NONRESIDENT

TRAINING
COURSE
May 1982

History of the Chaplain

Corps, Part 1
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 PREFACE
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Remember, however, this self-study course is only one part of the total Navy training program. Practical
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THE COURSE: This self-study course is organized into subject matter areas, each containing learning
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THE QUESTIONS: The questions that appear in this course are designed to help you understand the
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VALUE: In completing this course, you will improve your military and professional knowledge.
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i
 Sailor’s Creed

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I will support and defend the

Constitution of the United States of
America and I will obey the orders
of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the

Navy and those who have gone
before me to defend freedom and
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I proudly serve my country’s Navy

combat team with honor, courage
and commitment.

I am committed to excellence and

the fair treatment of all.”

ii
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iv
PASS/FAIL ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES

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COURSE OBJECTIVES
STUDENT FEEDBACK QUESTIONS
Upon completion of the course, you will
We value your suggestions, questions, and demonstrate a familiarity with the history of the
criticisms on our courses. If you would like to Navy Chaplain Corps from its beginning in 1798
communicate with us regarding this course, we through the year 1939.
encourage you, if possible, to use e-mail. If you
write or fax, please use a copy of the Student
Comment form that follows this page.

iv
 Student Comments
Course Title: History of the Chaplain Corps, Part 1

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v
vi
 Saint Martin and the Beggar by El Greco ( 1541-1614)
By permission of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., Mellon Collection. This picture embodies the legend from
which the word “chaplain” is derived. See the account of the legend in the closing paragraphs of Chapter One of this volume.
 THE HISTORY OF THE

CHAPLAIN CORPS, UNITED STATES NAVY

VOLUME ONE
1778 - 1939

Clifford Merrill Drury

Captain, Chaplain Corps

United States Naval Reserve

REVIEWED AND APPROVED 02 DECEMBER 1983

CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS

NAVPERS 15807
 TO
THE CHAPLAINS OF THE
UNITED STATES NAVY
WHO
HAVE BROUGHT THE BENEFITS OF RELIGION
TO NAVAL PERSONNEL ASHORE AND AFLOAT
IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD

But he who fights against relentless foe

When silence reigns and cheer of eager van
Greets not his ear, but steadfast and alone
Drives back the host of sin, he is a man:

-Chaplain Henry Van Dyke. USNRF, 1918,

from a poem dedicated to chaplains.
(Chaplain Frazier’s Manual)

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A work of this magnitude includes the contribu- tion. This splendid collection of paintings, beautifully
tions of many. Foremost. among the Navy chaplains framed, was presented to the office of Chief of Chap-
of yesterday who were diligent in gathering historical lains. Reproductions of fourteen of these paintings
material pertaining to the history of the Corps was have been used in this volume and grateful acknowl-
Roswell R. Hoes, who died 26 October 1921. His edgment is hereby given Photographer’s Mate Braun
invaluable collection of pamphlets, old photographs, and Chaplain Edel.
copies of official correspondence between chaplains All pictures are from official Navy photographs
and the Navy Department, and other material has unless otherwise noted.
been the primary source of information concerning A special word of appreciation is due Chaplain
the early history of the Navy chaplaincy. Chaplain Robert D. Workman, who served as Chief of Chap-
David H. Tribou, a contemporary of Hoes, was also lains when this project was initiated, and to Chaplain
much interested in this history and carried on William N. Thomas who was Chief of Chaplains
some research in that field. The personal recollections during its further progress and completion. Both
of Chaplains. Hoes and Tribou provided additional chaplains in their official capacities rendered every
valuable data for the history of the Chaplain Corps assistance. Both have given the author the greatest
during the nineteenth century and the first part of possible freedom in deciding upon the contents and
the twentieth. the manner of presentation. Any oversights, omis-
Most of the Hoes and Tribou material bearing on sions, or misplaced emphases are his.
the history of the Navy chaplaincy passed into the The author takes this opportunity to express his
possession of Chaplain W. W. Edel in 1921. Chaplain gratitude for the invaluable assistance rendered in
Edel has been keenly interested in the history of the the preparation of this volume by Commander
Corps and continued the work of his predecessors. A. L. Demaree, USNR, and Lieutenant Louise Kulka,
In 1944, while on a brief visit to the Naval Training W (C), USNR, whose services were made available
Station, Sampson, New York, the author had access to the Chaplains Division by the Office of Naval
to the Hoes and Tribou collections. In 1946 Chap- History for approximately eight months each begin-
lain Edel turned these collections over, together with ning in October 1945.
additions which he contributed, to the Chaplains
Many others have contributed labor or talent to
Division1 which in turn placed them on deposit in
the preparation of this history including librarians,
the Naval Records Collection, National Archives.
chaplains, line officers, several WAVE yeomen, civil
Chaplain Clinton A. Neyman has also delved into
service stenographers, photographers, Navy historians,
the history of the Chaplain Corps and has freely
and a number of civilians including wives of chap-
made available the results of his study.
lains. The author hesitates to mention names lest
In the summer of 1944 Chaplain Edel, then at the
some who assisted in gathering material, preparing
Naval Training Station, Sampson, New York, ini-
copy, or correcting the manuscript or proof would
tiated a project of having reproduced in oil the
be inadvertently overlooked.
pictures of certain outstanding Navy chaplains.
Clayton E. Braun, then seaman, second class, later To all who have been so generous in the contribu-
photographer’s mate, second class, painted fifteen tion of material, of literary talent, or of advice,
portraits, each about 22″ by 27 ″, from pictures and together with those who have rendered practical
photographs secured largely from the Hoes Collec- assistance with the pen and typewriter - a hearty
1
“Thank You.”
From January 1946 to August 1948 the Chaplains Divi- CLIFFORD M. DRURY
sion was known as the Chaplains Activity.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
List of Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
Introduction Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Chapters
ONE — RELIGION AND THE SEA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
TWO — CHAPLAINS IN THE CONTINENTAL NAVY 1775-1785. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
THREE — THE BEGINNINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL CHAPLAINCY,
1789-1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The First United States Navy Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Navy Regulations Governing Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Additional Chaplains in 1800 ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FOUR — THE FIRST DECADE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, 1801-1810 . . . . . . 15
Chaplains in the Barbary War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chaplains Without Warrant or Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The Years Following the Barbarv War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The First Academy for Midshipmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Social and Moral Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The End of the Decade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
FIVE — A COLORFUL DECADE, 1811-1820 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
New Legislation Affecting Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Forty-One Additional Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Outstanding Chaplains of the Second Decade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Chaplains as Schoolmasters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Certain Moral Conditions During the Second Decade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
In Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SIX — “LIMITED TO NINE,” 1821-1840 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Observations of George Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Cruise of the Vincennes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Others Look at the Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Burial at Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Selection and Appointment of Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
The Pay of Chaplains and Related Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
The Duties and Experiences of Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Schools for Midshipmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Social and Moral Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Evil Influences on Boys Aboard Ship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Immorality on Some Ships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Flogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
The Lambert Diary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
The Church Pennant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Items of General Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
In Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

v
 Page
SEVEN — “LIMITED TO TWENTY-FOUR,” 1841-1860. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
The Appointment of Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Should the Chaplaincy be Abolished. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Regulations and Directives Governing Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
The Chaplain’s Uniform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
To Be or Not To Be Liturgical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Bugle Calls for Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
The Church Pennant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Melville’s Description of Divine Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
George Jones and the Naval Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Chaplains at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
The Exploring Expeditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
With Perry in Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Walter Colton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
A Chaplain’s Life Aboard a Sailing Vessel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Distribution of Bibles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
The End of Flogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Grog or No Grog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
In Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
EIGHT — THE CIVIL WAR AND AFTERWARDS, 1861-1880 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Chaplaincy in the Confederate Navy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Civil War Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
The Christian Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
“Eternal Father Strong to Save”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
The Chaplain’s Uniform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Navy Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Navy Regulations Governing Divine Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Navy Regulations Regarding Sunday Observance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Regulations Outlining the Chaplain’s Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Miscellaneous Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
The Appointment of Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Relative Rank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
The Church Pennant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Bugle Call for Hammocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Annual Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
The Chaplain’s Pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Suggestions for Improvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Data About Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
In Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

NINE — THE NEW NAVY STEAMS FORTH, 1881-1900. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

The Chaplains of the New Navv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
First Chaplains from the Disciples Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
First Roman Catholic Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Outstanding Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
The Beginning of the Navy YMCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Evolving Navy Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
“The Smoking Lamp is Out”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
The Chaplain’s Uniform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
The Chaplain and His Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

vi
 Page
Suggested Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
The Spanish-American War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
In Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

TEN — PRELUDE TO WORLD WAR I, 1901-1916 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Agitation for Reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
The Chaplains and Secretary Long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
The Newspaper Campaign for Pay Reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
The Chaplains Argue Their Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
New Legislation Gives Increased Pay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
The Demand for More Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Welfare Secretaries Aboard Ships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
The New Quota Authorized. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Enter the Acting Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
The Appointment and Promotion of Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Uniform Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Outstanding Chaplains and Their Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
The Naval Militia and the National Naval Volunteers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
The Chaplains at Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
First Chaplains Assigned to the Marines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
The Work of the Navy YMCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
St. Peter’s, Mare Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
New Chapel at the Naval Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
In Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

ELEVEN — THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1917-1919 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

New Legislation Affecting the Corps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Reserve Chaplains in the First World War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
First Chief of Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
The Procurement and Assignment of Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
First Jewish Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
First Christian Science Chaplain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Statistics of the Chaplain Corps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Frazier’s Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Sunday Observance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Chaplains at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Collateral Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
The Influenza Epidemic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Distribution of Religious Literature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Certain Collateral Duties Discouraged. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Chaplains with the Marines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Special War Service of Other Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
The First Fleet Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
More Uniform Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
New Regulations Bearing on Social Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Service Organizations in the War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Items of General Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Demobilization of Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
In Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

vii
 Page
TWELVE — THE YEARS BETWEEN, 1920-1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
The Strength of the Corps, Appointments, and Promotions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
The Reserve Chaplains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Suggested Establishment of a Chaplains’ Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
The Succession of Chiefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Developments Within the Corps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Pacifists Attack the Chaplaincy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Federal Council’s Report on Chaplaincy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Changing Nature of Naval Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Divine Services and Other Religious Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Chapels Secured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
The Church Pennant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Uniform Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
“All Manner of Things Thereunto Belonging”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Chaplains at Work Overseas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Welfare Agencies Bewteen Wars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Religious Activities at the Naval Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Of General Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
In Retrospect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Appendices
I. United States Navv Chaplains, 1778-1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
II. Chart Showing Religious Affiliations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
III. Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
IV. Index of Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
V. General Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

viii
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Saint Martin and the Beggar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frontispiece
1. USS Constitution.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2. William Balch, First Chaplain known to be Commissioned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. The Original Balch Commission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4. Altar in Commodore’s Cabin, USS Constitution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Andrew Hunter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6. Philander Chase, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7. Four Early Nineteenth Century Chaplains—Ryland, Colton, Jones, and Rockwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8. Divine Service on a Frigate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
9. First Known Illustrations of the Church Pennant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
10. Chaplain F. W. Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
11. Old Church Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
12. Present Church Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
13. First Naval Academy Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
14. First Marine Burial in Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
15. Two Civil War Chaplains—Lenhart and Beugless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
16. First Chaplains to be made Commodores—Stockbridge and Newell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
17. First Chaplains to be made Rear Admirals—McLaren and Gill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
18. Chaplains’ Shoulder Strap and Cap Insignia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
19. Hammocks Bugle Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
20. George A. Crawford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
21. David H. Tribou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
22. Alfred L. Royce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
23. Roswell R. Hoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
24. Charles H. Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
25. William H. I. Reaney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
26. Second Naval Academy Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
27. Matthew C. Cleeson, Wearing Uniform of First World War Period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
28. William W. Edel, Wearing Uniform of First World War Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
29. Two Chaplain Heroes of World War I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
30. Reproduction of Chaplain’s Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
31. Triptych Window in St. Peter’s Chapel, Mare Island, Calif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
32. St. Peter’s Chapel-Interior View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
33. St. Peter’s Chapel-Exterior View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
34. Insignia worn by a Jewish Chaplain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
35. Insignia Worn by a Chaplain of the Christian Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
36. Six Chiefs of Navy Chaplains—Frazier, Scott, Dickins, Evans, Duff, and Workman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
37. Chart Showing Distribution of USN Chaplains by Rank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
38. Tent Chapel Secured for the Philadelphia Navy Yard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
39. Interior and Exterior Views of Chapel, Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
40. The Church Pennant in use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
41. Navy Sightseeing Party, Cairo, Egypt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
42. Navy Sightseeing Party, Soochow, China. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
43. Navy Chaplains Conference at Rancho Sante Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
44. Present Chapel at Naval Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
45. Spiritual Overhaul Ship, SOS No. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

ix
 ABBREVIATIONS USED

The following abbreviations have been used to For example, the footnote: “Nav. Rec. Coll.,
indicate the location of source material consulted in IV:2:16” indicates letter number 16 of volume two
the preparation of this work: of Miscellaneous Letters.
1. Nav. Rec. Coll.—Naval Records Collection, 2. NRSO.-—Naval Records Secretary’s Office.
National Archives, Washington.
This is also a part of National Archives. Records
Most of the naval records prior to 1910 are in the
go back to 1887 and in some cases earlier. This col-
Naval Records Collection and arc serviced by the
lection consists of items which were numbered and
staff of the Naval Records and Library. This collec-
kept in files rather than being bound. The figures
tion includes hundreds of original logs and muster
given in the footnotes, following the abbreviation
rolls, maps, pictures, journals, files of classified docu-
NRSO, indicate the index number.
ments, and several thousand volumes of original
correspondence from and to the Navy Department 3. CoC—Chief of Chaplains’ office.
dating back to 1790. These letters and other docu- Beginning with the appointment in 1917 of Chap-
ments were classified into seven main groups, ar- lain J. B. Frazier, who acted as the first Chief of Navy
ranged chronologically,, and bound at first by years Chaplains, a filing system was inaugurated which
and then by months. The assignment of Roman includes a “jacket” for each chaplain. This file often
numerals to these groups is an arbitrary device of the duplicates material carried in the official jacket kept
author’s to facilitate identification. The classification by the Bureau of Naval Personnel. The file of the
used is as follows: individual chaplain kept in the Chief’s office con-
I. Letters from the Navy Department to tains correspondence and other material not found
Officers, Ships of War, (sometimes refer- in the official jacket.
red to as O. S. W.)
The Navy practice of referring to dates by day,
II. Letters from Captains.
month, and year (without commas) has been fol-
III. Letters from Officers.
lowed. The initial letters U. S. S. before the names
IV. Miscellaneous Letters.
of United States ships have been eliminated in the
V. Circulars and General Orders.
text.
VI. General Letter Book.
VII. Commandant’s Letters. 4. R.S.—U. S. Revised Statutes.

x
 INTRODUCTION

This is the first comprehensive and official history life and activities of naval personnel on ships and
of the United States Navy chaplaincy ever prepared. stations where no chaplains have been on duty is
Upon orders from the Secretary of the Navy, histo- included.
rians were selected to write the history of all phases Secondly, this work has been written with the hope
of the Navy’s activities during the recent war. A his- that it might be a guide and inspiration to the chap-
tory of the Chaplain Corps was included in this over- lains who compose the present Corps. The reasons
all program. for certain regulations, the significance of certain tra-
Chaplain Clifford M. Drury, who was on leave ditions, and the importance of the general policies
from San Francisco Theological Seminary where he that guide the activities, of the individual chaplain
occupies the chair of Church History, was called to as well as those of the Corps have their roots in the
Washington in March 1944 to work on this project. past. The lessons learned in the painful and costly
Chaplain R. D. Workman, then Chief of Chaplains, experience of World War II must be recorded, while
took a personal interest in the work and gave it they are vivid in memory, for the benefit of the chap-
much of his time. Chaplain Workman has continued lains of tomorrow.
his interest and assistance in the publication even Finally, mindful of the necessity of having the
though he is now retired. Until August 1945 Chap- support of the various denominations which have
lain Drury served as District Chaplain of the Poto- contributed members of their clergy to the naval
mac River Naval Command and devoted only a chaplaincy, this history is presented to the public
portion of his time to the writing of this history. with the hope that it may be a factor in sustaining
After VJ day he was able to give full time until his interest in the Navy Chaplain Corps. The Navy looks
detachment from active duty on 1 July 1946. He to the Naval Academy at Annapolis for many of its
returned to duty for three or four months during line officers. It looks to the churches of the United
each of the summers of 1947 and 1948, and also States for its chaplains. An intelligent and sympa-
in the early part of 1949, to complete the assign- thetic appreciation of the opportunities and responsi-
ment. bilities of naval chaplains on the part of organized
While the immediate objective of the history- religion is necessary for the maintenance of a con-
writing project of the Navy was focused on the re- tinuing supply of consecrated and well-qualified
cent war, the Chaplains Division felt that a study young men for this challenging field of religious en-
of the evolution of the Corps from its inception to deavor.
World War II was also needed. Such a work was a The History of the Chaplain Corps, United States
logical and necessary prologue to the history of the Navy will consist of two volumes of narrative and
Corps during the recent war. one volume containing the biographical and service-
This work, therefore, has been prepared with a record sketches of 3,353 chaplains who served in the
three-fold purpose. In the first place, it presents a Continental and United States Navies down to the
picture of the varied activities of chaplains from the end of 1945. The latter volume was issued as a Gov-
days of the Continental Navy through World War ernment publication in 1948.1
II. Attention is given to the evolution of the Chap- This, the first volume of the narrative, presents
lain Corps itself. (The effectiveness of the chaplain’s the history of the Chaplain Corps from the days of
service was greatly increased when he no longer the Continental Navy to 8 September 1939 when
stood alone but became a part of a recognized Corps President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the exis-
of the Navy, officially headed by a Chief of Chap- tence of a state of national emergency. Volume Two
lains.) Mention is made of the social and moral con- will continue the narrative from 8 September 1939
ditions under which naval personnel lived, because through World War II to 1949.
that which so vitally affects ethics and morality is logi- 1
For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Govern-
cally a part of this study. Something of the religious ment Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Price $2.50.

xi
 Navy chaplains have long felt the need for a his- a story that the church people of all denominations
tory of the Corps and it is with real joy and satisfac- should read. And here is a guide and textbook for
tion that I now commend this work to the public. the chaplains still on active duty and for those who
Nowhere outside of the armed services of the United shall enter this service in the years to come.
States is it possible to find so many clergymen of so
many different faiths working together in such close WILLIAM N. THOMAS,
harmony for the spiritual welfare of so many. Here is Rear Admiral, ChC., USN.

xii
 CHAPTER ONE

RELIGION AND THE SEA

From ancient times the sea has engendered in the A Navy chaplain, Sydney Key Evans, comments
hearts of those who have ventured forth upon the on the inspiration the sea lends to religious thought:
vastness of its waters feelings of fear, awe, and rev-
The Navy chaplain has particular helps in his work. The
erence. The mariner of yesterday who dared sail his very ocean itself comes to his aid. In its calmer aspects it
frail craft out upon the uncharted wilderness of the suggests the serenity, mystery, immensity and irresistible
sea had good reason to be afraid. Beyond the horizon energy of God, and in its wilder moods His power, majesty,
was the mystery of the great unknown. Contrary and awfulness. In all moods it is a constant reminder of
winds, violent storms, the great loneliness of the sea, man’s littleness and dependence and has ever been one of
his chief stimuli to resourcefulness, courage, heroism, and
and the mythical leviathans of the deep, all con- self-sacrifice.1
tributed to his fear. Recognizing the risks he ran, the
sailor turned in awe and sometimes in superstition to The sensitivity of the sailor to the material factors
his deity for protection and guidance. of his surroundings, especially in wartime, makes him
one of the most religious of men. These religious
In these modern times the sailor has risen above
impulses and serious meditations have not always
many of his fears of the past. Most of the waters
been well directed. The religion of the seaman has
have been charted. With high-powered engines, he
often degenerated into a curious collection of salty
can run contrary to the wind and even defy the
superstitions. The vicissitudes of seafaring life have
storm. Through the magic of radio and radar he can
made it easy for the weak to indulge in vice. The
keep in touch with land. Weather reports forecast
Christian church has long recognized these facts and
the wind, sea, and sky. Although science has largely
in various ways has sought to provide a spiritual
replaced superstition, it has created new fears to take
leadership for the Navy’s floating parishes. In modern
the place of the old. New and more terrible levia-
days this endeavor has found expression in the chap-
thans lurk in the deep. Death falls from the sky.
laincy.
War has always been an awful thing, and strong men
still know what it is to be afraid. The affinity between religion and the sea is older
An editorial in the Army and Navy Chronicle of than Christianity. Fragmentary records of ancient
21 September 1837 developed the theme that “sea days tell of religious ceremonies in connection with
life has ever been thought congenial with religious the laying of the keel, the placing of the mast, and
feeling.” The editor quoted an old Latin proverb the launching of the vessel. Even to this day a clergy-
from Horace, “Qui nescit orare, discat navigare,” man is usually called upon to take part in such cere-
which, freely translated, is “Whoever would learn monies as the launching and commissioning of ves-
how to pray, let him become a navigator.” The sels. The early Latin mariners, when they ventured
mariner, both ancient and modern, is by necessity an out upon the deep, carried with them images of their
astronomer. In addition to serving as indispensable gods, called pupi (doll images). Sometimes an altar
guides, the stars have from ancient times. inspired was built on the after-deck, and here their idols were
man to meditate upon the wonders of creation. This placed. This deck, often elevated in the ancient craft,
is especially true of the sailor who walks the deck of came to be known as the “poop-deck.”2 Carved
a ship on a clear night. About him is the moving, images of patron saints were fastened to the prow,
pulsating surface of the ocean stretching out as far and these figureheads remained on our sailing vessels
as the eye can reach. Above him is the infinity of until the advent of steam.
heavenly spaces whose blackness is broken by the stars 1
Evans, S. K., “Notes by a Navy Chaplain,” The Army
and the ever-changing moon. There is indeed an Chaplain,
2
April 1931, p. 5.
affinity between religion and the sea. Skerrett, “The Baptism of Ships,” Naval Institute Pro-
ceedings, August 1909, p. 545.

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 There has always been a close kinship between every ship ordered to sea that there might be a chaplain
Christianity and the sea. Among the twelve disciples appointed to each, properly equipped with the King’s war-
were several sailors from the Sea of Galilee. Jesus rant. . .4
sometimes used a boat as a pulpit. The early church The origin of the title “chaplain” goes back to an
fathers referred to the church as the Ship of Salvation old legend of Saint Martin of Tours (ca. 316-400).
and compared it to Noah’s Ark. The vaulted ceiling Martin, a soldier, with a group of well-dressed com-
of a church was likened to an inverted keel of a panions, met an importunate beggar shivering in his
ship and the main portion of the church, apart from rags on a bitterly cold winter night at one of the city
the chancel, was called the nave from the Latin gates of Amiens. The others passed by heedless of
navis, ship. Among the most popular of the early the cries for alms. Martin, touched with compassion,
Christian symbols was the fish, the Greek name for opened his purse but found it empty. He drew his
which formed an anagram whose letters summarized sword and with it divided his heavy cloak with its
an early Christian creed.3 Figures of speech from ample folds. One half he gave to the beggar and
the sea occur frequently in Christian liturgy and kept the other for himself. That night Martin in a
hymnology. “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me,” and “Jesus dream saw Christ clad in that half cloak and was so
Calls Us O’er the Tumult” are but two examples. moved by the vision that he sought baptism. Soon
Chaplains accompanied most of the exploring ex- afterwards he abandoned his military career and de-
peditions sent to the new world. When Francis Drake voted himself to the church. In time he became the
sailed around the world in his Golden Hinde in 1578- patron saint of France, and his cloak was kept as a
1580, Chaplain Francis Fletcher, a clergyman of the sacred relic by the French kings and was often carried
Church of England, was aboard. Chaplain Fletcher with them into battle. The word “chaplain” is de-
conducted the first Protestant service in the English rived from the French word “Chapelain,” originally
language in what is now continental United States. the officer appointed to watch over the sacred cloak
The service was held in June 1579 on a beach located (medieval Latin, cappa or capella).5
in what is known today as Drake’s Bay, Marin While the skeptic may question the authenticity
County, California, about fifty miles north of San of the legend, yet one can accept the spirit of mercy
Francisco. and compassion exemplified by Saint Martin as being
Other English sovereigns, following the precedent in full harmony with the spirit of Christ. Today it
set by Queen Elizabeth, appointed chaplains to serve is assumed that this attitude of brotherly love is one
on the larger vessels of the British Navy. By the time of the inherent characteristics of all chaplains.
of Charles I the custom seems to have been well During the past century and a half chaplains of
established. Samuel Pepys, of diary fame, occupying the United States Navy have shared the hardships
a position in the British Government equivalent to and rewards that come to other naval personnel.
the First Lord of the British Admiralty, was active They have carried on their ministry with these sea-
in 1676 in urging captains of His Majesty’s ships to going men, whose very sensitiveness to religion has
take a “godly divine” with them. His diary shows been to the advantage of the chaplain, on sea, on
his concern about the type of men selected. A recent shore, at home, in foreign lands, in peace, and in
authority on Pepys writes: war. The chronicle of the activities of these padres
It was laid down that henceforth the Secretary of the
of the sea begins with the days of the Continental
Admiralty Office was to notify the Church authorities of Navy.
3 4
The creed translated from the Greek reads: Jesus Christ, 5
Bryant,
Samuel Pepys, II : 185.
Son of God, Savior. “Chaplain,” Encyclopaedia Britannica.

—2—
 CHAPTER TWO

CHAPLAINS IN THE CONTINENTAL NAVY

1775-1785

The history of the chaplaincy of the United States gress intended that there should be an ordained
Navy necessarily parallels the history of the Navy clergyman on board.
itself. While this work is designed primarily to re- The third article designed to protect the morals
count what Navy chaplains did, the conditions under of those aboard ship was as follows:
which they lived and worked, and the results they If any shall be heard to swear, curse, or blaspheme the
accomplished, it will also be necessary to trace name of God, the Commander is strictly enjoined to pun-
enough of the background of naval history to give ish them for every offence, by causing them to wear a
perspective to the picture. Since ships and shore sta- wooden collar, or some other shameful badge of distinc-
tions are the parishes of Navy chaplains, an elemen- tion, for so long time as he shall judge proper. If he be a
commissioned officer, he shall forfeit one shilling for each
tary knowledge of the names and types of ships as offence, and a warrant or inferior officer six pence. He
well as some idea of the history of shore bases is es- who is guilty of drunkenness, if a seaman, shall be put in
sential to an understanding of the story of the Chap- irons until he is sober, but if an officer, he shall forfeit
lain Corps. two days pay.2
The Continental Navy antedates the United States The first mention of a chaplain in the Journals of
Navy. On 13 October 1775 a timid Congress by a the Continental Congress refers to his share in the
margin of one vote authorized the building of two distribution of prize money. On 6 January 1776
swift sailing vessels, one with fourteen guns and the Congress passed a resolution which included the
other with ten. A Marine Committee of three mem- provision:
bers, later enlarged to seven, was appointed to con-
That the Commander in Chief have one twentieth of
duct naval affairs.1 After authorizing ships and an the said allotted prize money. . .
embryonic Navy Department, Congress directed its That the lieutenants of marines, surgeons, chaplains,
attention to the regulations which should govern the pursers, boatswains, gunners, carpenters, the masters’ mates,
new Navy. Faced with the necessity of producing a and the secretary of the fleet, share together, and have two
set of rules immediately, it was natural that Con- twentieth parts and one half of one twentieth part divided
amongst them, equally of all prizes taken when they are
gress should turn to the rules of the Mother Country in company.3
for a model. Thus it happened that from the very
beginning of the Continental Navy due considera- On 15 November 1776, more than a year after
tion was given to Divine Services and to the place the first vessels had been authorized, Congress fixed
of chaplains on the larger vessels, since this was an the pay of officers in the Navy. The base pay of the
inherent part of the British system. chaplain was $20 a month, and, for purposes of com-
The second article of the Navy regulations adopted parison, the surgeon received $25. Officers in the
28 November 1775 read: pay grade which included the Navy chaplain, how-
ever, were to receive $4 a week subsistence when in
The Commanders of the ships of the thirteen United domestic ports and when they were unable to live
Colonies, are to take care that divine service be performed aboard their ships. This rate of pay compared favor-
twice a day on board, and a sermon preached on Sundays, ably with that allowed Army officers. As early as 29
unless bad weather or other extraordinary accidents pre-
vent. July 1775 Congress had fixed the pay of Army chap-
lains at $20 a month. This was raised to $33.33 on
Although the chaplain is not mentioned in this 16 January 1776.
article, the reference to a sermon implies that Con- 2
1 3
Journals of The Continental Congress, III:378.
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 10. Ibid., IV:36.

—3—
 The article in Navy regulations calling for the per- Another reference to a chaplain is found in the
formance of Divine Service twice daily and the de- following letter from the Marine Committee to Seth
livery of a sermon on Sunday, together with the two Harding, Captain of the Continental frigate Con-
previously mentioned references to a chaplain in the federacy, regarding an unidentified chaplain who had
Journals, are the only known instances of official ac- gotten into trouble:
tion by the Continental Congress regarding the Navy May 26th, 1779
chaplaincy. These suffice, however, to show that Con- Sir
gress was aware of the spiritual needs of naval per- I am ordered by the Marine Committee to desire that
sonnel and that it intended that chaplains be pro- you will send up the Chaplin [sic] of your Ship to this place
vided to ships whenever possible. under a Guard so as to be brought before the Committee
on friday evening next at six OClock, I am Sir
References to the presence and work of chaplains Yr. hble sert.
in the Continental Navy are few. The Library of John Brown, Secy7
Congress has a collection of John Paul Jones letters,
two of which reveal Jones seeking chaplains in France The nature of the offense or the outcome of the
for his ships Ranger and Bon Homme Richard. The trial is not disclosed.
first letter, written from Passy, France, on 12 July The first chaplain known to have served in the
1778, was directed to H[enry] Grand in Paris and Continental Navy was the Reverend Benjamin Balch,
reads : a Harvard graduate and a Congregational minister,
whose father had served in a similar capacity in His
In the selection of a Chaplain the following qualifica- Majesty’s expedition of 1745 in “King George’s War”
tions are deemed requisite “I could wish him to be a man
of reading and of letters who understands, speaks and against Cape Breton. Benjamin Balch fought in the
writes the french & english with elegance and propriety: Battle of Lexington as one of the Minute Men. Later
For political reasons it would be well if he were a clergy- he served as an Army chaplain in the siege of Boston.
man of the protestant profession whose sanctity of manners On 28 October 1778 Balch reported aboard the frig-
and happy natural principles would diffuse unanimity and ate Boston under the command of Samuel Tucker.
cheerfulness thro’ the ship. And if to these essentials are
added the talent of writing fast and in fair characters, such The muster roll, which carries the names of 287 men,
a man would necessarily. be worthy the highest confidence, indicates that the chaplain was paid at the rate of
& might, therefore, assure himself of my esteem and ninety shillings a month.8 Some time after the capture
friendship; he should always have a place at my table, of the Boston by the British in 1780 at Charleston,
the regulation whereof would be entirely under his direc- South Carolina, Balch began his service on the
tion”4
Alliance.
It seems evident that Jones was looking for a man By 1781 the Continental Navy had only two frig-
who could serve not only as the ship’s chaplain but ates, the Alliance and the Deane, each of which
also as his private secretary. A few weeks later Jones carried thirty-two guns. When Balch served as chap-
was given command of the Bon Homme Richard. lain on the Alliance from October 1780 to June 1781,
After some difficulty he assembled a crew of about the Anglophobic Irishman, John Barry, was her Cap-
330, including only thirty Americans. Most of the tain.” During. this time, the ship saw considerable
crew were “raw French peasants.”5 Writing from action.
L’Orient, on 30 April 1779 to his friend “Father Chaplain Balch had with him two of his young
John” Mehegan at Brest, the chaplain and secretary sons, Thomas and Benjamin, who, because of their
to Admiral Count d’Orvilliers, Jones said: youth, were entered on the ship’s payroll as drawing
Having a number of French under my command, I am the pay of one man. The Chaplain’s part in the
in want of a Chaplain. You know whom I would prefer Alliance’s capture of two British vessels off Halifax
if they are disengaged.6 follows:
Undoubtedly Jones was requesting a chaplain of
the Catholic faith. There is no evidence of his secur- The peril the ship was in brought out the desperate
ing either a Protestant chaplain for the Ranger or a courage of every man on board the Alliance, the ‘cloth’
Catholic for the Bon Homme Richard. 7
Paullin, (ed.), Out-Letters of the Continental Marine
4
Committee and Board of Admiralty August 1776-September
5
Jones Collection, Letter No. 6783. 1780,
8
II:78.
Sands, Life and Correspondence of John Paul Jones, p. Sheppard, The Life of Samuel Tucker, p. 344. The orig-
156.
6
inal Journal of Samuel Tucker is in the Essex Institute,
Jones Colection, Letter No. 7073. See also American S a9l e m , M a s s .
Catholic Historical Researches, p. 221. Clark, Gallant John Barry, pp. 193, 227, 239.

—4—
being no exception. Reverend Benjamin, armed cap-a-pie, including the commissioner of the navy, chaplains”
was seen in the midst of the fray, and thereafter is said to and others were being dismissed.13
have become known on the ship as the “fighting parson:” Possibly chaplains served aboard some of the larger
His son, Thomas, was also in the fight, and when father
and son met afterwards, it was with an embrace and with privateers, but of this there is no record. Congress
the words, “Thank God, my son”10 encouraged these vessels to prey upon British ship-
ping. Approximately 70,000 men embarked on such
Benjamin Balch had twelve children, one of whom,
cruises and accounted for 600 British ships.14
William, was the first chaplain known to receive a
The Continental Navy played a minor role in the
commission in the United States Navy after the pres-
Revolutionary War. Some ships authorized were
ent Navy Department was established in 1798.
never built or otherwise acquired. Others that were
Soon after Chaplain Balch left the Alliance in
put into commission never saw action. However, the
October 1781, Captain Barry appointed James Gea-
combined forces of the Continental Navy, the state
gan, a Navy surgeon, to serve as chaplain.11 In those
navies, the privateers, and the invaluable assistance
days many clergymen also practiced medicine and
of the French Navy undoubtedly hastened the suc-
while it is possible that Geagan was ordained, the
cessful conclusion of the struggle. When the war
probability is that he was not. Since Barry was a de-
ended the Continental Navy consisted of only four
vout Catholic, it has been assumed by some that
ships. By 1785 even these had been sold. Roughly
Geagan was an Irish Catholic priest. Geagan served
speaking, the history of the Continental Navy
as chaplain or acting chaplain for about seven
spanned only ten years, from 1775 to 1785.
months. When the billet of ship’s surgeon became
The records of the services rendered by Navy chap-
vacant in July 1782, he was appointed to that posi-
lains in the Revolutionary War are fragmentary.
tion. In spite of his friendship for Captain Barry, he
Benjamin Balch and James Geagen are the only
with a number of other officers left the Alliance at a
chaplains who are known to have served in the Con-
French port sometime before 12 December 1782,
tinental Navy. More important than the services of
because they had not been paid.12
individual chaplains was the adoption by the Conti-
Some of the colonies had naval forces of their own
nental Congress of regulations which provided a place
which may have included chaplains. A record of the
for religion and for chaplains in the Navy. These
Virginia Assembly for November 1781 shows that
regulations were expanded in the rules which gov-
this body was then reducing its naval force and
erned the new Navy of 1798.
that “every person of the naval staff establishment,
13
Stewart, The History of Virginia’s Navy of the Revolu-
1 0 tion, p. 120. A note in the Edel Collection gives the follow-
Danvers Historical
Collection, VII:89-91.
11
Clark, op. cit., pp.
239, 247, 269. ing information without stating source: “Land Grants to
12
Griffin, Commodore John Barry, pp. 166, 188-203. Chaplains in the Navy of Virginia in Revolution. John
Braidfoote, Chaplain in State Navy of Virginia, received
grant
14
of 6,000 acres.”
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 12;
Sprout, H. and M., The Rise of American Naval Power,
p. 11.

—5—
 CHAPTER THREE

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL CHAPLAINCY

1789-1800

FOR thirteen years, 1785 to 1798, there was no It was not until 1815 that the United States acquired
American Navy and, therefore, no Navy chaplains. its first ship of the line or line-of-battle ship. This
The Constitution adopted in 1789 invested Congress type mounted seventy-four or more guns on two and
with the power “to provide and maintain a navy.” The even three decks.2 These three types can be com-
Congressional Act of 1789 establishing the War De- pared to the light cruisers, heavy cruisers, and battle-
partment gave the Secretary of War jurisdiction over ships of today.
both the naval and military forces. Since the Navy Although the Act of 1794 authorized the building
Department was not established until 30 April 1798, of six frigates, the keels of only three were immedi-
both branches of our armed forces were under one ately laid. They were the United States, the Consti-
administrative head for about nine years. Although tution, and the Constellation, honored names in the
several ships were authorized in the latter part of history of the United States Navy. Construction was
this period, no naval vessels actually put to sea under halted in 1795 when a humiliating treaty was signed
the authority of the Secretary of War. with Algiers. For about three years the bare skeleton,
The United States Navy was born out of a troubled keel and ribs of ships, lay in their ways exposed to
international situation. As early as 1785 American the elements.
ships had been seized by Algerian pirates and their Even though the United States had concluded
crews held for ransom. Repeated outrages perpetrated treaties with Morocco and Algiers, none had been
by the Algerian corsairs on American ships and sailors made with Tunis and Tripoli, which were also foca1
finally aroused Congress to pass on 27 March 1794 points of piracy and extortion for Mediterranean
“An Act to provide a Naval Armament.” This Act shipping. However, before anything serious happened
called for the building of six frigates, four of forty- in that area, American relations with France took an
four guns and two of thirty-six. Joshua Humphreys unexpected turn for the worse. The Jay Treaty signed
of Philadelphia, who was selected to build one of the with Great Britain in 1794 was viewed by the French
frigates, originated a new design for his vessel, the as a violation of the France-American Treaty of
United States, which was so acceptable that it was 1778. In consequence the French began preying upon
used for the other frigates as well. In brief, his plan American shipping. On 21 June 1797 the Secretary
called for vessels which were longer, broader, and of State reported that the French had seized thirty-
lower in the water than similar vessels of the British two American ships in the previous nine months.3
Navy. These fast-sailing fighting ships were the best This situation was intolerable, and public sentiment
of their time.1 rapidly crystallized in favor of aggressive defensive
There were then three categories of ships consid- action.
ered sufficiently large to warrant chaplains. First Work on the unfinished frigates was resumed. On
there were the three-masted square-rigged vessels 7 September 1797 the Constellation was launched.
which carried up to twenty-four guns, mounted on a On 21 October the Constitution slid down the ways.
single deck. These were called sloops. While they An ever darkening international horizon caused
sometimes had a chaplain, this proved the exception Congress to authorize the acquisition of twelve addi-
rather than the rule. Then there were the frigates, tional vessels, each of twenty-two guns, on 27 April
which were larger than sloops, although similarly 1798. Three days later Congress established the Navy
rigged. These carried from twenty-eight to forty-four Department and President Adams selected Benjamin
guns on the spar deck above and the gun deck below. 2
Sprout, H. and M., The Rise of American Naval Power,
1
pp.42-3.
3
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 43. Goldsborough, Naval Chronicle, I:78.

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Page 7

:
-

U.S.S. CONSTITUTION
Stoddert to be its first secretary. 4 On 10 May 1798 the President was authorized to equip and man the
the United States was launched. Continued French frigates United States, Constellation, and Constitution
depredations on American shipping finally aroused by the Act of 1 July 1797, a chaplain was detailed
Congress to vigorous action. On 28 May hostile action to each vessel with the same rate of pay as had been
against armed French vessels hovering off the coast of previously set.
the United States was authorized, and on 7 July Con- According to the Secretary of the Navy’s report of
gress declared that the treaties with France were no 24 December 1798 a chaplain was authorized on
longer in effect. Thus began the Quasi War with frigates of forty-four, thirty-six, and thirty-two guns,
France which lasted until 30 Spetember 1800, a little having a complement of 400, 340, and 260 men re-
more than two years. During this time, a fleet of spectively.8
about fifty vessels was sent to sea, only nine of which
were heavy frigates.
The Constellation,5 the first of the frigates author-
ized in 1794, sailed from Hampton Roads under the
command of Captain Thomas Truxtun on 23 June
1798. On 13 July the United States under command
of Captain John Barry, and on 20 July the Constitu-
tion under Captain Samuel Nicholson put to sea.
In 1799 the following additional frigates were
added: Chesapeake, Philadelphia, Congress, Insur-
gente, Essex, John Adams, Adams, George Washing-
ton, Boston, and the General Greene.6 The President
and the New York were not added to the fleet until
1800. The Insurgente was captured from the French
in 1799, but she foundered at sea the following year.
As will be shown, chaplains were to serve on most of
these vessels.
When peace was declared in the fall of 1800, public
sentiment quickly demanded a curtailment of the
naval establishment. A new administration under
President Jefferson, bent on economizing, was elected
in the fall of 1800. Secretary of Navy Stoddert, realiz-
ing that the new administration would be anti-navy,
hastily acquired sites for Navy Yards at Portsmouth
(New Hampshire), Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Washington, and Norfolk. These sites acquired during
the closing weeks of a defeated administration laid
the foundation for a permanent shore establishment
of the Navy. WILLIAM BALCH
First chaplain known to be commissioned, United States
THE FIRST UNITED STATES NAVY Navy, 1799-1801. From a painting by Clayton Braun.
CHAPLAINS
The second section of the Act of 1794 stated that Who had the honor of being the first chaplain in
there shall be employed on board each of the said the newly established Navy in 1798? There is con-
ships of forty-four guns . . . one chaplain.” His pay clusive evidence that William Balch, a son of Benja-
was to be $40 a month plus two rations a day. 7 When min Balch, was commissioned a chaplain in the
4
United States Navy on 30 October 1799. On that
Technically, the first Secretary of the Navy was George date the Secretary of the Navy wrote to Captain
Cabot of Massachusetts who declined the nomination after
legally holding the office for fourteen days. Mayo, Your James Sever of the Congress:
Navy, p. 17.
5
Ships of the same class did not always carry the same Sir, I enclose you a commission for William Balch as
number
6
of guns. Chaplain and John Mushainey as Boatswain for the Con-
7
Nav. Doc. Quasi War, IV: 484. 8
Gen. Reg. of Navy & Marine Corps, p. 233. Nav. Doc. Quasi War, II : 116-7.

—8—
 Courtesy Massachusetts Historical Society,
Reproduction of original commission granted Chaplain William Balch, 13 October 1799, and signed by President John Adams,
gress. You will require these Gentlemen to9 take the en- commissioned chaplain to serve in the United
closed oath and return them to this office. States Navy, there is clear evidence that William
This, the first commission known to have been Austin was serving as a chaplain, without a com-
given a United States naval chaplain, reads: mission, aboard the Constitution nearly a year before
JOHN ADAMS President of the United States of Balch reported for duty on the Congress. The Con-
America, stitution first sailed from Boston on 20 July 1798 un-
To all who shall see these Presents, Greeting: der the command of Captain Nicholson who was re-
KNOW YE, That reposing special Trust and Confidence lieved less than a year later by Captain Silas Talbot.
in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Abilities of William The first name on the ship’s muster roll which Cap-
Balch, I do appoint him a Chaplain in the Navy of the tain Talbot signed in July 1799 is that of “William
United States: He is therefore carefully and diligently to
discharge the duty of a Chaplain by doing and performing Austin—Chaplain.”10 According to this record, Aus-
all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And I do tin had been paid to 31 May 1799, a fact that in-
strictly charge and require all Officers, Seamen and others, dicates he was serving on board prior to that date.
under his command, to be obedient to his Orders as a On 27 August 1800 Captain Talbot wrote the
Chaplain. And he is to observe and follow such Orders and Secretary of the Navy stating:
Directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me,
or the future President of the United States of America, or I have always understood that Mr. Austin (a young
his superior Officer set over him, according to the Rules Gentleman that has acted as Chaplain for about two years
and Discipline of the Navy. This Commission to continue past) meant to leave the ship at her return from her late
in force during the pleasure of the President of the United cruise, that his object in coming into the service was
States for the time being. principally to acquire a little property to enable him to
Given under my Hand, at Phil- support himself a few years in the Commencement of the
adelphia, this Thirtieth day Study of the Law which he means to engage in; he is now
of October in the Year of absent and I cannot obtain immediately his answer on the
our Lord One Thousand Subject of Continuing in service. But I am almost Con-
Seven Hundred Ninety nine fident that he will decline. He has not had any warrant.11
and in the twenty fourth Other sources indicate that Austin took passage
Year of the Independence of from Cape Francois for New York aboard the Amer-
the United States.
John Adams ican sloop Chase on 7 July 1800, which may have
By Command of the President of been the time he left the Constitution. Talbot in-
the United States of America timated that Austin had been serving as chaplain
Be. Stoddert for about two years and this places the date of his
A copy of the oath used by the Navy Department reporting sometime in the summer of 1798. How-
in 1805, thought to be the same as that used in 1799, ever, Talbot himself did not take command of the
follows: Constitution until the summer of 1799.
I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . appointed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On 17 May 1801 Austin wrote to the Secretary
do solemnly swear to bear true allegiance to the United of the Navy on behalf of Captain Nicholson, who
States of America, and to serve them honestly and faith- was then being criticized for his conduct when in
fully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; command of the Constitution. Austin wrote:
and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the
United States of America, and the orders of the officers I was a chaplain on board the frigate Constitution eigh-
appointed over me, and in all things to conform myself teen months, with Captain Nicholson, six, with Captain
to the rules and regulations which now are or hereafter Talbot, twelve. My situation with both was similar. Cap-
may be directed, and to the articles of war which may be tain Nicholson’s politeness made me his companion; with
enacted by Congress, for the better government of the him I lived, at his table I constantly sat, his cabin was my
navy of the United States, and that I will support the residence, and from it I seldom retired until his usual time
constitution of the United States. of rest.12
Balch served on two ships. His duty aboard the Austin disproved the charge of intoxication which
Congress was cut short when that vessel was dis- had been made against Captain Nicholson and
masted in a storm early in 1800. As Captain Barron signed his letter “Late Chaplain on board the frigate
of the Chesapeake needed a chaplain, Balch was Constitution.” This letter indicates that Austin was
transferred to that vessel on 1 May 1800 and served chaplain during the last six months of Captain
there a little more than a year. Nicholson’s command and therefore must have begun
10
While William Balch may have been the first 1 1Nav. Rec. Coll.
9 1 2 Ibid., Area 7.
Nav. Rec. Coll.; I:3:10. Ibid., IV:2:89.

