ous types of electric generators: and to test various inventions applicable to the naval service.
On January 6, 1887, he was ordered as "In- spector of Electric Lighting of Ships of the
Navy," and took charge of the entire naval electric lighting service, personally preparing all specifications and superintending all work. Contracts were made for lighting ships build- ing and already completed, and specifications prepared to be included in the contracts for new ships. On November 1, 1887, he was ordered as assistant to the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, and took up his residence in Washington, D. C.
In addition to bureau work, which had been the sole duty of one officer, he continued as inspector of electric lighting and as a member of different boards. The new book on naval regulations was at this time well advanced, but not completed. During the year 1888 he served as a member of a board on pay and rating of enlisted men ; also as a member of a board of accounts of naval property. At the request of the Secretary of the Interior he was ordered to prepare plans for and superintend lighting the Interior Building at Washington by electricity. He also performed the same service for the new fireproof Broadway Thea- tre building in New York City. The latter installation contained the first incombustible electric switchboard, switch bases, cut-outs, solenoids, etc .. ever used in the United States.
Lieutenant-Commander Bradford was pro- moted to commander. March 26, 1889, having served an even twenty years since commis- sioned as a lieutenant. He was then eligible to command third-rate ships of war.
During the year 1889 Commander Brad- ford's health failed, the catarrhal affection from which he had previously suffered again attacking him, no doubt due to overwork and the enervating climate of Washington in sum- mer. On November 21 of that year, by ad- vice of a board of surgeons, he was ordered to the U. S. Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Massa- chusetts, for treatment. He remained there, where he had once before recovered, until April 21, 1890, performing by preference such duty in connection with electric lighting as he was able, when he was ordered to return to Washington and resume his former duties. His health was only partially restored. however, and he sought and obtained a relief from some of his arduous work. The requirements and methods of lighting ships by electricity were well established and a new inspector was or- dered ; also a new assistant to the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Commander Bradford then again took up the subject of naval regu- lations, a quiet and somewhat secluded office in the Navy Department being provided for this purpose.
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During the years 1889 and 1890 he served on a Torpedo Board; a board to test the new steel ship "Concord"; and prepared plans for lighting navy yards and the capitol at Washı- ington by electricity, in addition to the duties already mentioned. On May 28, 1891, he was ordered to command the U. S. S. "Benning- ton," a new steel ship then being completed and fitted out at the New York Navy Yard.
By this time the new naval regulations were completed, except a few chapters on naval stations and shore and staff duties of naval officers. After the latter work had been done by others, they were submitted to boards and senior officers for criticism, and finally pub- lished early in 1893. Commander Bradford always regarded his work on naval regula- tions as among his best efforts. It involved an immense research and study of naval law, regulations, precedents, and customs of our own and foreign navies. As each paragraph was prepared, a reference was entered in a book to authorities on the subject, thereby eliminating in a measure in the eyes of others the question of personal opinion. All naval regulations must be changed from time to time to accord with changed conditions, but the ar- rangement of the book remains as he prepared it.
The "Bennington," after various inspections and trial trips, sailed from New York for the Chesapeake, November 19, 1891, for tar- get practice. Later she joined at Hampton Roads the squadron commanded by Rear-Ad- miral J. S. Walker, which sailed for Monte- video, Uruguay, December 9, 1891, to await there the result of a threatened war with Chile. After calling at St. Thomas, St. Lucia and Barbadoes, West Indies, and Bahia, Brazil, the squadron arrived at Montevideo, January 12, 1892. Then followed in the quiet waters of the Plata river, in the vicinity of Monte- video, constant drills and target practice, in order to prepare the ships for efficient war service. The difficulties with Chile having been peacefully settled, Admiral Walker's squadron, except the "Bennington," sailed for home May 3, 1892, leaving Commander Brad- ford, by virtue of his seniority, in command of the South Atlantic Station, with a total of three ships. The "Bennington" visited Mal- donado and Colonia, Uruguay, also Ensenada and Buenos Ayres, Argentina. While at the latter port, Commander Bradford received or- ders by cable to proceed to Palos, Spain, and participate in a celebration in honor of the four hundredth anniversary of the departure
of Columbus on his voyage of discovery in 1492.