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his duties about 1 January 1799, or ten months be- the Navy as a chaplain was “to acquire a little prop-
fore William Balch was commissioned. erty.” This is reminiscent of the regulations of the
The first discovered reference to “Divine Service” Continental Navy which provided that chaplains re-
on any United States ship-of-war is that found in the ceive their proportionate share of prize money. This
log of the Constitution for Sunday, 13 January 1799, section was included with but little change in the
which may have been Austin’s first Sunday aboard.13 Act of 2 March 1799. Austin was not disappointed
An earlier reference to “prayers” is found in the in his Lancial aspirations for he shared in the pro-
Journal14 kept by a James Pity (or Pettis) who was ceeds of the sale of those vessels captured by the
a member of the crew of the Constitution. On Sun- Constitution during its cuise from July 1799 to
day 12 August 1798 he noted : “a 11 oc A.M. call’d August 1800.15
all hands aft to attend prayers. Doctr. Blake stood The Act of 1799 was susperseded by the Act of 23
Chaplain.” The muster roll lists a Charles Blake as April 1800, which contained many of the former pro-
surgeon’s mate. Undoubtedly, for want of a regu- visions, including the ratio for the distribution of
larly appointed chaplain, the ship’s doctor read prize money. The possibility of gaining quick and
prayers. Pity referred to “prayers” on various Sun- easy wealth through the sale of captured ships was
days but on 13 January changed his terminology a powerful incentive in recruiting for both privateers
from “prayers” to “Divine Service,” thereby agreeing and the Navy.
with a similar notation in the ship’s log for Sunday, The provision governing Divine Service in the
13 January 1799 “At 10 call’d all hands aft and per- Act of 1799 was taken from the Navy regulations of
formed Divine Service.” 1775 with the addition of the words, “having on
After that date references to Divine Services ap- board chaplains.” This implies that Divine Services
pear with regularity both in the Journal kept by Pity were to be held only on ships which carried chap-
and in the ship’s log. lains. Further revisions are found in the Act of 1800.
Since the practice of using unordained men as The section, with the additions shown in italics, then
chaplains was common in the early days of the Navy, read:
it cannot be assumed that Austin was a clergyman.
There is no information regarding his education. The commanders of all ships and vessels in the navy,
Talbot stated that he served without “warrant” of having chaplains on board, shall take care that divine
services be performed in a solemn, orderly, and reverent
commission. Thus Austin was appointed by the cap- manner twice a day, and a sermon preached on Sunday,
tain of the vessel on which he served and drew chap- unless bad weather, or other extraordinary accidents pre-
lain’s pay. However, since he performed some if not vent it; and that they cause all, or as many of the ship’s
all the duties of a chaplain, including conducting company as can be spared from duty, to attend at every
performance of the worship of Almighty God.
Divine Services, and was so listed in the official
records of the ship, it appears that the distinction of The inclusion of the words: “in a solemn, orderly,
being the first chaplain the United States Navy goes and reverent manner” suggests that Divine Services
to him. had not always been so conducted. Judged by pres-
A section of the Act approved by Congress on 2 ent day custom, compulsory attendance of all avail-
March 1799 contained the phrase: “Commanders of able hands at Divine Service twice a day as well as
the ships of the United States, having on board attendance at a sermon on Sunday seems rather
chaplains.” The plural use of the word “chaplain” stringent. No provision was made for members of re-
suggests that Austin was not the only chaplain on ligious minorities who might then have been in the
duty at that date. No chaplain other than Austin, Navy.
however, is known to have been in service before The newly-born Navy was without precedent or
William Balch. regulation regarding the selection and commissioning
NAVY REGULATIONS GOVERNING of chaplains. Sometimes captains chose their own
CHAPLAINS chaplains as is indicated in the following letter from
the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Samuel Barron
According to Captain Talbot’s letter quoted pre-
dated 28 February 1800:
viously, one of the primary reasons Austin entered
13
Log Book of the United States Frigate Constition, 6 Dec. To complete the officering of the Chesapeake, You
1798-20 Oct. 1800. In the Naval History Collection, New require
York
14
Historical Society. 1 5
Nav. Rec. Coll. Nav. Doc. Quasi War, VI:283.

—11—
 One Chaplain or School Master I am a young man who has been rather unfortunate,
Two Surgeons Mates having had my foot lamed by Rheumatism, but not so
One Boatswain as to be detrimental to me in the performance of this
One Gunner duty. I am a Orphan. I have nothing to depend on, for my
One Sailmaker & one Carpenter—The first & father died while I was young. He had filled various offices
four last of which you will be pleased to select proper in the State, he was a member of Congress in the year
characters for, and appoint. I will provide the Surgeons 1785. I had always the character of an Upright, honest
mates in due season perhaps the Gentlemen you mention man.
will be one of them.16 Geoe I. Houston.19
Here the captain was given the authority to select Nothing is said about the spiritual qualifications of
his own “Chaplain or School Master,” a right which these would-be chaplains. The applicants were often
was exercised by captains of naval vessels for more indifferent as to which one of several positions they
than twentv-five years. obtained. If they could not secure a berth as a clerk
The smaller frigates and ships-of-war were allowed or purser, then frequently a chaplaincy would do.
schoolmasters instead of chaplains.17 The schoolmas- This loose system of selecting chaplains led to many
ter received only $30 a month and two rations a day abuses before an attempt was made by the Navy De-
while the chaplain was allowed $40 and the rations. partment. about 1823 to correct it.
Many men who served as chaplains on the larger
vessels might more appropriately have been listed ADDITIONAL CHAPLAINS IN 1800
schoolmasters, but because of the extra $10 a month Even though the Secretary of the Navy on 24
were, by the indulgence of their captains, listed as December 1798 had recommended to Congress that a
chaplains. Occasionally even the lighter frigates chaplain be placed on every frigate of thirty-two guns
carried chaplains when a strict interpretation of the or more, yet there is record of but two men-William
law would have given them only schoolmasters. Austin and William Balch—who were made naval
This practice of permitting captains to choose chaplains under this law before 1800.
chaplains from their ships’ companies often resulted Five more chaplains reported for duty in 1800.
in unworthy men being given this high office. Most, The first was Eli Vallette who began his fifteen
if not all, of the men appointed in this way were not months’ tour of duty aboard the Philadelphia on 26
ordained. On the other hand, the few chaplains com- February 1800. Chaplain Vallette took with him on
missioned by the Navy Department during these early this cruise his ten-year-old son, Eli, who later became
years were, with rare exceptions, either licensed or or- a rear admiral in the United States Navy. On 18
dained clergymen. December 1850, this son, then Captain E. A. F. Laval-
The following letters, typical of others on file in the lette, wrote to the Secretary of the Navy referring to
Naval
. Records Collection, reveal the mind of the his early experience. “I was rated Captain’s clerk,”
general public regarding the chaplaincy: he wrote, “my father performing both duties of Chap-
Mr. Secretary, lain and clerk, and being large for my age, 1 per-
I beg leave to recommend Mr. Luther Emerson of formed occasionally midshipmen’s duty.”20
Maine as a suitable person for a purser or chaplain to Matthew Flannery, who like Austin served without
some one of the Frigates or ships of war of the United (a) commission, began his tour of duty on 12 May
States. He is a young man of liberal education & fair & aboard the Constellation. Nothing more is known of
unexceptional character.
I am, sir, . . . the service rendered by Chaplains Vallette and Flan-
Silas Lee18 nery.
In another letter the writer makes his own applica- On or about 12 July Robert Thompson (Thom-
tion. son) reported for duty on the President. The Presi-
Trenton N. Jersey July 9 1801 dent’s log21 bears such entries as these:
Honord Sir Sunday, 14 Sep. 1800 At 11 Called all hands to prayer.
From recent information I have understood their [sic] Sunday 21 Sep. At 10 Called all hands to Prayers
is a vessel belonging to the United States arived, which Sunday 12 Oct. At I10 A.M. Called all hands to muster
vessel is to be retained in the service of government. Think- /2 past 11 all hands to Prayers
ing it probable their may be some vacancies in her or 1 9
some of our vessels retained in service, I wish to get a 20
Ibid., IV:2:137.
berth as Purser, Clerk, or Chaplain. . . . Ibid., II:1850:302. The son changed his surname in
1840 by Act of the Pennsylvania legislature. A destroyer,
16
1 7
Nav.Rec. Coll. I:3:218-9. the Lavallette, named in his honor, saw distinguished service
18
Nav.
Doc. Quasi War, VI:272. in 21World War II in the South Pacific.
Nav. Rec. Coll., IV:2:16. Photostat in Naval Archives.

—12—
 The entry for Sunday, 2 November 1800, contains Chandler also added, that if he could not be made
the first reference to a chaplain discovered in a ship’s chaplain, he would be glad to accept the position of
log. It is as follows: “At 11 Divine Service was per- schoolmaster. There is no evidence that he was or-
formed by the Chaplain.” dained. He is reported to have been a graduate of
Almost from the beginning of his career as a Navy Cambridge University and was probably well quali-
chaplain, Thompson exhibited his proficiency in fied to serve in the latter capacity. The muster roll of
teaching navigation and mathematics. On 5 Novem- the United States listed him as chaplain on 31 De-
ber 1800 Captain Thomas Truxtun of the President cember 1800, but it is possible that his service began
requested him to draw a large map of the President’s before that date.26
“cruising track” for the benefit of the midshipmen. Some midshipmen aboard the United States, one
On 14 November Captain Truxtun again addressed of them a son of Benjamin Stoddert, the Secretary
the Chaplain. of the Navy, “took up their studies under Chaplain
Chandler in the schoolroom on’ the lower deck.” 27
Sir Since you have been on board the US ship President
under my Command, every part of your conduct that has Chaplains Thompson and Chandler are the first of
come within my immediate Notice has been modest, re- a long list of Navy chaplains to serve as schoolmasters
spectful, and decent, and your attention to the Young for midshipmen.
Gentlemen (Midshipmen) in teaching them Navigation, In recapitulation, chaplains were assigned to the
has met my most hearty approbation So much so, that I
sincerely regret, particularly on their Account, your return following seven frigates during all or part of 1799
home, but as a misunderstanding Subsists between you and 1800, the years of the Quasi War with France.
and the officers of the Gun, room, that I have not been Constitution
able to reconcile, I could not do less than comply with William Austin, 1 Jan. 1799 (?)-7 July 1800.
your request to return to America,23where I wish you Safe
and a happy sight of your friends. Noadiah Morris, 5 Nov. 1800-Mar. 1801.
Congress
The fourth chaplain to enter the service in 1800 William Balch, 30 Oct. 1799-l May 1800.
was Noadiah Morris, a ship’s clerk, who served as Chesapeake
chaplain in the Constitution relieving Austin during William Balch, 1 May 1800-l May 1801.
the summer of 1800. The muster roll of this vessel
Philadelphia
listed him as “Acting Chaplain” on 5 November
Eli Vallette, 26 Feb. 1800-15 June 1801.
1800.
Constellation
The fifth and last was Samuel Chandler, who saw
Matthew Flannery, 12 May 1800-15 June 1801.
duty first on the sloop Patapso, which was launched
in June 1799.24 Aspiring to larger opportunities, he President
applied for the position of chaplain on the United Robert Thompson, 12 July 1800-30 Apr. 1801.
States in a letter to Captain Barry dated 21 April United States
1800. Samuel Chandler, 31 Dec. 1800-.
As has been stated, Captain Barry was a devout Only two other heavy frigates, the New York and
Catholic and it is possible that most aspirants to the the Insurgente, were in service during any part of
naval chaplaincy preferred to serve under a Protest- this period and these are not known to have had
ant skipper. Samuel Chandler was not one of these. chaplains.
In his letter of application he wrote: The number of United States Navy chaplains on
duty up to 31 December 1800 totaled only seven and
Brought up in the Church of England, I often visit the
Catholic Church and am always pleased with the devout their combined known length of service was only
and becoming attention observed in them. I consider the about five years. Yet these were highly important
different forms of religion only so many different roads to years in the history of the naval chaplaincy, for dur-
the. same final happy home.25 ing this time regulations were adopted, principles
2 2
Nav. Doc. Quasi War, VI:521.
established, and traditions started which fore-
2 3
24
Ibid., VI:530-1. shadowed and moulded the subsequent history of the
This vessel was first known as the Chesapeake, but when Chaplain Corps.
a frigate which was launched 2 Dec. 1799 was given that
name, the sloop’s name was changed. It is not probable that 26
Chandler served as a chaplain on so small a vessel. He pos- Pay rolls and muster rolls cover certain stated periods
sibly
25
served as a schoolmaster. only and cannot be accepted as showing the beginning and
Clark, Gallant ]ohn Barry, p. 466; Griffin, Commodore closing dates of a man’s service unless so declared.
John Barry, p. 405. 27 Clark, op. cit., p. 472.

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Page 11

Altar in the Commodore’s main cabin, U.S.S. Constitution. Picture taken during cruise between July 1931 and June 1934.
 CHAPTER FOUR

THE FIRST DECADE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

1801-1810

The fortunes of the Chaplain Corps of the United CHAPLAINS IN THE BARBARY WAR
States Navy were at a low ebb in the years 1801-
In spite of the peaceful desires of the United
1810. Indeed, at one time during the winter of 1806- States and the economizing policy of the Jefferson
1807, only one chaplain, Robert Thompson, was on administration which called for a reduction of the
duty. When the war with France ended in September naval establishment, continued depredations against
1800, the Government took steps at once to reduce American commerce by the Mediterranean Powers
its naval establishment to a peacetime basis. Naturally demanded that suitable action be taken. Con-
this reduction affected the chaplaincy. sequently, President Jefferson dispatched to the
Only two, of the six chaplains on duty 1 January Mediterranean in May 1801, a squadron of four
1801 were retained. They were Chaplains Thompson vessels—the President, Philadelphia, Essex, and En-
and Chandler whose ability as schoolmasters may terprise—under the command of Commodore Rich-
have accounted for their retention. Chaplain Balch ard Dale. Chaplain Thompson, aboard the President,
resigned after receiving the following letter from the was the only chaplain known to have sailed with the
Secretary of the Navy dated 4 May 1801: squadron. In a letter dated 11 May 1801, Captain
Truxtun had recommended the Chaplain to Dale by
The Rev’d William Balch writing: “Thompson you will find useful to the mid-
The arrangements of Congress relative to the Navy have
imposed on me the unpleasant task of permitting you to shipmen as a tutor, in all the branches of Mathe-
retire from the service. You will therefore consider your matical Science, connected with their profession.”3
term of Service as expiring on the 10th instd.1 In February the Bashaw of Tripoli had repudiated
Chaplain Matthew Flannery was also released in his 1796 treaty with the United States, which he felt
gave the rulers of Algiers and Tunis proportionately
May; Chaplain Eli Vallette in June. Chaplain Noa-
more tribute than he received. On 14 May he de-
diah Morris served until February 1801, and while
clared war by cutting down the pole bearing the
his connection with the Navy during the interval is American flag at the United States Consulate at
not known, his name reappears in 1803 as a chaplain Tripoli. The squadron on reaching Gibralter learned
on the muster roll of the Constitution. of the existence of a state of war.
On 3 March 1801 Congress passed the Peace When news of the crisis in the Mediterranean
Establishment Act,2 which suspended work on vessels reached Washington, the administration was obliged
being built, on dry-docks, and on shore establish- to reverse its naval policy. All of the larger available
ments. All but eight heavy and six light frigates were war vessels were made ready for service and sent to
to be sold, and only six of these were to be kept in the Mediterranean. The Boston sailed in October
commission. Although this Act authorized the reten- 1801, under command of the eccentric Captain Daniel
tion of as many chaplains as there were ships in serv- McNeill.
ice which rated chaplains, yet, so far as is known, On the evening of 19 January 1802 while the
Boston lay at anchor at Toulon, Captain McNeill
only two chaplains were on duty at any one time dur-
invited Chaplain Thompson of the President and
ing the latter part of 1801 and the years 1802 and three French officers aboard for dinner and then set
1803. sail for Tunis before his guests could depart. Com-
1
2
Nav.Rec. Coll., I:4:519. modore Dale, in command of the squadron, was in-
Another act of a similar nature passed 21 April 1806 is 3
also known by the same title. Nav. Doc. Barbary Wars, I:449.

—15—
dignant. The incident came as a climax to a long before being commissioned. On 2 March 1802 the
series of grievances, and the Commodore laid them Secretary of the Navy sent McFarlan’s commission
all before the Secretary of the Navy in a letter dated to the Commodore with the request that he admin-
24 January 1802. One of the charges was that Mc- ister the oath of allegiance and then deliver the com-
Neill had taken “Mr. Thompson the Parson belong- mission. McFarlan saw service in the Mediterranean
ing to the President, of[f] to sea with him . . .”4 aboard the Chesapeake, and there is evidence that
Dale requested an investigation. he was paid up to 7 June 1803. During the full
The outcome of this incident, in which the only period of his service, he and Thompson, as far as, is
chaplain in the squadron was either deliberately or known, were the only chaplains in the Navy.
inadvertently “shanghaied,” is not recorded. It is as- Aboard the Constitution of the third Mediterra-
sumed that Thompson managed to get back to the nean Squadron was Chaplain Noadiah Morris, who
President before she returned to the United States in had previously served on that vessel. It is evident
May 1802. Thompson made a second trip to the that Commodore Preble had requested his services,
Mediterranean during this war, while serving on the for the Secretary of the Navy, Robert Smith, replying
President from May 1804 to September 1805. on 5 July 1803, stated : “I have no objection to you
At the time war with Tripoli began, enlistment in taking with you in the Constitution . . . Chaplain
the Navy was on a yearly basis. Therefore, the squad- Morris.”7 Morris was listed until 10 December as
ron which sailed from Hampton Roads in May 1801 “Actg Chaplain.” He had started as a captain’s clerk
was forced to return its crew within a year. The Gov- and had served at least twice as a chaplain before
ernment found it necessary to increase the enlistment ending his career as a purser. The experience of
period to two years. A second squadron consisting of Morris is a good example of the manner in which
the following vessels sailed for the Mediterranean in many shifted from one billet to another. There was
the spring of 1802: Chesapeake, Adams, New York, no sanctity attached to the office of chaplain and
John Adams, Constellation, and Enterprise. The special preparation for this work was not a require-
command was given to Commodore Richard V. ment. Any one of the ship’s company who could
Morris who after a year was relieved by Commodore qualify as a schoolmaster might do. His interest in
Edward Preble. religion was incidental.
On 15 February 1802 Chaplain Alexander Mc- When Morris took over the duties of purser, Com-
Farlan, an Episcopalian, the first from that denom- modore Preble apointed Peter Leonard, a clerk, to
ination to serve as a naval chaplain, reported to the succeed him as chaplain. Preble’s letter to Leonard
Chesapeake. At that time Samuel Chandler was dated 1 December 1803 throws considerable light
chaplain of the vessel, having served in her since 1 upon the way such appointments were then made:
June of the previous year. Chandler was notified by I do hereby appoint you Chaplain of the United States
the Secretary of the Navy in a letter of 9 April that Ship Constitution under my command, willing and re-
there was no longer any occasion for his services.5 quiring you forthwith to take upon you the employment
of Chaplain in her accordingly, and to be obedient to such
Several weeks earlier, the Secretary had written to commands as you shall from time to time receive from
the commodore in charge of the assembling squad- me or any other your superior officer. To hold the same
ron : employment until the pleasure of the President of the
United States shall be known—Together with such allow-
This will be presented to you by Mr. McFarlane the ance of wages, victuals and perquisites as are usual for the
Clergyman whom I mentioned to you as a proper person Chaplain of the said ship; and for so doing this shall
to be the Chaplain and Schoolmaster of the Chesapeak. be your warrant.8
He has been represented to me by Gentlemen of Respecta-
bility in the most favorable manner. His appointment in The Congressional Resolution of 3 March 1805
form will be sent to you for him.6 thanking the officers of the United States Squadron
under the command of Commodore Edward Preble
In those days the procurement procedure for naval for the attacks on Tripoli in July-September 1804
officers was simple. Little emphasis was placed on included the name “P. Leonard, Chaplain.”
physical requirements; if a man appeared healthy, Chaplain Leonard resigned on 14 March 1805.
he was accepted. Often the appointed officers were The Secretary of the Navy replied on 15 March :
aboard their vessels weeks and sometimes months 7
4 8
Ibid., I:6:195.
Ibid., II:28. Edel Collection, from Hoes’s notes which read: “Copy of
5
6
Nav. Rec. Coll., I:5:384. original in Storeroom of Bureau of Construction and Re-
Ibid., I:5:335. Letter of 15 Feb. 1802. pairs.” See also Nav. Doc. Barbary Wars, III:251, 258.

—16—
 I have this day received your Letter of yesterday’s date II.
tendering the resignation of your appointment as Chap- He is to employ his Time on board in instructing the
lain. From the report made to me by Commodore Preble Volunteers in Writing, Arithmetic, and the Study of Navi-
in relation to your Conduct, your resignation is a Subject gation, and in whatsoever may contribute to render them
of regret to me. I can not however refuse to accept it. I Artists in that Science.
tender you my best wishes for your future prosperity.
Rt. Smith9 III.
He is likewise to teach the other Youths of the Ship
CHAPLAINS WITHOUT WARRANT according to such Orders as he shall receive from the
Captain, and with Regard to their several Capacities,
OR COMMISSION whether in Reading, Writing, or otherwise.
During 1804 and 1805, eight additional names ap- IV.
pear in the Navy records as chaplains. Only one of He is to be early every Morning at the Place of Teach-
these eight, Robert Dennison, who served for more ing, and to represent the Names of such as are idle, or
than a year and a half aboard the Constellation and averse to Learning, to the Commander, in order to his
taking Course for their Correction.11
the President, is listed in any official register of Navy
officers. The other seven were appointees from the The words in italics were incorporated in the re-
ship’s company. They were Schnetter, Budd, Cer- vised United States Naval Regulations almost ver-
dona, Cruize, Lyde, Ormsby, and Ravara, most of batim. Section two of the revised regulations con-
whom served for only a few months. At least two of cerning the chaplain contained three sentences, each
the seven, Ormsby and Lyde, had the same expe- of which summarized the thought of the correspond-
rience as Noadiah Morris and were first captains’ ing section in the British provisions.
clerks, then chaplains, and finally pursers. Budd, after Conducting Divine Worship, preaching, and com-
a few months as chaplain on the Essex and Constel- pulsory attendance are not mentioned in the revised
lation, became a midshipman and later a lieutenant regulations. The chaplain’s duties were confined to
in the Navy. These men saw duty on at least five of the “reading of prayers at stated periods,” the per-
the frigates belonging to the Mediterranean Squad- forming of funeral services, and teaching. The influ-
ron. ence of these regulations dominated the selection of
The information regarding these men chosen from naval chaplains for at least fifteen years.
the ship’s company to act as chaplains is scanty. The
muster rolls do not give complete information rela- THE YEARS FOLLOWING THE
tive to their length of service. There is no reason to BARBARY WAR
believe that any one of this number was ordained. The war with Tripoli, which began in the spring
On 25 January 1802 President Jefferson issued a
of 1801, dragged on through four years. Peace was
new edition of Naval Regulations which contained
finally concluded on 10 June 1805. The terms of the
the following outline of the duties of a chaplain: treaty called for the discontinuance of all tribute
1. He is to read prayers at stated periods; perform all payments on the part of the United States.
funeral ceremonies over such persons as may die in the Another Peace Establishment Act was passed on
service, in the vessel to which he belongs; or, if directed
by the commanding officer, over any person that may die 21 April 1806. The number of war vessels to be re-
in any other public vessel. tained in service was to be determined by the Presi-
2. He shall perform the duty of a school-master; and to dent. “Ordinary seamen and boys” in the service
that end he shall instruct the midshipmen and volunteers, were limited to 925. About a year later this number
in writing, arithmetic and navigation, and in whatsoever was increased by 500. Among the allotment of officers
may contribute to render them proficients. He is likewise
to teach the other youths of the ship, according to such were thirteen captains and 150 midshipmen. As for
orders as he shall receive from the captain. He is to be chaplains, the “President may appoint, for the vessels
diligent in his office, and such as are idle must be rep- in actual service, so many . . . chaplains . . . as may,
resented to the captain, who shall take due notice thereof.10 in his opinion, be necessary and proper.”12
Section two reveals a surprising parallel with In November 1807, the Secretary of the Navy
Articles II, III, and IV of the section governing the stated that the United States had only two frigates
duties of the schoolmaster in the regulations of the 1 1
Regulations and Instructions relating to His Majesty’s
British Navy. The British Articles read : Service at Sea, London, 1734, p. 136, quoted by Soley,
9
Historical
1 2
Sketch of the United States Naval Academy, p. 9.
Nav.
1 0
Rec. Coll., I:6:534. Navy Register 1805-6, p. 6; Gen. Reg. of Navy and
Op. cit., p. 18. Marine Corps, p. 280-1.

—17—
and four smaller cruising craft in service.13 The actual Robinson, who was ordered in April 1809 to the
personnel then totaled 191 officers and 1,954 enlisted President, then at the Washington Navy Yard, got
men.14 into difficulties with the civil authorities. When
As the number of naval personnel aproached zero, deputies of the Circuit Court of the District of Co-
so likewise did the number of naval chaplains. At the lumbia attempted to serve papers on him, Robinson
end of 1806 there was but one commissioned chaplain resisted arrest and wounded one of the officers of the
in the service, Robert Thompson. law. The Marshal of the District of Columbia called
In March 1807, when relations with England were this matter to the attention of the Secretary of the
critical, William Petty was commissioned and ordered Navy who promptly dismissed the offending and bel-
to the Chesapeake. In addition to his chaplain’s ligerent Chaplain.19
duties, he acted as secretary to Captain Stephen
Decatur until the Secretary of the Navy, having dis- THE FIRST ACADEMY FOR MIDSHIPMEN
covered Petty to be an English alien, advised Deca-
tur in a letter of 16 July that: The outstanding feature of the history of Navy
chaplains during the first decade of the last century
Since the appointment of Mr. Petty I have understood is the story of Chaplain Robert Thompson’s academy
that he was not an American but an Englishman, and al-
though I have no particular reason to distrust his integrity, for midshipmen which he conducted at the Washing-
yet under existing circumstances it would subject me to ton Navy Yard and aboard several frigates. Little
just censure if I were to continue him in the station he evidence can be found to support the following
now holds on board of the Chesapeak. As your Secretary sweeping criticism of chaplains as teachers which ap-
his duties must immediately cease, and you will be pleased pears in a history of the United States Naval
to select and appoint a suitable person in his place, to
whom you may allow the pay, & rations of a Chaplain in Academy.
the Navy, and if he should wish it, and you will inform The system of giving instruction on board of cruising-
me of his name, I will send to you for him a commission ships, imperfect at the best, was barren of results where
as Chaplain. the chaplains were the teachers. The duty had no neces-
You may allow Mr. Petty to go on shore, with orders sary connection with. their profession, and the subjects
to report himself to me from time to time.15 they were compelled to teach were wholly foreign to their
So Petty was put on the beach. A note from Deca- training and studies. They were appointed without any
tur to the Secretary of the Navy dated 12 February reference to their fitness for this work. . . 20
1808 indicates that Petty had not always lived up to On the contrary, chaplains selected during the
the standard of life expected of a chaplain. Decatur decade following the adoption of the regulations of
wrote: 1802 were chosen more for their teaching ability than
Mr. Petty the Gentleman who formerly acted as my for their experience or training as ministers. Only one
Secretary, and Mr. Crump a Midshipman did a few days of the six chaplains in service on 1 January 1801 is
past disgrace themselves by boxing while on shore at known to have been ordained. Likewise only one
Norfolk. . . . Mr. Petty has been frequently intoxicated.16
chaplain among the twenty additional names which
Perhaps as a result of this communication, Petty’s appear in the records in the decade following is
commission was revoked on 18 February of that year. known to have been ordained. These two were Wil-
Decatur did not select a successor for nearly a year liam Balch and Alexander McFarlan. The educa-
and then chose Edward W. Turner.17 tional activities of chaplains were indeed not “bar-
Before the decade closed, four other men received ren of results.” When the restrictions under which
commissions as chaplains. They were William Robin- they labored, the inadequate teaching aids, the
son, William Briscoe, Garret Barry, and Andrew broken, irregular schedules while at sea, and even
Moore. Their religious affiliations were not recorded the illiteracy of some of the midshipmen are con-
and little is known about these men.18 It appears that sidered, there is reason to marvel that so much was
13
Sprout, H. and M., The Rise of American Naval Power, accomplished.
p. 1462. After his first cruise to the Mediterranean, Chap-
15
List in Nav. Rec. Coll. lain Thompson was stationed at the Navy Yard in
16
Nav. Rec. Coll., 1:7:445.
17
Ibid., II: 1: 50. Washington where he taught midshipmen who were.
The muster roll of the Chesapeake shows that Turner quartered aboard the Congress. This school was a
served from July 1808-14 May 1809 as chaplain. He may
have
18
been aboard before July 1808, however. 19
The first Navy Register which indicates the religious 20
Nav.
Rec. Coll., V:38, letter dated 30 May 1809.
affiliation of chaplains is a MS. Register for 1864. Soley, Historical Sketch, p. 9.

—18—
favorite project of Robert Smith, then Secretary of navy in the theory of navigation, states that he has been
the Navy. The. frigate remained “in ordinary,” i.e., removed from the accommodations provided for him on
board the Congress, and that he has now no publick place
in reduced commission, at the Yard from 1805 to in which to perform the duties required of him. Whence
1812. has this arisen? I cannot consent that the object for
Indicative of Smith’s interest in the school is his which Mr. Thompson was stationed here shall be thus
letter of 24 January 1804 to Chaplain Thompson: defeated. Adequate and comfortable accommodations must
be provided for him on board one of the Ships in ordinary,
You will report to me the names of the Midshipmen immediately, —& I specially charge you with the execu-
who are at this time receiving instruction from you at this tion of this order.24
place, the time when they severally commenced their
studies under you; the days they have each attended, and On 26 March Thompson wrote the Secretary re-
your opinion of the progress they have respectively made.21 questing books and instruments which he considered
Following, his second cruise to the Mediterranean “absolutely necessary for the use of the department
on the President, Thompson resumed his work as the . . .at the navy-yard.”25
one-man faculty for the training of midshipmen at On 27 April the Secretary sent the following direc-
Washington. On 23 July 1806 he received the fol- tions to the Chaplain:
lowing order from the Secretary of the Navy: “You
You will consult with Capt. Gordon, and while the
will remain at the Seat of Government for the pur- Chesapeak shall be fitting out, attend at your room of in-
pose of attending to the education of such officers struction, at such hours from sun rise to sun set and. to
of the Navy as may from time to time apply to you 10 o’clock at night as Captain Gordon shall tell you the
for instruction in Mathematics or in Navigation.”22 service will most conveniently admit.26
That the Navy Department endeavored to provide Thompson replied on 27 April giving details re-
suitable training for its midshipmen at this early date garding his hours of instruction. He‘added: “I would
is evident from the following extracts from Thomp- wish also that you would mention to Captain Gordon
son’s correspondence. that it is your intention to have them examined be-
On 13 January 1807 he wrote to the Secretary of fore they go to sea”27 On 4 May Thompson was
the Navy: ordered to the frigate Chesapeake at Hampton Roads
Sir, I take the liberty of awakening your recollection of “for the purpose of instructing the young midship-
my wish to have an appointment as Naval Mathematician men attached to her in the Theory of Navigation.25
and to superintend an Academy in this City which is to On 27 July Thompson wrote to the Secretary urging
be entirelv under your direction. There are some verv, the establishment of a naval academy for the “in-
useful officers on board the ships who have a number of
children and find it difficult to have them educated. If structing of young officers of the Navy in the Theory
you would use your influence to have the academy estab- of Navigation.” He pointed out that should such an
lished upon principles most congenial to your own mind academy be founded at Washington midshipmen
I would be willing to instruct any person belonging to the would be able to acquire there the theory of naviga-
Navy that you might think proper to send and I have some tion “in less time and with less expense than (per-
reason to think it would meet the approbation of Congress.
The reason the Bill which you presented Congress last haps) they could in any other seminary on the con-
session miscarried was because it was generally believed tinent, besides having the benefit of a most excellent
that there was an additional officer to be appointed in- mathematical apparatus, and seeing all the different
stead of altering the title of one already appointed.23 parts of a ship, made by some of the best workmen
Although this letter refers to the establishment of in the United States.”
an academy for the “Children” of naval officers, it Thompson’s argument in favor of a three months’
is evident from his other correspondence that he training course follows:
refers only to boys and young men.
My reason for saying they can acquire it in less time is,
A letter dated 9 March 1807 from the Secretary there will be no other branches taught in the seminary
of the Navy to Captain Thomas Tingey, in charge (unless ordered by yourself) they can also live cheaper,
of the Washington Navy Yard, reflects the Secretary’s in each frigate there are eight state rooms, which accom-
interest in the Chaplain’s school. Smith wrote: modate the same number of officers; they could live there,
and form a mess of their own, and draw their rations,
Mr. Thompson, a Chaplain in the navy stationed here 24
for the purpose of instructing the young gentlemen of the 25
Ibid., I:7:330.
2 6
Ibid.,III:1 of 1807:149.
21
2 2
Nav. Rec. Coll., I: 6: 284. 27
Ibid.,I:7:373.
Ibid., I:7:193. 28
Ibid.,
III:1 of 1807:198.
23
Ibid., III:1 of 1807 : 29. Ibid., I:7:381.

—19—
which would amount to six dollars per month, and this
is less than they could procure their board in any respec-
table boarding house for one week, and their morals would
be less subject to be corrupted, as they would be almost
placed under your own eye. My experience, as a public
teacher of navigation in the U.S. navy for upwards of
seven years, under some of its most distinguished com-
manders, has enabled me to form some idea of the time
sufficient for any young gentlemen of common abilities
to acquire a sufficient knowledge of navigation to carry a
ship to any known part of the globe, which I think they
may do in three months, providing they are acquainted
with arithmetic; the whole expense then would amount
to only eighteen dollars. I am fully of opinion that the
young gentleman who canont acquire a competent knowl-
edge of navigation in that time is unworthy of a midship
man warrant in the U.S. navy. 20
Thompson’s classification displeased him since in
reality he was a naval mathematician. He wrote the
Secretary on 4 November.
Sir, I am once more under the necessity to solicit your
influence of having my appointment as a Chaplain in the
navy exchanged to that of naval mathematician; for nearly
the space of eight years I have performed the duty of all
the Chaplains that have been appointed since that time
together with my own without receiving any additional
recompense; the Chaplains (or rather Captains’ clerks)
who have been appointed since received the pay and
emoluments of Chaplains whilst I have performed their
duty; the name of Chaplain has become so unpleasant Andrew Hunter, 1811-1823
to me that I wish it exchanged, altho that exchange may The one-man faculty of the “academy” for midshipmen at
not be attended with any additional salary.30 Washington Navy Yard. From a painting by Clayton Braun.
Since Thompson was still referred to as chaplain
any person qualified for the station filled and the duties
in 1810, it appears that his request was not granted. performed by Mr. Thompson? If you do, let me know
Chaplain Thompson’s service extended throughout his name and I will appoint him—if not, make enquiry for
the first decade of the nineteenth century, during- one.31
which time his principal duty was teaching. He was Among those who applied for this position was the
the first chaplain who looked upon the Navy as a
Reverend Andrew Hunter, a Presbyterian clergyman,
career. He died in office in the late summer or early
who had served as an Army chaplain in the Revolu-
fall of 1810. The roots of the splendid Naval tionary War. Hunter directed his letter to William
Academy at Annapolis arc to be traced to the years Helms, a member of Congress, who forwarded the
1804-1810 and to Thompson’s classes aboard the application to the Secretary of the Navy. The Secre-
Congress as it lay tied up to the dock at the Wash-
tary replied on 21 February, saying in part:
ington Navy Yard.
Since the Secretary was deeply interested in the If Doct. Hunter will engage to perform these duties,
academy for midshipmen, it was natural that he he shall receive the appointment, provided there should be
no delay in informing me of his determination.—This is
should have been concerned about Thompson’s important—Several other applications have been made.32
successor. On 26 October 1810 the Secretary wrote to
Commodore John Rodgers: Hunter evidently signified his willingness to under-
take these duties even though he was fifty-nine years
Mr. Thompson, late Chaplain in the Navy, being dead. old. He continued his duties as the one-man faculty
I wish to procure another Gentleman of suitable qualifi- of the academy for midshipmen until his death in
cations to supply his place in the Navy. Do you know of
February 1823, a period of twelve years.
2 9
Ibid., III:2 of 1807:170. No professors of mathematics 3 1
were listed in Navy Registers until 1835. 3 2
Ibid.,I:9:214.
3 0 Ibid., VI:10:301.
Ibid., III:3 of 1807:119.

—20—
 Mention should be made of the school for mid- whip, consisting of only one lash, called a colt. They have
shipmen which was conducted by Captain Bainbridge to perform all the flogging, and the men hate them there-
during the twenty months’ imprisonment of the fore as they would so many incarnate devils. In the or-
dinary flogging a colt is always used, but when all hands
Philadelphia’s crew at Tripoli. Bainbridge was able are called to witness punishment, another whip, composed
to regain from his captors by bribery some of the of nine lashes and called the cats is employed.35
textbooks which had been aboard his ship. Lieutenant Often flogging took place on Sunday morning in
David Porter, who was among the prisoners, taught the presence of all hands, who were assembled to
the midshipmen gunnery and navigation.33 witness the punishment. The following entry from
SOCIAL AND MORAL CONDITIONS the log of the Constitution is typical: “Sunday 6 Oct.
Chaplains, by virtue of the implications inherent 1799 Punished Lewis Amsden seaman with 12 lashes.
in their calling, are concerned with those social and for riotous behavior.” Flogging sometimes took place.
moral conditions which affect spiritual values. on week-days as this entry from the log of the Presi-
In the early nineteenth century, the Christian dent indicates :
churches of America were gradually becoming ar- Wed 4 Oct 1809 At 9 punished David Kennedy with
ticulate on social issues. Individual ministers were 100 lashes for desertion which is one half he has to receive,
Conformable to Sentence of Court Martial.
speaking out against such evils as dueling, slavery,
and intemperance. Since certain customs and physical Another social problem arose with the custom of
conditions under which Navy men of that day lived permitting women to live aboard ship, not only in
involved distinct danger to moral and spiritua1 port but also at sea. Several commanding officers
values, it is altogether probable that some of the took their wives on cruises and occasionally permitted
naval chaplains had stirrings of conscience on these their officers to do likewise. Mrs. Isaac Hull fre-
same matters. However, no copies of their sermons quently insisted on accompanying her husband and
or other pronouncements before 1810 have survived on several occasions took sisters or other women rela-
the vicissitudes of the years. tives along. These women occupied accommodations
Among the practices observed in the early Navy intended for the officers and this naturally created
was flogging. The apology for including in this his- discontent.
tory of chaplains’ activities and of religion in the Below the main or spar deck of a frigate was the
United States Navy a consideration of the barbaric gun deck. Beneath that was the berth deck where
custom of flogging is found in the conviction that any the living quarters of the crew were located. Aboard
issue which vitally affects the spiritual values of in- the Chesapeake when it sailed for the Mediterranean
dividuals concerned is germane to the main subject. in the spring of 1802 were a number of wives of
Chaplains, who on a Sunday morning preached the members of the crew. It was on this cruise that the
love of Christ and magnified the eternal worth of berth deck became the birth deck. Midshipman
every individual, must have felt some pangs as they Henry Wadsworth, kept a journal which gives the
witnessed, perhaps immediately after Divine Service, following quaint account of a baptismal service con-
the flogging of a sailor who may have broken, not a ducted by Chaplain McFarlan, together with a refer-
law of God, but some arbitrary law of man. ence to the conduct of the “other Ladies of the Bay”
In the rules adopted for the Continental Navy is who were not invited to the christening service:
the following : “No Commander shall inflict any On the 22d Febry [1803] it being the day after we left
punishment upon a seaman beyond twelve lashes Algiers: Mrs. Low (wife to James Low Captain of the
upon his bare back with a cat of nine tails. . . .”34 Forecastle) bore a Son, in the Boatswain’s Store Room:
on the 31st inst [March].—the babe was baptiz’d in the
This provision was carried over into the United Midshipmen’s apartment: The Contriver of this business,
States Navy. The “cat” was a short wooden stick was Melancthon Taylor Woolsey a Mid: who stood God-
about two feet long to which were attached nine father on the occasion & provided a handsome collation
heavy knotted cords, each about two feet long. of Wine & Fruit: Mrs. Low being unwell Mrs Hays the
Flogging was administered by the boatswain’s Gunner’s Lady officiated: Divine Service by Rev. Alex
McFarlan. The Childs name Melancthon Woolsey Low:—
mates, of whom a contemporary wrote: All was conducted with due decorum & decency no doubt
Their duty is to enforce the orders of the officers, and, to the great satisfaction of the parents, as Mr. Woolsey’s
to enable them to do this, each is furnished with a hemp attention to them must in some measure have ameli-
33
orated the unhappy situation of the Lady who was so un-
3 4
Benjamin,
The United States Naval Academy, p. 27. 35
Journals of The Continental Congress, III:378. Wines, Two Years and a Half in the Navy, I:39.

—21—
fortunate as to conceive & bare, on the Salt Sea. N. B. The of the commanding officer the responsibility for the
other Ladies of the Bay*—viz Mrs Watson: the Boats- moral conditions aboard his ship. This article is as
wain’s Wife, Mrs. Myres the Carpenter’s Lady—with Mrs
Crosby the corporal’s Lady: got drunk in their own Quar- follows:
ters out of pure spite—not being invited to celebrate the The commanders of all ships and vessels of war be-
Christening of Melancthon Woolsey Low.36 longing to the navy are strictly enjoined and required to
*The Forward Most part of the Birth [sic] Deck. show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, pa-
triotism, and subordination, and be vigilant in inspecting
The practice of taking women to sea was forbidden the conduct of all such as are placed under their com-
by a Navy regulation in 18 18 which read : “No mand; and to guard against, and suppress, all dissolute and
captain shall carry any woman to sea without an immoral practices, and to correct all such As are guilty of
order from the Secretary of the Navy, or from the them according to the usage of sea service.39
commander of the fleet or squadron to which he THE END OF THE DECADE
belongs?
Quite a different problem and a moral one was In spite of the haphazard way in which the
the presence of women of ill fame aboard our ships. twenty-two chaplains were appointed during the
Lovette in his Naval Customs, Traditions, and Usage years 1801-1810, and in spite of the emphasis placed
states that an old definition of a man-o’-war’s man upon their duties as schoolmasters, the spiritual as-
was “Begotten in the galley and born under a gun.” pects of their work were not entirely neglected. With
He adds that the term “Son of a Gun” was originally growing frequency Divine Services on the larger
a term of reproach since it implied that the woman vessels in commission were conducted, if not by the
who gave birth to a child “under a gun” was of chaplains then by the commanding officer or some
such loose morals rhat no one knew who the father other officer appointed by him.
might be.38 The following extracts from the log of the Con-
In the log of the Essex for the period 21 May stitution are typical of the larger vessels during that
1801-9 August 1802 appears a set of General Orders period :
taken from HMS Superb and copied by William Sunday Oct. 8, 1809 At 11 mustered all Hands and
Bainbridge with the following note of approval: read prayers.
Sunday Jan 14 1810 At 11 am, read Articles of War
“these being the best of the kind I have seen is the and performed Divine Service.
reason that I have given them in my Journal.”
Among the orders were the following: It is not known whether a chaplain was on board
on the Sunday when Divine Service replaced the
10th In port women will be permitted to come on simpler reading of prayers. Henry Denison, who
board but the indulgence is to be granted (as indeed all served as chaplain without a commission aboard the
others) in proportion to the merits of the men who require
them & upon their being accountable for the conduct Constitution from 8 February to 17 June 1810, evi-
of the women with them. dently conducted Divine Worship. The entry from
11th The Commanding Officer in Port will therefore the log for 23 March reads:
permit such men to have women on board as he may
“11 am, mustered the ships company—read the Articles
choose & he will direct the Master at Arms to keep a
list agreeable to the following form which he will carry of War & performed Divine Service.”
to the Commanding Officer every morning for his in- The first decade of the nineteenth century closed
spection. inauspiciously for the United States Navy and the
chaplaincy. James Madison, who became President
WOMEN’S LIST in March 1809, continued Jefferson’s policy of a
Married small Navy. Only three chaplains were on duty at
Women’s With or When rec’d the end of 1810. They were Garrett Barry on the
Names Whom Single on Board Conduct
John Adams, Henry Denison on the President, and
Andrew L. Moore on the Essex. Two other chaplains
were on the rolls, William Briscoe and Lemuel Mor-
Article I of the “Act for the Better Government of ris, both of whom were called to active duty in the
the Navy” of 1800 placed squarely on the shoulders first part of the next decade.
36 3 9 Gen. Reg. of the Navy and Marine Corps (1848),
37
Nav. Doc. Barbary Wars, II:387.
Rules, Regulations, and Instructions for the Naval Serv- p. 261.
ice3 (1818), Art. 24, p. 55. This article remains practically unchanged in present day
8
Op. cit., p. 239. regulations.

—22—
 CHAPTER FIVE

A COLORFUL DECADE
1811-1820

The second decade of the nineteenth century, for naval strength stimulated naval construction and
which included the War of 1812 is one of the most enlistments. Three 74-gun ships of the line were laid
eventful and colorful in the history of the United down in 1813, but were not completed in time to
States Navy. A few victorious and spectacular naval take part in the war. Naval personnel increased to
duels at sea together with the successes on the Lakes approximately 15,000 by 1815 in addition to 2,700
brought new prestige to the Navy. The stories of marines. Theodore Roosevelt in his Naval War of
these thrilling combats, with the accounts of explod- 1812 states that among the naval personnel in 1815
ing shot, falling masts, boarding parties, marines were thirty captains, 141 lieutenants, 510 midship-
firing from the tops, and the many instances of extra- men, fifty surgeons, twelve chaplains, fifty pursers,
ordinary heroism, fascinate even landlubbers who do 5,000 able seamen, and 6,849 ordinary seamen and
not know the difference between port and starboard. boys.2
An appreciation of the need for the Navy which When England’s troubles with Napoleon were
marked public opinion at the end of the decade ending in 1814, she was able to concentrate a fleet
under review was not evident at the. beginning. The of 616 seagoing vessels from powerful ships of the
parsimonious policy of the administrations of both line to brigs and cutters. Of these, 124 were ships of
Jefferson and Madison had reduced the defensive the line and 126 frigates. The United States had
power of our naval forces almost to impotency by none of the former ships and only seven frigates, of
1810. This indifference to naval matters seems in- which the United States, Constitution, and President
explicable when it is remembered that the British were the most powerful.3 With her Lilliputian Navy,
were blockading our ports as early as 1807. Working the United States dared challenge the might of the
on the assumption-“Once an Englishman, always greatest sea power of the world!
an Englishman”-they were boarding American ves- In addition to the regular ships of the Navy, the
sels, seizing American sailors, and forcing them to United States had scores of privateers. Well over a
serve in English ships. By the time war broke out, thousand British merchant vessels were captured by
the United States Government had a list of approx- Americans during the course of the war. These heavy
imately 6,500 alleged cases of impressment.1 While losses together with their failure to invade from
there were other causes for the War of 1812, these Canada contributed to the British Government’s
repeated infringements of American sovereignty un- willingness to negotiate a peace in 1814.4
doubtedly played an important part in the declara- After the conclusion of the war, interest in the
tion of war. Navy continued. The Navy was occupied with various
Even with the shadow of war gradually deepen- activities some of which were protecting commerce,
ing, sentiment in favor of a strong Navy was slow to suppressing piracy, and checking the slave trade.
crystallize. In December 1811, only seven months
before the declaration of war, the House Naval
NEW LEGISLATION AFFECTING CHAPLAINS
Affairs Committee rejected a proposal from the Sec-
retary of the Navy to acquire twelve 74-gun ships In answer to an inquiry made by a member of
of the line and twenty additional frigates. Congress regarding the duties and pay of a naval
When war finally came, the Navy had but sixteen 2
Op. cit., p. 47.
serviceable ships, and its personnel totaled in round 3
Alden and Wtstcott, op. cit., p. 67. Sprout, H. and M.,
numbers 4,000 but the men were well disciplined and The Rise of American Naval Power, p. 78, give much larger
trained. As was to be expected, the imperative need figures for England’s Navy. They state that England had 219
ships of the line in 1814, and 296 frigates.
1 4
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 64. Sprout, H. and M., op. cit., p. 78.

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chaplain, the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Hamilton, rendered such an addition necessary.” This Act was
on 21 February 1811 wrote: repealed 22 February 1817. It is not known whether
The duties of a chaplain in the Navy are to read prayers any chaplains benefited by this provision. The Act of
at stated periods; to perform all funeral ceremonies; to April 1814 repeated the stipulation that the pay of
lecture or preach to the crew on Sundavs; to instruct the the chaplain be $40 a month plus two rations a day.
midshipmen & volunteers in writing, arithmetic, naviga- A revision of naval regulations, authorized by Con-
tion, & lunar observations, & when required to teach other gress in February 1815 appeared in April 1818. The
youths of the ship.
section dealing with the duties of the chaplain am-
This roughly summarizes the regulations of 1802. plified the 1802 regulations by assigning to him
Hamilton also commented on the pay of chaplains “when . . . required . . . the duties of secretary to a
and pointed out the difficulties of enrolling and re- commodore.”6
taining the right type of men in the chaplaincy.
The pay of a Chaplain is 40$ per month & 2 rations pr. FORTY-ONE ADDITIONAL CHAPLAINS
day equal to 20 cents each making annual amount of pay In addition to the five chaplains previously men-
& ration 626$. This is the pay of a chaplain attached to
a vessel for a full term of service. tioned whose period of services extended into the
The great difficulty which I have experienced in pro- second decade of the nineteenth century, forty-one
curing gentlemen competent to these arduous & important more were appointed or commissioned during the
duties induced me, some time before the death of Mr. years 1811-1820. Of these forty-one, twenty-three
Thompson, to order him from ship to ship, remaining on served without any known warrant or commission.
board each ship onlv a sufficient length of time to instruct
the midshipmen in navigation & lunar observation, then Thirteen of the twenty-three reported for duty during
proceeding to another & performing similar duties. For the years 1812 and 1813. There was a change in
such Services Mr. Thompson was allowed 60$ pr. month policy after the end of the War of 1812 when ap-
& 5 rations pr. day equal to 1085$ pr. annum. These pointments from the ship’s company became increas-
are the duties which at this time I should wish a chaplain ingly rare.
to perform. His travelling expenses are allowed.5
Eighteen, chaplains were commissioned by the
Here the Secretary touched on a problem which Navy Department and of this number eleven appear
was to become more acute—namely, the pay of chap- to have been ordained either prior to their selection
lains. The pay of $40 a month first fixed by Congress or sometime thereafter. Such was the case of John
in 1794 was not increased until 1835. With the grad- Cook who entered the service in 1812 but was not
ual but steady rise in prices, it became increasingly ordained until 1824. However, the general rule that
difficult to retain well-trained men in the chaplaincy. a chaplain be ordained before appointment was
Secretary Hamilton did not divulge his method of increasingly observed after 1818. Of the eleven
manipulating the records so that he could raise ordained clergymen who served as chaplains in the
Chaplain Thompson’s pay from the authorized $626 second decade, one was a Unitarian, one a Presby-
per annum to $1085. terian, and nine were Episcopalians.
By Act of Congress approved 2 January 1813, it The men who were ordained were increasingly
was provided that each of the new 74-gun ships of inclined to look upon the chaplaincy as a life work.
the line should carry a chaplain and a schoolmaster, Of the eleven ordained men, all but two or three
the latter to be paid $25 a month. Thus on the served ten years or longer. Moses Chase was a chap-
larger vessels chaplains would be relieved of a part, lain from 1819 to 1822. He was reappointed in 1841
if not all, of their educational duties. The school- and served until 1861, a total of about twenty-three
masters, however, were given a subordinate position years. Addison Searle was appointed in 1820 when
aboard these vessels, sometimes being quartered with he was twenty-eight years old and remained in the
the midshipmen. This combination of low pay and service until his death at sea in 1850. The real
little prestige did not attract or hold men of ability strength of the chaplaincy rested upon these ordained
as schoolteachers. men who entered the Navy with the intention of
On 16 April 1814 Congress authorized the Presi- making it a career.
dent to increase by twenty-five percent the pay of Philander Chase, Jr., was only eighteen or nine-
naval personnel when engaged in any service “the teen when he entered the service in 1818. He was
hardships or disadvantages of which in his judgment 6
Rules, Regulations, and Instructions for the Naval Serv-
5
Nav. Rec. Coll., VI:10:301. ice of the United States, p. 136.

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 A forgery was lately practised on the Navy department
also. A Mr. Smith from Boston, a clergyman, presented
himself with such strong Recommendations that the Sec-
retary appointed him off hand Chaplain of the frigate
Congress and attended him to the Navy Yard and intro-
duced him in a particular manner. No wonder his letters
were strong for he wrote them himself. This was soon
after discovered & the reverend Mr. Smith was dismissed.8
The fraud angered Secretary Hamilton and he
wrote the following order to the Captain in charge of
the Navy Yard on 9 October:
I have discovered, not without great concern, that Mr.
N R Smith, lately appd Chaplain to the Congress, has
imposed false papers upon me. You will therefore, Sir, in
presence of the officers and crew of the Congress, require
him to deliver up to you, his commission, & other papers
he has received at this Department, & inform him, that in
consequence of the discovery made upon him, he is dis-
missed from the Service.9
There was a growing tendency in the Navy Depart-
ment and on the part of ranking officers to favor
the appointment of ordained men. An incident in
point concerned the assignment of a chaplain to
Commodore Charles Stewart’s ship, the Franklin. It
appears that after the Commodore had selected
Philander Chase, Jr., 1818-1820 unordained Thomas Burrows on 4 June 1817 for
Youngest chaplain to serve in the Navy, appointed when the position, the Secretary of the Navy expressed a
18 or 19 years old. From picture, Edel Collection. wish that the Reverend Nathaniel Andrews, an
Episcopal clergyman who had been appointed to the
Congress on 11 September, serve on the Franklin
the son of a pioneer Episcopal bishop of Ohio. In instead. Stewart replied on 3 November to the
the bishop’s autobiography, the following statement Secretary’s proposal :
appears concerning his brilliant son:
Such was his moral and religious deportment that he I have recd your letter by the Reverd Mr. Andrews,
was admitted a lay reader, and a candidate for holy orders, who is desirous of being appointed to the Franklin. As I
under the supervision of Bishop Griswold. This was done have selected and brought on with me a young Gentlm
at the instance of Commodore McDonough, who had for as sectary, it is too late to make the arrangement for Mr.
some time past known his pious and manly character, and Burrows, otherwise it should have been done; when Mr.
being well assured of his competent learning, had made Burrows solicited my consent to his being appointed to act
application to him to become a teacher on board the as Chaplain, I expressly stated to him that I should pre-
Guerriere,—of which vessel he had the command,-and fer a gentleman in orders, but as the compensation was
go with him to Russia, and thence to the Mediterranean insufficient it was very difficult to procure one of that de-
Sea, in the place and with the pay of chaplain.7 scription. Mr. Andrews being a regularly appointed Chap-
lain, and fully competent to the duties required by the act
In all probability Philander Chase, Jr., was the of Congress, has an undoubted right to the situation onbd.
youngest man ever to receive a chaplain’s commission the Franklin, and it was understood by me of Mr. Bur-
in the United States Navy. rows that his only object in requesting the appointment
The imprudence of accepting candidates solely on to act in that situation was a convenience to himself and
would enable him to draw the higher emoluments of the
the basis of letters of recommendation furnished by office.
them was evident in the case of Nathaniel R. Smith If the situation is occupied by a regular Chaplain the
who received his commission from Secretary Paul duties of the office can be performed agreeably to the
Hamilton on 12 September 1811. A letter from meaning and intent of the Law of Congress, but if irreg-
Purser Samuel Hamblcton to Captain David Porter ularly occupied the more important duties canont be per-
mitted without degrading religion and bringing it into
dated 17 October of that year reveals the story. 8
7 9
Hambleton Correspondence, New York Hist. Soc.
Chase, Reminiscences, p. 168. Nav. Rec. Coll., I:9:485.

—25—
disrepute. Perhaps the department could dispose of Mr. master in September 1816. He was doubtless one of
Burrows in such manner as would prevent his feeling any the temporary acting chaplains chosen from the
disappointment or could permit him to proceed as super-
numerary in the Franklin & be transferred to one of the
ship’s company.
vessels in the Mediterranean. The department will please Chaplains Samuel Livermore and Thomas Breesc
to do in the case what may seem proper to them.10 were also acclaimed for feats of valor. Both had been
The exchange was effected. It is interesting to note appointed from the ship’s company to the chaplain’s
that the Commodore preferred “a gentleman in office and both afterwards became pursers. Under the
orders” and felt that unordained men could not per- present Geneva Convention, both would have vio-
form the important duties of a chaplain’s office lated the provision which classifies chaplains as non-
“without degrading religion and bringing it into dis- combatants, for each, in the excitement of battle,
repute.” This recognition of the importance of took part by firing guns or wielding the sword. Free
appointing ordained men marks a significant mile- from inhibitions which would have restricted the
stone in the history of the Navy chaplaincy. On 15 activities of an ordained clergyman, they felt free to
January 1819 the Secretary of the Navy sent the take part in actual combat.
following letter to three newly appointed chaplains, Samuel Livermore, a Kentucky gentleman, hap-
all addressed as “Rev.” even though Philander Chase pened to be in Boston at the time Captain James
was then only a candidate for the ministry and was Lawrence was hastily assembling a crew for the
not ordained until 1820. Chesapeake. Just outside Boston, HMS Shannon,
Rev. Philander Chase
under command of Captain Philip B. V. Broke, was
“ James Everett eagerly awaiting combat. Livermore, a personal friend
“ James Brooks of Lawrence, applied for a berth aboard the
The President of the U. S. having appointed you a Chesapeake and Lawrence appointed him chaplain.
Chaplain, I have the pleasure herewith, to hand you your On 1 June 1813 the Chesapeake sailed out.
Commission dated 28th Dec. 1818.11
Although the ships were evenly matched, the advan-
The simultaneous commissioning of three Navy tage lay with the British who had a better disciplined
chaplains, two of whom were ordained and one soon and trained crew. In the bitter struggle that followed,
to be, was a real step forward. Gone were the days, Lawrence fell mortally wounded. The British under
with but rare exceptions, when clerks, pursers, or the personal leadership of Captain Broke boarded
others from the ship’s company could be appointed the Chesapeake, and it was then that Chaplain Liver-
to that sacred office. More was required from the more stepped into the center of the picture. Accord-
chaplain than simply the ability to teach the three ing to one account, he seized a pistol and fired at
“R’s” to the midshipmen. Captain Broke. The bullet missed its mark but struck
a seaman.12 According to another account, the Chap-
lain, with a cutlass, inflicted a serious head wound
OUTSTANDING CHAPLAINS OF THE on the Captain which incapacitated him for the
SECOND DECADE remainder of his life.13 Both accounts agree that the
Captain fought back and with his “mighty Toledo
One of the chief characteristics of the War of
blade” knocked the Chaplain to the deck with a
1812 was the number of brilliant ship duels. Several
severe wound on the arm.14
United States naval chaplains were on board Ameri-
can ships in these encounters, and at least three have The British were victorious and took the
attracted the interest of historians by their conduct Chesapeake and the survivors to Halifax. Captain
in combat. Lawrence, in the delirium that preceded his death
four days later, imagined that he was still in battle
On 29 December 1812 the Constitution emerged
and kept repeating the words: “Don’t give up the
victorious from her battle with HMS Java. Congress
ship.” Among the prisoners was Chaplain Livermore
on 3 March 1813 voted its official thanks to those
Although the cartel signed by the British and
aboard the Constitution, and among the officers was
“John Carlton, Chaplain.” Nothing more is known 12
Maclay, History of the United States Navy from 1775
of him except that he was commissioned a sailing to 131893, I:456-7.
14
Parker, Recollections of a Naval Officer, p. 25.
10
It is thought that Captain Marryat in his Mr. Midship-
11
Ibid., II:5 of 1817:9. men Easy used Chaplain Livermore as the model for the
Ibid., “Appointments and Resignations,” II:295. character of Chaplain Hawkins. Sec Parker, op. cit., p. 25.

—26—
Americans governing the exchange of prisoners Thomas Breese lingered long in the Navy. His name
classified chaplains as non-combatants, it is not was sung in an old Navy song: “Here’s a health to
likely that Captain Broke was in any mood to con- you, Tom Breese,” and in the Life of Rear-Admiral
sider Chaplain Livermore as such. In all probability Charles Henry Davis, it is stated that Thomas Breese
Chaplain Livermore was not only the first United “was perhaps more universally beloved, than any
States naval chaplain to be wounded in combat, he man in the service.”18
was also the first to be captured.15 At the famous battle of Lake Champlain Com-
Speedy arrangements were made at Halifax for the modore Thomas Macdonough’s acting chaplain was
exchange of prisoners. Chaplain Livermore arrived Francis H. Penny19 While Penny’s contribution as a
at Newport, Rhode Island, on 24 June, and was chaplain fails to appear on the official report of the
soon back in the service as a purser. The destroyer battle, there is evidence that the spiritual as well as
Livermore, launched at Bath, Maine, 3 August 1940 the military leadership came from the Commodore
was named in honor of this intrepid chaplain and himself. Few officers in the Navy were more religious
purser. or better able to perform the functions of a chaplain
The second chaplain to take up arms in the heat than the thirty-one year old Commodore. Ranked by
of battle was Thomas Breese, who was with Com- one authority as the “greatest figure in our naval
modore O. H. Perry on the Lawrence in the battle history” down to the Civil War, it was said that he
of Lake Erie on 10 September 1813. In the account “feared his foes not at all, but his God a great deal.”20
of that struggle, after all but Long a deeply religious man, he early accepted the
one of the guns [on the Lawrence] are now dismounted,
teachings of the Episcopal Church. He had an inti-
this one still keeps up its fire; for the commodore, with mate knowledge of the Bible and his favorite book
the brave purser Hambleton, and Chaplain Breese, aided was the Epistle of James, which he regarded as
by two or three men, are working it themselves. At last peculiarly adapted to the sailor’s mind. To a visitor
the purser falls, his shoulder shattered by a grape-shot. aboard his Flagship, the Saratoga, a few days before
Presently this gun, too,—the last one,—is disabled, and
the “Lawrence” cannot fire a shot.16 the battle, he quoted illustrations drawn from sea
life, as “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the
Perry, realizing that if his Flagship surrendered sea driven with the wind and tossed,” and “Behold
the whole fleet would do likewise, got into a boat also the ships, which though they be so great, and
with a few companions and was rowed to the Niagara are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about
and continued the fight.17 It is assumed that Chap- with a very small helm, withersoever the governor
lain Breese accompanied his Commanding Officer. listeth.”21
The Resolution of Congress dated 6 January 1814 It is not surprising that Macdonough called his
thanking the officers and men who took part in the officers on the Saratoga to the quarter-deck for a
battle of Lake Erie included the name of “Thomas few minutes prayer as the stronger English fleet stood
Breese, Chaplain.” in for the battle. He repeated the prayer appointed
Both Livermore and Breese served as chaplains on by the Episcopal Church to be said before a fight at
other vessels. Livermore’s name appears on the sea ending in these words:
muster roll of the Guerriere from October 1813 to
Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us;
March 1814, while Breese was chaplain on the Jaua for thou givest not always the battle to the strong, but
from July to October 1815. It was fitting that both canst save by many or by few. O let not our sins now cry
of the “fighting parsons” should have served on against us for vengeance; but hear us thy poor servants,
vessels captured from the British. The memory of begging mercy and imploring thy help, and that thou
wouldst be a defence unto us against the face of the
15
Chaplain Hoes in his manuscript notes mentions a Chap- enemy. Make it appear that thou art our Saviour and
lain Henry Robinson as another casualty in the War of 1812. mighty Deliverer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen22
Robinson was aboard the President in her losing fight with 18
the Endymion 15 January 1815. Official records, however, 19
Davis, op. cit., p. 65.
do16not list Robinson as a chaplain. Perq’s name appears on the rolls of “Lake Champlain
Soley, Boys of 1812, p. 258. Purser Samuel Hambleton, and White Hall Stations” (1813-4) as Acting Chaplain.
a brother of Chaplain John Needles Hambleton, once made According to this record he received a total of $1,163.62
claim for extra compensation for services he stated he ren- prize
20
money.
dered
17
as acting chaplain. 21
Roosevelt, Naval War of 1812, pp. 389, 399.
Perry took with him his fighting flag with the famous Macdonough, Life of Commodore Thomas Macdonough,
words “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.” This flag now p. 22
155.
hangs in Bancroft Hall at Annapolis and under it each in- Hunt, “A Forgotten Commodore—Thomas MacDon-
coming midshipman takes his oath. ough,” Naval Institute Proceedings, Nov. 1931, p. 1486.

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 The Commodore’s report of the victory to the Sec- of the most memorable voyages made by an American
retary of the Navy, too, was in harmony with his war vessel. The Essex rounded Cape Horn in Febru-
religious conviction. ary 1813, and was the first naval vessel to carry the
Sir; The Almighty has been pleased to grant us a signal
United States flag into the Pacific. After provisioning
victory on Lake Champlain in the capture of one frigate, his ship at Valparaiso, Chile, Porter sailed forth on
one brig, and two sloops of war of the enemy. a raiding expedition on British whalers in the Pacific.
By September he had successfully captured twelve of
His prayer to God before battle and his thanks to
the twenty whalers and spread havoc in that im-
God after the victory were as consistent with his
character as was his generous and humane treatment portant British industry.25
of the vanquished foe. Porter captured so many prizes that he found it
The services of another chaplain, David Phineas necessary to destroy some of them because he had no
Adams, were more spectacular and of greater sig- crews to man them. Every available officer was
nificance than those of either Livermore or Breese. used and even twelve-year-old Midshipman David
Adams was a member of the class of 1801 at Harvard. Farragut was given command of one prize.26 The
He became a member of the faculty of Columbia legend is that young Farragut was accompanied about
College, later Columbia University, in New York deck by a burly quartermaster who . saw to it that
City, as professor of mathematics and astronomy. proper respect was paid to the midshipman’s orders.
Captain James Lawrence may have been respon- The need for capable officers who knew navigation
sible for Adams’ interest in the Navy. When the latter was so urgent that even the chaplain was placed suc-
applied for the position of “teacher of mathematics cessively aboard several prizes. Chaplain Adams com-
and navigation,” Lawrence himself submitted the manded three vessels for short periods. They were
application to the Secretary of the Navy, writing that the twenty-gun auxiliary vessel Atlantic, renamed the
he took such liberty out of “a wish to benefit the Essex Junior; the brig Georgiana; and the whaler
service.” He added: Sir Andrew Hammond. When the last named vessel
was taken, several whales were tied alongside and a
Should you be pleased to give him an appointment quantity of blubber was waiting to be dried and
similar to that of Chaplain Thompson deceased, I . . . re-
quest as a particular favour that you will order him to casked. Chaplain Adams supervised the stowing of
the Argus for a few months, as I have a number of Mid- some $80,000 worth of whale oi1.27 He is the only
shipmen aboard, all promising young men who would be naval chaplain known to have been in command of
much gratified with so good an opportunity of making a war vessel flying the United States flag.
themselves perfect in Navigation, particularly as Mr.
Adams is considered one of the best Lunarians in the The British finally caught up with Porter at Val-
United States.23 paraiso and on 28 March 1814 gave battle and forced
Lawrence was not alone in his evaluation of the surrender of the Essex. During the engagement,
Adams’ abilities, for the chaplain came highly recom- Chaplain Adams was found in the time-honored
mended. Commodore John Rogers, too, although he battle station for chaplains, the sick bay. In his
already had a chaplain on the President, desired official account of the fight Captain Porter com-
that Adams receive orders to his frigate.24 mended the chaplain (among others) and stated that
Adams was appointed on 10 May 1811, the com- the professional knowledge of the two acting surgeons
mission being mailed to the “Revd David P. Adams.” and “the benevolent attentions and assistance of Mr.
He was not ordained and the Secretary, learning of D P Adams the Chaplain, saved the lives of many of
his error is using the title “Revd,” hastened to correct the wounded.”28
it. Adams, like his predecessor, Chaplain Thompson, The disarmed Essex Junior was used as a cartel
would have preferred to serve under the title of naval vessel to carry the paroled American prisoners back
mathematician but found it necessary to accept the to New York. Chaplain Adams and several others
title of chaplain. He was first assigned to the President were exchanged. Adams was one of the three whom
but on 15 July was transferred to the Essex, under Porter and the victorious British Captain dispatched
command of Captain David Porter. to England to present affidavits “respecting the
Adams was aboard the Essex when she made her 25
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 81.
famous cruise to the Pacific in what proved to be one 26
David Farragut ( 1801-1870) entered the Navy when he
23
was
27
only nine years old.
2 4
Nav. Rec. Coll., IV:1:57. Letter of 26 Jan. 1811. 28
Edel, “Navy Chaplains from 1775 to 1917,” p. 5.
Ibid., III:1 of Jan.-Mar. 1811:282. Nav. Rec. Coll., II:4 of 1814:144.

—28—
Prize.” On 24 February 1815, he reported his return Squadron. The Squadron had been sent to settle
at Norfolk to the Secretary of the Navy.29 accounts with the Barbary States, who had taken
Later Adams was attached to the Franklin but was advantage of the War of 1812 to renew their attacks
given additional duty surveying Hampton Roads and on American shipping.
vicinity. While in the Pacific, he had surveyed one A cordial feeling soon existed between Farragut
of the islands of the Galapagos group. The original and Folsom, a relationship that is traceable perhaps
holographic map of Hampton Roads, which Adams to Farragut’s happy associations earlier with Chaplain
drew in 1815, now hangs in the Adams Memorial Adams, when he and other midshipmen studied under
Chapel at Norfolk with a letter to Stephen Decatur the Chaplain on the whaler, Sir Andrew Hammond.
written on the map.30 On 9 July of the following year It is known that young Folsom took a special interest
the Secretary of the Navy ordered Adams to make sur- in the lad, and Farragut returned the friendship with
veys on Chesapeake Bay.31 Writing to the Secretary a loyal devotion which lasted for more than fifty
on 15 November, Adams apologized for the slowness years.
of his work and added that he had already acquired When Folsom was appointed Consul at Tunis in
“an abundance of materials for constructing an the fall of 1817, he wrote to Commodore Chauncey
exact chart of the coasts of Chesapeake Bay to the requesting permission to take young Farragut ashore
Southward of the Parallel of New Point Comfort with him.
Light House.”32 This is the first time that such sur- The grounds of my request are the following: Mr. Far-
veys had been made. Following the signing of the ragut has been, almost from infancy, in the naval service,
Treaty of Ghent, Adams was called upon to survey with exceedingly limited opportunities of improving his
the boundary of the northern states. In the latter part mind. His prospects in life depend on his merits and abil-
of the decade he was appointed chaplain of the ities in a peculiar manner, as he is entirely destitute of the
aids of fortune or the influence of friends, other than those
receiving ship Columbus where he had opportunity whom his character may attach to him.
to continue the teaching of boys and midshipmen. During his connection with this ship a favorable change
As Chaplain Thompson was the outstanding Navy has been observed in him. He has acquired a sense of
chaplain of the first decade of the nineteenth century, character and a manly tone of thinking from which the
so the versatile Chaplain Adams rose above his associ- best results are to be expected. His desire of cultivating
his mind, which at first was feeble, has grown into an
ates in the second. His unusual abilities and high ardent zeal. His attention to his studies of late, the manner
character brought added respect to the office of in which he has repaid my endeavors to advance his
chaplain. knowledge, his improving character, and his peculiar situ-
Another chaplain who served during the years 1811 ation, have conspired to excite in me a strong interest in
to 1820 played an outstanding role in naval history. his welfare, and a wish to do all in my power to promote
his education. At this critical period of his life, the oppor-
This chaplain did not take part in any thrilling battle tunity he may enjoy with me may prove of incalculable
where he might have distinguished himself beyond the advantage to him, while his conduct for some time past
call of duty. He did not command an American affords a pledge that he will not be disposed to abuse it.33
vessel of war. Instead he is remembered principally The request was granted and Folsom and Farragut
because he won command of the mind and heart of left the Washington at Tunis on 25 October. Looking
a young midshipman and from his chaplain’s bridge back on that experience Farragut wrote: “I remained
set the course for a great life. The chaplain was at Tunis nine months, pursuing my studies under
Charles ‘Folsom, a Unitarian minister, and the lad Mr. Folsom, for whom I had formed a sincere
was David Farragut, who later became the first attachment. I studied French, Italian, English
admiral of the United States Navy. literature and mathematics.”34 In later years Farragut
Twenty-one-year-old Folsom began his duty as was always quick to acknowledge the debt of grati-
chaplain aborad the Washington on 2 May 1816, a tude he owed the “young Yankee parson,” as he
ship to which Midshipman Farragut, then fifteen, was called his friend and tutor. Farragut remained
attached. The two were still in the ship’s company throughout his life a deeply religious man.35 Even
in late 1816 when she joined the Mediterranean
33
3 4
Farragut,Life of David Glasgow Farragut, p. 61-2.
29
Ibid., III:1 of Jan.-Feb. 1815:137. 35
Ibid., p.
63.
30
The map has been loaned for exhibition purposes by A beautiful stained glass window dedicated to Admiral
Chaplain W. W. Edel. An account of this chapel will appear Farragut in the naval chapel at Annapolis shows him lashed
in 31a subsequent volume. to the rigging of his ship, the Hartford, as she moved into
Nav. Rec. Coll, IV:1 of 1815:207. Mobile Bay. Farragut’s Bible is on display in the Chapel at
3 2
Ibid. Annapolis.

—29—
though Adams and Folsom were primarily teachers, cers and boys on this station—There are attending ninety-
both must have had great spiritual strength of charac- five officers studying Navigation, Mathematics, Astronomy,
Philosophy Geography &c and twenty one boys in various
ter to have so influenced young Farragut. To Folsom studies. For the officers, I have no assistant; and you will
must go to the major credit for he enjoyed the closer readily perceive, Sir, that my duties must be of the most
associations. Had Folsom done nothing more than arduous nature. So unremitting an attention is necessary
mold the character of this midshipman, who became that may health is somewhat impaired by it. . . .
one of America’s greatest heroes, he would have Perhaps some compensation may be due me, for this
extra Service, and I beg leave respectfully to ask your
merited the highest praise of his countrymen. attention to the subject.
Dr. Hunter, at Washington, received an additional pay
CHAPLAINS AS SCHOOLMASTERS from the contingent fund, although his School was noth-
ing in comparison with this. . . . And it would seem a
Until the Government established the Naval hardship, that I should receive no more pay, than those
Academy at Annapolis in 1845, the main burden of who do no duty either as Chaplains or School-Masters;
preparing junior officiers for their future duties rested who hold the station as a sinecure.39
upon chaplains. The Secretary of the Navy expected Felch summarized his activities during the years
them to be schoolteachers. On 4 May 1818 he wrote 1816 to 1822 in a letter to President John Quincy
to the commanding officer of the Guerriere saying: Adams on 24 October 1825. He mentioned having
“You will be pleased to select a Gcntlcman possessing “opened a Naval School at the Navy Yard at
the necessary qualifications to officiate as chaplain & Charlestown, [Boston.”] and revealed that he
instruct the junior officers in the theory of their was from January 1st 1816 to May 26th 1822 continually
profession.”36 The commanding officer preferred a employed alternating in surveying . . ., instructing the
schoolteacher to a chaplain and requested permission officers . . ., and attending to . . . [his] duties in the Navy.40
to appoint a Mr. Bonfils. On 24 June the Secretary Felch has the dubious distinction of having been
replied: “. . . the Department declines sanctioning one of the first Navy chaplains, if not the first, to be
such an appointment. It is the duty of the Chaplains “permitted to resign” from the service for conduct
on board our public Vessels, under the direction of unbecoming an officer and gentleman. When faced
their respective commanders, to take charge of the with accusations involving dishonesty, intemperance,
education of the Junior officiers.”37 and failure to perform his duties, Felch voluntarily
Several schools for the training of midshipmen submitted his resignation on 29 August 1825 rather
came into existence during the years prior to 1845. than face a court-martial.41 A few other chaplains in
As has been noted, there was such a school under the course of the years have brought disgrace to their
Chaplains Thompson and Hunter at the Washington office and to the Chaplain Corps but the number has
Navy Yard during the first and second decades. been small.
Commodore Isaac Chauncey, writing to the Secretary Writing to the Secretary of the Navy from the
of the Navy on 30 November 1814, described a school Navy Yard at New York on 20 June 1823, Chaplain
etablishe at Sackett’s Harbor on Lake Erie in that Cave Jones stated:
year: In your communication of the 3d inst. you were pleased
Sir. I have the pleasure to inform you that I have estab- to direct me to organize a school on board of the Wash-
lished a Mathematical School under the direction of my ington, for the instruction of the young officers. As I find
Chaplain the Revd. Mr. Felch who is fully competent to there is a school-master on board of that ship for the same
the duties of such a School. More than One hundred purpose, I beg for your further instructions as to the plan
Officers attend this School, as they can be spared from which you wish to be pursued.
duty and about Sixty Lieutenants and Midshipmen attend 39
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:1 of 1815:113. Felch received
daily who make great progress in the various branches of additional pay totaling $614.35 for extra services drafting
Mathematics Navigation etc.38 charts and “preparing system of studies for Midshipmen.”
(See volume marked “Congress, NO. 3, 1818-1822,” pp.
Chaplain Felch wrote to the Secretary on 17 182-4.)
40
February 1815 requesting compensation for extra 41
Nav. Rec. Coll., Felch File.
The Protestant Episcopal Convention of 1822 found
duties. Felch guilty of four charges and so certified to his Bishop.
Senate Bill No. 544 was introduced 15 January 1855 calling
Sir: When fleet came in last fall, Commodore Chauncey for the granting of certain public lands to Mary Felch, the
ordered me on shore to open a Naval School, for the offi- widow of Chaplain Cheever Felch. Mrs. Felch stated that
she was left a widow with six small children in indigent
36
Nav. Rec. Coll., I:13:179. circumstances when her husband died shortly after his re-
3 7
Ibid., I:13:206. lease from the Navy. The Senate Committee on Public
38
Chauncey Letter Book, 1814-1815, New York Hist. Soc. Lands recommended passage.

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 Jones then referred to the Secretary’s report to tion in Naval Regulations of an article forbidding
Congress “at their last session” recommending “the naval personnel to take part in a duel.43
establishment of a Seminary for the Navy, to embrace The “Medical and Surgical Journal” of the frig-
a general course of instruction, similar to that for ate Java for 1816, which may be taken as typical,
the Army, at West Point.” The Chaplain added that throws considerable light upon the prevalence of
it would afford him “great pleasure to aid in the venereal disease aboard naval vessels at that time
promotion of such an establishment.”42 The report for 1 July, when the ship was at sea, in-
dicates that sixteen of the thirty-one on sick report
were incapacitated because of syphilis. The writer of
CERTAIN MORAL CONDITIONS
this Journal observed that “of the different diseases
DURING THE SECOND DECADE
with which men were attacked, those of a syphilitic
The assembling of men anywhere away from the nature was most numerous.”44
restraining influences of home, church, and commu- The history of flogging in the American Navy
nity invariably gives rise to certain evils which are has some gruesome chapters. While the naval Act of
intensified by such factors as the length of separation 1799 forbade a captain to inflict more than twelve
involved, the physical conditions under which men lashes for any one offense, a tyrannical officer could
live, and lack of spiritual leadership. Through the easily circumvent the law by charging a man with
years the United States Government has sought to several offenses. This same Act forbade the inflicting
alleviate conditions unfavorable to morale and of more than one hundred lashes except for a capital
morality through the improvement of living quarters, crime. Men are known to have died under the lash.
food, and medical care; in the introduction of Even though a man committed no offense for which
libraries and recreational facilities; in the revision he could be tried, he might still feel the sting of the
of certain naval regulations; and in the improvement lash. The boatswain’s mate of those days often car-
of financial compensation for Navy personnel and ried a short whip in his cap called a “colt” or
their dependents. Certain chaplains took an early “starter” which was wielded simply on an order from
stand on some of these problems. The main construc- an officer.
tive influence of the Corps, however, was felt at a The logs of various United States war vessels
much later date. of the second decade indicate that it was customary
Living conditions aboard the old sailing ships were to muster the crew on a Sunday morning, read the
hard. The unbalanced diet often gave rise to scurvy. Articles of War, perform Divine Service, and then
The public conscience of the first decades of the detain the crew to witness any flogging that might be
nineteenth century permitted such practices as flog- prescribed. The following entries from the log of the
ging, now condemned as brutal and inhuman. Other Congress are typical :
customs then permitted which are now forbidden
1 Dec. 1816 Divine Service Performed. Mustered the
were dueling, the daily issuance of grog, and the Crew.
bringing of prostitutes aboard ship when in port. 13 Apr 1817 Mustered the Crew & performed Divine
Dueling was a serious problem. According to one Service.
report, the United States Navy lost two-thirds as 6 June 1819 at 11 read the Articles of War and mus-
tered the crew.
many officers from dueling during the first fifty years 20 June 1819 at 11 called all hands to witness the pun-
of its history as from the wars during the period. ishment of Willard Scott and Isaac Waldroon, Marines.
Stephen Decatur took a stand against the practice The former with 12 lashes for quarrelling and the latter
and required his officers to pledge themselves to re- with 6 lashes for Drunkenness.
frain from dueling until they had referred the dispute 13 Feb 1820 Mustered the Crew and read the Articles
of War. Punished John Black with 12 lashes.
to their commanding officer. Yet this same Stephen
Decatur felt it necessary to accept a challenge issued There were two periods during the years 1799-1861
by Captain James Barron. The two met at Bladens- when the number of floggings were proportionately
burg, near Washington, D.C., on 22 March 1820 high the first, 1808-1814, and the second, 1840-
where Decatur was mortally wounded. The death of 43
Bell, Room to Swing a Cat, pp. 142, 155. See also Nav.
this popular idol was one of the incidents that finally Reg.,
44
1920, art. 8, (5).
aroused public sentiment and resulted in the inser- Original Journal in New York Hist. Soc. It was not
until 1838 that gonorrhea and syphilis were clearly differen-
42
tiated. See Louis H. Roddis, A Short History of Nautical
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:4 of 1823: 124. Medicine, p. 56.

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1849. In the earlier period there were forty-six in- for flogging appears to have been desertion. Other
stances in which one hundred or more lashes were causes were mutiny, seditious language, disobedience,
authorized, including the following six cases of three assault, theft, and drunkenness.
hundred lashes each : It is well to note, however, that no sermons of
Abraham Bristol, Marine, 10 Oct 1807, Desertion Em-
chaplains who served during this second decade are
bezzlement and Theft extant. Hence, whatever they may have written to
William Brown, Bugleman, 15 April 1814, Cowardice mitigate the horrors of this form of punishment has
and neglect of duty45 been lost.
Edward Jones, Sea. 2 Nov. 1811, Mutiny and seditious
conduct
John Perry, Common Sea. 2 Feb. 1813, Desertion and
IN CONCLUSION
Mutinous Language The second decade of the nineteenth century ended
Patrick Smith, Marine, 12 Dec. 1809, Wounding a with about twelve chaplains on the rolls. The exact
Seaman number is difficult to ascertain because some were
John Wells, Marine, 11 Feb. 1813, Desertion46
on extended furlough. Of these twelve, eight were
During the War of 1812, the most common cause Episcopal clergymen and one was a Presbyterian.
45 Adams, the mathematician, was one of the un-
Punishment mitigated to 100 lashes by President James
Madison. ordained men. still on duty. On the whole, the out-
46
“Index for General Courts Martial and Courts of In- look for the naval chaplaincy at the close of 1820
quiry, 1799-1861.” See Manuscript Summary, Nav. Rec.
Coll. was considerably brighter than a decade earlier.

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 CHAPTER SIX

“LIMITED TO NINE”

1821-1840

A writer in the Army and Navy Chronicle for 22 1840, the Macedonian (to replace the first vessel
November 1838 raised the question: “Why is it that of that name), Pennsylvania, and Columbia. All of
so few chaplains are appointed in the Navy.” He these nine ships rated chaplains. Since the shore
added: establishments at Boston, New York, Philadel-
For many years the number was limited to nine; and phia, Washington, Norfolk, and Sackett’s Harbor had
that appeared to be a charmed number, for it was vain chaplains on duty for varying lengths of time during
to expect that any one, no matter what his qualifications the years under review, only a very few were avail-
for that situation were, could be appointed, unless a death
or resignation should reduce the number.1 able for sea duty. Instead of nine chaplains, there
should have been at least twice as many. This fact
An examination of the annual Navy Registers for
was recognized by the Navy Department in 1841
the years 1821 to 1840 shows that an average of nine
when eleven additional chaplains were appointed.
was consistently maintained. If a chaplain died in
During these twenty years of peace, several squad-
office, a new appointment was promptly made. When
Chaplain Andrew Hunter died at the Washington rons patterned after the Mediterranean Squadron
were established. A Pacific Squadron was organized
Navy Yard on 24 February 1823, his successor, Bur-
in 1821. Other squadrons were the West India in
gess Allison, was commissioned within two weeks.
1822, the South Atlantic in 1826, the East India in
Cave Jones succeeded John Ireland at the New York
1835, and the Home Squadron in 1841. The African
Navy Yard within two months after the latter’s
Squadron was organized to suppress the slave trade in
death in March 1823. There seems to have been an
1843.2 In addition, the Navy sponsored a number of
attempt to choose successors of the same denomina-
exploring expeditions. When possible, at least one
tion.
chaplain was assigned to each squadron and each
This arbitrary quota of nine chaplains, several of
expedition.
whom might be on extended furlough, was a serious
handicap to those on duty who were faced with the
THE OBSERVATIONS OF GEORGE JONES
growing needs of a slowly expanding Navy. When
the third decade opened the American Navy had From these world-wide cruises came a number of
the following frigates in commission: Constitution, volumes on travel, some of them written by chap-
Constellation, Congress, Columbia, Java, Guerriere, lains. These books not only describe strange scenes
and Macedonian. The Congress was used as a receiv- in foreign countries but reveal the daily activities of
ing ship at Norfolk. Both the Macedonian and the those who lived within the “wooden walls” and throw
Congress were broken up in the fourth decade. There considerable light on the life and activities of chap-
were also the three line-of-battle ships, Independence, lains aboard men-of-war.
Franklin, and Washington. In addition to the ten The first work to be considered is a two-volume
frigates and line-of-battle ships were several shore set entitled Sketches of Naval Life by “A Civilian”
establishments which also required chaplains. which appeared in 1929. The author was George
To aggravate the problem further, other large Jones who was on board the Brandywine as a school-
ships were being commissioned during the years master in August 1825. His first letter written from
1821-1840. During the decade 1821-1830, the the ship is dated 19 August and in it he describes his
North Carolina, Delaware, Ohio, Potomac, Brandy- position :
wine, and Hudson were added, and from 1831 to 2
1
Sprout, H. and M., The Rise of American Naval Power,
Op. cit., p, 330. pp. 94-5.