The "Bennington" sailed from Montevideo, July 10th; she called at Bahia, Brazil, and Porto Grande, Cape de Verde Islands, for coal, en route, and arrived at Palos, August 4. The celebration lasted three days commencing August 3d. Later the "Bennington" refitted at Cadiz and proceeded to Gibraltar, thence to Barcelona, Spain, where she joined the flag- ship "Newark." Together they proceeded to Toulon, France, and thence to Genoa, Italy, where both participated in a fete given by the Italian government carly in September, in honor of Columbus. More than forty ships of war of different nationalities had assembled at the birthplace of the great navigator for the occasion. The festivities generally were led by the popular King and Queen of Italy in person. The senior ship of each nation was personally visited by the King and his staff, including the Crown Prince and the Grand Dukes.
The United States government had invited foreign nations to participate in a naval re- view to be held at New York, April, 1893, and in addition had invited Spain to bring to the review and exhibit later at the Columbus Ex- position at Chicago, a duplicate of Columbus' first squadron of discovery. Spain agreed to bring the "Santa Maria," the flagship of Co- lumbus; then the United States contracted with a firm in Barcelona for a reproduction of the "Pinta" and "Nina." Spain, in addition to the celebration at Palos in August, had ar- ranged for another celebration at the same place in October, on the anniversary of Co- lumbus' discovery of the western continent. Spain desired the presence of the "Pinta" and "Nina" on that occasion, with the "Santa Maria," and to the "Bennington" was assigned the duty of taking them. She sailed from Genoa September 18, and spending a week at Villefranche, France, en route, arrived at Bar- celona September 26. The officer superin- tending the construction of the "Pinta" and "Nina" had had some differences with the contractors on the subject of completion and payments ; the contractors threatened to pre- vent the vessels from leaving the harbor. Com- mander Bradford then placed both vessels in commission as American vessels of war, and officered and manned them from the "Ben- nington." As they were the property of the government, carried guns, and were com- manded by a commissioned officer, their status warranted this act. On the appointed day.
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September 30, the "Bennington" sailed from Barcelona, with both vessels in tow, without interference. Calling at Gibraltar for coal and provisions, she arrived at Palos with her con- sorts October 7. While at Gibraltar, the Span- ish consul at that port, a scholarly man, offi- cially visited the "Bennington." After paying him the usual honors, he was taken to the "Pinta." which he desired to see, and which he carefully examined. The flood of history and the decadence of Spain brought to his mind by the sight of this vessel caused much touch- ing emotion. The celebration commenced Oc- tober 10, and lasted three days, the Queen be- ing present. The latter gave an audience to the foreign officers. On October 12, the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of San Salvador, a fine monument of Columbus was unveiled at the Convent of La Rabida, near Palos.
The "Bennington" proceeded with the "Pinta" and "Nina" to Cadiz, Spain, October 14, and remained there with them, except for two short visits to Gibraltar for coal and pro- visions, until February 18, 1893. On that day the "Bennington," with the "Pinta" in tow, and the flagship "Newark," with the "Nina," sailed for Havana ; calling at Las Palmas, Ca- nary Islands, and at St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, they arrived March 21. They had been preceded by the "Santa Maria," which being much larger, sailed part of the way. Here the "Pinta" and "Nina" were turned over to the Spanish naval authorities in order that the facsimile Columbus squadron might take part as a unit in the naval review, and be present at the Columbian Exposition in charge of the rep- resentatives of Spain. This was the first in- stance, so far as known, of towing vessels en- tirely across the Atlantic ocean. The "Ben- nington" and "Newark" sailed for Norfolk March 23, and arrived there on March 26. In April the "Bennington" took part in the naval exercises at Hampton Roads and the review at New York. In May she laid out a course off Cape Ann for the speed trial of the cruiser "New York," then new, and assisted at the trial. On May 25 she arrived at the New York Navy Yard to refit for another foreign cruise. Here she remained until July 20, 1893, when Commander Bradford was detached from com- mand on account of the expiration of his cruise. He was then granted leave, the first time for many years.