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 My office is that of schoolmaster, but what this means, and that he “left the Brandywine under the sanction.
or what are its duties, I cannot exactly tell: I only know, of their advice.” They may have felt that a faint-
that those who understand these things, say it is a better
situation than that of clerk for which I thought of apply- hearted chaplain was worse than none. Ogilvie’s com-
ing, and recommended it accordingly. The chaplaincy is mission was never confirmed. Several months later
now accessible only to clergymen, and if the case were he wrote the Secretary expressing his regret that he
different, I should not have applied for it. The midship- had not gone with the Brandywine. In April 1826,
men are to be my pupils, and a fine, industrious, set of Edward McLaughlin, another Presbyterian clergy-
pupils they will be, to judge from present appearances.3
man, was commissioned in his stead.
The next day Jones wrote: “A man had died and Since there was no chaplain on the Brandywine,
I was called upon, for the second time to perform Jones was asked to officiate as such from time to
the service, as our chaplain has not arrived.” The time. In making some interesting observations on the
Brandywine sailed on its maiden voyage from the characteristics of the American sailor, he wrote:
Potomac for France on 9 September with General The sailor’s character is a strange compound. He is kind,
Lafayette as a passenger. The distinguished General because he seldom witnesses distress; generous, because his
was escorted aboard the Brandywine by the Secre- pay is competent and sure; fearless, because familiar with
tary of the Navy on 8 September, at which time he danger; thoughtless, because under no responsibility;
was welcomed with a cheer from the crew and a changeful in his feelings; because there is little occasion
for control; a drunkard, often from fashion; and dissipated,
salute of seventeen guns. Jones, in describing the because from under the restraints of society. From all these
scene, writes that “two bands of musicians” were on proceeds his most striking characteristic:—there is no de-
hand “and all was life and confusion.” In the midst pendence to be placed on his resolutions. . . . His vices too
of this excitement the newly appointed chaplain, the are glaring: he stands convicted, weeps, resolves, and sins
again. . . . There was considerable seriousness in our ship,
Reverend James G. Ogilvie, a Presbyterian clergyman at one time last summer: no one knew exactly how it
from New York,. arrived. Jones, in describing Ogil- originated; and it progressed silently, yet was extensive
vie’s arrival and ignominious retreat wrote: enough to attract attention from all on board. About thirty,
Among those who came and went to-day, was our chap- I believe, discontinued drinking grog, and near twelve
lain: he had his trunks brought on board, but I believe were under strong religious feeling. I noticed it first in an
was frightened off by the uproar and riot: at all events, unusual application for religious tracts, and a more general
he tendered his commission to the Commodore, and throw- reading of the Bible: they formed a kind of association
ing himself into the next boat, left us to ourselves. If he or agreement to encourage and sustain one another, and
is so easily frightened as that, why, it is well that he is met in the evening in small groups on the upper deck, to
gone: a chaplain in the navy must “be made of sterner sing hymns and converse.6
stuff.” I regret exceedingly that we go off without one.4 Chaplains in the service contemporary with Jones
Ogilvie, who had been appointed for the Brandy- came to similar conclusions. Chaplain Colton thought
wine on 5 September wrote a humble letter of ex- that sailors were the “most thoughtless., improvident
planation to the Secretary of the Navy on the 9th. beings in the world,” but that they underwent “hard-
I was unable to realize the situation which I had an- ship, privation, and suffering with unclouded cheer-
ticipated to fill until I had arrived on board of the Brandy- fulness.”7 Chaplain Stewart said that they were warm-
wine & I must appeal, Sir, to your own sensibilities for any hearted and generous, had a disregard of self and a
apology that when about to leave my family and home recklessness of danger, had humor, a gay spirit, and
and to become initiated in those scenes of life, to which I
had been little accustomed and when I had found that great credulity, and, while generally victims of vice,
there was no possibility of ending any voyage without ar- were not invariably so.8 Chaplain Rockwell noted
rival at France, the principal object of my appointment that some sailors were “frugal honest, and trust-
and its acceptance, and that during so long a course of worthy,” but quickly added by “far the greater num-
absence my wife might be taken from me by death and ber, are reckless, profligate, intemperate, and pro-
my litle boy be left without a protector, I should waver in
my determination and yield to the impulse of nature by fane.”9 It was his opinion that most “common sailors
hastening to meet that family and to be again connected are inveterate liars.”10
with those associations which I had too precipitately re- Another characteristic of sailors which was fre-
linquished.5 quently mentioned by chaplains in their writings was
Ogilvie claims that he acquainted Captain Morris 6
Jones, Sketches of Naval Life, II:236-7.
and General Lafayette with the state of his feelings 7
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 35; Colton, Ship and Shore,
3
p. 826.
4
Op. cit., I:2. 9
Stewart, A Visit to the South Seas, I:5.
5
Ibid., I:15-6. Rockwell, Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:389.
1 0
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:6 of 1825:132. Ibid., p. 397.

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their extreme superstition. As a protection against and sacred, are unknown, or spoken of with a smile: and
the devil they nailed a horseshoe on the foremast; all this, till your own heart begins to catch the infection,
they considered Friday an unlucky day to sail and and you start with alarm to find the disease you came to
cure fastening on yourself. This is a Chaplain’s birth,
Sunday a lucky one; to kill an albatross they thought and you ask, who is sufficient for these things? I answer,
would bring disastrous consequences; and the pres- He is, who is sufficient for all things, and the man who
ence of a shark about a ship, they felt, was a fatal does not depend on God for sufficiency, has no business
omen for the sick on board? It was in this mental there. 14
atmosphere that the chaplain worked. Chaplain Jones also wrote about the opportunities of a chap-
Rockwell referred to the sailors’ “weak and childish lain aboard ship and pointed out that he was the one
superstition.”12 individual who could associate freely with both offi-
Jones felt that a brighter day had dawned for the cers and men. He felt that the chaplain, with a knowl-
naval chaplaincy because of new policies adopted by edge of the needs and preferences of the personnel
Secretary of the Navy Samuel L. Southard, who took gained through this contact, should “supply himself
office on 16 September 1823. According to Jones: with books adapted to their capacities.” Here is the
first reference to a chaplain’s interest in a library.
We are going to have Chaplains of a different character Jones added :
from the former ones, and this is a subject that interests me
greatly. Until the present Secretary came into office, little Small histories, and story books will be most acceptable,
discrimination was used in admitting persons to that birth and these he may blend with those of a better character.
[sic]; and while it had a few of good scientific acquire- I have never been able to keep a supply of tracts, though
ments, the moral character of most was indifferent. Mr. I-have procured them as often as I could. Their size, and
Southard resolved to admit none but clergymen, and these their language generally, are well adapted to a ship: after
of good standing in their several denominations. It is get- a distribution, I have always seen the men reading them
ting to be a respectable station, and our young men of piety all around the decks, where I believe they met with more
and talents are beginning to look to it.13 attention and respect than they would have done ashore.15
Jones had his ideal of the perfect chaplain. He Jones wrote frankly about the regulation which
must be gentlemanly, prudent, fearless, and firm. required prayers every morning and evening aboard
He must not encourage vice even by a smile; but must ship. He felt that compliance was difficult and per-
not be quick at noticing faults: he must feel constantly, haps even impossible. “The law,” he stated, “as it will
that he is there, not to condemn others, but to reform always be a dead letter, had better be repealed: but
them. He should check more by example than speech; the services of the Sabbath ought to be a matter of
and the quieter he is about it the better. If conversation more attention than they are.” Jones thought that
takes an improper turn among the company he is in, the
best reproof is to leave them; and this will apply to most some provision should be made for men to be seated
other things: it is a reproof no can can quarrel with, while throughout the service rather than forcing them to
it will be felt by all. stand, sometimes in the hot sun. He touched briefly
He should be well educated, and above all, though I on the problem of discipline aboard ship. “There
bring it last, he must be pious; and his piety must be of is no place where the searching motives of religion
that noble, and elevating, and purifying kind, that comes
not from men and systems, but from the Bible. There is are more needed than in a ship. Our gangway has
no place so trying to a religious person, all through, as a often been witness to this,” he wrote. Floggings took
man of war. He is in close contact with his fellows, men 1 4
on whom his life should be an constant reproof, and who 1 5
Ibid., II:239-40.
therefore scan his life, and feelings, and words, and his Ibid., p. 242.
The first ship’s library was placed aboard a United States
very thoughts, with a searching eye. He may have Christian naval vessel in 1821. The initiative in this venture was fur-
society; perhaps he will not. And no one, but he who has nished by Mr. William Wood, a New York philanthropist.
felt it, knows what it is to live months and years, where Just before the Franklin, under the command of Commodore
there is none to whom you can throw open all your feel- Charles Stewart, sailed for a three years’ cruise of the Pacific,
Mr. Wood, with the permission of the Commodore, ad-
ings, and look for sympathy; none to say to you “God dressed the crew on the subject of a “Seaman’s Library.”
speed you, my brother;” to live among those who talk His remarks were greeted with cheers and the officers and
familiarly of things you have scarcely heard named before; men immediately subscribed approximately $800. With this
where oaths are common language, and sabbaths reg- money 1,500 books were chosen and procured by Mr. Wood
ularly profaned; where matters you have loved as holy who later performed a similar service for the United States
and the Erie. The Commodore promptly set aside an apart-
11
ment aboard the Franklin as a library and appointed a
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 165; Colton, Sea and Sailor, librarian. Upon the return of the ship, what was left of
p. 34; Colton, Ship and Shore, p. 190-1; Rockwell, op. cit., the collection became the nucleus of the Seaman’s Library
II:392.
12 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. (Nav. Rec. Coll., IV: 6 of
13
Rockwell, op. cit., II:392. 1824:31; 1:15:358; II:4 of 1824:12; Southern Literary
Jones, Sketches of Naval Life, II:237-8. Messenger, Dec. 1840, pp. 799 ff.)

—35—
place at the gangway. “Give them religious principle,” His duties do not appear to have been pressing.
he urged, “. . . and then you may throw iron gags An hour or two was spent each morning on deck,
and manacles into the sea.”16 “for air and exercise.” In the afternoon he visited the
Jones remained on the Brandywine as school- sick, a call which seems to have been awaited eagerly
master until March 1826, when he was transferred by those confined to that dingy portion of the ship
to the Constitution. He returned to the United States called sick bay.
in 1828, completed his theological education, was Most of the chaplains’ day was spent in profes-
ordained in 1833, and was appointed a Navy chap- sional and official duties in his own room where he
lain on 20 April of that year. One of the truly great studied and wrote. Here in an apartment “such as
chaplains of the United States Navy, he gave his life to afford almost the retirement of a study at home,”
to this work. His part in the establishment of the with good light and fresh air and relatively little noise
Naval Academy at Annapolis and his experiences with and confusion, he worked.
Commodore Perry’s expedition to Japan will be dis- Nor could the chaplain have received warmer co-
cussed in a later chapter. Jones died at Philadelphia operation from the Commodore in the discharge of
in 1870 in his seventy-first year, still an active mem- his duties. Soon after Stewart reported on the Guer-
ber of the naval chaplaincy. riere he was informed by the Commodore that he
desired daily public prayers on board when the
weather permitted. While the regulations of 1800
THE CRUISE OF THE VINCENNES had called for daily prayers, the rule had, in general,
been disregarded in the naval service. It was finally
The first United States Navy vessel to sail around decided aboard the Guerriere that the hour of sun-
the world was the sloop Vincennes, which made the set was the most convenient one for all concerned.
voyage in 1829-1830. Chaplain Charles Samuel This ten minute service consisted of reading a hymn
Stewart, who boarded the Vincennes at Callao, Peru, or a few verses from the Bible, or perhaps a half-
has left an interesting account of his experiences in dozen appropriate remarks which were “to prepare
the two-volume work, A Visit to the South Seas in the thoughts and feelings for the more hallowed ex-
the U.S. Ship Vincennes, during the years 1829 and ercise of a short prayer.” It was soon the opinion of
1830. Stewart’s knowledge of the Hawaiian language many officers aboard that “a more powerful auxiliary
made his appointment as chaplain of the Vincennes in the discipline of a ship could not be adopted.”
a logical selection. Prior to his appointment to the
The Commodore approved of the Chaplain’s re-
naval chaplaincy in November 1828, he had served
ligious services, his private appeals to the men to
as a missionary under the American Board of Com-
lead better lives, the distribution of religious tracts,
missioners for Foreign Missions in the Sandwich
and other activities which he felt enlisted the “feel-
Islands, now the Hawaiian Islands, during the years
ings of the seamen in favor of virtue and piety.”
1822 to 1825, and had written books on the Hawaiian
Stewart was given special permission to have mem-
and other South Pacific Islands.
bers of the crew visit him in his stateroom at times
Stewart sailed for the Pacific from Hampton Roads which did not interfere with their duties. Since the
in the Guerriere on 14 February 1829 to join his ship. Chaplain’s stateroom adjoined the Commodore’s
In his book the Chaplain gives intimate details re- apartment this was indeed a concession. Stewart said
garding a chaplain’s life aboard a frigate in the he received encouragement from his seniors “beyond
early nineteenth century. It is a pleasant, restful, and the most sanguine anticipations.”
interesting life he pictures. He said that usually the When the day’s work was completed Stewart could
chaplain’s accommodations on a frigate were in the meet socially with other officers in the forward or
wardroom adjoining those of his fellow “non-com- dining cabin. It was octagon in shape and was about
batants,” the purser and surgeon. Stewart, however, twenty feet in diameter. Conspicuously displayed was
much to his delight, was assigned a stateroom in an array of battle axes, cutlasses, and pistols. On the
the cabin. While his room was not on the same deck upper bulkheads were glazed sashes which could be
with other officers of his grade, he could and did raised or lowered at pleasure to admit light and air
associate freely with them. from the ports. In winter months this room was ap-
propriately and rather elegantly furnished with a
16 warm carpet on the decks and hangings of moreen.
Ibid., II:244-5.
—36—
In this cozy room officers encircled the center table except on the Sabbath and now he was happy again
to read and converse. Here in this delightful spot amidst his charge.. He wrote that “no sounds I had
when the “winter storm whistles boisterously through for many days heard came more cheerfully and wel-
the masts and rigging,” the officers could move nearer come to my heart than those of the boatswain’s pipe,
the “cheerful fire of a bright stove.” calling all hands to prayer, the first evening we were
The following revealing extracts taken from the at sea.” It was evident too that the retirement and
Chaplain’s writings reveal much about the religious quiet of his little room, with opportunities for read-
life of the ship’s company aboard the Guerriere: ing and reflection, afforded a grateful change from
A more interesting and attentive audience than that the excitement of days ashore.
formed by five hundred of our crew at worship on the Sab- Chaplain Stewart joined the Vincennes when the
bath, I have seldom addressed; and every look, and the Guerriere reached Calleo, Peru, in July 1829. His
whole appearance of the men, after the first sermon
preached, as I passed among them while at dinner to dis- new ship was engaged not only in exploration
tribute a set of tracts, plainly told they were far from but also in creating goodwill for the United States
being indifferent to the services of my office, and regard among the inhabitants of the Pacific islands. Too
me personally with feelings of kindness and good will.17 frequently American citizens’ chief concern had been
Stewart continues with his description of evening to exploit the natives or to satisfy lustful desires.
prayers aboard the Guerriere: When the Vincennes visited Hawaii, her Command-
It is no common spectacle thus presented by our ship, ing Officer, Captain Finch, presented to the King a
when, as the curtains of the night begin to drop around letter dated 29 January 1829 from the Secretary of
us, the busy and varied occupations of so large a company the Navy in which the Secretary complimented the
is seen to cease, and, at the appointed signal, all, from
the highest to the lowest, quietly gather to the altar we Hawaiians on their progress in the Christian religion,
have erected, to offer to heaven an evening sacrifice of and reassured the King regarding the conduct of
thanksgiving and prayer. American citizens.
. . . .
Our citizens who violate your laws, or interfere with
To believe it an unwelcome and irksome duty to the your regulations, violate at the same time their duty to
crew, is a mistake. There may be individuals who regard their own government and country, and merit censure
it as such, but they are few indeed in comparison to the and punishment. We have heard with pain that this has
many, who give the most evident proofs of the interest sometimes been the case; and we have sought to know
and satisfaction with which they engage in it. . . . All give and to punish those who are guilty. Captain Finch is
the most serious and respectful attention; while a youthful commanded to inquire into the conduct of our citizens,
company of some fifty or sixty, the flower of our crew, whom he may find at the islands; and as far as he has
usually press closely to me with more than ordinary in- the authority, to19insure proper conduct and deportment
terest. from them. . . .
. . . .
From the observations already made on the effect of this The Chaplain was introduced to the King in this
regulation, I am fully persuaded that . . . this single serv- letter as follows: “. . . the Rev. C. S. Stewart, who
ice, properly performed, would soon be found to do more resided for some time with you, has received the
in promoting the good order of a crew, than all the hard- favor of his government in an appointment to an
ness of the rope’s end, backed by the terrors of the cat-o’-
nine-tails. This is far from being my own solitary opinion office of religion in our Navy, and will visit you in
—it is that of many of the officers on board. Prayers had company with Captain Finch.”20
scarce been established a week, before one of the most Finch and Stewart were active in attempting to
skillful and popular, but at the same time, one of the restrain any exploitation on the part of American
most gay and thoughtless of their number, in expressing
his sentiments on this subject, closed with the following
citizens. They also took advantage of every oppor-
remark :—“Whatever may be said to the contrary, Mr. tunity to speak against certain pagan practices of
Stewart, there is nothing like a service of religion in ele- some natives, as cannibalism and human sacrifices,
vating the character of a crew—it makes different men of rumors of which occasionally reached their ears.
them, and it is the only thing that will do it. . . .“18
One native chief told Captain Finch that his was
On her way to the West Coast, the Guerriere re- the first ship in which they were ever told it was
mained for some days at Rio de Janeiro. While Chap- wrong to fight. The heavily armed sloop with its guns,
lain Stewart enjoyed his visits ashore at this beautiful muskets, and other weapons seemed to contradict the
southern city, he was relieved when the ship headed peaceful words of the captain, but it was explained
again to sea. He had seen little of the crew in port 19
17 20
Ibid., II:128.
Stewart, op. cit., I:32-3. Ibid., II:129. Introduction used as foreword in Vol. III
18
Ibid., II:33-5. of this series.

—37—
to the chief that such an array was for the purpose too much neglected. Sailors, though generally rough, pro-
of securing peace both at home and abroad.21 fane and fond of grog, are not the worst of men. I see no
good reason why our sloops, as well as frigates, and line
The Navy chaplain had opportunity to prepare the of battle ships, should not be supplied with chaplains.
way for Christian missions in places where the mis- The labours of an efficient, pious and intelligent body of
sionaries had not yet come. Of this Stewart wrote: chaplains in our navy, I canont but believe, would be
I explained to them some of the leading principles of attended with the happiest results.23
the Christian religion, the nature of missions, and the The first Sunday at sea fell on 16 August when, to
character and object of missionaries: that they were men the disappointment of Wines, there was no religious
and women of enlightened and powerful nations, who at service. He wrote in his journal: “The fourth com-
a sacrifice of many advantages and enjoyments in their mandment is generally but little regarded on board
native countries—left their fathers, and mothers, and sis-
ters, and brothers, behind them and went voluntarily to
of a man of war. This surely ought not so to be.”24
live with people such as themselves; to introduce among On Sunday, 13 September, after the Constella-
them the arts of civilized life; to give them books and tion had been at sea for about a month, Wines ob-
writing; and above all, to communicate to them the knowl- served:
edge of the true God, and the salvation of the soul. . . .
I canont but hope that the presentation of the subject Mr. E—read such portions of the beautiful service of
will not be utterly forgotten; and that it may have some the Episcopal church, as could be read without responses.
influence . . . in preparing the way for the welcome recep- The sky, the air and the surrounding waters, in their purity
tion and kind treatment of any who may happily be sent and stillness, harmonized beautifully with the sacred char-
by those who look for the salvation of the world to lead acter of the day, and combined with other things to render
them in the paths of truth and righteousness.22 the scene one of the most interesting and gratifying I have
ever witnessed. I have never seen a more decorous or
The Vincennes returned to the United States in attentive audience on land; and as His servant, in an
June 1830. Chaplain Stewart had the distinction of humble but simple tone, offered up our thanks for His
being the first United States Navy chaplain to en- mercies, acknowledged our dependence and guilt, and in-
circle the globe. voked His clemency and protection. . . .25
On Sunday, 15 November, Divine Service was
OTHERS LOOK AT THE CHAPLAIN again performed ‘on board, and Wines recorded his
During the third and fourth decades of the nine- observations of the awe-inspiring surroundings of a
teenth century, several books appeared which con- worship service at sea:
tained descriptions of the work of Navy chaplains. I have often wished my friends in America with me on
In addition to the writings of Jones and Stewart, these occasions. How grand, how awful to worship the
other volumes deserve attention. Among these is Deity, encircled by the noblest image of himself, and
canopied by heaven’s unclouded azure! What can produce
Two Years and a Half in the Navy by E. C. Wines, sentiments of devotion so strong, so pure, so sublime as
which was published in 1832. the service of the church, pronounced in the ocean-tem-
Wines joined the Constellation as schoolmaster on ple? In addition to the solemn, tranquil, devotional char-
14 July 1829 when the ship was about to sail for the acter of the service itself, the matchless sublimities by
which you are surrounded, are fitted to remind you, with
Mediterranean. The chaplain aboard was James no ordinary force, of the perfections of that mysterious
Everett, who was not in good health. Wines left his Being, who stills the raging of the tempest, and gives its
impressions of the religious life aboard the frigate rainbow-tints to the frailest flower that blooms on the
in the following extracts from his book: mountain cliff.26
The laws of the United States make it the duty of the
In the summer of 1834 the Reverend Charles Rock-
chaplain to perform divine service twice a day and preach well, who had received an appointment as chaplain
a sermon on the Sabbath, unless bad weather or other ex- of the Seamen’s Friend Society for Marseilles, France,
traordinary occurrences prevent it. The former of these applied to the Navy Department for passage on the
duties is never fulfilled, and the latter rarely. On board Potomac to his new post. His request was granted and
the Constellation prayers were generally read of a Sunday Rockwell was aboard when she sailed for the Medi-
morning, but only one sermon was preached during the
whole of the cruise. I mean not to cast any reflections on terranean in October of that year. Since there was
our chaplain. He is a man of genuine piety and sterling no chaplain on the frigate, Rockwell served as such
worth, but he was a settled invalid, and unable to perform and was so acceptable that the Captain urged him
the active duties of his office. The moral and religious 23
culture of the seamen on board of our public vessels is 24
Op. cit., I:34.
25
Ibid., I:58.
21 Ibid., I:72.
22
Ibid., II:128. 26
Ibid., I:305, 307. Ibid., I:130-1.

—38—
 William. Ryland, 1829-1846 Walter Colton, 1830-1851

George Jones, 1833-1870 Charles Rockwell, 1834-1837

FOUR EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY CHAPLAINS
to continue in this capacity after he had reached his from danger, was ploughing her way through the high-
destination. Rockwell consented, serving as chaplain rolling waves; and though the motion of the ship, the loud
surging of the billows, and the piping of the winds, seemed
and receiving a chaplain’s pay until October 1835.
to forbid our assembling for worship, still, even those
Chaplain James Everett then reported on board for from whom it might have been least expected, were
duty and Rockwell accepted the position of clerk, most anxious that public and united thanks should be
Everett left the ship on 7 April 1836 and Rockwell given to God, for our signal deliverance from danger
again served as chaplain, but received only clerk’s and from death. All, therefore, collected together, in
one dark, dense mass, upon the deck. Their heads were
pay, until 9 March 1837. 27 uncovered, and, in the centre of the group, was one who
Rockwell was a writer of considerable merit and was to be the organ of their devotions. It was an hour of
from his facile pen flowed some of the most fasci- tender, yet sublime, emotion. The sea rolled high around,
nating travel descriptions published in the United while the heavens were our only canopy, and the lofty
States in his generation. His two volume work, masts, like so many towering spires, pointed to the rest
above. The voice of the speaker was raised to its loudest
Sketches of Foreign Travel and Life at Sea, includes tones, that thus it might be heard above the noise of the
interesting descriptions of experiences aboard the elements. A portion of that sacred ode was read, which,
Potomac. The following is an account of a Divine with so much power and beauty, describes the peculiar
Service held in the open on the spar-deck after a perils of those "who go down to the sea in ships, and do
violent storm: business in the great waters,—who see the works of the
Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth
And here let us turn to another scene. On the Sabbath and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves
which succeeded the events described above, our ship, free thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again
27 to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble.”
Rockwell petitioned Congress for the difference in pay And when, in view of deliverance from such peril, the
but there is no indication that his request was granted. See
25th Cong., 2nd sess., Report of House Committee, No. 996. writer exclaims, "O, that men would praise the Lord for

— 39 —
his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children self-possession in all circumstances, that one could not but
of men;” these words had to us a meaning, such as they feel a peculiar interest in them.31
had never had before.28 One of these lads remarked to the chaplain: “I
While some chaplains were not always faithful in came to sea on purpose to get rid of religion, but I
conducting services every Sunday, Rockwell stated have more of it here than I did on shore.” Chaplain
that this was done regularly during the time he was Rockwell conducted a Sunday School in addition to
aboard the Potomac. He described the service on the supervising the week-day school taught by one of the
first Sunday after the ship left Gibraltar. better educated men of the crew. Rockwell felt that
the immoral influences aboard ship were so injurious
It was the Sabbath, and we moved quietly on in our to the boys that he wrote: “There are few situations.
floating chapel, with nothing to lessen the peculiar interest
which one can hardly help feeling in religious worship at in which I would not place a boy, sooner than on
sea. All are present at such times but the officer of the board a man-of-war.”
deck, together with four or five at the wheel by which the Among the projects sponsored by this chaplain to
ship is steered, and a few in the tops, and most of these improve the moral and social conditions was the es-
can hear the voice of the preacher. . . . A ship’s company tablishment of a library, even though he found forty
on board a man-of-war are commonly a very attentive
congregation, where the services are adapted to their cir- men aboard who could read but poorly or not at all.
cumstances and feelings. . . . Choirs of singers are some- Of this library Rockwell wrote:
times organized on board our men-of-war, but we rely To remedy in some degree this gross neglect, several of
wholly upon a fine band of music to give impressiveness us obtained such books as we were able to get, and, at
and power to those tunes which, from our earliest years, Gibraltar, we purchased for the crew, at their request and
had been associated in our minds with the words of sacred at their own expense, school-books, such as geographies,
song. 29 grammars, arithmetics, etc., to the value of $100. Thus,
This is one of the first known references to a choir were many of them furnished with the means of improv-
ing their minds; and, so important is the influence of
aboard a United States naval vessel and to a ship’s books in making seamen peaceful, contented, and happy,
band assisting in Divine Worship. Rockwell envied that it would be good policy, on the part of our govern-
the fine choir on board the Delaware, where Chap- ment, to furnish every ship of war with a well selected
lain George Jones was serving. In bemoaning the and appropriate library for the use of the crew. Some of
our larger ships have had libraries of several hundreds of
Potomac’s deficiency, he said that she “might have volumes, purchased by the men on board, and great good
had one, had it not been that those, who would have has resulted from them; but, from having no system on the
been leaders in the business, were such utter repro- subject, the books have been disposed of at auction, or
bates, that they would have brought public worship by lot, at the end of a cruise, or left to mould and waste
into disrepute.”30 Chaplain Jones was fortunate in away at some naval depot, instead of being carefully pre-
served and transferred to some other ship, where they
having men in whom musical ability blended with might be useful.32
piety.
These words are reminiscent of statements on the
Rockwell described a portion of his parish:
same subject by Chaplain Jones. When the Dela-
In speaking of those who man our ships of war, I shall ware and the Potomac were in the Mediterranean
begin with such as are rated as boys. Of these, we had Squadron, Jones and Rockwell talked over their prob-
nearly thirty on board our ship, many of whom were taken
from the House of Refuge, in New York, or were the
lems. “It was very gratifying to me,” wrote Rock-
sweepings of the streets of our large cities. Some were well, “to meet one for whom I had so high an esteem,
children of poor parents, who had been placed under the and who, from the soundness of his judgment, his
care of some sailor of their acquaintance, to take their first accurate knowledge of men, and his experience in
lesson in ship craft, and, I may add, in devil-craft, too, the Navy, was so well qualified to advise me as to
on board a man-of-war; for surely, a boy must be a dull
scholar, who, in such a place, would not learn far more
the duties of my office.”33 This is the first mention of
evil than good. These boys were from ten to sixteen or an older chaplain passing on to the initiate the benefit
seventeen years of age, and some of them, from having of several years of experience in the Navy. This was
been familiar, from their earliest years, with vice and the approved method of indoctrinating new chap-
crime, in almost every form, were among the most hard- lains into the duties of their office and continued
ened, hopeless vagabonds in the world; and yet, they had until the establishment of a school of naval chaplains
so much shrewdness and intelligence, and such perfect
at Norfolk during the Second World War.
28 31
29
Op. cit., I:134. Ibid., II:384.
Ibid., I:27. 32 Ibid., II:396.
30 33
Ibid., II:395. Ibid., I:31-2.

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 Since Chaplain Everett was in the Mediterranean the Columbia and in many instances described identi-
Squadron for a part of the time that Rockwell served cal experiences.
aboard the Potomac, it is possible that the three Murrell describes a Divine Service held on the spar-
chaplains met to discuss matters pertaining to their deck of his frigate:
work. If this surmise be true, it was the first time On Sunday mornings, immediately after quarters, should
that a fleet conference of Navy chaplains was held. the weather permit, all hands are called to muster. The
Reforms, as the placing of libraries aboard Navy summons is instantly obeyed, by every one proceeding to
the quarter-deck, (the sick alone exempted,) where the
ships, advocated by such chaplains as Jones and Rock- minister stands in readiness, arrayed in his clerical robes,
well, were finally adopted generally. Naval personnel and the capstern covered with the national flag, to answer
and chaplains in particular have since been blessed the purpose of a pulpit. The commodore takes his station
by these early pioneer chaplains whose labors and on the weather side of the chaplain; the lieutenants, and
agitations brought about benefits now accepted as a all other commissioned and warrant officers on the weather
side of the deck; the forward officers at the fife-rail, and
matter of course. petty officers at the fore part of the main-mast. The blue-
On 6 May 1838 a United States naval squadron jackets take up their position abaft the mizzen-mast, clad
consisting of the Columbia and the John Adams left in white frocks, with blue collars, white trousers, and
Hampton Roads for a cruise around the world. Two straw hats, looking the picture of cleanliness; whilst the
accounts of this voyage appeared in book form, both marines are stationed and drawn up in rank, on the lee
side of the deck, headed by their commanding officer, all
in 1840. The one, The Flag Ship, or a Voyage in full uniform. The whole en masse forms a very pic-
Around the World, was by Fitch W. Taylor, the turesque group.35
Commodore’s secretary who also served as chaplain. Since Chaplain Taylor who officiated was an Epis-
The other, Cruise of the Frigate Columbia Around copalian, it was natural that he should wear the vest-
the World, was by William Meacham Murrell, a ments of his church. Telling of another service, Tay-
member of the crew.34 Both authors served aboard lor describes the capstan which served as a reading
34
The Columbia sailed around the world in 1838-1840 desk and pulpit. “Over the top of the capstan,” he
under the command of Commodore George C. Read. Mur- wrote, “which is some four feet in diameter, a flag is
rell’s book is one of the earliest written by an enlisted man thrown, in preparation for the expected service.“ 36
in the United States Navy.
According to Murrell, the Columbia spent 459 days at sea The service was comparatively short since the ship’s
and 313 in the eighteen ports visited. The total distance 35
covered was “54,796 knots,” making an average of about 36
Murrell, op. cit., pp. 132-3.
“121 knots” for every day at sea (p. 229). Taylor, A Voyage Around the World, I : 18.

Divine Services on a frigate. The chaplain uses the capstan for a pulpit.
From Colton’s Sea and a Sailor. (Published 1851.)

— 41 —
company had to stand uncovered. In tropical climates The services ended—the crew were again piped to their
it was customary to spread an awning over the quar- places—and then we were on our course again, to other
ter-deck during the service. Taylor further described lands. 38
such a service. The chaplain had charge of the burial ceremonies
at sea and the call “All hands to bury the dead” was
Surely no one can, for the first time, contemplate such a
a frequent one. Typhus, small-pox, typhoid fever,
scene on the deck of a man-of-war, without interest—
nearly five hundred souls, their persons attired in their pneumonia, dysentery, and other diseases took a large
neatest dresses, often deemed a rough people, but now toll. One chaplain noted three deaths within less
exhibiting a beautiful aspect of propriety and neatness, and than thirty days, while another commented on nine
profoundest stillness, gathered for solemn worship on the burial services in a less number of weeks and finally
decks of a majestic frigate, bounding yet fleetly on her way the loss of more than seventy men out of a crew of
of ocean. . . .37 five hundred on their trip around the world.35 An-
other observed, “you seldom meet with a gray headed
BURIAL AT SEA sailor. . . . He dies in the midst of his days and often
Sickness and accident took their toll of the ship’s in his full strength,” and again, his “occupation and
company. Murrell describes how dysentery afflicted habits shake his life-glass and hurry out its sands.”40
the officers and men when the Columbia was off the There was something peculiarly melancholy and
coast of China. Two, three, and sometimes even four impressive about burial at sea. Naturally, there was
died in one day when the scourge was at its worse no coffin, no hearse, no procession, and no tolling of
stages. Taylor, in the following passage, describes a the bell—no similarity to such a service ashore. After
burial service at sea: the body was laid out in a suitable part of the deck,
it was covered with a flag. Finally the corpse was
After quarters, the succeeding morning, “all hands”
brought up, sewed in its hammock with a cannon
were piped “to bury the dead.” The sailor, who fell last
night from the main-top-gallant yard, was to be given to ball attached to the feet. It was then laid on a board
the deep. He had been laid out, as usual in such cases, by by the open gangway, and all hands uncovering, the
his messmates, on the half-deck, with the flag of his nation chaplain began the ceremony. When he read “we
thrown over him. His messmates were his watchers during therefore commit his body to the deep”, one end of
the night, and now, at the hour of his burial, they bore the board was raised and the body plunged into the
him to the leeward gangway of the frigate. sea. 4 1
. . . . In full view of these, nearly five hundred gazers,
rested the plank upon the upper step of the gangway, on
which the unconscious sleeper, sewed in his hammock, SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF
with thirty-two pound shots at his feet, was reposing, with CHAPLAINS
the stars and stripes wreathing his rough bier, as his hon- Certain men, who had served as chaplains for the
orable pall. Six of his messmates, as his bearers, held the sake of higher pay, had brought the chaplaincy into
plank in its horizontal position, ready to launch their disrepute since they lacked training and, sometimes,
brother of the ocean into the blue sea. And nearest them,
stood the Commodore. The chaplain advanced to his side, religious conviction. It seems to be human nature for
commencing the services, as all, uncovered and with the the average person to remember for an inordinately
silence of the dead, listened to the affecting ritual. . . . long time the breaches of the moral law committed
“Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God, in his wise by clergymen or acting clergymen. So it was with the
providence, to take out of this world the soul of our de- anecdotes of the misdeeds of certain chaplains who
ceased brother, we therefore commit his body to the deep!” served in the early days without warrant or commis-
And in the breathless stillness of the momentary pause, sion. These tales evidently became luscious morsels
the solemn plunge was heard, which spoke louder than the
thunder of ordnance to the heart, as the dead man was of gossip and were passed from tongue to tongue
sinking to deeper and yet deeper fathoms, until the elo- among naval personnel for several decades. Chaplain
quent silence was again broken by the chaplain’s voice Rockwell related some of the stories he heard:
as he added, “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; I have it from those who were themselves eye and ear
looking for the general resurrection in the last day, and witnesses of what they state, that one of these chaplains,
the life of the world to come through our Lord Jesus 38
Christ; at whose second coming in glorious majesty to 39
Ibid., I:27-9.
Colton, Deck and Port, pp. 60-1; Taylor, A Voyage
judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their Round the World, II:66, 327.
40
dead. . . .” 41
Colton, Ship and Shore, p. 26.
37
Ibid., p. 31; Colton, Deck and Port, p. 60; Jones,
Ibid. Sketches of Naval Life, I:36.

—42—
so called, the moment he closed public worship would. age around the world, the Secretary of the Navy on
turn to his servant, and in the hearing of all, with a pro- 6 December 1831 wrote to Commodore Thompson:
fane oath or curse, order him to bring him a glass of “I will thank you to inform me by what authority
grog,—that another used to lie drunk on the deck every
night, and that another, who went on shore with the officer Ch. May, who is reported as Chaplain on the Guer-
who told me the fact, to bury a man, was so drunk when riere, was impowered to act in that capacity.”46 The
they landed, that the officer himself was compelled to read Commodore replied on 10 December saying in part:
the funeral service, and leave the chaplain lying on the
bottom of the boat.42 I beg leave to represent that the appointment was my
act, and the authority for it the power delegated by the
When Samuel Southard became Secretary of the Navy Department, since the creation of the navy, to per-
Navy on 16 September 1823, however, he instigated sons in my station to make acting appointments, and al-
a reform. Southard issued a directive forbidding the ways exercised as far as I am informed, without repre-
appointment of anyone to the chaplaincy who was hension or interdict till the present time; - further, that
this power was conferred on me, personally, by the tenor
not an ordained clergyman.43 of my instructions, both written and oral, upon leaving the
Though the Secretary discouraged appointments United States. That this discretionary power has been
of any but professionally qualified men, it appears soundly exercised in the instance which forms the subject
from contemporary testimony that commanding offi- of this enquiry, I have no reason to doubt, as well because
cers sometimes preferred good men chosen from the I considered that great advantages would result, and now
ship’s company to ordained chaplains. A case in point believe that they did result, from the orderly performance
of religious services in the squadron, as that no censure
is that of John A. Bates. On 27 December 1823 Cap- was passed on the act of the late Secretary of the Navy,
tain Isaac Hull of the frigate United States explained to whom it was duly reported, and no revocation ever
to the Secretary of the Navy the occasion for appoint- made by him of the appointment.47
ing Bates. On 16 December Secretary Southard notified May
Commodore Chauncy (then performing the duties of that his apointment would cease on the arrival of
the Secretary of the Navy) and myself looked over the list the Guerriere at Norfolk.
of Chaplains and found that there was not one unemployed
that possessed either Religion or good Morals, and not
The principles Southard established regarding the
feeling himself authorized to make an appointment, he selection and apointment of chaplains were carried on
said he did not see any impropriety in taking Mr. Bates, with increasing strictness by his successors. So far as
particularly so, as himself and other Commissioners knew has been discovered, the last chaplain to be appointed
him to be a correct young man and every way respectable from the ship’s company was John F. Girard, who
and beloved by every one, that has been associated with served on the Potomac from 4 July 1840 to 14 Sep-
him.
. . . . tember 1841. Thus a practice which existed in the
. . .I do not hesitate to say that he has more religion United States Navy for more than thirty years grad-
and good morals, than two thirds of the Commissioned ually came to an end. As the older commissioned
Chaplains in the Navy; indeed, I do not know two that I chaplains died or were otherwise separated from the
should be willing to have in the Ship.44
service, more care was taken in the selection of their
On 18 June 1827 Captain Jacob Jones of the successors.
Brandywine notified the Secretary that he had made
his schoolmaster, Mr. Soter, “a gentleman of educa- THE PAY OF CHAPLAINS AND
tion and worth,” chaplain so that he might obtain RELATED PROBLEMS
the increased pay that went with such an appoint-
Adequate financial compensation was necessary,
ment. The Secretary replied that the appointment
however, before the work of chaplains in the United
was to cease when the ship returned to the United
States Navy was actually placed on a sound basis.
States. 45
The chaplain’s stipend of $40 a month together with
When Chaplain Stewart left the Guerriere for the
two daily rations, first fixed by Congress in 1794, was
Vincennes in November 1828, the Captain appointed
not changed until 1835. During the latter part of
his schoolmaster, Charles May, to the vacated posi-
this period, chaplains suffered from the penurious
tion. After the Vincennes had returned from its voy-
policy of the Government. The reforms regarding the
42
43
Rockwell, Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:427. selection and appointment of chaplains were of no
Contemporary writers refer to this ruling but no record value if qualified men felt they could not maintain a
has44 been found of the directive itself.
Original Hull Letter Book, Naval History Coll., New 46
York Hist. Soc. 47
Ibid., I:20:169.
45
Nav. Rec. Coll., II:May-June 1827:92 and I:17:355. Ibid., II:Dec. 1831:35.

—43—
decent living for themselves and their families. on the Allow me respectfully to submit to your consideration
salary provided. the depressed state of the Chaplaincy of the Navy, arising
from the degraded character into which it has been sunk
In 1822 the Secretary of the Navy estimated chap- by former incumbents, & from the embarrassments with
lains’ pay for the following year as follows: those on which we now contend, both from this cause, & the inad-
sea duty and most shore stations $480 and two ra- equacy of our pay.
tions a day, totaling $662.50. For duty at Washing- As, Sir, the whole machinery of the Navy moved by your
ton, New York, and Norfolk Navy Yards, an addi- hand, & your eye has no doubt looked through its past
operations, you must have seen how badly the wheel, in
tional $250 a year was allowed for house rent which which I am a spoke, has worked. To my mind the reason
brought the total to $912.50. In a few instances chap- is clear. It has for the most part been made of bad mate-
lains on shore duty received special allowances for rials. So notorious is this, all over this land, & in some
candles, servants (one ration per diem for each ser- foreign ports, that to be known as Chaplain of the U.S.N.
vant), wood, and occasionally additional pay for is far from being a passport to confidence or favour. The
cheap rate at which we are obtained indicates that we
extra duty. The Secretary of the Navy in 1829 esti- cannot be very sound. It seems to me bad policy to place
mated that chaplains on duty at the Navy Yards re- bad timber in any part of a ship, though it might be ob-
ceived, in cash and kind, a total of $1,161.75 a year. tained for nothing, & that stick should be 1st rate which
The extra allowances which amounted to a consider- is set as a safeguard to all the rest, whatever it may cost.
able sum were denied chaplains on sea duty. It would be no more absurd to set a feather in the tail of
a Frigate or to make a rudder of punk to conflict with the
As early as 1823 a chaplain protested against cer- billows of the ocean and bear her safely onward, than
tain discriminations which existed in the treatment of to place a weak, ignorant or inefficient Chaplain on board
members of his corps. In a letter to the Secretary of to contend with the swelling of human corruption, &
the Navy dated 22 October 1823, Chaplain Cave guide a ship’s company upward in moral glory. Of all
Jones at the Brooklyn Navy Yard stated: places, a man of strong intellectual & moral power is
demanded for this. I humbly conceive, Sir, the most im-
You are doubtless, Hond. Sir, well aware that the con- portant if not the principal field of a Chaplain’s useful
tingent emoluments form a very important part of the influence is to be with the officers. At any rate, things are
provision for those who hold offices under Government. so constituted in a ship that, if the Chaplain is not es-
This is peculiarly the case with regard to the Chaplains; teemed & respected by the officers, his influence is at an
the pay provided for whom is so utterly inadequate as end with the men. Now, a higher degree of literary at-
effectually to prevent the acceptance of such appointment tainment & moral behaviour is expected in a Chaplain
by gentlemen of respectability & standing in society. It than in any other officer, & if he be deficient he fails to
is to this point, as it concerns my own situations, that I bear a salutary moral influence into the bosoms of the
beg leave respectfully to solicit your attention. officers—fails to draw forth respect from them—fails to
By reference to the standing regulations of the Yard, it move upon the morals of the men—utterly fails of adding
appears that every Officer, of every grade connected with any honour to the service—utterly fails of answer-
the establishment, with the single exception of the Chap- ing all the ends of a Chaplaincy, and becomes a blot and
lain, is allowed, besides house-rent, fuel, candles, & a dead weight upon the Navy. A single strong man well
servant. My predecessor had nearly the same allowance, armed & provided with intellectual, literary & moral am-
until the month of January 1821, at which time, for causes munition is worth hosts of barren dwarfs. A weak Chap-
unknown to me, the emoluments, except house rent, were lain, so far from being a useful officer, is an absolute in-
withdrawn.48 jury—fit not even for ballast in a ship. The same weight
Jones felt doubly grieved about the situation when in pot-metal would be worth more & might be had at a
he recalled the fact that he had been given additional cheaper rate.
duty from which his predecessor had been exempted. But, Sir, such men as are demanded must be supported,
or not secured. He who raises the standard of morals in
Nothing came of his protest. the Navy is engaged in shedding glory on his country &
During the first years of the fourth decade a con- his country ought not to leave him or his family to famish.
certed effort was made by chaplains to obtain an in- I feel, Sir, morally certain that an efficient & respectable
crease of pay. On 14 November 1831 Chaplain Her- chaplaincy—a chaplaincy that will carry such utility or
vey H. Hayes wrote a pungent letter to the Secretary reflect honour upon the service, can never be attained &
preserved on the present footing. A race of invalids who
of the Navy. Even though Hayes had been a Navy can run into it & at any moment fly under the wing of an
chaplain for less than four years, that experience was indulgent Surgeon & escape the calls to duty, or a band
sufficient to inspire him to describe with paint-brush who have been cut loose from employment for want of
phrases the discouragements and difficulties under proper qualifications, may no doubt be retained as a
which he labored. The letter is given in full because sinking weight on the honor & morals of the service. The
deep interest, Sir, you have shown in advancing the pres-
of the light it throws upon the problem. ent interest & future prospects of the Navy, inspires me
4 8
Ibid., III:8 of 1823:124. with confidence to invite your attention to this subject, &

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respectfully to pray for your favour in removing the em- Allow me, Sir, respectfully to submit to your attention
barrassments that press upon the chaplaincy from the & favourable consideration these views of this subject.
smallness of their pay. I have written as though I were among the more fav-
oured ones who are blessed with families, but my pay is
Chaplain Hayes then proceeded to give five reasons
too threatening for adventure. I am, however, deeply in-
why the chaplain’s stipend should be increased. terested in the condition of my more highly favoured
1st, it is the common sense of all officers in the Navy, brethren. It pains me to the very heart to hear them re-
so far as I know, that a Chaplain’s pay, especially at sea, proached for their penuriousness. I know it has been hard
is incompetent to his necessary expenses abroad & a decent to get bread for their children that some have been driven
support of a family at home, & that it is disproportioned into narrow paths. I feel so identified with the chaplaincy
to the pay of other officers. While the pay of other officers that reproach brought upon it by any of its members is
has been raised, that of Chaplains remains the same as a reproach upon my own reputation & a bar to my future
when’ the comparative poverty of this country forbade usefulness. “If one member suffers the whole body suf-
more pay to her officers than a mere subsistence. fers.” 4 9
2nd. The laws of nature-the Laws of God-& the Laws
of these U. States allow every man a family, & I cannot The Secretary acknowledged the letter on 19
believe that this proud nation wishes any servant of hers November and stated that the communication would
to go abroad on the business of his Country, straitened at “receive due attention.”
every point & even driven to meanness by the scantiness On 10 January 1832 Chaplain Hayes addressed an-
of his pay. Nothing can be plainer than that a Chaplain other letter to the Secretary requesting a change of
cannot live, in a style corresponding to that of his associ-
ates & in a style which his respectability & consequently orders. “It is well known to the Department,” wrote
his usefulness demands on $480 a year and two rations Hayes, “that I have seen more sea-service, in propor-
per day, & out of this also support a family at home. tion to the time I have been in the Chaplaincy, than
From the fact his mess-mates are allowed 4 rations any other Chaplain in the Navy, and I have also
per day & a Chaplain but 2, I fancy that it cannot be done more duty.” Hayes had served aboard the Jaua
well known that the expenses of a Chaplain’s living on
board, are necessarily the same as those of a Surgeon or for about three and a half years and when ordered to
Lieutenant. All these mess together & must pay their equal sea again had protested. “It really seems to me,” he
proportions to the aggregate expense unless, indeed, he wrote, “a hard case to be compelled to perform so
voluntarily absent himself & degrade his influence, as some much of the uninviting service, on pay of $660 per
have done, by a course of unworthy parsimony. year while other Chaplains are permitted to remain
3rd. I cannot conceive of a single reason, in the nature
of the case, why the pay of a Chaplain should be less than constantly on pleasant stations with nearly twice the
that of a surgeon. If he be properly & regularly qualified compensation.”50
for his office, the Chaplain has passed through nine years Hayes’s remarks concerning favored chaplains who
laborious, classical preparatory study, which is more than remained on shore duty with its attendant financial
is demanded by the Surgeon, & who will say that the
task of taking care of the souls of men is less arduous, benefits were pointed. Several chaplains on the rolls
#difficult or responsible than the care of their bodies? The had had little or no sea duty. Addison Searle had
Lieutenant has perhaps spent an equal length of time none from January 1821 to March 1835. For several
preparatory to his rank, but not more laboriously, & the years Searle was on leave. James Everett was at the
whole course at the expense of the Government, whereas Charlestown Navy Yard from June 1822 to June
the Chaplain’s preparatory expense has been wholly from
his own pocket. 1829. Edward McLaughlin, who was commissioned
4th. While other officers are rising in pay as time ad- in 1826, had his first sea duty in 1830 and then for
vances, their dependents’ increase & experience raises the only five months. There is no record that Chaplains
value of their services, the poor Chaplain is doomed to Addison, Brooks, Cook, Ireland, Fenner, or Ryland
remain as stationary as the intellect of the brute creation were ever sent to sea. When it is recalled that the
& his energies are paralyzed by the darkness of his pros-
pects. total number of chaplains in service was more or less
It is an entirely mistaken notion which some have taken limited to nine it is clear that those available for sea
up that any minister of the Gospel is at once fitted to enter duty could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
successfully upon the duties of the chaplaincy. An ac- The case of Chaplain Ryland is of interest. While
quaintance with this peculiar class of men is no less im- Andrew Jackson was a United States Senator from
portant to a Chaplain’s success than experience is impor-
tant to the surgeon. So long as the chaplaincy is a perpetual Tennessee, he attended services in Washington at the
flux no great good can reasonably be expected. Foundry Methodist Church where the eloquent Wil-
5th. As a Chaplain has no rank, except what his pay 49
gives him, & as rank in war is scarcely less influential than 50
Ibid., III:10 of 1831:71.
Ibid., III:Jan. 1832:62. See also The Sailor’s Maga-
caste in India, a Chaplain’s usefulness is materially en- zine, Jan. 1832, p. 152 and June 1832, p. 299, for references
feebled by the smallness of his pay. to the reluctance of Navy chaplains to go to sea.

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liam Ryland was pastor. Even though such orators as Hayes gave vent to his indignation about existing
Webster, Clay, and Calhoun were then members of conditions in a third letter to the Secretary of the
the Senate, Ryland had the reputation of being Navy dated 27 January 1832.
one of the most forceful speakers in the Capital City. No grade of officers is required to spend 6 years out of
Four times he was elected chaplain of the United 7 at sea. There are officers enough in every grade except
States Senate. When Jackson became President in ours to give each as much time on shore as they spend
1829, he appointed Ryland, then fifty-nine years old at sea, & every Chaplain in the service except myself has
and in poor health, chaplain of the Washington Navy been allowed more than this. If, Sir, I am doomed to
carry half a dozen sick Chaplains on my back through
Yard. In spite of his poor physical condition, Ryland life, it is a clear case that I shall be greatly fatigued be-
threw himself into his work and for the next thirteen fore the journey is half ended, especially as each of them
years rendered excellent service to all attached to the will be doubly fed, the whole time to myself.
Yard. He was greatly beloved, yet the Administration Where is the man in all the earth that can take such
was criticized for a load without a murmur? Were the Apostle Paul here
with all his meekness good nature, I have no doubt he
undue favoritism toward Mr. Ryland. It was alleged that would put up his back to shake them off. To keep me con-
while other chaplains had to take their turn at sea for 2 stantly at sea on $660, & others on land upon $1140, is like
or more years, Mr. Ryland was allowed to remain on keeping one horse perpetually on the jump over rough
shore, for an indefinite time, and it was urged that such roads, on bran, while others are at their ease in comfort-
a practice was contrary to all right, and an infringment able stalls, on oats. I would commend the spirit of such
of the regulations of the Navy. Mr. Dickinson [Secretary a horse were he to throw himself out of the traces. I have
of the Navy] it seems sympathized with these views, and often admired the spirit of Baalam’s jackass in opening
notified Mr. Ryland that he must hold himself in readiness his mouth in remonstrance when severly beaten. . . .”52
for a three years’ voyage. The old chaplain waited upon
the President, and told him frankly that his age, and the The Secretary cancelled the orders which would
state of Mrs. Ryland’s health made it impractical for him have sent Hayes to sea and assigned him to the Navy
to go to sea. The President told him to go home and make Yard, Pensacola, Florida.
himself easy; that Mr. Dickinson did not know what he Another chaplain to protest against the inadequate
was about; and that neither he nor any other man should pay was Walter Colton who repeated in a more sub-
disturb him.
General Jackson sent for the Secretary, and asked him
dued but none the less forceful tone some of the
how he could have the heart to send an old man to sea, arguments of Chaplain Hayes. Chaplain Colton made
leaving a sick wife behind him; and he told him more- the statement that certain chaplains were obliged for
over that he could only excuse him on the ground of his financial reasons to leave the wardroom mess of their
being an old bachelor, and therefore not competent to brother officers and eat with the enlisted men in the
judge of family affairs. So the subject was dropped and cockpit. Colton wrote under date of 16 November
the venerable chaplain was permitted to hold on to the
sceptre of his office on land. . . .51 1831:
Sir,
The attrition rate among naval chaplains was very Allow me respectfully to solicit your attention to a sub-
high in the twenties. The following chaplains died ject involving the respectability, influence and happiness
during the years 1823 to 1829 : Adams, Hunter, Ire- of an important, though unimposing branch of the Naval
land, Cave Jones, Allison, and Andrews. During the Service. I take it for granted that the country is willing
years 1825 to 1830, the following, several of whom to afford a competent support to those who surrender
their time, talents and lives to her service. A Chaplain
had less than three years’ service, resigned: Felch, in the Navy frequently finds himself compelled to solicit
McCarty, Addison, Ridgley, Brooks, Ogilvie, and Mc- an exemption from foreign Service in order to escape from
Laughlin. By 1831, when Chaplain Hayes was writing the most perplexing pecuniary embarrassment. His pay is
his protestations to the Navy Department, only two $660. a year: this barely adequate to his personal neces-
of the older chaplains were on duty. They were sities. But if he be a married man without other resources
—and this is frequently the case—he is obliged when
Searle and Everett and neither was in good health. ordered out of the country to leave his family to the pre-
Only three or four, including Colton and Stewart, carious provisions of charity or to starve. It is no wonder,
were available and fit for sea duty. Hayes was un- under these circumstances, that he importunes the Depart-
doubtedly right when he claimed that the main dif- ment for a release from foreign duty. He would evince a
ficulties were the lack of adequate financial support gloomy exemption from the sympathies of our common
nature were he not to do it.
and the presence of too many old and infirm chap- If it be asked why he cannot practice a more rigid
lains on shore duty. economy in consideration of those whom he has left at
51 52
Sprague, Annals of the American Pulpit, VII:393-4 Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Jan, 1832:161.

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home—the true reply is that this extreme frugality is in mile when traveling. All other allowances were dis-
most cases out of his power. He messes with the officers continued.55
of the Wardroom, and must sustain his proportion of the
expenses. Their salaries are greatly in the advance of his, This Act of 1835 appears decidedly unfair to chap-
and they can, without any embarrassment, endulge in a lains. Under it surgeons received $1,000 per annum
liberality at the table which is ruinous to him. This has for the first five years and a $200 increase for each
compelled a Chaplain in some instances, for the sake of subsequent five years until $1,800 was reached at the
saving a few dollars for his family, to desert his rank and end of twenty years. Chaplains, on the other hand,
mess in the cockpit—an expedient that would render him
liable to the charge of parsimonious meanness, were it had no longevity increases. Lieutenants of the line
not forced upon him by the inadequacy of his pay. The were granted a stipend of $1,800 when serving as
Government is therefore under a sort of humane necessity commanding officers, $1,500 when on duty in other
to excuse from foreign-duty those Chaplains who have capacities, and $1,200 when awaiting orders.
families, and consequently the perils, privations and hard- Widows of deceased chaplains were granted pen-
ships of sea service must devolve upon those who are
without these domesticities and responsibilities. There is sions on the same basis as widows of other officers,
no course left to the Department that will not involve one namely, one-half the officer’s base pay. Mary Hunter,
portion of us in the extremities of want, or the other in the widow of Chaplain Andrew Hunter, received a
the oppressiveness of unrelieved duty. monthly pension of $20 beginning February 1823.
If there is a want of efficiency in the Chaplains of the Such a pension had to be renewed by act of Congress
Navy, it can be traced to other causes than a moral apathy.
The want of a comfortable subsistence must be a weight from time to time. During these years under review,
upon the most generous devotion of which the human 1821-1840, Mrs. Cave Jones and Mrs. Hannah
heart is capable. It can hardly be expected that a man will Everett were also receiving widows’ pensions follow-
be warm and enthusiastic in a pursuit where every impulse ing the deaths of their husbands.
of fresh zeal only plunges him the deeper into poverty
and distress. He must be an angel that, in such circum-
stance, would hold on unwearied and undismayed. . . .53 THE DUTIES AND EXPERIENCES
OF CHAPLAINS
On 20 January 1832 a memorial was submitted to
the Senate by Navy chaplains appealing for an in- A new rule, appearing under the date of 28 No-
crease in compensation. It was written by Chaplain vember 1833, made attendance at prayers, following
Colton who incorporated in it many of the statements Sunday morning muster, compulsory for all naval
he had written to the Secretary. The memorial con- personnel attached to Navy Yards.
cluded with these words: The hour of muster was to be set sufficiently early
to permit those desiring to attend Sunday morning
It will occur to your honorable body, that if there are service to do so in their accustomed places of wor-
to be chaplains in the Navy, they should be men of de- ship. The new order read:
cided talent, learning and piety. No others can command
the respect of the officers, or accomplish the good intend- When Chaplains shall be attached to Navy Yards, they
ed. Men of this stamp may enter the service for a few shall read prayers directly after muster on Sundays, and
years, from motives of health., or foreign travel, but they the Officers and men belonging to the Navy Yard and
cannot be retained in it, upon the present footing of chap- ordinary and the recruits shall attend, with any other
lains. persons who may think proper, and who may be permitted
Your memorialists, therefore, respectfully pray for the by the Comdn. of the Yard.56
passage of a law, in which the compensation of chaplains Out of one of these morning services held in the
in the Navy, may be increased to a proper and suitable
amount.54 New York Navy Yard by an unidentified Episcopal
chaplain sprang an anecdote involving the legendary
A pay reform for all naval personnel, including Commodore Chauncey who was for so long Com-
chaplains, was long overdue. Congress on 3 March mandant of that Yard. According to the story, the
1835 passed the law entitled: “An Act to regulate chaplain read a church notice. which, he innocently
the pay of the Navy of the United States.” By this added, was by order of the Bishop of the Diocese.
Act chaplains were to receive $1,200 per annum “By whose order, did you say?” suddenly inter-
when on active duty, and $800 when on leave of rupted the Commodore springing up.
absence or while “awaiting orders.” They received, as “By order of the bishop of the diocese,” meekly re-
did all other officers, one ration a day when attached plied the chaplain.
to seagoing vessels, and an allowance of ten cents a 55
53
Callan and Russell, Laws of the United States relating
54
Ibid., III:Nov. 1831:82. to 56the Navy and Marine Corps, pp. 296-7.
22nd Cong., 1st sess., Sen. Doc., No. 30. Nav. Rec. Coll., V:1:310.

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 “Well,” thundered the Commodore, “the notice report of his activities relative to the distribution of
will not be obeyed. I’ll let you know that I am Bishop religious literature on the ships of the West Indies
of this diocese.”5 7 Squadron.
The effectiveness of a chaplain’s work then, as During the voyage, the following distribution was made
now, was largely influenced by the attitude of the of the tracts and other religious publication . . . to the
chaplain’s commanding officer. Where no naval regu- frigate Brandywine, twenty thousand pages; the sloop-of-
lation existed to cover a situation, the chaplain was war Falmouth, thirty thousand; the sloop Erie, twenty-eight
thousand; the sloop Peacock, twenty thousand; the United
often at the mercy of the arbitrary orders of an un- States schooner Shark, fourteen thousand two hundred. . . .
sympathetic officer. I found all the ships plentifully supplied with bibles.60
The manner in which chaplains’ duties and pre-
A description of evening prayers aboard the United
rogatives were gradually being formulated in these States while the ship was lying at anchor with some
early days may be illustrated by the experience of English men-of-war at Mytelene appeared in a letter
Chaplain Edward McLaughlin stationed at Ports- dated 14 August 1834, which was published in the
mouth, New Hampshire. In a letter to the Secretary Sailor’s Magazine for February 1835. The chaplain
of the Navy on 17 February 1827, the Chaplain con- on board was C. S. Stewart.
tended that he should be allowed free visitation to
the patients of the hospital and that this was being [Evening prayer] is performed immediately after lower-
ing the colours at sunset, and when all hands are “piped
denied him by the doctor in charge. He wrote: to hammocks,” an hour at which the commanders and su-
There have been lately two deaths, of the sickness of perior officers of the English ships were usually lounging
which cases 1 was never apprised until notified to attend after dinner, in the stern galleries of the stately castles in
the funerals. One of these men I was told died in great which they float; and we have been told again and again
distress of mind and was very desirous to see me during by the most distinguished of them, from Sir Josias down,
his short illness. that they knew not when they have been more happily
impressed, or more delighted, than when listening to the
McLaughlin requested that he be notified when- devotional strains, breathed over the anchorage by our
ever there were patients in the hospital who were band, and looking down from their more lofty vessels on
seriously ill. The doctor replied that “a compliance the groupings of our ship’s company assembled for pray-
ers. 61
was impossible.” After the Secretary read the Chap-
lain’s letter, he made the following notation on the Chaplain Addison Searle summarized his duties at
back: the Navy Yard, Boston, in a letter to the Secretary
Write to Dr. Wmson [Williamson] that it is desirable of the Navy dated 31 August 1841.
where there is an attending Chaplain he should be ad- Since my orders to this Station, on the first of Novem-
mitted unless the sick requires another.58 ber 1837, I have done the duty of Chaplain on board the
receiving ship Columbus, as well as at the Yard, with the
In this way another policy regarding the duties of only exception of the month of August 1840. I officiate
chaplains was established. Today it is expected that on Sundays on board the Columbus, attend the Sunday
chaplains visit the sick bay daily and be ready at any School & the Apprentice boys & such of the crew as are
time to give spiritual aid to the sick and the dying. disposed to attend, and preach at the Yard in the after-
Chaplain McLaughlin, who reported aboard the noon. Besides attending the sick & the burials, I teach
Brandywine on 8 February 1830, sent the following the Apprentices the church service & sacred music every
week. The Sunday School, commenced nearly two years
account. of his religious activities aboard his ship to ago, is directed & superintended by myself.62
the editor of Sailor’s Magazine:
That additional activities, beyond formal naval
Divine service was generally attended on the Lord’s day duties, were occasionally being assumed by chaplains
morning, when the weather permitted, and at these sea-
sons a remarkable sobriety and attention were manifest. may be seen from the unique experience of Chaplain
. . . Shortly after the Brandywine went to sea from the Timothy J. Harrison when his ship, the Java, put in
port of New-York, we established two weekly prayer- at Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Here, on Sunday,
meetings which were regularly and well attended, and 20 February 1831, he had an opportunity to speak
with increasing interest. . . .59
at the Methodist Church before a congregation of
Writing to the Secretary of the Navy on 28 June colored people who had been sent there by the Amer-
1831, Chaplain McLaughlin included the following ican Colonization Society. The Chaplain was accom-
57 60
58
Parker, Recollections of a Naval Officer, p. 122. 61
Nav.Rec. Coll., III:5 of 1831:223.
59
Nav. Rec. Coll., III: Jan.-Feb. 1827:94. 62
Op.
cit., p. 178.
Op. cit., Dec. 1830, p. 114, Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Aug. 1841:282.

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panied by several officers of the Java. They found at the naval schools had been transferred from chap-
“a large, well-dressed, respectable looking congrega- lams to the professors of mathematics.
tion of worshippers” who manifested keen interest An editorial in the New York Obseruer offered.
in his remarks.63 the novel suggestion of combining the duties of chap-
The fundamental duties of the chaplain have not lain with that of professor of mathematics so that
changed with the passing of the decades. Officiating clergymen would be available for more ships.
at Divine Services, visiting the sick and the dying, While the character and deeds of the navy are fully
counseling those with problems, and distributing re- appreciated by the religious portion of the community,
ligious literature still occupy the major part of a the limited provision made by the government for its
chaplain’s working hours. moral and intellectual improvement induces many to
withhold that cordial support which otherwise might be
SCHOOLS FOR MIDSHIPMEN accorded. The most feasible plan of correcting this evil,
would seem to be, by uniting the office of chaplain and
Since chaplains had long been identified with professor of mathematics in the same individual, thus se-
education aboard ship, it is not surprising that Chap- curing to every ship in commission, the invaluable services
lain David P. Adams was placed in charge of a of a clergyman; as all vessels, except brigs and schoon-
school for midshipmen in August 1821 on board the ers, are entitled to professors. Those duties may easily be
performed by one competent person.65
Guerriere at Norfolk (then called Gosport). For a
time Chaplain Moses B. Chase assisted. Captain A. Chaplain George Jones was greatly interested in
Sinclair reported the condition of the school to the the education of midshipmen and on 30 January
Secretary of the Navy on 19 June 1822. 1839 wrote a long letter to the Secretary of the Navy
Mr. Chase, the late assistant of Mr. Adams, in the revealing the defects of the existing system and out-
Nautical School on this Station, being about to receive lining in detail his proposal for the establishment of
orders as a Minister of the Gospel, has exprest a wish to a naval academy.
resign his situation as School Master; and as the present
reduced state of the institution justfies our dispensing with I have, during nearly seven years, been occupied more
his services, I have, in concurrence with Mr. Adams, con- or less in teaching Midshipmen & during a yet longer
sented that he shall do so. period, I have been an attentive observer of their studies
. . . . as conducted by others. As the result of all this I have
In the original plan, it was my decided opinion that it no hesitation in saying not only that the old system of in-
should be somewhat upon that of the Military Academy struction on ship-board is almost entirely inefficacious, but
at West Point. . . . Mr. Adams has now requested me to also from the necessities of the case it never can do much
solicit you to authorize it to be put on that footing. . . .64 good. An improvement has recently been made by ap-
pointing Professors of Mathematics instead of schoolmas-
Secretary of the Navy Branch in his annual report ters, & the severe examination which candidates for this
for 1829 referred to the schools for midshipmen then situation have to undergo must secure to the young officers
being conducted at Norfolk, New York, and Boston. in every case competent instructors.66
The Navy Registers for 1827, 1828, and 1829 indi- For more than forty years, or until the establish-
cate that Chaplain Cave Jones was on duty at the ment of a naval academy at Annapolis in 1845,
“Naval School, New York.” The three schools were chaplains took an active part in the education of the
still in existence in 1833, at which time Norfolk had midshipmen. Even after the Academy was founded,
the largest enrollment-thirty-one. Following the certain chaplains continued their collateral duties as
death of Chaplain Hunter in February 1823, little is teachers.67
known of the school which once flourished at Wash-
ington. In 1838 a naval school was established at the SOCIAL AND MORAL CONDITIONS
Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, but chaplains are not
known to have been associated with this endeavor. During the third and fourth decades of the past
Attendance on the part of midshipmen at these century, the nine chaplains on duty were becoming
schools was entirely voluntary. increasingly sensitive to moral issues and were more
Beginning with the appointment of professors of articulate.
mathematics in 1831, the chaplain’s responsibilities Rockwell was one of the first to condemn excessive
for the education of midshipmen gradually decreased. drinking. He stated that aboard his vessel a daily
65
By 1835 it appears that the major educational duties 66
Reprinted in Sailor’s Magazine, May 1838, p. 381.
63 61
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Jan. 1839:169.
64
Sailor’s Magazine, Aug. 1831, pp. 387-0. See Drury, “Famous Chaplain Teachers of Midship-
Nav. Rec. Coll., II:2 of 1822:31, men,” Naval Institute Proceedings, May 1946.

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allowance of half a pint of whiskey was given each while under the influence of liquor. Nine men out of ten,
man. This whiskey was mixed with water in a large yes ninety-nine out of a hundred, that are brought to the
gang-way to receive a dozen lashes with a cat-o-nine tails
tub and the diluted liquor was called grog. This was on the naked back are flogged for offences committed
served three times a day. “Intemperance in the use while under the influence of ardent spirits.71
of ardent spirits,” wrote Rockwell, “is to the seaman Some chaplains were active in promoting tem-
literally the mother of abominations, and the prolific perance by persuading sailors to sign a total abstin-
source of most of his degradation and deep and bitter ence pledge. Chaplain McLaughlin comments on
woe.”68 temperance activities on the ships of the West Indies
In the Diary of Chaplain Thomas Lambert the fol- Squadron in 1830:
lowing entry occurs under date of 16 April 1837:
On board the United States sloop-of-war Falmouth, sev-
Today I preached on board the Frigate Constitution, by enty seamen were reported to me as having totally ab-
request of Corn. Elliott, upon the subject of temperance. stained from the use of ardent spirits and between forty
The discourse was intended for last Sabbath, but it was and fifty on board the Brandywine; and these were among
deferred in consequence of the weather. All the officers of the most healthy, cheerful, and orderly in the ship. Dur-
the squadron that could be spared, were present.69 ing the cruise I never knew a complaint, against one of
them. What was the total number in the squadron, I could
This may be considered typical of the interest that not ascertain, but have reason to believe it was consider-
other chaplains took in the subject of temperance. able, and that the total disuse of spiritous liquors is in-
Those especially addicted to drink would some- creasing in our navy generally.72
times smuggle liquor aboard to supplement their On 13 January 1830 three Navy surgeons unan-
grog, and when on shore would spend all their money imously condemned the use of spirits by midshipmen
for drink. An increasing number of merchant ships in a report submitted to Secretary Branch. The
of this period discontinued serving grog. This influ- growth of the temperance movement in the Navy
enced sailors who wanted grog to enlist in the Navy. induced the Department to issue an order dated 15
One of the lighter punishments aboard a man-of- June 1831 which permitted seamen to draw a com-
war was the temporary denial of a man’s allowance mutation of pay, at the rate of six cents per ration,
of grog. Some sailors even preferred the cat-o’-nine- in lieu of grog.73 Within a year, this order was having
tails to such a restriction. Certain officers felt that a marked effect. “By accounts from several of our
since the denial of grog was such an effective punish- vessels of war, on foreign stations,” one contemporary
ment for light offenses, the legal abolishment of the noted, “it appears that more than half their crews
grog ration would be detrimental to discipline. have voluntarily relinquished ardent spirits, and ac-
Drunkenness was a major cause for flogging. An cepted the cost of their customary allowance in the
editorial in Sailor’s Magazine for May 1831 under small sum substituted by order of Mr. Woodbury.”74
the heading “Whipping in the Navy” quoted the About a year later, there was still further evidence
Honorable Mr. Ellsworth as saying: that the “cause of Temperance” in the Navy had
A very intelligent lieutenant of the navy, recently in- been
formed me that a great proportion,. I think he said eight- steadily advancing. Many, probably, still recollect the let-
tenths of the whipping on board of our national ships, ter of Commodore Biddle from the Mediterranean the
was made necessary by intemperance. He said it was a last summer, stating, that “of the 1107 men in his squad-
monstrous evil; and who would doubt it, if it caused ron, 819 had stopped their ration of spirits, and that on
nothing else but the brutal and debasing practice of whip- board the John Adams not a man drew his grog.”75
ping?70
Of the progress of temperance aboard the Poto-
Again in June 1840 the editor returned to the sub- mac alone, Rockwell was able to state at the end of
ject of intemperance in the Navy. He gave the fol- 1835:
lowing quotation from a letter written by a naval About one hundred of our men draw their grog, of whom
officer: one third are petty officers. The character of those who
have given it up, and the results of the whole experiment,
Intoxicating drinks are the cause of all the trouble we fully prove that there is no need of having a drop of the,
have on board our ships. Men are frequently confined in poison on board the ship.76
double irons, and for what? Beastly intoxication, insub-
71 Op. cit., pp. 308-9.
ordinate and mutinous conduct, insolence, or desertion, 72
73 Nav. Rec. Coll., III:5 of 1821:223.
74Nav. Rec. Coll:, V:1:285.
68
Rockwell, Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:411.
75 Sailor’s Magazine, May 1832, p. 281.
69
Diary in possession of Capt. Harold E. Cook, USN
(Ret.), who has granted permission to use quotations. 76 Ibid., June 1833, p. 293.
70 Op. cit., p. 281. Ibid., Dec. 1835, p. 132.

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 The success or failure of the temperance move- moaned the fact that so many boys learned to drink
ment on individual ships was determined largely by after entering the naval service. It was not until 29
the attitude of the commanding officer. The records August 1842 that a law forbade the issuance of
indicate that while the movement was strong on cer- spirits to those under twenty-one and allowed a
tain vessels, the opposite situation prevailed on others. monetary equivalent.79
Other signs of improved moral conditions aboard In addition to the boys were the midshipmen, often
United States naval vessels during this period were in their early teens. Midshipmen, by virtue of their
not wanting. An observer in the Constitution in 1842, office, were given considerable authority over enlisted
at the request of the editor of a prominent periodical, men, some of whom were old enough to be their
gave an illuminating report on “moral and religious grandfathers. W. M. Murrell, a member of the crew,
improvement in our Navy” during the previous reflected the attitude of enlisted men who were
decade.77 Profanity, while far from disappearing com- obliged to endure the insults of the unrestrained and
pletely, was much less heard among the men than cocky youths.
formerly and fewer officers were found who felt that By and by, writing of young middies, I wish to inform
“deck-duty could not go on without a volley of oaths my readers that we have on board two infants, in the dress
now and then.” of midshipmen, whose insulting conduct at times is almost
A decided change in the attitude of naval person- unbearable. The morals of the ship, under the especial
patronage of the officers, may be judged of when I state
nel on matters of religion was also noted. Some years that these infants, for future patronage, are from twelve
earlier, the observer said, “religion was looked upon to fourteen years of age, and they will very often walk up
as quite out of place in a man-of-war: a religious to the seaman, and utter, with as much smartness as their
officer was a rare individual; and when any person gentlemanly elders, “You be d--d,” and “You d--d son of
a b--h.”80
gave serious and practical attention to these impor-
tant matters, he was considered as, in a measure, dis- Rockwell saw the problem from a chaplain’s point
qualifying himself for the service; and by dropping of view and advocated the policy of giving the early
the high and chivalrous parts of an officer’s char- professional training to midshipmen on shore where
acter, as no longer fitted to do the Navy credit.” He they would be “under far more correct and efficient
noted that formerly “when an officer became re- moral, social, and religious influence than on ship-
ligious, he was looked upon somewhat in the light of board,” and where “they would not, when young and
an insane person, with a kind of feeling towards him reckless, be exposed to strong and overwhelming
of avoidance,” but this was now past. The seamen temptation to vice.” He wrote:
too were experiencing the same change, although
I have never heard a naval officer of age and experience
“among them it is more recent, and marked by speak in favor of placing boys as midshipmen on board our
greater fluctuations.” ships of war. They uniformly reprobate it, and say, that
at least three fourths of them are ruined, or otherwise fail,
EVIL INFLUENCES ON YOUTH and leave the service.81
ABOARD SHIP Chaplain Rockwell supported the establishment of
Closely linked with the prevalence of intemperance a naval academy for the “early scientific training of
in the Navy was the influence of the environment our naval officers.”
aboard ship upon the young boys and midshipmen.
According to a circular order of 1 April 1826 ships- IMMORALITY ON SOME SHIPS
of-the-line were allowed forty boys; ships-of-the-line, Sharp criticism of immorality permitted aboard
second class, thirty; frigates, first class, fifteen; and some naval vessels while in port was made by Chap-
frigates, second class, ten. This meant that one boy lain Hervey H. Hayes as a result of his observations
served two guns, or one gun on each side of the ship. aboard the Java from May 1827 to September 1830
It was assumed that only the guns on one side would while this vessel was with the Mediterranean Squad-
ever be in use at the same time. The boys’ ages ron. About two years after his return to the States,
usually ranged from fourteen to eighteen.78 The Chaplain Hayes related what he had seen to a friend,
Brandywine in 1825 carried twenty-five boys. A Navy Arthur Tappan of New York City, who evidently re-
officer, writing to the editor of Sailor’s Magazine, be-
79
77 80
Sailor’s Magazine, June 1840, p. 307, and 5 Stat. 547.
78
Southern Literary Messenger, Feb. 1843, pp. 73 ff. 81
Murrell, Cruise of the Frigate Columbia, pp. 208-9.
V:1:1 Apr. 1826. Rockwell, op. cit., II:422.

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quested the Chaplain to put his observations in writ- every obstacle removed—orders given to let them come on
ing. This the Chaplain did, but failed to sign his board, & night after night his ship was swarming with
vileness & disease, equal to any thing that could be found
name to the paper. Tappan forwarded the account to in the lowest dregs of New York. Encouragement was giv-
Senator Theodore Frelinghuysen of New Jersey and en to other Commanders to follow this example, & soon
told the Senator that the criticisms came from the a Broad Pennant, about twice the ordinary size, proudly
pen of Chaplain Hayes. fluttered over a squadron of licensed American brothels,
Before submitting Hayes’s unsigned report to the decorated with the ensigns of the country. Their 13 stars
had never shone more dimly, but to the Com. this seemed
Navy Department, Frelinghuysen wrote to the Secre- to be a real luxury of which he often spoke most humor-
tary, Levi Woodbury, requesting the address of ously. Boat-loads of these creatures were hanging about
Chaplain Hayes.82 The Secretary replied that the the ship early in the p.m. & it was sometimes late in the
Chaplain was stationed at the Navy Yard at Pensa- morning before they got on shore. I have never seen the
cola, Florida.83 The Senator then wrote to Hayes re- like in any men-of-war of other nations & all lying about
us seemed to blush for us, as we seemed to have no shame
questing permission to submit his statement to the for ourselves. I do not say that the ship’s boats steered
Secretary. The Chaplain was hesitant but finally ac- by Midshipmen were sometimes employed to bring them
quiesced. The Senator sent the following letter to Sec- on board, but I believe this to be the fact.
retary Woodbury together with Hayes’s statement: I think there was but one ship in the squadron which
did not yield to the persuasions of the Com. to let the
The enclosed letter to a very reputable merchant from sweet-hearts, as he called them, on board. He had good
a Chaplain in the U. S. Navy was sent to me, some weeks principles & moral courage enough absolutely to resist
ago, with a request that it might be laid before you. It all entreaty on the subject. He was branded as a super-
disclosed such a surprising body of alleged facts that I stitious Methodist—his religion cursed—his ship made a
was unwilling to send it to your department until the convict ship—a dozen criminals after punishment sent
authority was furnished. The name of the writer has been on board at a time to be reformed by Capt. S.—& to
given: and if you desire it, I will promptly inform you. annoy him.85
I am fully persuaded that your frowns will be directed
against licentious practises of the kind mentioned in the Hayes claimed that more men “were disabled from
letter, & I believe also that the occasion will in your duty from this cause [venereal disease] than all others
estimation fully justify this communication.84 put together on board the ship in which” he sailed.
In reading the following account by Chaplain In picturesque and forceful figures of speech, he con-
Hayes, it should be remembered that he was writing tinued his expose:
to his friend Arthur Tappan: I often pitied the policy that supported a most splendid
ship of the line for nearly 2 years in the Mediterranean &
Dear Sir, at an expense of about $1,000 per day, apparently for
When I saw you in N. York, you asked me whether it little else than a magnificent charnel house. For 8 or 9
was still the practice to admit abandoned females into our months together without our raising anchor the daughters
public ships for two nights after arriving in port. I an- of pollution like so many Turkey Buzzards were feeding
swered not for two nights only but for 2 after 2 indefinitely. on her carcass.86
You inquired to what extent this practice was tolerated,
and what ships in the Mediterranean were free from this The Secretary of the Navy was disturbed by the
pollution at the time I was there. I had not time then to revelations and wrote the Senator stating that the
go into details and had some scruples about the propriety “subject of certain immoralities on board our public
of doing so, but promised to inform you further at an- ships has been referred to the Board now reviewing
other time. In fulfilment of this promise I now write you.
The picture that rises before my mind, whenever re- our Naval Regulations with a view to have some
flection turns back my attention to the Mediterranean & changes made in relation to this subject if deemed
fixes it upon the scenes of which I now speak is too necessary.” However, more than twenty years elapsed
shocking and horrible for minute. description. It would before a new edition of Navy Regulations was issued
shock every decent person in the nation who has not been and this carried no new ruling on the subject. The
familiar with such scenes to read a true account of the
loathsome brutality that disgraces some of our public Secretary, promising to investigate, wrote :
ships. The scenes described in the paper which you enclosed,
When Com. Rodgers commanded in the Mediterranean are so gross & improper, that if the name of the writer
he prohibited the admission of abandoned females into of the letter is communicated, I will at once take measures
his own ship & forbade their being tolerated in any ships to ascertain the truth of the Statements & punish if prac-
under his command, but his successor no sooner drew ticable those offending so highly against public decency,
sword there than all these bands were cut asunder— correct discipline, & sound morals.87
82 85
Nav. Rec. Coll., IV: Dec. 1832:135. 86
Ibid.
83
Ibid., VI:Dec. 1832:135. 4,a 87
Idem.
84
Ibid., IV:Feb. 1833:100. Nav. Rec. Coll.,VI:19:154.

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 Senator Frelinghuysen then sent Chaplain Hayes’s at this station from 29 February 1832 to 7 January
name to the Secretary who, under date of 7 March, 1833, and looking back upon those months wrote:
wrote to the Chaplain saying: “My relation to the Yard was neither useful nor
The object of this communication is to inform you of happy.”91
the willingness of this Department, at all times, to com- Consequently, at the time he made his formal
mence an investigation as to the conduct of our officers charge, Chaplain Hayes was more interested in con-
abroad, in relation to that subject—whenever you may ditions existing at Pensacola than those which he
think it proper to prefer to me your charges and com- condemned in the Mediterranean Squadron nearly
plaints.88
three years previous. He made charges of wasteful
“Nothing was farther from my anticipations,” the expenditure of Government funds at Pensacola, of
Chaplain replied, “than that a copy of this com- excessive gambling, and of the desecration of the
munication would be sent to the Hon Secretary, but Sabbath by the promotion of hunting parties on that
I am happy that such has been its destination.” He day.
added: Hayes, realizing the serious nature of his charges,
I feel able to establish every statement it contains. They sent in his resignation, effective at the expiration of
are notorious to every officer who was on that station at his leave, 18 April 1833. However, he left the way
the time to which it refers. Indeed, it but half unvails the open for continued service. “I shall at the same time,”
pollutions of the picture. Should I lift the vail from cabins he wrote, “offer myself as a candidate for reappoint-
and other places where officers openly carried on their ment.”92
shameless licentiousness, it would be enough to shock the
public mind throughout all the land.89. The Secretary of the Navy wrote to Hayes asking
whether he intended to make his charges against
After returning from the Mediterranean in the fall Captain Dallas public and whether he wished an
of 1830, Chaplain Hayes saw duty at the Norfolk official investigation.93 Hayes replied that while he
and Philadelphia Navy Yards. In February 1832 he hesitated to cause any person to suffer, he was
was sent to the Pensacola Navy Yard where he found willing to face the issue of an investigation.94
Captain Dallas, who had been Commodore of the The Navy Department then sent extracts of the
Mediterranean Squadron during the time the alleged Hayes letter to Captain Dallas at Pensacola. Evi-
immoralities took place. Hayes, commenting on his dently the Department made no inquiry into the
attitude aboard ship, said: serious charges of immorality on board the ships in
I felt bound, as Chaplain of the Navy, to face the the Mediterranean but rather asked Captain Dallas
enormous evil in question & not to abandon it till the last for an explanation of alleged irregularities which
means within my power has been used for its correction. Chaplain Hayes claimed had occurred at Pensacola,
I talked & preached against it on board, published it, & Dallas circulated the charges among his officers who
all to little effect.90
wrote rebuttals. These letters were sent to the De-
Hayes was very frank and at times tactless in his partment by Captain Dallas together with his own
utterances. He often made direct references in his explanation. John Boyle, Chief Clerk, who signed his
sermons to certain of his fellow officers. This natur- name as Acting Secretary of Navy, acknowledged
ally made him persona non grata with them. It ap- these letters on 11 May and stated:
pears evident that he was not given a warm welcome It was deemed a matter of justice to you as well as to
when he reported for duty at Pensacola for no quar- the service, to make you acquainted with the complaint,
ters were provided. He claimed that he had to walk The explanations furnished are entirely satisfactory. The
a total of twelve miles daily in order to perform his Rev. Mr. Hayes ceased to be an officer of the Navy on
duties. Referring to his long daily journeys, he wrote, the 18th ultimo: on that day his resignation was ac-
cepted.95
“As the way is loose sand, & the sun powerful, I
found this put to trial my health & strength, but I Although the Secretary of the Navy, Levi Wood-
punctually performed my duties notwithstanding bury, expressed a desire to correct any gross im-
. . .” Hayes also reported that the “Chapel at Pensa- moralities that may have been countenanced on
cola is part of a joiners shop without any glass win- board Navy vessels, but when his chief clerk, John
dows, & is utterly unfit for use in winter.” He served 91
Ibid., III:Apr. 1833:12.
92
88 93
Ibid., III:Mar. 1833:120.
89
Ibid., I:20 3/4:148. 94
Ibid., I:20 3/4:187.
Ibid., III:Mar. 1833:128. 95
Ibid., III:Mar. 1833:215.
90
Ibid. Ibid., I:Apr, 1833:304.

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Boyle, handled the case, attention was shifted from FLOGGING
the major charges made by the Chaplain to minor
One of the earliest protests raised by a naval officer
ones. With the acceptance of the Chaplain’s resigna-
against the degrading custom of flogging was made
tion, the matter appears to have been dropped. If
by a Navy chaplain in 1830. The December issue of
Chaplain Hayes had confined his criticism’ to the
Sailor’s Magazine published a letter written from
charges first made, official action might have been
Chaplain Edward McLaughlin containing the follow-
taken. Nevertheless, it is evident that the Department
ing suggestions :
was increasingly sensitive to such criticisms and that
some measures were taken to prevent their recur- Let there be no alcohol in any of its forms, but in the
rence. doctor’s medical stores—let flogging be suppressed, and
other modes of punishment substituted, and regulated by
While Chaplain Hayes may have exaggerated, it is courts martial according to crime—give them the Bible . . .
apparent that his criticisms of moral conditions and back all by sending on board of every ship of the
aboard certain ships were, in general, well founded. line, every frigate and every sloop of war, an enlightened,
An editorial in the American Spectator stated: discreet, evangelical, and efficient chaplain,—let the
“Many of our national ships, while in foreign ports, schoolmaster in all cases, be a man of practical godliness;
and then . . . change every ship’s company into as moral,
instead of carrying with them that healthful moral Christian, and orderly a community as any of our country
influence which we ‘might righteously expect, have societies generally are. . . .99
been made the scenes of the most degrading and
brutal vices.”96 The second known published protest against this
Chaplain Rockwell, who also served in the Medi- practice was by Chaplain Charles S. Stewart in his
terranean Squadron in 1835, five years after Chaplain book, A Visit to the South Seas. In one passage the
Hayes’ tour of duty, made similar charges. He wrote: Chaplain tells of the shocking sights that confronted
him when he loitered at the gangway for meditation
In times past, it has been customary with our naval “as night gathers round.”
commanders, when in foreign ports, both of savage and
of so called civilized and Christian nations, to permit hun- In one respect, however, I have proved the spot chosen
dreds of abandoned females to spend nights on board our to be most unfortunate; the gangway is the place of pun-
national ships; thus converting them into floating brothels, ishment, and twice, within the last two evenings, the
and deeply disgracing the land from whence they came. keenest emotions I have known on board the Guerriere,
The experiment was tried on a limited scale, by a base have come suddenly upon me in the sound of the lash
and profligate commander, on board two ships belonging and the cry of some wretch suffering at my side. This
to the station where we. cruised; the one, just before our mode of punishment is deemed by many indispensable on
arrival, and the other, while we were lying the same port. board a man-of-war; and it may be so-but as yet I am
So decided, however, was the opposition of many of the far from being reconciled, in feeling, to the necessity. To
officers to this vile profanation of our country’s flag, that me there is an indignity and degradation in it, which
the evil was soon checked and did not spread to the other seem inconsistent with the high-toned principles and spirit
vessels in the squadron.97 of Americanism; and independent of all other considera-
tion, I never witness it without being tempted to ask Paul’s
The schoolmaster on the North Carolina in 1825, question to the centurion, “Is it lawful for you to scourge
Father Adam Marshall, gave a brighter picture. He a man that is a Roman?”
wrote: But though there was sorrow in the case, and I felt
every stroke almost as if across my own shoulders, it was
The idea that a Man of War is a place of unbridaled not without a profit too. Only the moment before I had
[sic] debauchery is totally incorrect, at least as regards this been gazing on the mild splendor of the southern cross,
ship. When ladies of respectability came on board it is absorbed in associations inseparable from it, in the life
always by special invitation, and they are accompanied and death of Him who hung upon the accursed tree; and
by officers and treated with greatest respect.98 the mind at once reverted powerfully to that scourging
“endured for us,” and to those “stripes by which we are
Father Marshall sailed under Commodore John healed.”100
Rodgers who is known to have forbidden the admis- Others joined in the protest. Schoolmaster E. C.
sion of “abandoned females” on his vessel. Chaplain Wines, who began duty on the Constellation in July
Hayes happened to be under an officer of different 1829, wrote of the arbitrary way in which punish-
moral standards. ment was inflicted. “I have seen,” he declared, “a
96
Reprinted
in Sailor’s Magazine, Nov. 1830, p. 90. sailor taken to the, gangway and receive a dozen for
97 99
Rockwell, Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:402-3. 100
Op.cit., p. 116.
98
Terence King, S. J., “The First Priest in the U. S. Op. cit., I:30-1. This protest was reprinted in Sailor’s
Navy,” The Army and Navy Chaplain, April-May 1942. Magazine, Aug. 1831, p. 367.