On November 20, 1893, Commander Brad- ford was ordered as a member of the perma- nent statutory board of inspection and survey, with headquarters at Washington, D. C. The
duty of this board is to appraise ships for sale, inspect and report on the condition of ships in commission, and to inspect and test new ships and ascertain if they are in accordance with the building contract. He remained on this duty until June 30, 1896. During this period he was ordered to perform the following ad- ditional duty. January 17, 1894, president of a board on ventilation of ships of war ; Janu- ary 24, 1894, member of a board on navy sig- nals : March 2, 1894, to appear before a joint congressional commission on naval reorganiza- tion; April 12, 1894, president of a special board to report upon the condition of the bat- tleship "Indiana"; July 24, 1894, president of a board to examine and report upon the condi- tion of the bottom of the cruiser "Minne- apolis"; September 1, 1894, president of a spe- cial board to report upon the condition of the battleship "Massachusetts"; October 23, 1894, to advise the Secretary of the Navy on the policy of removing all combustible material from ships of war; November 26, 1894, to in- spect the training ship "Essex"; December IO, 1894, president of a board to consider what wood work in ships building may be advan- tageously dispensed with, what additional fa- cilities for extinguishing fire should be pro- vided, and what non-inflammable and non-con- ducting substitute for wood, if any, may be used ; June 8, 1895, to inspect the training ship "Essex"; July 8, 1895, to conduct a speed trial of the trans-Atlantic American steamer "St. Louis," in accordance with the postal subsidy act of March 3, 1891, said trial to take place in the English Channel or waters adjacent thereto; September 28, 1895, to conduct a speed trial of the trans-Atlantic American steamer "St. Paul," in accordance with the postal subsidy act of March 3, 1891, said trial to take place off Cape Ann, Massachusetts ; November 9, 1895, member of a board to re- vise the signal books of the Navy ; November 16, 1895. member of a board to determine the best location of the ram on the bows of battle ships ; February 20, 1896, member of a board to determine the best location for a coal wharf at Key West, Florida ; and president of a board to examine and report upon a claim of the con- tractors of the ram "Katahdin" for additional compensation for delivery.
On June 30, 1896, Commander Bradford was ordered to command the U. S. S. "Mont- gomery," a steel cruiser only two years in ser- vice. This ship was attached to the North At- lantic Squadron, and during the period she was under his command spent the greater part of the time on detached service in the Gulf of
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Mexico and vicinity for the purpose of pre- venting the departure of Cuban filibustering expeditions from that coast. The balance of the time was mostly spent cruising in squadron for tactical exercises and at navy yards under repairs. Commander Bradford was detached from command of the "Montgomery" July 23, 1897.
On September 7, 1897, Commander Brad- ford was appointed by President MeKinley, Chief of the Bureau of Equipment, Navy De- partment, with the relative rank of eommo- dore; the appointment was confirmed by the Senate Deeember 18, 1897, for a period of four years, and he was then commissioned. The Navy Department is divided into eight bu- reaus, among which are distributed the work of the Department. Chiefs of Bureaus have, under the law, the authority of the Secretary of the Navy in the performance of their re- spective duties; they also serve as teehnieal advisers of the Seeretary.
Early in 1898, when war with Spain ap- peared probable, Commodore Bradford re- peatedly applied verbally to the Secretary of the Navy for a command afloat. On April 21, 1898, the day war was declared, he forwarded to the Secretary his resignation as chief of bureau, and with it a request for a command of a ship and the following correspondenee took place :
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 21, 1898.
SIR : 1. I have the honor to transmit through you to the President my resignation as Chief of Bureau of Equip- ment, Navy Department.
2. It is tendered solely because of a desire for active service afloat.
3. I beg to express my thanks for the confidence you have placed in me during my service in this Department, and to assure you of my great personal regard.
4. I have the honor to ask for the command of an active war ship.
Very respectfully, R. B. BRADFORD, Chief of Bureau.
The Secretary of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 21, 1898.
SIR :
1. I respectfully tender my resignation as Chief of Bureau of Equipment, Navy Department.
2. It has heen a great pleasure to serve during your administration in the above-mentioned capacity, and I heg to express my thanks for the honor conferred upon me by your appointment to such a responsible office.
3. This resignation is tendered only that I may ask for active service afloat.
I have the honor to he, Sir,
Very respectfully,
R. B. BRADFORD, Chief of Bureau.
The President.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 22, 1898.
MY DEAR COMMODORE :
I am in receipt of your letter, enclosing your resigna- tion as Chief of the Bureau of Equipment, Navy Depart- ment, and asking me to present it to the President.
I appreciate that the patriotic purpose which actuates you in tendering this is solely a desire for active service afloat. I appreciate, also, the high professional spirit characteristic of the true naval officer, which has impelled you to ask a post of duty at the front, where the danger
and the sacrifice are greatest. I sympathize with your ardor so deeply that 1 should cordially comply with your request if I did not feel the strongest conviction that you can in no other way render so great a service as you are now doing at the head of the Bureau of Equipment. I need not tell you how much I rely upon your absolute Integrity, good judgment, ability and, especially, your experience there.
I think you will agree with me that, at this time, it would be exceedingly difficult, If not Impossible, to flil your place. We are in a special emergency. The busi- ness of your Bureau has rapidly increased. It involves contracts, negotiations, and other business which no one could take up without embarrassment. I must, therefore, beg of you to withdraw your request that I transmit your letter to the President.
With very kind regards,
Truly yours, JOHN D. LONG, Secretary.
Commodore R. B. Bradford, U. S. N.,
Chief, Bureau' of Equipment,
Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 3, 1898. SIR :
1. In accordance with your request. dated April 22, 1898, I hereby withdraw my resignation as Chief of Bu- reau of Equipment, Navy Department.
2. I have the honor to ask that official copies of my resignation and your reply thereto may be made a part of my record.
3. I beg further to request that I may be appointed to the command of a Naval war ship at any time in the future during the continuance of the present war, if my services in the Navy Department can be spared.
Very respectfully, R. B. BRADFORD, Chief of Bureau.
The Secretary of the Navy.
At the beginning of this war, Secretary of the Navy Long said in effeet, to his bureau chiefs, "you know how to carry on this war, I do not, go ahead." He was very loyal in his support, and always gave them the credit for the sueeess of the navy during the war. Their duties were enormously increased and the number of their assistants decreased; their re- sponsibility was great and their work incessant. There is never any glory for a fighting man, however, exeept at the front. Many officers who saw service afloat were advanced, but the bureau chiefs have never been rewarded for making their success possible. A captain of a battleship, who was advaneed, said to a bureau chief after the war, "I had a pienic compared with you." The duties of Commodore Brad- ford as Chief of the Bureau of Equipment were, as the name implies, to equip ships and keep them equipped ; some of the equipment supplies used are purchased and many are man- ufaetured at Navy Yards. Their number is so great that their names eannot even be enu- merated here. As an indication of the enor- mous demand upon the bureau, it may be stated that before the war the average number of nautical outfits, such as nautieal instruments, compasses, charts, nautical books, ete., was twelve per year, while during the first three months of the war, one hundred and thirty- four were supplied. The supply in stoek at the beginning of the war was greater than ever before; in addition every nautical instru-
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ment in the market was at once bought ; even junk shops were searched for old sextants and octants that could be repaired. All chronom- eters that could be found and bought were ob- tained, and large numbers of these and other supplies ordered by cable from London; and home manufacturers of nautical instruments were urged to increase their output to the ut- most capacity. While the nautical outfits in store were once reduced to a single set, no ship was ever delayed.