-54-
walking aft on the starboard side of the deck.”101 when he accidentally spilt ink on the deck. “At this
Wines here referred to that side of the sacred quar- time,” he wrote, “I happened to have on a thin cot-
ter-deck reserved for the captain and the higher ton frock, and every lash, to the number of twelve,
ranking officers. He also told of how the innocent fetched a piece of flesh from my back, leaving scars
were often punished with the guilty. which I can show to the present day.106 A man
could be flogged for failure to polish his shoes; he
Men belonging to the same top, the same boat, the same
mess, &c, will almost universally be flogged sooner than could be flogged for the negligence of another; he
betray their companions; and as to the old maxim that it could be flogged for drunkenness—it was a terrible
is better that six guilty persons should escape than that punishment when used at the direction of a cruel,
one who is innocent should be punished, it is here quite sadistic officer.
the reverse: it is, let scores of the innocent be flogged, In the following extracts Murrell seems to speak
rather than that one who is guilty should escape.102
for all the members of the crew:
Chaplain Charles Rockwell stated that, although
This morning there were two hundred and forty lashes
the law forbade more than twelve lashes for any one served out in a short space of time. The boatswain’s mate
offense, often commanders would order “two or three afterwards acknowledged to me, that his arm was never
dozen at a time, for as many different offences.” His so fatigued before. These back rations were served upon
revealing description of the punishment follows : twenty of the berth deck cooks, for the following trivial
offence: It was “customary” on board of this ship, how-
The cats are commonly used in the presence of the whole ever “uncustomary” in other men of war, for the first
ship’s company, and, being applied to the naked back, lieutenant to go round the berth deck every morning, and
each cord causes the blood to settle under the skin, or inspect the men’s “tin pots and pans,” with a piece of
cuts to the flesh, according to the severity with which white paper, with which he wiped the insides of the said
punishment is inflicted. pots and pans, and if the least soil came off on the paper,
Flogging with the cats is an exceedingly severe punish- the owner was sure to receive a dozen lashes from this
ment, though some suffer much more from it than others. molly coddle of tin ware.
During our cruise, two men were sentenced, by a court- Cleanliness on ship board is absolutely necessary, and
martial, to receive twenty-five lashes apiece, on board should be enforced; but even clean tin will soil white paper,
each of the four ships of the squadron, as an example and especially when dampened, as at sea; and cleanliness can
warning to all who might witness their sufferings. Having be enforced on an American by a kind word, more effec-
reached our ship, one of them received his twenty-five tually than by a dozen lashes.107
lashes, and passed on to the next to be punished there,
while the other one was so much reduced, that after re-
The author did not plead for the complete aban-
ceiving ten lashes, our surgeon gave orders to desist, as, in donment of flogging. He felt that there were offenses
his opinion the man’s life would be endangered by inflict- aboard ship which warranted this punishment and
ing more.103 stealing was one of them. When two convicted thieves
Interesting revelations on flogging were made by were flogged, he wrote that no one disapproved of
Murrell in his Cruise of the Frigate Columbia this “deserved chastisement.”
Around the World. In frank, revealing words that Murrell cited another flogging incident, however,
surge at times with feelings of indignation and re- which he felt was unjust.
sentment, Murrell not only focused public attention How different the case of a poor marine, whose back
on the evils of flogging but unhesitatingly mentioned was absolutely cut to pieces, while our ship was lying at
the names of the officers on the Columbia who were Norfolk, for an offence of the most trivial nature! The
most flagrant in the abuse of their authority. commodore on this occasion was absent from the ship, and
the unfortunate marine was reported to his commanding
Men were flogged for the most trivial offenses. officer, who, contrary to the rules of the service, ordered
Murrell tells of an old man who received twelve the poor fellow to strip, and not satisfied with using the
lashes for “talking on the fore yard, to another man, cats, the usual instrument of punishment, whipped him
upon a point of duty.”104 Another sailor was given over his naked back and shoulders with a colt. The colt
twelve for neglecting to close the door to the head.105 is a piece of hard twisted rope, about the size of a man’s
Murrell himself received a dozen because he failed fore finger, which not only scarified, but absolutely brought
out a piece of flesh with every blow that was struck. Let
to mark properly a piece of his clothing, and again me here appeal to the hearts of all, even to the most
101
Wines, Two Years and a Half in the Navy, I:21.
degenerate man: was not a scene like this sufficient to
102
Ibid., I:92. harrow up every feeling, and freeze the very blood in our
103
104
Rockwell, op. cit., II:407-8. veins:—to behold a wretch, destitute of any feeling for a
105
Murrell, Cruise of the Frigate Columbia, p. 207. 106
Ibid., p. 198. “Head” in the Navy is a term for the 107
Ibid., p. 138.
toilet. Ibid., p. 55.

—55—
fellow-creature, to have power placed in his hands, so Oct 9, 1836. Not feeling very well. I did not have any
as to enable him to torment those under his command;— service.
a wretch, deaf to a11 feelings of humanity, unworthily abus- Oct 23, 1836. I read the regular Service for to-day, but
ing that power, which perhaps would have been an honor in consequence of a stormy breeze, I had no sermon.
in the hands of a humane and worthy officer?108 Nov 20, 1836. . . . the weather would not admit of
The books, written by Navy chaplains and mem- service.
July 11, 1837. Had no service today, owing to one of
bers of the ship’s company, drew aside the veil and Comd Elliott’s freaks. Nothing to prevent it, being a very
revealed actual conditions on many vessels. They fine day—Comment is unnecessary.
contributed to the rising tide of public sentiment It is evident that the holding of Divine Services
which condemned the continuance of flogging. There was dependent upon such factors as the state of the
is evidence, also, that the Navy Department was de- weather, the state of the Chaplain’s health, the work
veloping a tender conscience on this subject. As early
of the ship, and pleasure of the commanding officer.
as 26 September 1831 the following circular was
Chaplain Lambert referred several times to the
issued:
valued assistance rendered by the ship’s band in the
The other subject, and our wishes upon it are, that till Sunday services.
Congress deem it proper to alter the existing laws con-
cerning punishments in the Navy, and whenever those On 12 April 1837, while the Squadron was at Port
laws allow a discretion in the choice of punishments, the Mahon, Chaplain James Everett of the Constitution
first resort, in the case of offenses by seamen, is recom- died. Chaplain Lambert was requested to officiate at
mended to be always had to pecuniary fines, badges of the funeral held ashore and gives the following de-
disgrace, and other mild corrections, rather than to the tailed description of the service :
humiliating practice of whipping; and that never on the
same day, by punishing, under an Officer’s own authority April 13 1837. Today, the flags of all the Men of War
two offences at once, should the stripes, limited by law, in the harbor were hoisted half mast, for the Rev. James
be exceeded in number; or be inflicted otherwise than in Everett of the Constitution, at the usual hour about 8
the presence and under the sanction of the commanding o’clock in the morning, & continued so until his body was
officer of the vessel or station.109 interred. I was appointed to read the funeral service, &
repaired on board about half past ten o’clock where I
A Navy Department directive in 1832, contained found all the officers assembled. At a little before 11
the following : “Flogging is recommended to be dis- o’clock the procession moved from the ship to Fort St.
continued when practicable, by courts as well as Philip, consisting of 20 boats with each an ensign half
officers; and some badge of disgrace, fine, etc., sub- mast. The Band in the first boat, the corpse in the 2nd,
myself & the Rev. John Falls, the chaplain of H.B.M.S.
stituted when discretion exists.”110 Thus, sentiment Rodney, & the Bearers, in the 3d Boat—his messmates
was growing both among naval personnel and with- & marines in the 4th Boat—then followed the other Boats.
in the Department itself in favor of discouraging this As soon as they had all shoved off from the Ship, the Band
form of punishment. struck up “Lord dismiss us with thy blessing” in a solemn
& impressive strain, & the boats pulled minute strokes to
the shore. Here the procession formed, & the corpse was
THE LAMBERT DIARY received by the Marines which had perviously landed,
The earliest known extant diary of a Navy chap- with arms reverse & 3 rolls of the drum. We then pro-
ceeded to the grave, preceded by the guard of Marines-
lain is that of Chaplain Thomas R. Lambert, who Then followed all the officers of the English, French, & our
was in the service from 1834 to 1856. He was aboard ships, & the civil and military authorities of the place.
several vessels of the Mediterranean Squadron in When we had arrived at the burial place, the Marines
1836 and 1837, the period covered by the unpub- formed a line & the procession passed by them to the
lished Diary. A generous portion of this work is de- grave. They then formed near the grave, & after I had
finished the service, they fired three volleys over the body
voted to a description of places visited in the Medi- & we returned to the Boats. . . . Mr. Everett was upwards
terranean lands. (See page 50, footnote 69.) of 50 years of age, & was the oldest chaplain in the serv-
The Diary contains numerous items which refer to ice. He had been in the service nearly nineteen years.
the chaplain’s activities. Much incidental information Commodore J. D. Elliott on 19 April ordered
of interest is revealed in such entries as the following: Chaplain Lambert to take over the duties of chaplain
Oct 2, 1836. We had no service in consequence of water- aboard the Constitution. At first Lambert was happy
ing the ship. with his new assignment, but soon difficulties, such
108
Ibid., pp. 35-6. as those previously quoted from his Diary of 11 July
109
110
Nav. Rec. Coll.,V:1:289. 1837, arose. The Chaplain promptly submitted a re-
Rules of the Navy Department, Regulating the Civil
Administration of the Navy of the United States, p. 4. quest to the Navy Department through his Com-

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First known illustration of the church pennant from Journal
kept by Acting Midshipman P. C. Johnson, USS Ohio, First known official illustration of the church pennant.
1840-1848. Courtesy, Naval Records Collections. From Navy Signal Book, 1858.

manding Officer asking to be detached from the THE CHURCH PENNANT

Mediterranean Squadron,111 but Commodore Elliott
The use of the church pennant 113 in the United
did not give it a favorable endorsement. Several days
States Navy, like many other naval customs, was un-
later, without warning, Chaplain Lambert was or-
doubtedly appropriated from the British Navy. The
dered to the sloop Shark. Under contemporary naval
Library of Congress contains a manuscript on “The
regulations, sloops did not rate chaplains. Lambert
Church Pennant” by Commander H. H. Lippincott,
described his transfer in the Diary:
ChC, USN, Retired, which gives the following ac-
This order I received while the Ship was getting under count of the history and use of the pennant in the
weigh, & when I left her she was 6 miles from the Shark, British Navy:
which distance I had to pull in an open boat in a heavy
sea, & I did not reach the Shark until after dark. In The present Church Pennant (British Naval) is a sur-
leaving the Constitution which was going 6 or 8 knots, & vival of the old “common pennant” which went out of
which was not hove to, I lost nearly one trunk filled with general use in 1864. The use of a pennant to signify that
clothes and books. the ship’s company was at prayers appears to have been
instituted by Rodney during the American war, circa 1780,
Chaplain Lambert registered a formal protest with Art. X of his additional sailing instructions provided:
the Department over this assignment. Much to his “In order that the performance of divine service may
satisfaction he was soon ordered back to his former meet with as little interruption as possible, the ships are
to hoist a common pennant at the mizzen peak before they
ship, the United States. begin the same, and to keep it flying until they have
After Commodore Elliott returned to the United finished.”
States, he was tried by a court-martial on thirteen This was adopted by Admiral Arbuthnot when Com-
charges filed by disgruntled subordinates. During the mander-in-chief of the North American Station in 1781,
trial, Chaplain Lambert was called as a witness and by Kempenfelt in 1782, and by Howe in his signal book
of 1790 and became the established practice.114
referred to his transfer from the Constitution to the
Shark, to the discredit of the Commodore. The Court No reference to a church pennant was made in
sentenced Elliot to four years’ suspension from active the first Navy Department Signal Book to come into
duty.112 general use, which was adopted in August 1813. The
earliest known reference to the existence of this
111
112
Nav. Rec. Coll., III: July 1837 : 99. 113
It is interesting to note that Commodore Elliott was in The church pennant should not be called the church
command of the Niagara in the Battle of Lake Erie, 10 Sep- flag. In naval terminology a flag is square or rectangular,
tember 1813. His failure to come to the assistance of Perry while
114
the pennant is triangular.
when the Flagship Lawrence was being heavily attacked From a letter to Lippincott from Engineer Commander
precipitated a controversy which raged in and out of the H. S. Brown, Royal Navy, acting Naval Attache: to the
Navy for decades. British Embassy in Washington, D. C., for 1922.

— 57 —
pennant in the United States Navy is found in a July 13th This day we hoisted the bethel flag on board
manuscript Signal Book by Commodore Charles Mor- the English brig Cambria.118
ris which bears the label: “circa 1827.”115 The fol- It may be assumed that after 1821 the Bethel flag
lowing appears in this book: was usually hoisted whenever the zealous members of
Divine Service, there will be time for—When the ships the Seamen’s Friends Society went aboard to conduct
company are engaged in the performance of Divine Serv- religious services. The January 1837 issue of Sailor’s
ice, the ship will wear a pendant at the mizen top Gallant Magazine carried the following letter:
Mast head.
Even though the signals prepared by Morris in Brooklyn, Dec. 21st, 1836.
Mr. Editor, In accordance with my promise I would
1827 were never officially adopted, the mention of a now give you some faint description of the blessed work
pennant to indicate “the performance of Divine Serv- of grace that prevails amongst the Sailors of the U. S.
ice” is evidence that it was being used at this time. Navy, on board the Hudson, Receiving Ship, at Brooklyn.
At the opening of the nineteenth century the mer- For some weeks past the good work has been in steady
chant seamen of both England and America were a progress onwards. W.G.119
spiritually neglected class. “Floating Chapels” or Missionaries of the Seamen’s Friend Society carried
“Ship Chapels,” which were called “Bethels,” were on the work in foreign ports. One of these workers,
started in London and vicinity about 1814. In 1818 writing from Rio de Janeiro on 1 March 1839,
the British and Foreign Seamen’s Friend Society and stated: “During the year past we have omitted no
Bethel Union was formed to expand this type of occasion of holding services under the Bethel flag on
evangelism. A flag was adopted consisting of the board English and American vessels in the har-
word BETHEL, in large white letters on a blue back- bour.”120
ground. Some of these flags were embellished with A number of Bethel missions, often located on an
designs such as a red star in a corner or a dove bear- abandoned ship tied to a dock, were established in
ing an olive branch.116 the principal port cities of the eastern seaboard. The
The Bethel flag first appeared in the United States Bethel flag was invariably associated with such mis-
on a vessel entering New York harbor in March sions. The June 1831 issue of the Sailor’s Magazine
1821. Under the leadership of John Allan, who had reported the publication of a hymnal containing 620
been commissioned by the Bethel movement in Eng- hymns, which sold for 37½¢ and which had been
land to carry the idea to America, a group was soon compiled especially for these Bethels and mariner
at work in New York.117 The zealous members of this churches. Several churches still in existence in some
organization supplemented the activities of the Navy of the larger eastern sea port cities are direct descend-
chaplains in ministering to the spiritual needs of ents of these Bethel missions.
naval personenl. The movement spread to foreign ports frequented
The Sailor’s Magazine, the official publication of by American ships. The famous pioneer missionary to
the Seamen’s Friend Society, is sprinkled with refer- China, Robert Morrison, raised the Bethel flag on an
ences to the Bethel movement in the years following American merchant vessel at Whampoa near Canton
1821. It is clear that the Bethel flag was often raised in 1822. By the end of the third decade the Seamen’s
over British and American naval vessels. The follow- Friend Society had sent representatives to such dis-
ing are typical quotations: tant places as Havre, Marseilles, Honolulu, and
1835 June 21st This evening we had a prayer meeting Canton. During the following decade work was com-
on board the United States ship Franklin, lying in the menced in other places.
North river.
115
Chaplain Charles Rockwell, who was sent to Mar-
Nav. Rec. Coll. The presence of a letter from Morris seilles as a missionary of the Seamen’s Friend Society
under the front cover, dated 19 October 1848, suggests the
possibility of the latter date. However, the January 1880 in 1834, and who transferred to the naval chaplaincy,
issue of Naval Institute Proceedings contains some auto- referred to the Bethel flag as follows:
biographical material of Morris which shows that he was the
author of the Signal Book of 1813. In 1827, when Morris Our Saviour, also, from a vessel’s deck preached the
was a commissioner of the United States Navy, he was at gospel to the multitudes who thronged the shore; thus,
work on an improved and revised edition of the 1813 signals.
Such evidence, combined with the general appearance and as it were, raising the Bethel Flag on the sea of Gali-
style
116
of the manuscript volume, confirms the 1827 label. lee. . . .121
An article entitled “History of the Bethel Flag” is con- 118
tained in the 1 June 1846 issue of The Friend of Temper- 119
Ibid., p. 33.
ance and Seamen, Honolulu. See also Sailor’s Magazine, 120
Op. cit., p. 139.
Sept. 1835, p. 10; Nov. 1839, p. 90; and Jan. 1836, p. 135. 121
Sailor’s Magazine,
July 1839, p. 356.
1 1 7 Sailor’s Magazine, Sept. 1835, p. 10. Sketches of Foreign Travel, I:28.

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 The United States Navy had no official regulation Suitable directions have been issued from the Navy De-
governing the use of a church flag or pennant during partment in relation to the distribution and preservation
these years under review. There is evidence that the of the books; and the Managers have been highly gratified
from learning that the officers are active to circulate
Bethel flag was used at times aboard naval vessels. among their crews, and that the men are very thankful
For example, a writer in the Army and Navy Chron- to receive, the precious volume of Divine Truth.122
icle for 21 September 1837 expressed his disapproval The “suitable directions” are found in a Navy De-
of the use of the Bethel flag on United States naval partment Circular dated 3 January 1821 which
vessels in the following words: reads :
Even the very sight of the ships, when the unassuming The Agent of the American Bible Society, John Nichie,
peak-pendant is hoisted for manly prayer, excites a deeper Esq of New York is requested to forward to you copies of
devotional feeling in the spectator than where he sees the the Holy Bible.
arrogant and pharisaic Bethel flag flying. On the receipt of the same, you will distribute them, as
they may be required, among the Petty Officers & Seamen
The first known reference to the actual use of the under your Command, as well as those on board vessels
church pennant in the United States Navy is found in ordinary, as in the Yard, and direct the Purser to charge
in an entry in the Diary of Chaplain Thomas R. each man with the value, and on their discharge from
Lambert for Sunday, 21 August 1836. On that morn- the service, should the Bible be returned in good order,
necessary wear excepted, you will cause them to be
ing the United States, on which Lambert was chap- credited to the same.
lain, sailed into the harbor of Athens, Greece, at You will be particular in having it explained to the men,
Piraeus, and found the other vessels of the Squadron that it is not intended to charge them with Bibles de-
—the Constitution, Potomac, and John Adams. “The livered to them, but merely to secure the careful use of
salutes & the working of the ship prevented us from them.123
having service,” wrote Lambert, “but was pleased to While Chaplain Charles S. Stewart was on duty
see the church flag hoisted on board the Potomac.” at the New York Navy Yard, 1835-39, he took an
Such incidental references to the position of the active part in the Naval Lyceum which had been
church pennant as “at the missen peak,” “the mizen established there in 1833. During 1836 and 1837, the
top,” and the “peak-pendant” imply that if the na- Chaplain was editor of a bimonthly, the Naval Mag-
tional emblem were flown at the same time, the azine, which contained articles on professional sub-
church pennant took precedence in position. Naval jects, accounts of cruises, and general naval news.
traditions have a strange tenacity. Customs never Its friends claimed that it was the first periodical
regulated by official directives have persisted through established in America which was devoted exclusively
the years with startling uniformity. Although no to naval matters.124
known reference to the church pennant flying above No uniform was prescribed for Navy chaplains
the national emblem appears before the forties, it prior to the Naval General Order of 1 May 1830
seems reasonable to assume that this was a custom which read :
of long standing. Plain black coat, vest and pantaloons; the pantaloons
to be worn over boots or shoes, or black breeches, silk
stockings with shoes; coat to have three black covered
ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST buttons under pocket flaps and on the cuffs.125
A number of items of incidental or general interest, Prior to this date chaplains probably wore their
some of the smaller mosaics in the historical picture civilian clerical garb. The order of 1830 also for-
of the chaplaincy, belong to. the third and fourth bade chaplains, schoolmasters, and clerks from wear-
decades of the nineteenth century. ing swords. On 12 November 1838 a General Order
The first extensive distribution of Bibles to United permitted chaplains to wear the official naval buttons
States naval personnel was in 1820 and 1821 when which other officers wore. These buttons had the
the American Bible Society responded to an invita- emblem of the eagle.126 The wearing of vestments at
tion from the Secretary of the Navy to furnish a copy Divine Services was optional.
of the Scriptures to every petty officer and seaman. 122
Op. cit., p. 16.
123
According to the Society’s Annual Report of 1821, 124
Nav. Rec. Coll., V: 1: 246-7.
Ibid., MS. History New York Navy Yard, p. 75.
approximately 3,500 Bibles had been made available 125
Ibid., Uniform File.
126
and of this number 1,650 had already been distrib- Ibid., V:1:339. Old Navy buttons on display in a
museum case on the Constitution at Boston have the eagle’s
uted. The Secretary of the Society wrote: head facing the right.

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 Chaplains had no supervision other than that of July 5 Read prayers and mustered crew.
their commanding officers at this period, and it was July 12 at 11 performed divine Service. Read the Arti-
cles of War and mustered the crew.
not until 1860 that they reported their activities to
the Navy Department. The Department had no way Other officers, who may not actually have con-
of knowing whether or not commanding officers were ducted Divine Services for naval personnel, were
granting chaplains the opportunity of carrying out known for their religious convictions. Among these
their customary duties. Rockwell described how some should be mentioned Matthew Fontaine Maury, the
chaplains were handicapped by their commanding outstanding naval scientist of the nineteenth cen-
officers: tury.129 This versatile naval officer after spending
Those in command have it also in their power to pre- more than a dozen years at sea became interested in
vent or arrest all efforts for the moral and religious im- and wrote widely on subjects such as oceanography,
provement and those under them, as to efforts in favor of mineralogy, geology, astronomy, and exploration.
temperance and other plans of reform, and may throw His writings are studded with quotations from the
constant obstacles in the way of compliance with such Bible which this versatile student knew so well. He
laws as require public religious worship in the Army or
Navy. Thus in our own Navy, while no ship smaller than had definite ideas about the relation between his
a frigate is allowed a chaplain, there has been more than beloved science and his beloved Bible and felt that
one instance in which a chaplain has been on board a the two did not conflict if each were rightly inter-
ship during a whole cruise of two or three years, and yet, preted. Answering his critics who objected to his con-
in all that time, has been called upon by the captain to firming scientific doctrines with Biblical quotations,
preach but a single sermon.127
he said: “The Bible is true and science is true. . . .
The first Roman Catholic priest known to have They are both true; and when your men of science,
served in the Navy was Adam Marshall, S. J., who is with vain and hasty conceit, announce the discovery
listed as schoolmaster aboard the North Carolina for of disagreement between them, rely upon it the fault
the period beginning 22 December 1824. Marshall’s is not with the Witness or His records, but with the
Diary is now in the library of Georgetown University, ‘worm’ who essays to interpret evidence which he
Washington, D. C. The last entry, written by another does not understand.”
hand, was : Maury was eager to place in the hands of every
Sept. 20, 1825. At 2 : 30 A.M., the Revd. Adam Marshall, ship’s captain charts that would indicate the condi-
Schoolmaster, departed this life. At 10 A.M. called all tion of winds, calms, and drift of currents in all
hands to bury the dead and committed the body of Revd. seas of the world at all seasons of the year. Such
Adam Marshall to the deep. charts would provide a dependable substitute for the
It is altogether probable that the ship’s Chaplain, trial-and-error method of navigation upon which
John W. Grier, an Episcopalian, read the burial serv- ship’s masters then relied. He figured that since God
ice on this occasion. had ordered the universe, He had also decreed order
While Marshall undoubtedly gave first considera- in the universe. He was convinced that constant laws
tion to his teaching duties, it is possible that he also of God prevailed amid the howling of winds and the
served as the unofficial chaplain to all Catholic per- rush of ocean currents. This idea of divine order and
sonnel who were on the North Carolina. It has been design in the universe occurs again and again in his
claimed that Father Marshall was the first Catholic writings and thinking, as a motif recurs in music.
priest to serve in either branch of the armed forces of After the most painstaking scientific research, his
the United States.128 famous Wind and Current Charts were developed
No history of the Chaplain Corps of the United which have become a great boon to mankind in
States Navy would be complete without paying trib- saving lives, time, and money.
ute to that numerous company of spiritually minded Shortly before the Civil War appeals were made to
officers who, in the absence of a chaplain, have con- Maury to devise a method of preventing collisions at
ducted Divine Services or read prayers for the men sea between east-bound and west-bound ships due to
under their command. The following extracts, taken fogs off the Newfoundland banks. Maury naturally
from the log of the Vincennes at a time when no turned to the Bible for guidance and found in the
chaplain was aboard, are typical: Eighth Psalm the words “paths of the sea.” He pon-
127
dered these words carefully and then cried out, “If
Rockwell, Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:12.
128 129
Terence King, The Army and Navy Chaplain, April- The material on Maury is drawn from C. L. Lewis,
May 1942. Matthew Fontaine Maury, Pathfinder of the Seas.

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God says ‘paths of the sea,’ they must be there, and Navy for varying periods. Twelve of this number had
I will find them.” And find ‘them he did. After been appointed prior to 1821. Since the Navy Depart-
patient and prolonged research in ocean currents, ment during these years adhered rather consistently
prevailing winds, fogs, and drifting icebergs, he to the general policy of limiting the chaplains on
charted two tracks across the Atlantic, each about duty to nine most of them must have served only a
twenty-five miles wide, one for east-bound and one few years. Such a turn-over reflected the dissatisfac-
for west-bound vessels. The Navy used these lanes at tion of many chaplains over matters such as com-
once and finally in 1898 all transatlantic steamship pensation. It also revealed certain weaknesses of the
companies adopted them by written agreement. Navy Department’s method of selecting chaplains.
Although not formally joining a church until late The Department was extremely lax in regard to
in life, this “Pathfinder of the Seas” received much of physical fitness and age of applicants. For example,
his inspiration from Holy Writ. His philosophy may Burgess Allison was seventy years old when he was
be summed up in his own words: “When principle is
commissioned.
involved be deaf to expediency,” and “He only is
While reforms were taking place during the years
truly brave who has the courage to do right. This is
the highest quality of bravery that a military, or any 1820-1840, it was in the latter half of this period that
other man can possess.” the effect of these changes became evident. Grad-
Frequently the commanding officers of naval ually greater care was being taken in the selection of
vessels without chaplains request local clergy to con- chaplains, their duties were more carefully defined,
duct Divine Services on board their ships in this coun- their status was improved, and their pay liberalized.
try. When in foreign ports American missionaries Evidence of a happier situation for chaplains during
sometimes acted in this capacity on United States this latter decade may be noted from the fact that
naval ships. The Sailors Magazine in July 1840 only nine new men were needed to maintain the
printed a letter recounting the services rendered by quota compared with the eighteen new men of the
the Reverend Justin Spaulding, missionary of the previous decade. More and more, consecrated men
Seamen’s Bethel at Rio de Janeiro. of ability were looking upon the naval chaplaincy as
Dear Brother,—The Independence is about leaving us, a life career. Such an attitude naturally increased the
which makes us all quite sad; she takes with her the finest effectiveness of their ministry in the Navy. At the
set of officers perhaps you ever saw. . . . close of 1840 there were thirteen chaplains on duty,
Constantly on the Sabbath, when in port, we have en- among whom were such able men as Charles Samuel
deavoured to minister to them and the crew in holy things.
There are on board between six and seven hundred souls. Stewart, Walter Colton, and George Jones. Not only
What an invaluable cargo! At half past 10 o’clock A.M., did they rise above their contemporaries in ability
all hands are mustered on deck for service. Even when and accomplishments, but they rank among the
they have no clergyman they attend prayers in the form greatest of Navy chaplains in the entire history of
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In no house of wor-
ship have I ever observed attention to the services more the Corps.
uniformly correct, and sometimes to the word spoken, The year 1840 in a very real sense marks for the
marked. Every Sabbath, we have carried with us on board chaplains the end of one era and the beginning of
a quantity of moral and religious reading, which, after another. The days of rugged pioneering were over.
the regular services, we have distributed among the sail-
ors and which they appeared eager and thankful to obtain. A number of well-defined principles and official
Sometimes the commodore [Nicholson] himself would naval regulations which related to chaplains had
come and assist in circulating them. . . . 130 been established, largely by the trial and error meth-
IN SUMMARY od. The opening years of the next decade brought
enlarged opportunities with a greatly increased Corps.
During the years 1821 to 1830 inclusive, a total of The chaplaincy was beginning to come into its own
thirty chaplains saw service in the United States as a vital and integral part of the United States
130
Op. cit., July 1840, pp. 353-4. Navy.

—61—
 CHAPTER SEVEN

“LIMITED TO TWENTY-FOUR”

1841-1860

For about twenty years the number of chaplains in

the United States Navy had been limited arbitrarily,
with more or less consistency, to nine. This total in-
cluded the sick and those on leave. In 1842 the limit
was raised to twenty-four and fixed by law. For
seventy-two years, or until 1914, this quota of
twenty-four remained, even during the Civil War and
the Spanish-American War.
The fixing of a limit of twenty-four was a some-
what fortuitous result of other circumstances. A war
scare with Great Britain in 1841 had inspired a large
increase in the appointment of midshipmen. In that
year alone a record number of 219 were received into
the service. It so happened that three Secretaries of
the Navy-James K. Paulding, George E. Badger,
and Abel P. Upshur—held office successively during
1841 and each was under the usual pressure to make
Fitch Waterman Taylor, 1841-1864.
midshipmen appointments. By August 1842 the num- Who also served in the Civil War.
ber of midshipmen had increased to the unprece- (From photograph)
dented total of 490.
To a lesser degree there had also been an increase provision regarding chaplains read: “There shall be
in other ranks and ratings. Eleven new chaplains were in the Navy, for the public armed vessels of the
appointed in 1841, which added to the thirteen United States in actual service not exceeding twenty-
already on duty, brought the total to twenty-four. All four chaplains who shall be appointed by the Presi-
but one of the eleven were appointed by Secretary dent with the advice and consent of the Senate.” 1
George E. Badger who served from 3 March to 13 During the decade, 1841-1850, twenty-six new
September 1841. It is interesting to note that Badger chaplains were commissioned and ten additional in
appointed seven chaplains on 8 September, less than the following decade. The Secretary of the Navy, in
a week before he vacated his office. These were: Bar- his 1843 report, stated that from 1 January to 30
tow, Gillett, McKenny, Newell, Stockbridge, Talbot,
June 1843 there were 10,843 enlisted men in the
and Moses B. Chase. This was the second appoint-
Navy. This meant an average of 460 men for each
ment for Chase, who had previously served from
1819 to 1822. of the twenty-four chaplains. On 1 January 1842 the
United States had in commission two ships of the
In August 1842 Congress was laboring over an
line, the Ohio and the Delaware. These vessels, to-
appropriation bill for the Navy. To halt any further
increase of officer personnel, the appropriation bill gether with six frigates, called for the services of
limited the number of midshipmen to the total on 1
During World War II, there was still on active duty one
duty as of 1 January 1841, and of other officers to chaplain who entered the service in 1913 under this rule.
the number on the rolls as of 1 January 1842. Thus, He was Chaplain Thomas Berthier Thompson, who until
his retirement on 6 March 1946 was the senior chaplain of
the quota of chaplains was fixed at twenty-four. The the United States Navy.

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eight chaplains. It was the custom to assign at least service from the previous decade. Perhaps the best
one chaplain to each of the six squadrons, even known chaplain to enter the service in these years
though the squadron might not have one of the was Fitch Waterman Taylor, who wrote two books
larger vessels. Also, chaplains were usually assigned decribing his experiences at sea.
to the various exploring expeditions during these Chaplain Taylor saw service in the Mexican War
years. There was a chaplain on duty at the Boston, aboard the Cumberland, Flagship of the Gulf Squad-
Portsmouth, Washington, Philadelphia, Norfolk, and ron. An account of his experiences is found in his
Pensacola Navy Yards, and after 1857 one was book, The Broad Pennant, which appeared in 1848.
usually on duty at the Mare Island Navy Yard. Since The book does not, however, treat the war alone.
the establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis Its account of the Chaplain’s activities during the
in 1845, a chaplain has always been assigned there. conflict reveals little of particular interest, for it was
The first chaplain to complete thirty years of con- a war in which the Navy played a relatively minor
tinuous service in the Navy, which, however, included part.
several long leaves of absence on partial pay, was A note of incidental interest is found in The
Addison Searle, who entered the Navy in April 1820 Broad Pennant, however, regarding the term “padre”
and died at sea 2 August 1850. While he was serving which is often used today as a term of affection for
in the Constitution at Leghorn Roads, Italy, on 21 chaplains of all denominations. Chaplain Taylor was
May 1822, Lord Byron visited the ship. It so in contact with Spanish speaking people in Valpa-
happened that on the same day a young man by the raiso where the natives referred to their Catholic
name of George Bancroft, who was destined to clergymen as “padres.” Chaplain Taylor wrote that
became a great historian, a Secretary of the Navy, one of the women of the city could not believe that
and the founder of the Naval Academy, also visited he was a “padre” because he had no tonsure? This
the ship.2 is the earliest known instance of a naval chaplain
A number of interesting reminiscences of Chaplain being referred to as “padre.”
Searle remain. He was a large man, weighing
between 250 and 300 pounds. Perhaps this excessive THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAINS
weight contributed to his continued ill health. Once The policy of requiring chaplains to be ordained
a naval captain wrote to the Secretary of the Navy: became official with the adoption of the General
Do pray indulge Mr. Searle with a leave of absence. He Regulations of 1841 which contained the following
is sick and miserable, and will make all so around him. article :
A ship full of officers is no place for a sick person of any
clique, but above all things for a sick Parson. 3 No person shall be appointed a chaplain in the Navy,
who shall not be a regularly ordained or licensed clergy-
Chaplain Searle died on board the Cumberland man, of unimpeached moral character, not exceeding
in his fifty-ninth year while the ship was en route thirty years of age.5
from Jaffa to Alexandria. It was noted in the ship’s Even though this regulation stipulated that chap-
log that “at 7:45 p.m. the Rev. Addison Searle lains should not be more than thirty years of age
(Chaplain) departed this life.” Carpenters were set when appointed, the fact remains that most of those
to work to make a large coffin to accommodate the selected during the years 1841 to 1860 were in their
body. Another entry reads: forties. The age stipulation was repeated in the regu-
At 11:50 a.m. Called “all hands bury the dead”, hoisted lations prepared by the Secretary of the Navy, Isaac
the Colors at half mast: read the Service and Committed Toucey, in 1858. Congress on 1 June 1860 raised the
to the deep the body of the Rev. Addison Searle, Chap- age limit to thirty-five. This law reads: “A chaplain
plain. The Marine Guard Firing Three Vollies at the
Ceremony—At 11:50 finding the Coffin not to sink, wore shall not be less than twenty-one nor more than
Ship, hove to and sent a boat to attach more weights to it. thirty-five years of age at the time of his
appointment.”6
None of the thirty-six chaplains who entered the
service during the years 1841-1860, rose to the stature 4
Op. cit., p. 71. The use of the term “padre” for chap-
of any of that great trinity—Charles Samuel Stewart, lain by Captain Marryat in his Mr. Midshipman Easy shows
that this use of the term was well known in 1897.
Walter Colton, and George Jones-who continued in 5
Gen. Reg. 1841, p. 15. These regulations were issued
2
“By Authority of the Navy Department.” In 1853 the
3
Logof Constitution and notes of Chaplain W. W. Edel. Attorney General ruled, however, that the Naval Depart-
Nav. Rec. Coll., II:June 1833:92. Letter from Capt. ment had not authority to issue such general regulations.
6
H. E. Ballard dated 24 June 1833. R. S. 1396.

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 Naval chaplains were not always appointed during what could be done about this matter. Commodore
these years on the basis of their spiritual and profes- Matthew Perry served as chairman. A participant
sional qualifications. Sometimes they were selected stated that
because they enjoyed the favor of important govern- it was determined to memorialize the Hon. Secretaries
ment officials. A good example of this is the commis- of War and Navy, John C. Spencer and Abel Upshur, re-
questing them to appoint no one as chaplain who did not
sioning of the eloquent and able Orville Dewey submit the recommendation of the highest ecclestiastical
shortly after he was called to the Unitarian Church authority of the Church to which the applicant belonged.8
in Washington which President Millard Fillmore It was almost sixty years before this practical
attended. Dewey rather apologetically accounted for suggestion came into being.
this appointment in his Autobiography:
SHOULD THE CHAPLAINCY BE ABOLISHED
At the time that I was invited to Washington, I received, During the latter part of the forties, a growing
in February 1851, a document from the Government,
which took me so much by surprise that I supposed it must criticism of the chaplaincy was climaxed in the sub-
be a mistake. It was no other than a commission as chap- mission to Congress of a number of memorials signed
lain in the Navy. I wrote to a gentleman in Washington, by citizens of several states. These petitioners prayed
asking him to make inquiry for me, and ascertain what it “that the office of chaplain in the army, navy, at
meant. He replied that there was no mistake about it, and West Point, at Indian stations, and in both houses of
that it was intended for me, I then concluded, as there
was a Navy Yard in Washington, and as the President, Congress be abolished.” They claimed that the
Mr. Fillmore, attended the church to which I was invited, employment of chaplains by the Federal Government
that he intended by the appointment to help both the was unconstitutional; that it portended a union of
church and me, and I accepted it. On going to Wash- church and state; and that the office had frequently
ington I found that there was a chaplain already con- been dishonored by the appointment of unworthy
nected with the Navy Yard, and on his retirement some
months Inter, and my offering to perform any duties re- men.
quired there, being answered that there was really noth- These memorials were referred to the House
ing to be done, I resigned the commission.7 Judiciary Committee which reported on 13 March
The official accounts do not harmonize, however, 1859. After answering certain of the objections, the
report defended the sailor’s right to Divine Service
with Dewey’s belated explanation. The records show
that he accepted his commission on 5 February 1851 as follows:
Portions of our naval forces are at all times in some
and did not resign until 9 February 1853. The chap- distant coast—often on stations where not only the lan-
lain he was supposed to succeed at the Navy Yard guage of the people is strange, but their rites are abhorrent.
was Joel Newton, who was transferred on 21 May He often finds himself where no holy days or Christian
1851. Dewey was officially listed as Chaplain of the service would ever remind him of his distant home in a
Washington Navy Yard from this date to February Christian land, were it not for the provision the Gov-
ernment has kindly made for him. Would it not be a pri-
1853, but by his own admission did nothing. There vation to deprive him of it.8 Could it benefit him to do
is little wonder that critics arose who claimed certain so? If he heard no sound of the gospel in language fa-
chaplains were making a sinecure of their office. It miliar to his ears, and in forms well suited to his under-
should be pointed out however, that Dewey’s Auto- standing, would he be a better soldier or more obedient
biography did not appear until 1883, thirty years sailor? . . . .
after he resigned. It is possible that he had forgotten The spirit of Christianity has ever had a tendency to
the performance of routine duties at the Yard which mitigate the rigors of war, if as yet it has not been entirely
able to prevent it; to lead to acts of charity and kind-
were sufficient to justify the acceptance of a chap- ness; and to humanize the heart. It was true philanthropy,
lain’s salary for two full years. When Dewey resigned, therefore, to introduce this mitigating influence where, of
Chaplain Mason Noble succeeded him at the Yard. all other places, its fruits were to be more beneficially
The arbitrary method of selecting chaplains often realized, namely into the Army and Navy, and to abolish
brought into the service men ill-prepared to perform it, in this Christian age of the world, would seem like
retrograding rather than advancing civilization. While much
the exacting duties of this office. Christian laymen good and no perceptible evil has resulted from the prac-
as well as ministers urged reforms. There is evidence tice; while no constitutional prohibition exists in relation
that Army and Navy officers were likewise concerned. to it, and no tendency to a “religious establishment” is
As early as 4 November 1857 a number of clergymen discernible under it; while diversity of truth is tolerated
and interested laymen met in Baltimore to discuss as freely as the constitutional requirement, in the minister,
as well as in those for whom he officiates; and while the
7 8
Dewey, Autobiography, p. 108. Johnson, An Address, p. 23.

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expense is so small as not to be felt by any one, your glaring weaknesses which then existed in the
committee do not think it necessary to interfere with the chaplaincy.
office of chaplain, as it exists at present, in the Army and
Navy.9
First there was the matter of the appointment of
naval chaplains.
This did not silence the critics, for about four The manner in which they obtain their appointments
years later the House Judiciary Committee made a is widely different from that in the army, namely, by seek-
similar report in reply to another set of memorials ing it, just as any other office is sought, in the gift of the
government. The applicant produces his recommendations
from citizens who wanted the chaplaincy abolished. and his friends as vouchers, and like those who seek to
The Committee reported that the members “have be elected chaplains to Congress, he brings into requisition
had the subject under consideration, and, after care- all the influence he can command, and if his appliances
ful examination, are not prepared to come to the are more effective than those of others, he gets the ap-
conclusion desired by the memorialists.” It was pointment. Once obtained it is an appointment for life.13
pointed out that chaplains were in the Army before The chaplain like other office-seekers got his job
the adoption of the Constitution; that the First “through political considerations.” After receiving his
Congress had appointed chaplains; that the expense appointment, he usually found “himself released from
of the chaplaincy was slight; that the need for reli- nearly all those influences brought to bear upon the
gious guidance even in Congress was great; and that pastor of a church . . .” Johnson added:
the exercise of religion was necessary for the “safety A naval chaplain can do all that the ship’s rules require
of civil society.”10 of him, and yet have very little love for doing. good. He
can make himself an acceptable chaplain without being
The opponents of the chaplaincy were so persistent acceptable to God. After defining his rank and privileges
and active that they finally aroused Lorenzo Dow among the officers of the ship, all the rest is left to him-
Johnson, evidently a member of an Episcopal Church self, that is, government acts on the presumption, that
in Washington, D. C., to speak and write in favor being a minister, he will always be right.14
of the continuance of government chaplains. Johnson Johnson then asked several searching questions.
issued two pamphlets on the subject. The first Why were so few of the twenty-four chaplains “doing
appeared in 1856 and was entitled: Chaplains of the service in sea-going ships?” Why were so many on
General Government.11 The second was published the “leave of absence” or “waiting orders?” He repeated
following year and bore the caption: An Address to the criticism regarding one naval chaplain who was
the Pastors and People of these United States on the said to have had but two years sea duty in twenty-
Chaplaincy of the General Government. Johnson’s eight years’ service.15 Johnson added: “By the com-
avowed purpose was to educate the public and to plaining public who are memorializing Congress to
urge members of Congress to take “right action on abolish the chaplaincy, many of these men are re-
the subject.” His pamphlets constitute the first en- garded as holding mere sinecures, instead of doing
deavor to give a short but accurate history of the all they can, as ministers of Christ, to save souls
chaplaincy. The 1856 pamphlet gave the names of committed to their care.”16
thirty-four chaplains who had served in the Navy. Johnson stated that there were in 1857 “about
The 1857 pamphlet listed seventy-five chaplains, eighty-six vessels of war, with crews numbering from
some of whom were the unordained men from the fifty, to five, six, and seven hundred men.” He then
ship’s company who served in this capacity.12 commented:
Cruising on every ocean they pass through the extremes
Johnson stated that the leading spirits in the move- of heat and cold, and the unhealthy climates of every lat-
ment to abolish the chaplaincy were “those who itude; in which some sicken and die, and are buried in
avowed their disbelief in all revealed religion.” Point the sea;—and but for a chaplain they would hear no
by point he met their objections and answered them prayer when sick, nor hardly have a Christian burial when
with indisputable facts and realistic logic. Then dead. Long months, yea years even, would pass, without
hearing a sermon in a language they could understand.
Johnson with equal frankness pointed out certain Who will deny that the navy opens many an important
9 field for the labors of a faithful Christian teacher. One
31st Cong., 1st sess., House Reports, Vol. I, No. 583.
Rep. 171. 13
10 Ibid., p. 17.
22nd Cong., 1st sess., House Reports, Vol. II, No. 743. 14
Ibid., p. 19.
Rep. 124. 15
The reference is possibly to Chaplain Timothy J. Harri-
11
This rare pamphlet is found in the Toner Collection, son, commissioned in 1829, why had but two and a half
Library of Congress. years sea duty up to 1857.
12 16
Johnson, op. cit., p. 29. Johnson, An Address, p. 18.

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who has an aptness to teach, and a love for doing good, visiting the sick. This reference recalls the difficulties
will find in the American Navy, a great work to do. In Chaplain Edward McLaughlin had with the doctor
this far-reaching navy there are only twenty-four chap- in charge of the Naval Hospital of Portsmouth in
plains.
1827. The new regulations read:
After pointing out certain weaknesses in the chap-
laincy, Johnson offered constructive suggestions. He He is to perform divine and funeral services, at all times,
when required so to do by his commander.
proposed that He shall be very attentive to the requests of all sick
There be appointed a Board of Commissioners for gov- persons who may desire his attendance, and shall, although
ernment chaplains, composed of some eight, ten or twelve not requested, visit all such as may be dangerously ill, and
clergymen, chosen by as many denominations; then, like offer them such consolation or admonitions as they may
those men who apply to enter the medical department require.
of the army or navy, who are required to obtain the ap- When a person shall be appointed to instruct the boys
proval of a Board of Surgeons, so let all candidates for of the vessel, he shall frequently attend, to see that he
the chaplaincy pass an examination of this Board, from performs his duty properly, and that the boys attend
which a certificate of approval should be made necessary, regularly. He shall report to the commander those who
to constitute the applicant eligible to an appointment.17 may be particularly deserving, and all who may be idle or
Johnson advocated reforms nearly sixty years ahead negligent.19
of his time. No Chief of Chaplains with the preroga- The question of chaplains’ pay was considered by
tive of examining the credentials of an applicant was Congress in 1852. It will be recalled that in 1835
appointed before 1917. The various denominations their compensation had been fixed at $800 per annum
were not called upon until 1913 to endorse their while on leave or awaiting orders and $1,200 while on
clergy seeking chaplains’ appointments. active duty. They were relatively the lowest paid
Johnson also demanded that a chaplain be naval officers of comparative status. The Act of 1852
appointed on the basis of his ability as a spiritual rectified this situation somewhat and fixed chaplains’
leader rather than by “skillful wire-pulling.” “Then, pay at $1,000 a year while on leave or awaiting orders
and not till then,” pointed out Johnson, “will he and $1,500 while on active duty.20 Finally the Act
enjoy the respect due to his position.” He had one of 1860 placed chaplains on the same basis as lieu-
other important suggestion to make for the improve- tenants. This gave them $1,200 a year while on leave
ment of the chaplain’s work. He wrote: or awaiting orders, and $1,500 a year during the first
Then let it be the duty of all government chaplains to five years of sea duty and an increase of $200 each
make an annual report to this Board, containing statistical
facts and the general results of their work, whether it be two years thereafter.21 For example, a chaplain who
.
at a fort, on a campaign, at hospitals, navy yards, on had had seven years of sea service drew $1,700 and,
board receiving ships, or on a cruise at sea.18 after he had been at sea eleven years, $2,100.22
It may be that this suggestion lay back of the Another ruling which referred to the chaplains’
regulation of 1860 which required all chaplains to status is found in the proposed naval regulations sub-
make annual reports of their activities.. mitted by the Secretary of the Navy on 6 December
In a circular letter directed “To the Pastors of 1858. Article 12, chapter II, reads:
Every Christian Church in these United States”, Chaplains and chief engineers who have now been
dated 16 September 1857, Johnson solicited financial commissioned twelve years as such shall have precedence
support for publishing his material in pamphlet form, with commanders and with surgeons and paymasters who
copies of which were to be sent to members of take precedence with commanders under Article 27.
Congress and to accredited clergymen in the United Chaplains did not receive “relative rank” by law
States. The existence today of the pamphlets is proof until 1871 and actual rank was not given until 1899.
that his goal was achieved at least in part. However, in the proposed regulations of 1858 the
The fact that efforts to persuade Congress to trend is clear. No corps of the Navy took so long to
abolish all government chaplains were abandoned was crystallize into a well defined unit as did the Chap-
due, no doubt, in part, to the activity of Johnson. lain Corps. For years chaplains were the poorest paid
naval officers and for decades they did not receive
REGULATIONS AND DIRECTIVES
19
GOVERNING CHAPLAINS 20
Gen. Reg., 1841, p. 132.
The new regulations issued in 1841 contained for Callan and Russell, Laws of the United States relating
to the Navy and Marine Corps, p. 380.
the first time instructions to chaplains relative to 21
This marks the beginning of “fogies” for chaplains. A
17
fogey is a military term signifying an increase in pay due to
18
Ibid. longevity.
Idem. 22R. S. 1394.

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the same rights and privileges for longevity as other of God, the Chaplain is subjected to additional expense
officers. in providing himself with this unifrom when upon sea
service; for although the Captain of the ship who dis-
THE CHAPLAIN’S UNIFORM approves of such a dress, (and some of them do), may
not require him to wear it, the Commodore of the Squad-
As has been stated, the first attempt to regulate ron may. The Chaplain at Boston informed me that the
chaplains’ uniforms came in 1830 when the following officers upon that station thought the dress prescribed by
uniform regulation for chaplains appeared: the regulations of 1841 altogether unfit for a Chaplain,
Plain black coat, vest and pantaloons, the pantaloons particularly Commodore Downes, and that even Corn.
to be worn over boots or shoes, or black breeches, silk Nicholson, one of the Commissioners of the Navy, who
stockings with shoes, coat to have three black covered recommended it did not now justify it.25
buttons under pocket flaps and on the cuffs. Walter Colton, in a letter of 6 January 1844 to the
Thus the chaplain had a choice between “panta- Secretary of the Navy, wrote:
loons” and “black breeches,” the latter with silk I have been requested by several Chaplains of the Navy
stockings. At first the buttons were plain but in 1841 to address you in reference to our Uniform. We are anxious
the official eagle button was authorized. to have the color changed from blue to black, the coat
to have a black velvet collar, with Navy buttons, the same
The Regulations issued in 1841 introduced certain as now,—this uniform to be worn in foreign ports and on
radical changes which authorized chaplains to wear state occasions. We then want the favour of your permis-
practically the same uniform as that of other naval sion to officiate on the Sabbath either in the black silk
officers. Their coat was described as of “dark blue gown such as is generally worn by the clergy, or the plain
cloth, with rolling collar of black velvet, in other black coat. Should uniformity in your opinion render it
expedient, the use of the silk gown can be made obligatory
respects like the undress coat of the lieutenants.”23 when attached to cruising vessels. My own humble opinion
The coats were double-breasted with a row of nine is in favor of making the use of the gown in this situation
buttons, three inches apart on each side. The Regu- peremptory. It is in harmony with the etiquette of a man
lations also permitted “three buttons on the cuffs and of war, is an appropriate badge of a Chaplain’s office and
pocket flaps, and one in the middle of the skirts.” is a graceful garment for a public speaker. The Navy
button will look well on black and will secure a Chaplain
Since the sword was an official part of the uniform in foreign ports the respect due to his commission. A very
and since nothing was said to the contrary, it would few of the Chaplains may perhaps be averse to the gown,
appear that chaplains were permitted to wear swords. but nine tenths of them, I think, are in favor of it,—
Accounts of Perry’s expedition to Japan in 1853-1854 all indeed, so far as my knowledge extends, whose opinions
mention that Chaplain Edmund C. Bittinger, a mem- are based on a practical experience of the usages of a man
of war.26
ber of the expedition, carried a sword.24
During the winter of 1843-1844, certain chaplains The Secretary of the Navy, evidently impressed by
in the vicinity of Washington and Philadelphia met these appeals, issued the following directive under
to discuss the possibility of changes in the uniform. date of 20 January 1844:
They felt that the uniform required by the Regula- Chaplains shall wear a Black Coat, with a black velvet
collar, and the navy button now in use. (They need not,
tions of 1841 was “an unsuitable one for ministers of however, provide themselves with new coats until those
the gospel,” and hoped to restore the former uniform. they now have are worn out.) While performing religious
Writing on 8 December 1843 to the Secretary of the services on the Sabbath, or on other occasions, on board
Navy, Chaplain John Robb pointed out various vessels of war or at yards and Shore Stations, they shall
inconsistencies in the regulations and commented as wear the Black Silk Gown usually worn by clergymen.
David Henshaw27
follows:
By the present regulations, Chaplains are required to The wording of this regulation was too exacting to
wear a uniform coat, cocked hat, white vest, blue panta- win universal approval. While most chaplains did not
loons in winter, and white in summer. This dress, however, object to the order that “Chaplains shall wear a
is not worn by the Chaplains stationed at Washington, black coat,” a few objected vigorously to the manda-
Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, and there is but one, tory rule that while “performing religious services . . .
as far as can be ascertained, on shore service who wears
any part of the uniform. They still adhere to the former they shall wear the Black Silk Gown.” At once there
dress—a plain black suit, which is certainly the more ap- were objections. Chaplain Colton, a Congregation-
propriate one of the two, and which is the dress worn by alist, wrote the following explanation of the new
Chaplains in the British Navy. Besides the unsuitableness ruling for The Independent North American:
of the present dress to the sacred calling of the minister 25
23 26
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Dec. 1843:59.
24
Gen. Reg., 1841, p. 198. 27
Ibid., III:Jan. 1844:40.
Hawks, Narrative of the Expedition, pp. 418, 475. Ibid., V:2:61.

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 I see that several religious papers ascribe the introduc- From this series of regulations and modifications
tion of the gown into the Navy as the costume of the it is evident that the whole subject of the chaplain’s
Chaplains to sectarian purposes in the Department. The uniform was under considerable discussion. Strangely
facts are these. At a meeting of several Chaplains of the
Navy, I was appointed to correspond with the Depart- enough no objection seems to have. been raised to
ment in reference to a change in our uniform, and to prefer the chaplain’s wearing a sword. The question at issue
a request that when performing religious services, the was: Should the naval chaplain dress as a civilian
silk gown usually worn by the Clergy might be substituted clergyman or should he be completely identified with
for the blue coat and navy button. The Department acceded the service by wearing an officer’s uniform? The
to the request, and issued a circular to that effect. Now, if
any one supposes this originated in a spirit of sectarianism, latter view prevailed. Chaplain Charles W. Thomas,
or that there is anything in it which squints at Episcopacy, writing to the Secretary of the Navy on 31 January
I can only say it had its sources mainly with those who 1855, summarized his own convictions as well as
do not belong to that persuasion, and who can find more those of many of his brother chaplains when he
important features of distinction than those which lie stated:
between a blue and a black coat. Or, if any one thinks
the blue coat and navy buttons a more appropriate cos- My humble opinion is that the uinform prescribed in
tume for a Clergyman while performing religious services, the book of Regulations is in every way suitable and ap-
than a plain black gown—so be it. There is no accounting propriate. The more we are identified with the service
for tastes. Or, if any one thinks a Chaplain in the Navy the greater will be our influence over both officers & men,
should have no uniform at all, no evidences of his office, and I think we should not be above expressing in the out-
no outward tokens of his profession, I leave him to the ward dress that identity which I trust we all feel inward-
simplicity of his idea. ly. This is the opinion also of others of the grade with
This is written as an act of justice to the late head whom I have conversed.31
of the Navy Department, and would be anonymous, could
it have, in that shape, the authority which may, perhaps, TO BE OR NOT TO BE LITURGICAL
be given it by the name of its author.28
Many of the non-liturgical church people of the
The Navy Department was quick to change the
United States were concerned about the trend among
rule regarding the mandatory use of the gown, and
naval chaplains toward the use of the gown and the
on 23 April 1844 issued the following clarification:
Episcopal prayer-book in Divine Services. Some said
The Regulation of the 20th January, 1844, prescribing that the Navy department had appointed a dispro-
a uniform for Chaplains in the Navy, is so modified, that, portionately large number of Episcopal chaplains.
in performing Divine Service, the Chaplain may, in his
discretion, wear the black gown, a plain black coat, or
Others claimed that Navy regulations required the
the uinform coat prescribed by that Regulation. non-Episcopal chaplains to use the Episcopal liturgy.
J. G. Mason What did the Regulations of 1818 mean when it
stated that a duty of a chaplain was “to read prayers
New regulations appeared in 1852 which changed
at stated periods”? Were the Baptist chaplains, for
the double-breasted coat to single-breasted, and
instance, required to read their prayers or could they,
eliminated one row of the “nine large Navy buttons
according to the custom of that denomination, offer
in front.” Collars and cuffs were to be “of black
an extemporaneous prayer?
velvet, without embroidery.” The wearing of the
gown at Divine Service was still optional.29 These matters were brought to the attention of
A circular, issued by the Navy Department on the members of the House of Representatives, who
requested an explanation from the Secretary of the
3 March 1853, modified this regulation by substitut-
ing “black covered buttons” for the “navy button.” Navy. Isaac Toucey, then Secretary, wrote to the
The new order also authorized an “Undress Black Speaker of the House saying in part:
Frock Coat, single breasted, with one row of nine Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
black covered buttons.” Another change read: “In resolutions of the House of Representatives dated Janu-
performing Divine Service, the Chaplain may wear ary 13, 1859, requesting the Secretary of the Navy, during
the present session, “to communicate to this House the
the black gown & white cravat, or the uniform pre- number of Chaplains appointed in any branch of the
scribed in the Regulations.”30 Navy service since eighteen and thirteen; the religious
28 denomination to which each person so appointed was
Copied in Army and Navy Chronicle, 21 March 1844;
p. 2363. attached, so far as it can be ascertained; whether chap-
9
Regulations for the Uniform and Dress of the Navy and lains by any navy regulations, or any act of command-
Marine Corps of the United States, p. 10.
30
ers of vessels or stations are required to use a particular
Nav. Rec. Coll., V:2:281. Italics (the author’s) indicate 31
addition of a new provision. Ibid., III:Jan. 1855:200.

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uniform or clerical dress, including a gown, or to read doubt, an order has been recently issued which
prayers, or to comply with any particular forms or cere- establishes this to be the true construction.”32
monials of divine service; and whether there is any evi- The new order regarding prayers is dated 17
dence on file in the department tending to show that
non-Episcopal ministers are required by officers of the January 1859, the same date as the Secretary’s reply
navy to use the Episcopal liturgy.” to the Speaker of the House, and is worded as
follows:
Secretary Toucey then submitted a list of sixty-one
chaplains who had been appointed between 12 May It is understood that the Navy Commissioners’ Regula-
tions of 1818, requiring Chaplains “to read prayers at
1815 and 11 September 1856. An analysis of his clas- stated periods”, have heretofore been construed to require
sification appears in column A of the following chart. them to offer prayers, and such will hereafter be the con-
Column B is a classification of the same chaplains struction.33
according to data more complete than was evidently This discussion undoubtedly led to the adoption
in the possession of Secretary Toucey. of the following naval regulation, on 1 June 1860,
A B which is still ( 1946) in effect: “Every chaplain shall
Baptist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6
Congregational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 be permitted to conduct public worship according to
Methodist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 the manner and forms of the church of which he may
Episcopal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 24 be a member.”34
Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 11
Unitarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 BUGLE CALLS FOR CHURCH
Universalist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 3 From early days the bugle has supplemented the
spoken word abroad ship. Available records do not
61 61 indicate with exactness when the bugle calls for
The fact that the Secretary did not know the church and hammocks were introducted into the
religious affiliation of thirty-three chaplains, including Navy. It is possible they were used during the period
two who were on duty at the time, speaks eloquently under review. It appears that they were used first in .
of the inadequate records in the Navy Department. the Army, then in the Marine Corps, and finally were
The system of including in a ‘(jacket” all papers adopted by the Navy. There are two church calls
relevant to each officer was not instituted in the known to have been used in the Navy. Chaplain
Department until on the eve of the First World War. E. L. Ackiss heard the earlier call sounded as late as
Toucey’s list did not include chaplains who were 1926 by a bugler who had just reported aboard his
appointed from the ship’s company, and it omitted ship, the New Hampshire.
at least five, who had been regularly appointed,
including such men as Charles Rockwell and Orville
Dewey.
The data which the Secretary furnished indicated
that ten of the sixty-one, or about fifteen percent, were
Episcopalians. The correct record would have shown
twenty-four, or approximately forty percent. On the Old church call.
basis of actual facts, the critics had good reason to Upton, Infantry Tactics, 1874, p. 404.
charge the Department with discrimination.
Regarding the use of a particular dress, the Secre-
tary wrote : “The commanding officer of a vessel or
station has no authority to establish the uniform or
dress of any officer of the Navy.” Toucey referred to
the Uniform Regulations of 1853 which permitted
but did not compel the chaplain to wear the gown
at Divine Services.
As to the ruling that the chaplain was “to read Present church call.
prayers at stated intervals,” the Secretary wrote: Ship and Gunnery Drills, 1927, p. 330.
“the department is not aware that this has ever been 32
35th Cong., 2nd sess., House Reports, Exec. Doc.,
construed other than to offer prayers at stated No.33 59.
Nav. Rec. Coll., V:2:343.
periods. However this may be, to put at rest any 34
R. S. 1397; Nav. Reg., 1920, art. 1245 (10).

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 Today the ship’s bell is often tolled aboard ship This testimony suggests not only that the church
during or immediately after the bugle call for church. pennant was raised above the national emblem
This custom is said to have been taken over from the during Divine Worship but also that it was customary
British Navy. According to tradition, Lord Nelson to fly it even when no chaplain was aboard to con-
tolled the bell of his ship when going into battle for duct such a service.
the souls of those who were about to die. In all prob- The first known illustration of the church pennant
ability the tolling of the bell to announce the hour is found in a Journal kept by Acting Midshipman
of Divine Service antedates the bugle call in the P. C. Johnson on the Ohio during 1846-1848. His
United States Navy. The earliest known mention of drawing shows a Latin cross with the short arm
this custom appears in Herman Melville’s White parallel to, and the top of the long arm beginning
Jacket and refers to a Sunday in 1843 when the with, the base of the pennant.37 No printed Navy
author was aboard the United States. Chaplain Col- signal books are known to be in existence for the
ton who served on the Congress states in his Journal years 1813 to 1858.38 The Signal Book of the latter
for Sunday, 7 December 1845: “At eleven o’clock, the date contains the first known official illustration of the.
tolling of the ship’s bell announced the hour of pennant, picturing a blue Greek cross on a white
worship.”35 Chaplain Taylor also refers to this custom background. There is no text to describe its use. A
aboard the Cumberland for 22 March 1846. slightly different illustration of the Navy’s church
pennant appeared in a French signal book also pub-
THE CHURCH PENNANT lished in 1858. On the page showing United States
The first reference to a church pennant flying Navy flags is the picture of the church pennant with
above the national emblem is contained in the the Latin cross, the long arm of which is horizontal,
Proceedings of the Court of Inquiry appointed to with the short arm extending completely across the
Inquire into the Intended Mutiny on board the pennant.39 (See illustrations page 57)
United States Brig Somers. The incident referred to
occurred in 1842 when the Somers was returning to MELVILLE’S DESCRIPTION OF
the United States from a trip to the African coast. DIVINE SERVICES
Commander Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, believing A rather comprehensive idea of the position of
that the safety of his ship was in danger, acted the chaplain and of religion on board a man-of-war
promptly and confined to irons three alleged ring- during this period may be obtained from Melville’s
leaders, including Acting Midshipman Philip Spencer, somewhat autobographical narrative, White Jacket.
son of the Secretary of War. A court of the ship’s Melville served aboard the United States during the
officers found them guilty of “attempted mutiny” 1841 to 1844 tour of duty of Chaplain Theodore B.
and they were hanged at the yard-arm. Commander Bartow, an Episcopalian. While the author did not
Mackenzie’s report aroused a nation-wide controversy mention the Chaplain by name, the following descrip-
and a court of inquiry was held to determine all of tion, taken from the work, without a doubt applied
the facts involved. The court exonerated Commander to him:
Mackenzie. No Sundays on shipboard! You may as well say there
In the course of the inquiry Mackenzie described should be no Sundays in churches; for is not a ship mod-
the events on the Sunday following the execution. eled after a church? has it not three spires—three steeples?
yea, and on the gundeck, a bell and a bellfry? And does
According to custom, the crew was assembled and not that bell merrily peal every Sunday morning, to sum-
the laws governing the Navy were read. Then mon the crew to devotions?
Mackenzie spoke briefly on “the lessons to be drawn At any rate, there were Sundays on board this partic-
from the fate of those who had suffered.” He stated: ular frigate of ours, and a clergyman also. He was a
slender, middle-aged man, of an amiable deportment and
In conclusion, I called on them, as they had given
37
three cheers for their country, now to give three cheers for Nav. Rec. Coll. McCauley and Blake, Tables of Allow-
God—as they would do by singing his praise. The colors ances of Equipment, published in 1854, includes an allow-
were then hoisted, and above the American Ensign was ance of one “Church and Meal Pennant” for each ship.
Three sizes of the pennant are specified (p. 30) : 24’ x 4½’
raised the Banner of the Cross—the only flag that ever for ships of the line; 22’ x 3¾’ for frigates, sloops, and
floats above it from any vessel under my command. The side-wheel steamers; and 20’ x 3½’ for sloops and side-
100th Psalm was sung, after which the crew dispersed.36 wheel
38
and screw steamers, 2d class.
35
Several manuscript Signal Books by Commodore Charles
36
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 67. Morris
39
for the years 1827-48 arc in the Nav. Rec. Coll.
Proceedings of the Court of Inquiry, 1843, p. 14, See McCracken, “The Church Pennant,” Naval Institute
(pamphlet). Proceedings, Aug. 1930, p. 718.

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irreproachable conversation; but I must say, that his ser- said: “Sir, I am a Baptist; the chaplain is an Epis-
mons were but ill calculated to benefit the crew. He had copalian; his form of worship is not mine; I do not
drank at the mystic fountain of Plato; his head had been
turned by the Germans; and this I will say, that White- believe with him, and it is against my conscience to
Jacket himself saw him with Coleridge’s Biographia Lit- be under his ministry. May I be allowed, sir, not to
eraria in his hand. attend service on the half-deck?” The captain
Fancy, now, this transcendental divine standing behind haughtily replied: “You will be allowed, sir, to obey
a gun-carriage on the main-deck, and addressing five hun- the laws of the ship. If you absent yourself from
dred salt-sea sinners upon the psychological phenomena
of the soul, and the ontological necessity of every sailor’s
prayers on Sunday mornings, you know the penalty.”41
saving it at all hazards. He enlarged upon the follies of Melville felt that a strict enforcement of the com-
the ancient philosophers; learnedly alluded to the Phaedon pulsory attendance at Divine Services did not nurture
of Plato; exposed the follies of Simplicius’s Commentary a receptive attitude for spiritual truths. Not only was
on Aristotle’s “De Caelo”, by arraying against that clever
Pagan author the admired tract of Tertullian—De Prae- there reluctance on the part of some, which at times
scriptionibus Haereticorum—and concluded by a Sanscrit turned into resentment, there was also ridicule and
invocation. He was particularly hard upon the Gnostics derision. The author mentions the Bibles which were
and Marcionites of the second century of the Christian distributed to the members of the crew and tells of
era; but he never, in the remotest manner, attacked the the inspection held on Sunday morning.
everyday vices of the nineteenth century, as eminently il-
lustrated in our man-of-war world. Concerning drunken- Although, by the regulations of the Navy, each sea-
ness, fighting, flogging, and oppression—things expressly man’s mess on board the Neversink was furnished with a
or impliedly prohibited by Christianity—he never said Bible, these Bibles were seldom or never to be seen, ex-
aught.40 cept on Sunday mornings, when usage demands that they
shall be exhibited by the cooks of the messes, when the
The writer complained that this particular master-at-arms goes his rounds on the berth-deck. At such
chaplain talked only of “harmless, non-committal times, they usually surmounted a highly-polished tin-pot
abstrusities.” placed on the lid of the chest.42
Church attendance was compulsory on the United However, there is another side to the story and
States, and the attitude of the men is reflected in Melville does not overlook it. He speaks of the
the following description by Melville: liberality with which seamen contributed to such
causes as the building of a seaman’s chapel in China
The accommodations of our chapel were very poor. We
had nothing to sit on but the great gun-rammers and or paying the salary of a colporteur in Greece. Mel-
capstan-bars, placed horizontally upon shot-boxes. These ville felt that a religious captain often made “a far
seats were exceedingly uncomfortable, wearing out our better chaplain for his crew than any clergyman
trouwsers and our tempers, and, no doubt, impeded the could.” He wrote:
conversion of many valuable souls.
To say the truth, men-of-war’s men, in general, make This is sometimes illustrated in the case of sloops of
but poor auditors upon these occasions, and adopt every war and armed brigs, which are not allowed a regular
possible means to elude them. Often the boatswain’s-mates chaplain. I have known one crew, who were warmly at-
were obliged to drive the men to service, violently swear- tached to a naval commander worthy of their love, who
ing upon these occasions, as upon every other. have. mustered even with alacrity to the call to prayer;
and when their Captain would read the Church of Eng-
“Go to prayers, d--n you! To prayers, you rascals-to land service to them, would present a congregation not
prayers!” In this clerical invitation Captain Claret would to be surpassed for earnestness and devotion by any Scot-
frequently unite. tish Kirk. It seemed like family devotions, where the head
At this Jack Chase would sometimes make merry. of the house is foremost in confessing himself before his
“Come, boys, don’t hang back,” he would say; “come, let Maker. But our own hearts are our best prayer-rooms, and
us go hear the parson talk about his Lord High Admiral the chaplains who can most help us are ourselves.43
Plato, and Commodore Socrates.”
This same work presents a sympathetic picture of
Melville tells of how “a remarkably serious, but
Divine Worship. The following is a description of the
bigoted seaman” objected to compulsory church
procedure at morning and evening prayers:
attendance. Respectfully approaching his captain, he
Shortly after breakfast the drum beats to quarters; and
40
Op. cit., pp. 147-B. among five hundred men, scattered over all three decks,
While Melville’s works are usually classified as fiction, his and engaged in all manner of ways, that sudden rolling
picture of man-of-war life is drawn from personal experi- march is magical. . . .
ence on the United States. In White Jacket, he tried to 41
cloak the frigate with anonymity by calling her the Never- 42
Ibid., pp. 148-9.
sink. It is felt that Melville has authentically portrayed 43
Ibid., p. 150.
shipboard life in his day. Ibid.

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 First Naval Academy Chapel, 1853-1859.

The sailors run to and fro . . . to gain their respective GEORGE JONES AND THE NAVAL ACADEMY
stations in the shortest possible time. In three mintues
all is composed. . . . As has been pointed out, naval chaplains were
At a sign from his finger, the brass band strikes up the more or less concerned with the education of mid-
Portuguese hymn. This over, from Commodore to ham- shipmen ever since the days of the “Academy” con-
mock-boy, all hands uncover, and the Chaplain reads a
prayer. Upon its conclusion, the drum beats the retreat, ducted by Chaplain Robert Thompson at the
and the ship’s company disappear from the guns. At sea Washington Navy Yard. They were also required by
or in harbour, this ceremony is repeated every morning regulation to teach, or supervise the instruction of,
and evening. the boys in the Navy.
By those stationed on the quarter-deck, the Chaplain is
distinctly heard; but the quarter-deck gun division em-
braces but a tenth part of the ship’s company, many of Among the Navy officers who were active in ad-
whom are below, on the main-deck where not one syl- vocating the establishment of a naval school for the
lable of the prayer can be heard. This seemed a great training of midshipmen was Chaplain George Jones
misfortune; for I well knew myself how blessed and whose letter of 30 January 1839 to the Secretary of
soothing it was to mingle twice every day in these peace-
ful devotions, and, with the Commodore, and Captain, the Navy stressed this imperative need. Jones also
and smallest boy, unite in acknowledging Almighty God. 44 wrote an appeal for such an institution which was
There was no public address system then to carry published in the Naval Magazine, and he discussed
the voice to every part of the ship. The Portuguese this subject with Secretary Upshur. It was natural,
Hymn is better known today as “Adeste Fideles.” therefore, when the Naval School was formally
44
Ibid., pp. 269-72. opened in the fall of 1845, that Chaplain Jones

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should be one of the eight members of the first dore B. Bartow, Jones’s successor, on Sunday, 5
academic board. Jones was made the first head of February 1854. This building was rectangular in
the Department of English Studies, which then shape. In 1860 a portico in classical Grecian style
included both history and geography. These duties was added.
seem to have taken precedence over his usual chap- The rules for the government of the Naval Acad-
lain’s responsibilities. He was first of all the professor emy issued in 1850 (reissued in 1855) provide that
of English and then chaplain. In similar manner a chaplain and certain other specified officers be
Navy Surgeon John A. Lockwood served both as attached to the Academy. Attention is also given to
professor of chemistry and medical officer.45 Divine Service in the rules:
Chaplain Jones was not detached from the
1. Divine service shall be performed on Sunday, and
Brandywine until September 1845. When he arrived shall be attended by every person attached to the Academy.
at Annapolis he found that no living accommoda- 2. Any Midshipman or Acting Midshipman who shall
tions had been reserved for him. Consequently he had behave indecently or irreverently while attending divine
to find quarters in the town until the following year service, or shall use any profane oath or execration, or
when the old quartermaster’s office was rebuilt to profane the Sabbath, shall be dismissed the Naval Service
provide a home. Divine Services were held in the or otherwise. less severely punished.
quarters formerly used by the Army. 3. Fifteen minutes before the breakfast hour, the Mid-
shipmen and Acting Midshipmen shall assemble in the
Jones, writing from the Naval Academy on 17 chapel for prayers.
March 1847, told the Secretary about the establish-
ment of a museum in the newly erected lyceum When strong criticism arose regarding compulsory
building. “I have presented all that remains to me of attendance at Divine Services, the Secretary of the
collections which I have made in the Mediterranean Navy in 1859 modified the earlier Naval Academy
& in other seas,” he stated, and added, “I also spent regulations as follows:
the last vacation in travelling, at my own expense, for
The 2nd Section of Chapter 19, of the existing Regula-
the purpose of procuring information & geological tions of the U. S. Naval Academy, approved Jan’y 25,
specimens for the school.”46 Thus was laid the 1855 which requires the attendance at Divine Service on
foundation of the splendid museum now at the Sunday of all persons attached to the Academy, is thus
Academy at Annapolis. modified.
Following the establishment of the lyceum, the Officers will be excused by the Superintendent from
such attendance upon their declaration, in writing, that
Navy Department sent a collection of historical naval
they cannot conscientiously attend.
relics, including the famous DONT GIVE UP THE Acting Midshipmen will be excused for the same reason,
SHIP flag, to the School for safe keeping. These were upon the written request of their parents or guardians.
displayed and cared for by Chaplain Jones. Jones In all such cases the Superintendent will prescribe such
was also active in promoting the interests of the Regulations as will insure from those excused a decent.
library, being sent to New York in 1851 to make observance of the Sabbath during the performance of
purchases of books.47 Divine Service.
Acting Midshipmen will at all other times during the
In 1850 the Naval School was reorganized and day conform to the prescribed hours of Study.48
was thereafter known as the Naval Academy. At
this time Jones was appointed the first chaplain of The custom of having morning prayers before
this institution, the office then being separated from breakfast has continued at Annapolis throughout the
any professorship. It should be noted, however, that years. At first this brief service was held in the
subsequent to that date chaplains often served as Chapel, but with the growth of the Academy,
professors. especially during wartime, it was transferred to the
When the Navy took over Fort Severn, the quarters mess hall. An interesting entry in the log of the
which the Army had used as a chapel soon proved Officer of the Day made during the examinations
inadequate for Divine Services. A new chapel was held at the end of the second academic year of the
built in 1853 and was dedicated by Chaplain Theo- Naval School reads : “At 11:10 the Midshipmen.
assembled in the Lyceum for examination in Gun-
45
Sturdy, “The Founding of the Naval Academy,” Naval nery. The session was opened with prayer by Chap-
Institute
46 Proceedings, Oct. 1935, pp. 1367 ff. lain Jones .” It is recorded that Chaplain Jones held
4 7 Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Mar. 1847:189.
Robert, “The Naval Academy Chapel,” Naval Institute 48
Proceedings, Oct. 1945, p. 1136. Nav. Rec. Coll., V:2:344.

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the same service each day during the examination “table does not include it.”53 Four years later Chap-
period.49 lain Stockbridge requested a stove for the vestry of
the chapel at the New York Navy Yard, together
CHAPLAINS AT WORK with “permission to have a fire in it when neces-
sary.54 In forwarding this letter to Washington the
The primary responsibilities of naval chaplains commanding officer gave the following reasons for
have always been religious although a few chaplains his disapproval.
have concentrated their efforts almost exclusively
upon education or other collateral activities. The . . . it would require a man to attend to it, besides the
danger from fire should it be left unattended. . . . The at-
effectiveness of their religious activities, then as now, tendance of Mr. Stockbridge is only required on Sundays
was conditioned not only by the attitude of their and at funerals; hence, there is no occasion to incur an
commanding officers, as already pointed out, but also extra expense for coal and an attendant, for his Study.55
by the physical surroundings under which they
Evidently the Commanding Officer of the New
worked, the material equipment provided for them,
York Navy Yard felt that the Chaplain’s religious
the rules of the naval service, and many other factors
duties were confined exclusively to the chapel on
which seldom concern clergymen in civilian life.
Sunday, when heat was provided. No provision was
While few descriptions of accommodations for hold- made for conferences in a suitable office during the
ing religious services on shore stations for this early week. Stockbridge was informed that “the Dept. can-
period are accessible, it appears that makeshift not give the authority” for a stove.
arrangements in such buildings as were available,
Chaplains often appealed to the Navy Department
were the rule. Chaplain Fitch Taylor described the
to secure personal favors. Writing from the Potomac
chapel at Pensacola: “The Chapel is a prettily
while it lay off the Pensacola Navy Yard in 1847,
arranged upper room, in one of two octagonal build-
Chaplain Rodman Lewis requested a transfer to the
ings, which are ornamental to the yard.”so Mention
Yard. The position had been vacant since the death
is made in 1851 of the facilities at the Boston Navy
of Chaplain Charles Henry Alden a few months
Yard as follows: “The Carpenters completed the
earlier. Lewis pointed out that his home and family
enlargement of the Chapel, in the steam house near
were at this station since he had previously served
the Dry Dock, by removing the Office of the Timber
there more than four years. His Commanding Officer,
Inspector.”51 It was not until after the turn of the
Captain Aulick, forwarded his request with the fol-
next century that a chapel was built for naval person-
lowing endorsement:
nel, aside from the chapel at the Naval Academy.
Contemporary evidence indicates that chaplains Forwarded. This ship not being allowed a Chaplain by
the regulations of the service-Mr. Lewis is being there-
frequently appealed directly to the Secretary of the fore a supernumerary on board.—I respectfully recommend
Navy for supplies and equipment. Chaplain Theodore that he be detached.
B. Bartow, in December 1841, inquired of the Navy
Department whether the Secretary was “empowered The Secretary of the Navy, in granting this request,
to make any allowance to purchase Sunday School was careful to point out that the Navy Department
books for the boys on shipboard.” Bartow said he had the authority to determine the complements of
felt certain that if the Secretary could not do this ships. His endorsement read:
Congress would grant him the right. He added: “For Let the Rev’d. Mr. Lewis be detached—inform Capt.
the nation responds to the truth ‘that the care of the Aulick that this order is given because the Chaplain does
children is its first duty’.” He was informed that the not appear to be useful in his profession on board the
Potomac—No officer can be regarded as a supernumerary
Navy Agent at Norfolk would provide them.52 on board a ship, who is ordered to her on duty by the Navy
Other chaplains were, on occasion, less successful. Dept. Done 18 Jany. 1847.56
In 1843 Chaplain Mortimer Talbot requested five
or six dozen Books of Common Prayer which he felt The experience of Chaplain Edmund Bittinger
could be procured for about three dollars a dozen. when he was sent to the Macedonian about a decade
He was turned down with the comment that the later was parallel. He found himself in a situation
comparable to that of a clergyman in civil life who
49
Robert, “Extracurricula,” Naval Institute Proceedings, 53
Apr.
5 0 1945, p. 386. 54
Ibid., III:Apr. 1843:141.
5 1 Taylor, Broad Pennant, p. 197. Date is before 1848. 55
Ibid., III:Oct. 1847:312.
52
Nav. Rec. Coll., History Boston Navy Yard, II:312. 56
Ibid., II: Sept. and Oct. 1847:192.
Ibid., III:Dec. 1841:131. Ibid., III: Jan. 1847:19.

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reported to a parish, where he was neither expected He applied for and obtained in 1851 an appointment as
nor wanted. In the service, however, his only recourse chaplain in the Navy. In March, 1852, he was ordered to
was an appeal to the Secretary of the Navy. “Com- the United States frigate Cumberland, then fitting out for
the Mediterranean Station. He engaged in this work with
modore Stringham has just informed me,” wrote the great zeal, and in a short time some fifteen or twenty of
Chaplain, “that as he considered me a ‘Supernume- the men, including several of the officers of the squadron,
rary’ there is no room for me on board of the professed their faith in Christ, and a little society was
‘Macedonian’ . . . I hope the Department will at its established on shipboard, called “The Church of Christ.”62
earliest convenience settle this question so that I may This is perhaps the first time a Navy chaplain tried
know what relation I am to sustain to the ship.”57 In the experiment of establishing a church organization
forwarding it to the Secretary, the Commodore com- aboard ship. Chaplain W. W. Edel in his “Navy
mented: “I have the honor to state, that, on referring Chaplains from 1775 to 1917” gives the following
to the Allowance book, I find, that Chaplains are account of this zealous man:
only allowed to Flag Ships. I have therefore given to While the ship was in the Mediterranean, an epidemic
the Pass’d Ass’t Surgeon the state room, to whom of Cholera broke out on board, and Chaplain Eskridge
I think it properly belongs.”58 In his reply, the Sec- was ever constant in his attentions to the sick and dying.
Before long he too was stricken and after a long siege of
retary said in part: “. . . you are informed that the illness he fought his way back to health, although he was
Act of the Department, in ordering Chaplain Bit- but the shell of his former self. At the end of the three
tinger to the Macedonian has, in this case, modified year cruise he returned to Norfolk, where his family were
the Complement Table. You will assign him the room waiting for him, and was granted a leave of absence in
that is usually occupied by Chaplains on board of which to recuperate. But even while he rested in the first
days of his leave, word was brought to him that the small-
Flag Ships.”59 pox had broken out in Portsmouth, just across the river-
Chaplains continued to be disturbed over the fact Bidding farewell to his family, and paying no heed to the
that they were sometimes handicapped in their duties advice and protestations of his friends, the devoted Chap-
by their commanding officers to whom they were lain went out among the sufferers and ministered unto
exclusively accountable. Chaplain Stockbridge ex- them. Early in the morning and late at night he tended
the men of the Navy and their families, going from house
pressed the feeling of many when he wrote the fol- to house to nurse the sick, pray with the dying and say
lowing to the Secretary in 1853 : the last rites over the dead. He was attacked by the
. . . . My experience of nearly twelve years in the service disease, but although scarcely able to stand he refused
is, that the Chaplain gets on the most smoothly with his to remain in the house and struggled to go on with his
superiors who does the least for Christ & his cause. Hence work. On the 21st of September 1855 this gallant and
it is that Chaplains who have entered the service in hope devoted man completed his duties upon this earth and
of doing good soon find their zeal quenched. And, more- went on to report to One who once said, “Greater love
over, while doing duty in sea going ships, their personal hath no man than this—.”63
piety is subject to the most unfavorable social influences. A report of the launching of the first Princeton at
Besides these considerations, there is no ecclesiastical pow- the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 10 December 1843
er to which Chaplains are accountable. Are they not on
the whole about as faithful as we can expect them to be refers to the offering of a prayer by a civilian clergy-
under the existing system?60 man on that occasion. While religious ceremonies at
the laying of the keel, the launching, and the com-
As the result of the agitation of Chaplain Stock-
bridge, Lorenzo Johnson, and others during this missioning of a vessel go so far back in human history
period, Congress finally acted on 1 June 1860 and that their origin is lost, this is the first known record
attached a rider to an appropriation bill which read: of a prayer at the launching of an American war
“Chaplains shall report annually to the Secretary of vessel. A newspaper account of the occasion follows:
the Navy the official services performed by them.”61 Just before the vessel was released Captain Stockton,
U. S. Navy, who was in charge, assembled those on board
That chaplains aboard ships were gradually experi- and a prayer was offered by the Rev. Doctor Suddards:
menting in new fields of usefulness during this period ‘Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Governor of
may be seen in the work of Chaplain Vernon Nations. Humbly we prostrate ourselves before Thee and
Eskridge. Sprague’s Annals of the American Pulpit ask Thy blessing. Most humbly we beseech Thee with Thy
describes one of his activities: favor to behold and bless Thy servant the President of
the United States and all the officers of the Government.
57
Ibid., III:May 1858:194. May the vessel about to be launched be guarded by Thy
58
59
Ibid., VII:1 of 1858:133. gracious Providence and care. May it not bear the sword
60
Ibid., I:57:315.
62
61
Ibid., III:May 1853:208. 63
Op. cit., VII:736.
R. S., 1398. Op. cit., pp. 10-1.

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in vain, but as the minister of God be a terror to those on the sick and injured in sick bay, a compartment
who do evil and a defense to those who do well. Gracious- forward which housed these unfortunates. Perhaps at
ly bless its officers and men. May love of country be en-
graven upon their hearts. Remember in mercy both arms
no time did the chaplain find sailors more amenable
of our National defense, and may virtue, honor and re- to spiritual guidance. “If you would get at the true
ligion pervade all their ranks. Bless all nations and in- character of the sailor,” wrote Chaplain Colton, “you
dividuals on the earth and hasten the time when the must visit him in his sickness. His better feelings then
benefits of holy religion shall have so prevailed that none gush out over the asperities of his lot. . . .”73 Chaplain
shall wage war again for the purpose of aggression and Rockwell noted that the “heart is open and tender”
none shall need-it as a means of defense. All of which
blessings we ask in the name of Him who taught us to at such times.74
say: “Our Father who art in Heaven”. . . .’64 On these visits the chaplain offered what comfort
A good portion of a chaplain’s time aboard ship he could, talked to the patients about their loved ones
was spent with the crew in an advisory capacity. As at home and often prayed with them. These calls
Chaplain Taylor said, “They feel that they can were sometimes heart-rending. Chaplain Colton, re-
speak to him as they cannot to a watch-officer.”65 ferring to a conversation with a very sick man said,
Frequently the men requested the chaplain to talk “He spoke to me of his mother and his sisters, and
over their problems with them during the night tears filled his eyes.” Chaplain Taylor, referring to
watches? Often the chaplain’s room was available a particularly trying visit wrote, “I returned to my
for conferences and interviews. “Three seamen,” room and wept over the scene of the sadness. . . .”75
wrote Chaplain Colton, “came into my state-room to It was to the chaplain that many a tar confided
converse with me on the subject of religion. I en- his last words and confessed, as a relief to his own
courage them in their good resolution.”67 Chaplain spirit, his sins and shortcomings. Chaplain Taylor
Jones felt that his most pleasant moments aboard tells of an urgent request to come to sick bay. “I have
his ship were spent “with men or officers, in night been sent for by one who had declared himself an
watches, or in state-rooms conversing on the subject athiest, and endeavored to spread his opinions among
[religion68]. his messmates, but on his dying, cot desired to make
“Seamen are prefectly accessable,” wrote Chaplain a public declaration of his folly.”76
Rockwell, and they “will rarely refuse to answer a What type of men made up the chaplain’s parish
question of the most personal nature, if your manner on the old pre-Civil War frigates? Certainly no
is such as to gain their confidence.”69 Indeed they civilian parish ashore contained the diverse elements
seemed to take “peculiar pleasure in dwelling even in that were found aboard a frigate of the sailing-ship
the darker portions of their past history.”70 He ad- days. “A man-of-war is a world in miniature,” said
mitted, however, that sailors were given to “yarning,” one chaplain, “in which every different kind of
but he added that a chaplain “soon learns how to temper and disposition is to be found. . . .”77 Chap-
detect them in this, and when they are alone with lain Jones noted, “we have here, men from all
one whom they respect, they do not attempt it.”71 To climates, speaking all languages and of fierce bold
win a man’s confidence chaplains knew that it was habits.”78 Twenty-three foreign nationalities were
necessary to show an interest in him. “Listen kindly to represented on board the Constitution in 1844.79 The
the sailors tale of woe, and from that time forward sailors of the Vincennes, according to Chaplain
you became his friend and may hope to do him good” Stewart, were “gathered principally from the South
was the way Rockwell summarized it.72 American coast-wanderers upon the earth, without
A part of each chaplain’s day was devoted to calls a country or a home” and only a “small portion of
64
Benham, Ships of the United States Navy and their them were shipped in the United States.”80 It was the
Sponsors, 1797-1913, pp. 151-2. It is now the general rule feeling of Chaplain Rockwell that most sailors were
to have a prayer either by a chaplain or a civilian clergyman
at the launching of a naval vessel the size of a destroyer of no nation, “but change from the employ of one to
escort or larger, and usually a prayer is offered at the 73
commissioning. 74
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 305.
65 Rockwell, op. cit., II:428 ff.
66
Taylor, A Voyage Round the World, II:277. 75
Stewart, A Visit to the South Seas, I:118-9; Rockwell, Colton, Deck and Port, p. 42; Taylor, A Voyage Round
Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:391. the76 World, II:276.
67 Taylor, op. cit., II:276.
68
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 375; Stewart, op. cit., I:121. 77
Jones, Sketches of Naval Life, II:236. 78
Stewart, op. cit., I:32.
69
Rockwell, op. cit., II:391. 79
Jones, op. cit., I:22.
70
Ibid. Snow and Gosnell, On the Decks of “Old Ironsides;’
71
Idem. p. 301.
72 80Stewart, op. cit., II:286.
Rockwell, op. cit., II:428 ff.