Coal for ships is also one of the items sup- plied by the Bureau of Equipment. At the be- ginning of the war, the Navy Department pos- sessed no colliers, coal barges, or coal depots. A panic seized upon ship owners, and as a con- sequence nearly all merchant vessels were laid up in port. Contractors for coal in various ports defaulted under the plea of no transpor- tation available. The Bureau purchased colliers and manned them with naval officers and men; coal barges and tugs for towing were also purchased and not a single complaint of a scarcity of coal ever reached the Navy Department during the war.
At the close of the war, Commodore Brad- ford was appointed by President McKinley, Naval Attache of the United States Commis- sion to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace with the government of Spain. This duty being temporary, it was not necessary to vacate the position of Chief of Bureau of Equipment. His testimony before the Com- mission in Paris will be found in the Presi- dent's Message on the "Treaty of Peace be- tween the United States and Spain, Signed at Paris, December 10, 1898." He favored the retention of the Philippine Archipelago by the United States as a naval and commercial base, believing its possession desirable if the United States was to be in the future a world power and share in the commerce of the East. He also believed that the archipelago was rich in resources and, when developed, that an inter- change of products with the United States proper would be mutually advantageous.
On March 3, 1899, Commodore Bradford was promoted on the lineal list of the navy, to the rank of captain. On the same day, under a new law, he was advanced, while Chief of Bureau, from the relative rank of commodore to the actual rank of rear admiral.
During the entire period of his service as Chief of Bureau, Rear Admiral Bradford was a member of the Board of Construction, charged with the design of all ships for the Navy. There were designed during this time
a total of seventy-six ships; of these, fifteen were battleships; eight, armored cruisers; twelve, cruisers and gunboats; four, monitors ; two, training ships; and the balance, thirty- seven, were torpedo boat destroyers, torpedo boats and submarines.
July 20, 1901, Rear Admiral Bradford be- came a member of the general board, upon the invitation of its President, Admiral Dewey. This board was established March 13, 1900. December 18, 1901, upon the expiration of his term as Chief of Bureau, Rear Admiral Brad- ford was again appointed to the same position for four years by President Roosevelt, and con- firmed by the Senate. After serving as Chief of Bureau of Equipment a little more than six years, Rear Admiral Bradford, desiring sea service, tendered his resignation as Chief of Bureau. His letter to the President and the reply, also a letter from the Secretary of the Navy after his departure from the Navy De- partment follow :
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 10, 1903.
SIR :
I respectfully tender my resignation as Chief of Bu- reau of Equipment, Navy Department, to take effect Oc- tober 20, 1903.
While I have served less than one-half of the term for which I was appointed by you, and while I appreciate the honors and responsibilities of the office I hold, yet I have been Chief of the Bureau of Equipment longer than any of my predecessors, and have had no sea service for a long time.
I therefore earnestly request the acceptance of my resignation, and respectfully ask that I may be assigned to suitable command duty afloat during the balance of my service on the active list of the Navy.
Very respectfully,
R. B. BRADFORD, Chief of Bureau.
The President.
WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, October 19, 1903. MY DEAR ADMIRAL BRADFORD :
Your resignation as Chief of the Bureau of Equipment has been received and is accepted. I appreciate the mo- tives which have led you to tender it. The desire of an officer of your rank, experience and ability for a command afloat pleases me, and I am glad to learn that it is the intention of the Secretary of the Navy to assign you to the command of the Battleship Illinois. I was closely as- sociated with you while I was Assistant Secretary of the Navy ; I have watched your work closely since I have been President. As bureau chief you have shown signal zeal, ability and energy, as well as unswerving devotion to the public interests. You carry the same high quali- ties to your new station, and I wish you abundant success therein.
Sincerely yours, THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Rear Admiral R. B. Bradford, Chief, Bureau of Equipment, Navy Department.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, October 21, 1903. MY DEAR ADMIRAL :
The President consents that his letter to you accepting your resignation as Chief of the Bureau of Equipment may be placed upon the files with your record. In con- veying to you this information permit me to say that I am in hearty accord with what the President has writ- ten. I realize that in resigning your position as Chief of Bureau you have made serious personal sacrifices in the interests of the service as you saw it, and I sincerely hope that such opportunities for service afloat may come to you as will more than repay what you have lost.
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