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that of another, just as convenience, or caprice, or shiploads of oily wealth. All these factors and more
higher wages may induce them to do so.”81 Of the combined to make the citizens of the United States
officers aboard his ship Chaplain Colton said, “We vividly aware of the Pacific.
present, perhaps, in our assembled capacity, as great Beginning as early as 1838 and continuing through
a variety of intellectual, moral, and social habit, as the forties and the fifties, several exploring expedi-
any group of the same size, ever yet convened on tions were sent to the Pacific. A number of scientists
flood or field.”82 and artists accompained these cruises. Usually there
Many reasons prompted men in the United States was at least one chaplain attached to each expedition.
to enter the Navy. “Disgrace, or misfortune, or dif- The first of these expeditions sailed from Hampton
ficulties at home,” said Chaplain Jones, “drive them Roads under the command of Lieutenant Charles
to thoughts of sea,” and he added that for the unruly Wilkes on 18 August 1838. The Squadron consisted of
the “severe discipline of a man-of-war, may restore the sloops Vincennes and Peacock, the brig Porpoise,
a healthy character to the individual.”83 Groups and two small schooners. On board the Vincennes
similar to those described made up the motley crew was the newly appointed chaplain, Jared L. Elliott.
the chaplain called his parish. After visiting some of the isiands of the South Pacific,
Chaplains themselves had difficulty in evaluating Wilkes, with the Vincennes and the Peacock, sailed
their own services aboard the men-of-war of this into the Antarctic Ocean in December 1839 and a
early period. Chaplain Colton felt that the capstan of month later sighted land which he called the
a man-of-war was an ideal pulpit from which to Antarctic Continent.
influence an audience. He admitted, however, that The Expedition surveyed some 280 islands of the
the impressions on sailors were less permanent than Pacific, and in 1841 some of its personnel made an
on other men.84 Chaplain Stewart at one time was overland exploring journey through the Oregon
convinced that no class of men were more open to Country and down into California.87 The Vincennes
convictions of truth than seamen or more susceptible arrived at San Francisco on 24 August 1841 and de-
to religious impressions, yet writing from another ship parted on 31 October. It appears that sometime
some time later, he reported, “I have long felt great between those dates Chaplain Elliott was detached
discouragement, as to any decisive benefit to them from the ship. He returned to New York and re-
[sailors] from the discharge of the service of my ported to the Secretary of the Navy on 7 March
station. . . .”85 Samuel Leech, who served aboard 1842. His resignation was accepted on 18 October.
ship as an enlisted man, later wondered that sailors Available records regarding the part of Chaplain
who saw so much peril should have treated religion Elliott had in this Expedition are scanty. An examina-
with so much neglect and added “when danger is tion of the log of the Vincennes shows that Divine
imminent, they send up a cry for help; when it is Service was held with fair regularity on Sunday
past, they rarely return a grateful thank-offering.”86 mornings, even after it was clear that the chaplain
had been detached. The log of the Peacock, which
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITIONS
had no chaplain, and the journals of some of her
During the forties, a number of events focused officers show that Divine Service was also held
public interest in the United States upon the Pacific aboard this vessel almost every Sunday morning. The
and had far-reaching effects on the Navy and inci- Peacock was wrecked off the mouth of the Columbia
dentally on naval chaplains. An agreement with River in Oregon on Sunday morning, 18 July 1841.
Great Britain was reached in 1846 which settled the The last entry in her log included the statement,
Oregon question. In that year the American flag was “Performed Divine Service as usual.”88
raised over California; the discovery of gold there A service was held on board the Vincennes 10
two years later gave a mighty impetus to an emigra- August 1840 at which Chaplain Elliott preached a
tion which had already begun. American trade with 87
Aldenand Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 125.
China was second only to that of Great Britain. The 88
The Journals of George Foster Emmons of the Peacock
whaling industry in the Pacific was bringing in its and other original material belonging to this expedition are
in the Coe Collection, Yale University. The original logs of
81
Rockwell, op. cit., II:386. the Vincennes and the Peacock are in the National Archives.
82
Colton, Ship and Shore. p. 23. Joseph Clark, seaman and corporal of Marines, a member
83
Jones, op. cit., I:64-5. of the Wilkes Expedition, wrote a narrative of the voyage.
84
Colton, Sea and Sailor, p. 53. His book Lights and Shadows of Sailor Life, printed in
85
Stewart, op. cit., I:35; II:Dec.
11, 1829. Boston in 1848, contains a few references to Chaplain
86
Leech, Thirty Years from Home, p. 82. Elliott.

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memorial sermon for two members of the Expedi- able answer was, ‘Go away, and do not come back
tion who had been killed a short time previously by any more’.”91
the natives. This sermon was printed in full in the Chaplain Henry Wood was on the Powhatan in
7 November issue of the Polynesian published at 1859, when that ship carrying the United States Com-
Honolulu and is the earliest known printed sermon missioner, J. E. Ward, lay off Taku, near Tientsin,
of a Navy Chaplain. China. This was during the Anglo-French attack on
Chaplains Joel Newton and N. C. Fletcher the Taku forts, precipitated by the Powers’ unsuc-
were assigned to the Columbus and the Vincennes cessful efforts to negotiate a new treaty with China.
in 1845. These vessels made up the squadron under Since the Americans had not engaged in actual fight-
the command of Commodore James Biddle which ing, Ward decided to go to Peking in advance of the
was sent to Japan. Fletcher, who was ordered to the British and French. He took with him the Reverend
sloop Vincennes, was unhappy about the living W. A. P. Martin, D.D., a missionary weli versed in
accommodations aboard his ship. On 2 June 1845 he the Chinese language, and Chaplain Henry Wood of
wrote to the Secretary of the Navy: the Powhatan. There was no character in the Chinese
It was never intended for “Sloops” to be allowed Chap-
written language for “chaplain.” The nearest symbol
lains, consequently there is no accommodations for them; was that which is translated: “Jossman.” A flag with
they must be crowded in with the luggage, with the black this character was carried over Chaplain Wood’s
stewards and waiters and no “State Room”, to flee to for sedan chair on the trip inland, described by the
repose. If there is an officer in the Navy who needs some Chaplain as being “thru heavenly weather over hell-
little privacy it is the Chaplain, and yet all the room I ish roads.” This was the first officia1 United States
could be spared was about 4 feet square and that in the delegation to visit Peking, and Dr. Martin and
open “Ward Room”. I submitted to this for a time and
should have done so perhaps for the cruise had I not re- Chaplain Wood were the first Protestant ministers to
ceived “orders” through Com. Biddle to perform the du- enter the forbidden city.
ties of “Professor of Mathematics” in addition to my
duties as Chaplain. This being a distinct office from the WITH PERRY IN JAPAN
Chaplaincy (and one for which the law provides) I Two naval chaplains accompanied Commodore
deemed altogether wrong, and an order to which I could Matthew Galbraith Perry, the younger brother of
not, nor would not, submit.89 Oliver Perry, on his expedition to Japan in 1853 and
Fletcher carried his complaint to Commodore again in 1854. They were Chaplains Edmund C.
Biddle who said that nothing could be done unless Bittinger who was aboard the Susquehanna and
the doctor issued a certificate saying that the Chap- George Jones in the Mississippi.
lain’s health was such that he could not make the’ On 14 March 1854, while the American Squadron
cruise. The Chaplain secured the certificate, and was at anchor off Yokohama, Chaplain Bittinger
when the crusty Commodore still delayed he resigned. launched out on an exploring expedition of his own,
The Vincennes sailed without a chaplain. causing considerable excitement in local Japanese
Commodore Biddle sailed into Yedo (Tokyo) Bay official circles as well as giving concern to Com-
in July 1846, seven years before Perry’s expedition. modore Perry. American officers were not permitted
The Columbus and Vincennes were the first United to penetrate into the interior, however, Chaplain
States naval vessels to enter those waters.90 While the Bittinger was either ignorant of or indifferent to this
Japanese authorities treated the Commodore with fact. Wearing his sword, with which he sometimes
kindness and supplied the needs of the Squadron, no threatened those who tried to stop him, Chaplain
one was permitted to land. According to the report Bittinger started out to walk to Tokyo. An excited
of the Secretary of the Navy for 6 December 1847: Japanese official notified Commodore Perry, who at
“ . . . to the offer of friendy intercourse, the unchange- once ordered guns to be fired as a recall signal for
the wandering Chaplain. Messengers with ‘written
89
Nav. Rec. Coll., Book of Resignations, 1841-1850. orders were also dispatched to find him and escort
90
Charles Nordhoff, crew member of the Columbus and
fourteen years old at the time of the expedition, wrote an him back. The following account of the incident is
account of the voyage. It is found in his book Man of War given in Perry’s official report:
Life which appeared in 1857 as a part of Nine Years a
Sailor, and as a separate edition in 1858. The same story The American officer, whose intrusion had created so
edited by the grandson of the same name appeared in 1940 great an excitement, was Mr. Bittinger, the chaplain of
under the title, In Yankee Windjammers. Nordhoff makes
91
only incidental mention of the presence of the Chaplain See also Luce, “Commodore Biddle’s Visit to Japan in
aboard the Columbus. 1846,” Naval Institute Proceedings, Sep. 1905, pp. 555 ff.

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the steamer Susquehanna. While taking a walk on shore, The Japanese, in their report of the occurrences, stated
this gentleman’s curiosity prompted him to extend his that the American officer had gone into a shop by the
observations somewhat beyond the usual circuit of some roadside and asked the keeper to allow him to see some
four or five miles, within which the Japanese authorities coins. The Japanese shopman complied with the request,
had contracted the movements of their visitors. Starting but as he seemed somewhat chary in the display of his
from Yoku-hama, opposite to where the squadron was treasure the chaplain insisted upon seeing more, which
anchored, the enterprising investigator pushed on to the demand was also granted. Scales were now asked for,
town of Kanagawa, some three miles further up the bay, which being brought, the chaplain took out some silver
where he was accosted by some of the Japanese officials pieces, and weighing them in one balance against the
and the interpreter, Gohatsiro, who urgently solicited him Japanese gold and silver coins, mixed indiscriminately in
to return. He was not, however, to be so easily balked of his a heap, in the other, transferred the latter to his pockets
purpose, and continued his journey, followed by the Jap- and left his American coin to console the shopman for
anese officers, who dogged his steps at every turn until he the loss of his Japanese change. . . . On the next day Yenoske
reached Kamasaki. Here there was a river to cross, and brought back the sum of three dollars and a half in Ameri-
he tried to prevail upon the Japanese boatmen to ferry can silver coin, which had been left in compulsory exchange
him to the opposite side, but they refused in spite of bribes with the Japanese shopman, and stated that six pieces of
and threats, in the course of which the chaplain, if the gold, six of silver, and the same number of copper, were in
Japanese accounts are to be believed, drew his sword. He possession of the chaplain. Yenoske requested that the
now pursued his way higher up the river with the hope of Japanese money should be returned, and was told it should
finding a place that might be forded, and had just reached be restored.
a very promising looking crossing, the depths of which When a marine aboard the Mississippi died, Com-
he was about trying, when the messenger, who had hurried modore Perry requested permission of the Japanese
in rapid dispatch, from the steamer Powatan, accosted
him with the written order of the Commodore. “He,” thus authorities to purchase land for an American
reported the Japanese authorities, with their usual mi- cemetery. After considerable discussion, and with
nuteness of description “read it, walked four steps fur- great reluctance, the Japanese finally consented “to
ther, read it again, then suddenly returned, and intimated allow the burial to take place at Yoku-hama, at a
his intention of going back to the ship”92 place adjoining one of their temples, and in view of
Chaplain Bittinger’s conduct in a land where the the squadron.”
officials viewed with suspicion all foreigners was George Jones, as chaplain of the Mississippi and
tactless to. say the least. It is to be remembered that the senior chaplain of the Expedition, was responsible
he was without an interpreter and had no means of for the religious part of the last rites. He was aware
conveying his desires except by the sign language and of the old antipathy of the Japanese toward Chris-
his sword. The Japanese interpreter, Yenoske, who tianity. In 1636 the Japanese government had had
figures in the incident, had received his knowledge difficulties with Catholic missionaries and native
of English from Ranald MacDonald, a half-breed Christians. The Japanese authorities felt that the
American Indian from the Oregon country who had Christian missionaries were the advance agents of
deliberately cast himself adrift off the coast of foreign imperialism against which the best defense
Hokkaido in 1848. Held as a prisoner by the Japanese was absolute seclusion. An Imperial edict was issued
until he was taken aboard an American naval vessel in June 1636, which stated in part: “So long as the
at Nagasaki in 1849, MacDonald was used as a sun shall warm the earth, let no Christian be so bold
teacher of English. Thus when Perry forced his as to come to Japan; and let all know that the king
presence upon the unwilling officials of Japan, they of Spain himself, or the Christian’s God or the great
had several individuals, including Yenoske, who were God of all, if he violate this command, shall pay for
able to serve as interpreters. The account of Chaplain it with his head.”93
Bittinger continues: Being somewhat apprehensive as to what might
The chaplain, in the course of his wanderings, had an happen when conducting Christian burial services
opportunity of seeing one of the largest towns of Japan, ashore, Chaplain Jones appealed to Commodore
that of Kanagawa, which, with its numerous wide streets, Perry for instructions. “Do exactly as you always do
and its crowded population, had quite an imposing ap- on such occasions,” advised the Commodore, “no
pearance. He penetrated into several of the dwellings
and temples, and by his pertinacious perseverance, suc- more, or less.”94 On the day of the funeral, a Jap-
ceeded in obtaining, in one of the shops, some Japanese anese official went aboard the Mississippi to accom-
money in exchange for American coin. The native authori- pany the party ashore. Among those in the party was
ties seemed particularly worried in regard to this last Perry’s interpreter, the veteran printer-missionary to
matter, as it was so great an offence against their laws. 93
92 9 4
Hawks, op. cit., I:475.
Hawks, Narrative of the Expedition, I:360. Ibid.

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 service to be held on Japanese soil.. Moreover, this
was the first known Protestant service ever conducted
in Japan by an ordained clergyman. The ceremony
for the deceased marine is unique also because of
the presence of a Buddhist priest, who, uninvited by
the Americans officiated according to the rites of
his faith.
The account of the double ceremony is as follows:
Mr. Jones; read the service of the Protesant Episcopal
church, and while he was officiating the Buddhist priest sat
near by on a mat, with an altar before him, on which
was a collection of scraps of paper, some rice, a gong, a
vessel containing saki, and some burning incense. The
service having been read, the body lowered, and the earth
thrown in, the party retired from the grave. The Buddhist
priest then commenced the peculiar ceremonies of his
religion, beating his gong, telling his rosary of glass and
wooden beads, muttering his prayers, and keeping alive
the burning incense. He was still going through his strange
formulary when the Americans moved away. . . .97
Used by permission—The Leatherneck, July 1945
First Marine Burial in Japan. Chaplain Jones, mindful of the significance of the
observance of Christian rites ashore in Japan, sought
China, Wells Williams, who had acquired a knowl- to answer the question: “What are the prospects of
edge of the Japanese tongue from some Japanese now presenting Christianity to the Japanese mind?”
shipwrecked on the Oregon coast in 1834. 95 Jones wrote:
An entry in the log of the Mississippi for 9 March
1854 stated: Apart from governmental influence, I think there would
be no great difficulty in introducing Christianity; but the
At 2:45 called all hands to bury the dead-read the government would interfere most decidedly. I performed
funeral Services over the body of Robert Williams (Pri- funeral services on shore four times: once at Yoku-hama,
vate Marine) and sent the body ashore for interment with twice at Hakodaki, and once at Simoda; in every instance
an escort under the command of Captain Slack. in the presence of the Japanese, and, in most, when large
The account of the funeral reads: numbers were collected. They always behaved well. Jap-
anese officers were present, with their insignia, on all
The flags of every vessel in the squadron were hoisted occasions. I thus became known among the people every-
at half mast as the boats pushed off. The body was borne where as a Christian clergyman, or, to follow their signs
to a very picturesque spot at the foot of a hill, at a short for designating me, as ‘a praying man’. Instead of this
distance from the village of Yoku-hama. The chaplain, Mr. producing a shrinking from me, as I had supposed it
Jones, was robed in his clerical gown, and on landing. was would, I found that I had decidedly gained by it in their
received in the most courteous manner by some of the respect, and this among officials as well as commoners.
Japanese authorities, who showed none of their supposed The following epitaph was inscribed on the tomb-
repugnance to the Christian religion and its ministers.
Crowds of people had also gathered, and looked on with stone98 at one of the American graves:
great curiosity, but with decorous respect, as the funeral Sleeping on a foreign shore,
procession moved slowly along to the sound of the muf- Rest, sailor, rest! thy trials o’er;
fled drum. The road lay through the village, and its in- Thy shipmates leave this token here,
habitants came out from their houses and open shops to That some, perchance, may drop a tear
behold the novel scene. The place chosen for the burial For one that braved so long the blast,
was near a Japanese place of interment, with stone idols And served the country to the last. 99
and sculptured headstones, and as the procession came
up a Buddhist priest, in robes of richly embroidered silk, Chaplain Jones wrote the third volume of Perry’s
was observed already on the ground. 96 official report, entitled Observations on the Zodiacal
Light from April 2, 1853, to April 23, 1855.
For the first time in more than two hundred years,
the Japanese Government permitted a Christian Jones also contributed to the second volume of the
official record. This comprised a series of reports by
95
See Drury, “Early American Contacts with the Jap- 97
anese,” Pacific Northwest Quarterly, Oct. 1945. 98
Hawks, op. cit., I:355.
96
Hawks, op. cit., I:354. See Drury, “First Marine Burial 99
Ibid., I:446.
in Japan,” The Leatherneck, July 1945, pp. 64-5. Ibid., 1:476.

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various officers of the Expedition. Among the several special studies for a year preparing himself’ for this
by Jones were: “A Geological Exploration, etc., of work. However, the delicate state of his health at
the Island of the Great Lew Chew,” “A Visit to the that time caused him to request detachment from the
Coal Regions of the Island of Formosa,” and “A Expedition. The billet was then given to Chaplain
Mineral Spring near Hakodaki.” The Island of the Jared Elliott. Colton edited The Colonization Herald
Great Lew Chew is better known today as Okinawa. for a few months in 1837.102
After a short tour of duty in the Macedonian,
WALTER COLTON Colton was assigned to the Navy Yard at Philadelphia.
and in 1844 to the Naval Asylum (now called the
Walter Colton, one of the best known Navy chap-
Naval Home) in that city. While in Philadelphia, he
lains of the nineteenth century, launched “a gallant
joined his old associates and, with the written consent
fleet of books” which spread his reputation through-
out the reading public. Colton’s unique experience as of the Navy Department, helped to edit the Inde-
governor of a large part of California in the early pendent North American. Some of Colton’s editorials
days of its history under the American flag, added were reprinted in The Sea and the Sailor in 1851.
to his other achievements, won for him a prominent He was a forceful writer who sought to put his
niche in California’s hall of fame. Christian principles into practical every-day use.
Colton was born in Rutland, Vermont, 9 May However, a new Secretary of the Navy brought a
1798. He received his B.A. degree from Yale in 1822 change of policy. On 4 August 1842 Secretary A. P.
and was graduated from Andover Theological Upshur wrote to Colton saying: “Your connection
Seminary in 1825. He was ordained in the Congrega- with a political newspaper is considered inconsistent
tional Church. For three or four years Colton served with your position as a Chaplain in the Navy.”103
as Professor of Moral Philosophy and Belles-Lettres Colton, faced with the alternative of resigning one or
in the Scientific and Military Academy at Middle- the other, elected to stay in the Navy.
town, Connecticut. He became editor of the American While serving as chaplain at the Naval Asylum,
Spectator and Washington Chronicle in Washington, Colton faced a number of practical problems which
D. C., in 1828 and as such attracted the attention of invariably, at some time or another, challenge the
President Jackson who offered him an appointment initiative of all Navy chaplains. Foremost was ex-
as a naval chaplain. Colton accepted it and remained cessive drinking on the part of certain pensioners.
During long years of sea service, these sailors had
with the Navy until his death in Philadelphia on
received their daily ration of grog. Now in their old
22 January 1851.100
After Colton’s first duty on the Vincennes in the age and with little to do, it was easy to indulge in
drink. Colton was eager to provide adequate and
West Indies, he went to the Mediterranean aboard
the Constellation. Out of this epxerience came the satisfying substitutes. There was a reading room, but.
it had few books and periodicals. Even Divine Serv-
two books which proved him to be an extremely
ices were dull since the institution had no musical.
observant traveler: A Visit to Athens and Constan-
instrument and consequently no singing.
tinople 101 and Ship and Shore.
On 28 May 1845 Colton wrote. to the Secretary of
Upon his return from the Mediterranean in 1834,
the Navy requesting $435 to purchase an organ, some
Colton appears to have been without regular naval
periodicals, and a die. The Secretary granted the
duties for several months. During the winter of 1834
request but wrote to the Governor of the Asylum
and 1835, he lobbied on behalf of the proposed law
requesting a more detailed statement. The Governor
to increase the pay of naval officers, including chap-
wrote in reply:
lains. Congress approved this law in March 1835.
Colton was attached to the Navy Yard at Boston In compliance with which I have the honor to state.
that the Chaplain wishes to obtain for the Chapel a par-
that same month, where he remained until June lor organ, the cost of which will be about two hundred
1837. In the spring of that year he was appointed and fifty dollars—to which will be added the salary of an
Historiographer and Chaplain to the South Sea Sur- Organist, amounting to about one hundred dollars per
veying and Exploring Squadron and carried on annum.
For the Temperance Society of the Asylum a Die, cut
100
Colton,
Sea and Sailor, pp. 365 ff. with appropriate inscriptions from which medals will be
101
This volume was edited and reissued in 1851 by his struck for presentation to those pensioners who become
friend, the Rev. Henry T. Cheever, under the title Land 102
and Lee in the Bosphorus and Aegean, after the death of 103
Colton,
Sea and Sailor, pp. 378-9.
Chaplain Colton. Nav. Rec. Coll., I:33:112.

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members of the association. The Die will cost about Fifty here almost two weeks, and have not seen one sailor in-
Dollars, and each medal from ten to twelve cents-and toxicated, nor one punished for any offence; and—what is
for the Reading Room some magazines and papers from still more remarkable—I have not heard any profaneness,
different parts of our country, a large number of which either among the crew or officers. I came on board a
could be secured very economically by purchasing the thorough teetotaller, and such shall remain. No one here
“Exchange List” of one of the large Philadelphia Papers, shall drink even wine under the countenance of my ex-
which could be bought for about thirty five dollars, per ample. I am anxious to have evening prayers-have pro-
annum, and would embrace a much greater variety of posed it to Commodore Stockton, and he has it now under
reading matter than could possibly be obtained for that consideration. I intend to devote myself thoroughly to my
sum in an other way.104 appropriate duties. We have four hundred souls on board,
This appears to be the first time the Navy Depart- all told. I now intend to keep a journal, which I can use
on my return, if God permit.107
ment provided an organ for a chaplain. This instru-
ment, known as a Packard Organ, manufactured by The Journal which he started grew into two books
the Fort Wayne Organ Company, Fort Wayne, —Deck and Port and Three Years in California.
Indiana, is still in use at the Naval Home.105 These volumes are rich in source material on the
The years 1845 and 1846 were years of national early days of the American occupation of California.
crisis in which the United States Navy played an Chaplain Colton was fortunate in having Com-
important part in Californian waters. In June 1845 modore Stockton as his Commanding Officer for he
Secretary of the Navy Bancroft sent secret instruc- was given every encouragement in his work. Drinking
tions to Commodore John D. Sloat of the Pacific and profanity were discouraged; grace was said at
Squadron to seize San Francisco and to blockade meals in the wardroom. Colton’s Journal records
other California ports in case war broke out between many instances of the Commodore’s interest in and
the United States and Mexico. Commodore R. F. presence at Divine Services.
Stockton was sent out in the fall of 1845 in the Commodore Stockton, on one occasion, spoke to
Congress to relieve Commodore Sloat. Walter Colton his officers and men on the importance of Bible study.
was the chaplain on this historic voyage. “He rebuked the idea that religion was out of its
Colton, at the age of forty-seven, had married element among sailors,” wrote Colton, “and told
Cornelia Baldwin of Philadelphia. In 1845, a year them that of all classes of men they were the one
later, he received orders for duty aboard the Congress. that most needed its restraining influences and
He bade farewell to his wife and started on a cruise glorious promises and denounced as insane a disposi-
that was destined to keep him away for nearly four tion to trifle with its precepts.” Colton summed up
years. his convictions regarding the value of such a testi-
On Sunday, 16 November, less than three weeks mony in these words: “Such remarks as these, coming
after sailing, Colton betrayed his homesickness for from the commander of a ship or squadron, will do
his wife in the following entry in his Journal: more to sustain a chaplain in the discharge of his
You who cannot leave your wives and children for a difficult duties than any privileges which can be con-
week, without intelligence from them, go to sea with the ferred upon him through the provisions of law.”108
prospect that we have, of not hearing from them for a Writing to the Secretary of the Navy on 30 Octo-
year. The truth is, none but old bachelors and hen-pecked ber 1845 when the Congress was about to sail for the
husbands should go to sea. The latter flies from persecu-
tion, the former from that wretchedness which a sight of
Pacific, Colton states :
real domestic happiness inflicts. The bliss of Eden made We weighed anchor from Hampton Roads this morn-
even Satan more wretched than he was before.106 ing at day light. When we had cleared the Capes
all hands were called and Commodore Stockton delivered
Writing to one of his brothers from Norfolk shortly a brief and very pertinent address to the officers and
after reporting for duty on the Congress, Colton crew. Prayers were then offered for the Divine protec-
declared: tion, the broad pennant saluted and the ship cheered. A
We have the noblest frigate in the service—admirable spirit of cheerfulness and alacrity in duty pervades all
officers—and as fine a crew as ever trod a deck. I have been hearts. The shore is fading from our view and how many
104 Ibid., II:May-June 1845; 157. of us will tread it again is known only to Him with whom
105
The 1916 Regulations, Origin, History & Laws of the are the issues of life and death.109
United States Naval Home (p. 47) states that the organ Colton’s Journal is rich in references to chaplains’
was purchased by order of Secretary George Bancroft. The
date of the printing of this pamphlet overlaps the service of duties and to his own interesting experiences. The
the present organist at the Naval Home, Mrs. Alice. S. 107
Harrison, who has been playing the organ at Divine Services 108
Colton,
Sea and Sailor, pp. 392-3.
held there since 1909. 109
Colton,
Deck and Port, p. 324.
106
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 41. Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Oct. 1845:291.

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following is his account of the Divine Service Sunday, Dec. 7th. At eleven o’clock, the tolling of the
held on Sunday, 26 October, on the eve of their ship’s bell announced the hour of worship. The officers
departure: took their accustomed station on the starboard-quarter;
the marines on the poop-deck; the crew on the larboard-
The wind still ahead. This being the sabbath, we had quarter, stretching back to the waist and circling the main-
divine service. The crew were attentive: not the rustle mast to the opposite side; the band and singers between
of a hand or foot disturbed the stillness; the speaker’s the after-hatches; Mr. Ten Eyche and Mr. Turrel, with
voice only broke the silence of the deck. The text was the their families, forming a group between the officers and
injunction of the prophet, “Go up now, look towards the marines. The commodore, being informed by the captain
sea.” The object of the speaker was to sketch the stern that the crew were assembled for worship, appeared and
magnificence of the ocean as illustrating the majesty of took his station on the left of the officers. The chaplain
God; to exhibit the effects of an ocean life on the social then took his station at the capstan, which was covered
and moral character of man; and to inculcate the great with a large flag, when the band played the impressive
lesson, that into whatever climes we may penetrate, air to the words, “O come and let us worship.”113
through whatever seas we may pass, we cannot escape from On 10 May 1846 Colton commented on certain
the presence of the Deity.110
advantages a chaplain had over his brother minister
Colton took a deep interest in the ship’s library ashore. He wrote:
which was heavily stocked with “between three and Sunday. . . . Divine Service: officers and crew all pres-
four hundred volumes.” He had received many of ent. Subject of the sermon, the temptations of the sailor.
the miscellaneous and religious books from the Pres- A chaplain in the navy has one advantage over his breth-
byterian Board of Publication, the Sunday School ren on land. He has his parishioners in the most compact
Union, the American Tract Society, and Commodore of all possible forms, and every one present when he offi-
ciates. In making his official visits he has not to ride
Stockton himself; and the supply of Bibles from the around among five hundred families located at all points
American Bible Society. The Chaplain realized the of the compass. He cannot stir without coming in contact
importance of a splendid collection such as the one with them. But he has this disadvantage; in the vicissitudes
with which he was provided, and remarked: of a sea life they are extremely apt to break away from
his constraining influence. They may be brought back
No national ship ever left a port of the United States again, but it is too often through the deepest self-inflicted
more amply provided with books suited to the habits and humiliation.114
capacities of those on board. This desideratum has been
supplied, so far as the crew is concerned, with comparative- In his Journal for 12 July 1846 Colton refers to
ly little aid from the department. The government furnish- a prayer meeting which he was then conducting for
es the sailor with grog to burn up his body, a Christian an hour every other evening. Although the attend-
liberality with books to save his soul.111 ance was voluntary, the meeting filled a large store-
On 9 November, the third Sunday at sea, Colton room. “A good number of our sailors are earnestly
wrote: seeking religion,” he wrote, “and several hope they
have found it.” This was a service in which the men
I distributed tracts to-day to the crew—to all who came
to me for them: and few remained behind. It would have themselves took part by testimony and prayer.“”
encouraged the hearts of those who supply these sources On 27 July 1846 he wrote from Monterey:
of salutary instruction, to have witnessed the eagerness We have had for two or three months past an increased
with which our sailors took them. In a few minutes there attention in our ship to the subject of religion. It began
were three or four hundred men on the decks of our ship in my Bible-class, but spread beyond that number among
reading tracts; each catching some thought which lures the crew. As the interest deepened, I established a prayer-
from sin, and throws its clear and tender light on the meeting, which has been held three times a week in the
narrow path which leads to heaven.112 store-room, an ample and convenient apartment for that
Divine Services were held on Sundays through- purpose. Here you will find at these meetings some sixty
out the voyage with consistent regularity often in sailors on their knees at prayer; some thirty of them, it is
believed, have recently experienced religion; the rest are
spite of strong winds and rolling seas. Where other inquirers, and come to be prayed for. Among the subjects
commanding officers might have found an occasion of the work are some of the most efficient seamen in our
to omit the Sunday services, Commodore Stockton ship, but who have hitherto led a thoughtless life. Those
agreed with his Chaplain that such should be held who give evidence of having experienced a change of heart
if at all possible. Colton gives us the following pic- are called upon to pray. Their prayers have no finished
sentences, but they are full of heart and soul. When they
ture of a Divine Service: speak in their exhortations it is with great directness .and
110 113
111
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 16. 114
Ibid., p. 67.
112
Ibid., p. 19. 115
Ibid., p. 300.
Ibid., p. 33. Ibid., p. 382.

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force. It would affect you to tears to hear these rough, Chaplain Colton established the first American
hardy sailors speak in these meetings of their sins, of the press in California. He received financial aid from
compassion of Christ, and their new-born hopes. Almost
every evening some new one, the last perhaps expected,
Commodore Stockton and purchased an old aban-
comes in, and, kneeling down, asks to be prayed for. These doned press “which had been used by a Roman
meetings have no opposition among the officers, and very Catholic monk in printing a few sectarian tracts.”120
little, if any, among the men. There has been a great Colton examined the press with enthusiasm. “Mice
change in the Navy within a few years on this subject. We had burrowed in the balls,” he wrote, “there were
can now have Bible-classes and prayer-meetings on board
our men-of-war, and find among our officers many who
no rules, no leads, and the types were rusty and all
will encourage them, and not a few who will give them in pi.” Why not start a newspaper—an American
their efficient aid.116 newspaper—in California? Colton found Robert
Colton summed up his convictions regarding the Semple, an emigrant from Kentucky, who wore a
effect of a strong religious program aboard a naval “buckskin dress, a foxskin cap,” and was “true with
vessel in the matter of discipline: his rifle, ready with his pen, and quick at the type-
The effect of this on the discipline of the ship is too case,” who agreed to assist. The two became partners
marked to escape observation. There is no disobedience and on 15 August 1846 published the first issue of
and no punishment. Each performs with alacrity the duties the Californian. It was printed on sheets of paper
of his station. It would seem as if we might throw every about the size of foolscap which had been used to
instrument of correction and coercion overboard; their
requirement, for the present at least, has ceased. Give me
wrap tobacco.121
the religious sentiment in a crew, and you may sink your The first issue of the first American newspaper in
handcuffs, cats, and colts in the depths of ocean.117 California told about the declaration of war between
The United States flag was first raised in California the United States and Mexico. One half of it was in
at Monterey on 7 July 1846 by Commodore Sloat. Spanish, the other half in English. “It produced quite
On 15 July the Congress arrived at Monterey, the a little sensation,” wrote Colton.
capital of California, and Stockton took over com- On 4 September this Navy chaplain impanelled the
mand of the Pacific Squadron. Since the United first jury to be summoned in California. There was
States was then responsible for the civil administra- no appeal from his court. In his Journal Colton
tion of California, some provision had to be made noted : “There is not a judge on any bench in Eng-
for the establishment and maintenance of civil land or the United States, whose power is so abso-
authority. Commodore Stockton selected Chaplain lute as that of the alcalde of Monterey.”122
Colton to be Alcalde at Monterey, a district which The Spanish natives loved to gamble, a pastime
extended 300 miles along California’s coastline. The which Colton, with typical New England puritanism,
office of alcaldc was a Mexican institution which resolved to stop. In October he issued an ordinance
combined the duties of sheriff, judge, prosecutor, against this vice but observed later that this only
coroner, and governor. Cclton took up temporary drove the gamblers out of the settlement into the
quarters in the home of Thomas O. Larkin, the bushes. Some were caught. Once Colton took a
American Consul at Monterey? He was the first “file of soldiers” and surrounded a saloon. He caught
Protestant clergyman to settle in California. fifty in his net, including the Alcalde of San Fran-
At Monterey Colton played the role of a benev- cisco, and fined each twenty dollars.123
olent dictator for nearly three years. After serving as With the money received from fines and with the
alcalde by appointment for about two months, he aid of the prisoners incarcerated in the town’s jail,
was elected to that office on 15 September 1846 by Colton built a town hall of white stone quarried
the citizens of Monterey. Through his fair and im- from a nearby hill. The building measured about
partial decisions, Colton soon won universal respect seventy by thirty feet and had two stories-the lower
among all classes. It is reported that the poor almost 120
worshipped him and the rich knew that he had no The press used was taken to California in 1834 by
Thomas Shaw of Boston for A. V. Zamorano. It may have
“itching palm.”119 been used by priests attached to the San Carlos Church in
Monterey or at the Carmel Mission about four miles from
116
Colton, Sea and Sailor, p. 395. See also Deck and Port, the village. The Church had been built in 1795 and was
p. 371. one of the four presidio churches in California erected by
117 the Franciscan fathers; the Mission had been founded by the
118
Colton, Deck and Port, p. 383.
The Larkins established the first white American home Franciscan friar, Junipero Serra in 1771.
121
on the Pacific Coast and their house, which was built in 122
Colton, Three Years in California, p. 32.
1835, is still standing. 123
Ibid., p. 55.
119 Ibid., p. 195.
Colton, Sea and Sailor, p. 396-7.

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for a school, and the upper for public assemblies. It als of a neutral nation that have not been trading with the
took more than a year to construct. The building was enemy, she is liberated; but if she belongs to the enemy
or those who reside among them, she is condemned. Now,
completed in the summer of 1847, and was known to decide this question is my office; there is an appeal
throughout the community as Colton Hall. It was from my decision to that of the Supreme Court of the
there in September 1849 that the first Constitutional United States, if the owners choose. I have just condemned
Convention met. Colton Hall, a fitting memorial to the schooner William and her cargo: they are both worth
a great Navy chaplain, is still standing at Monterey about twenty thousand dollars.126
and is still used as a municipal office building. Colton said that seven prize cases were brought
Colton’s duties ashore were almost entirely secular. before his court at Monterey during his three year
There were not enough Protestant American adults service there.127
in Monterey to provide even a small audience. The Chaplain Colton was among the first to send to
native population was Catholic. Occasionally, naval Eastern newspapers the news of the discovery of
vessels without a chaplain called at Monterey and gold in the Sacramento Valley in January 1848. His
Colton went aboard to conduct Divine Services. letters appeared in the Independent North American
On Sunday, 2 August 1846, Colton wrote in his and the New York ]ournal of Commerce.
Journal: Colton sent a messenger to the mines to confirm
I officiated to-day on board the Savannah. It is much the discovery and, according to his Journal, the mes-
to the credit of the officers of this ship that though with- senger returned with a bag of nuggets. An eager
out a chaplain, they have had, during a three years’ cruise, crowd of Monterey’s townsfolk gathered around Col-
their religious services regularly on the Sabbath. Four of
their number, two lieutenants, the surgeon, and master, ton and his messenger to examine the specimens.
are professors of religion, and exert a deep influence “All admitted they were gold,” wrote Colton, “ex-
through their consistent piety. Their Sabbath exercise has cept one old man, who still persisted they were some
consisted in reading prayers selections from the Scriptures, Yankee invention, got up to reconcile the people to
and a brief, pertinent sermon. They have had, also, their the change of flag.”128The gold excitement swept the
Sabbath-school.124
village of its men, except those who were in prison
Here is a striking testimony to the faithfulness of or in uniform. “I have only a community of women
certain naval officers in conducting Divine Service left,” bemoaned the Chaplain, “and a gang of
when no chaplain was aboard. prisoners, with here and there a soldier, who will
The following entry from Colton’s Journal for give his captain the slip at the first chance.” Indeed,
Sunday, 21 February 1847, tells of his interest in the one whole platoon of soldiers deserted for the gold
distribution of Bibles and religious literature : fields, leaving “only their colors behind.”129
The American Tract Society has sent me out, by the On 18 October 1849 Colton was relieved of his
Lexington, a large box of their publications. Nothing could duties as alcalde and returned to Philadelphia by
be more timely. I have not seen a tract circulating in Cali- way of Panama. He was again attached to the Phil-
fornia. Emigrants are arriving, settling here and there, adelphia Navy Yard where he passed away on 22
without bringing even their Bibles with them. The same
is true of the United States troops. All these are to be January 1851.
supplied from home, and by those two great institutions On 10 December 1942 a liberty vessel, the Walter
which are now throwing the light of life over continents Colton, was launched by the Kaiser Shipbuilding
and isles. It remains for the Missionary Society to do its Company at Richmond, California, in honor of this
duty, and dispatch to this shore the self-denying heralds
of the Cross. 125 Navy chaplain who played such an important role
in the early days of California’s history.
Colton started a school in the hall he had erected.
It was Walter Colton, the patriot and at the same
Writing to his wife in April 1847, he announced that
time the spiritually-minded Navy chaplain, who
he had been appointed Judge of the United States
penned the quotation :
Court of Admiralty. He wrote:
You don’t know, I suppose, what this court is, so I will THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LOVE VALOR,
explain it: when a vessel of any kind is captured by our BUT THEY LOVE RELIGION ALSO. THEY
men-of-war, she is considered a prize. But before she be- WILL CONFER THEIR HIGHEST HONORS
comes really so, it is necessary that she should be tried
126
and condemned; if it is found that she belongs to individu- 127
Colton, Sea and Sailor, p. 399.
124 128
Colton, Three Years in California, p. 407.
125
Ibid., p. 21. Ibid., p. 247.
129
Ibid., p. 181-2. Ibid., pp. 248-9.

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ONLY ON HIM WHO COMBINES THEM or being out of uniform there were not small offenses.
BOTH.130 This area which was appropriated exclusively to
officers—no seaman was allowed to be seen on it
A CHAPLAIN’S LIFE ABOARD A except on duty—had to be approached by lifting or
SAILING VESSEL touching the hat.132
One of the first things that impressed the new
The life of a Navy chaplain on a frigate presented officer was the “ceaseless noise and systematized con-
a strange contrast, not only to that of a contemporary fusion” which prevailed in his new home-the man-
clergyman in a parish on shore, but also to that of of-war. He had to become accustomed to the “noise
later generations of chaplains who have gone down of the men climbing and hauling the ropes, and
to the sea in mighty 45,000 ton ships. It is the pur- answering to the orders from deck; the creeking of
pose of this section to picture the chaplain back in timbers; the rustling of the canvas; the heavy plung-
the days of sail at work in his new home, amidst ing of the vessel; and above all, the loud roar of
his nautical surroundings, sharing with his shipmates winds and waves” which combined to produce a con-
all of the difficulties and experiences of life within gregation of sounds he had never dreamed of. If he
“wooden walls” under billowy clouds of sail on tried to write during the day “the lively conversation
voyages that often kept them away from their home-. of the wardroom officers in one ear, the prattle of
land for two years and more. the pantry boys in the other; the echoing tread of
When the new chaplain went aboard his man-of- sailors overhead” all conspired to prevent concen-
war for his first voyage, he was known as a “green- tration.133 He had to learn to sleep under the most
horn” and immediately had to set to work to “learn trying conditions and in the midst of all sorts of
the ropes,” as the expression went. To save himself bustle and din. There was little privacy even for the
embarrassment, a vocabulary, unlike anything on officer. The sailor had none and for him it was im-
land, had to be acquired quickly; for example-deck, possible to retire from the crowd; there was no such
bulkhead, galley, sick bay, ladder, had to be substi- thing as seclusion, “no going beyond the sound of
tuted for floor, wall, kitchen, hospital, and stairs. cursing and blasphemy.”134
Even the method of determining time aboard ship On the other hand, the chaplain was impressed
differed from that back home. The timepiece was with the great cleanliness of his new home for every-
a half-hour glass in charge of the sentry stationed thing on a man-of-war required unremitting atten-
at the cabin door. Time was divided into watches tion. Without it the ship would have become in-
and reckoned by bells each half hour. Hence the tolerable and sickness and disease would have fol-
new chaplain should never ask the question “what lowed.135 At inspections, captains had the habit of
o’clock?” but “How many bells is it?”131 wearing white gloves, which if soiled, resulted in dire
Many customs aboard ship seemed strange to him punishment.136 As one chaplain remarked, “there is
as he went about his duties in his new surroundings. not a house to be found on shore, cleaner in all its
He now had to request permission from the deck parts.” 137
officer before he could go ashore and had to be par- Order was the first great rule on board, and that
ticular to report his return aboard to the same to which all others bent.138 Everything had its place
officer. He soon learned how to deport himself at the and had to be kept in it for one had to be able to
various ship evolutions and drills and also what parts lay his hands on a given object in any part of the
of the vessel were reserved for the various ranks and ship in the dark. As one contemporary noted, “From
grades of the personnel aboard. The sacredness of day to day, from week to week, from month to
the quarter-deck was impressed upon him. Some- month, and from year to year, the same stroke of
times he learned to his own embarrassment that loud the bell is followed by the same whistle, the same
talking and “boisterous conversations” were forbid- call, and the recurrence of the same duties.”139
den here—that sitting on the quarter-deck underway
132
130 133
Jones, op. cit., I:3; Wines, op. cit., I:29-30.
Ibid., p. 2 1. The words “They also love religion” ap- 134
Colton, Land and Lee, p. 8; Wines, op. cit., I:87.
pear on the corner stone of the David Adams Memorial 135
Murrell, Cruise of the Frigate Columbia, p. 190-1.
Chapel, N.O.B., Norfolk with the date MCMXLI. A memo- 136
Wines, op. cit., II:132; Colton, Deck and Port, p. 40.
rial tablet to Colton has been erected in the narthex of the 137
Jones, op. cit., I:107.
Chapel. 138
Ibid., I:106.
131Jones, Sketches of Naval Life, I:97; Wines, Two Years
139
Wines, op. cit., I:27.
and a Half in the Navy, I:27. Ibid.

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 Captains were literally monarchs of all they sur- officer, described such a scene, “The ocean for many
veyed and their authority, for the time being, was days in succession appeared like a. vast expanse of
all but absolute.140 They seldom interfered with the moving mountains. Nothing could surpass. its dark
active work of their ships and many felt they suc- and angry sublimity.”148 Under these circumstances
ceeded best when they confined themselves to their the gun-deck was constantly shipping seas; it was
cabins, only rarely showing themselves “to vulgar hazardous to walk about, even with the aid of life
eyes.” All in all the government on board a man-of- lines; and below decks the air was foul because all
war was despotic—a far cry from the democratic ports were shut in. The description continues,
atmosphere of the agricultural villages from which Let the reader figure to himself barrells, trunks, books,
many chaplains came.141 One of the first lessons the and china—rolling, sliding, falling, and breaking around
him—and he will have some idea of my situation. . . .
new chaplain learned was that he had superiors and The waves had become mountainous in size and giants in
that he must bow to the etiquette of rank.142 strength; and the ship, as if wearied and vexed by their
Many frigates of sailing ship days were over- angry power, seemed alternately to seek a dwelling place
crowded-often five hundred men were packed into in the heavens above and in the sanctuaries of the deep.149
two decks where they lived almost like kenneled Chaplain Colton, who spent much of his time
dogs 143 Men from almost every country under aboard ship writing, told of the problems involved
Heaven were crowded in these restricted quarters.144 even in this mild occupation. He said that his words
One observer pointed out, “They bring with them were often written “on a table lashed down to pre-
no principles of amalgamation, but, on the con- vent its being capsized, in a chair secured with
trary almost as many apples of discord as there are laniards against the force of the ship’s lurch, and the
individuals in the crew. Nothing but necessity can manuscript tacked to its place to escape the fate
bind into one harmonious whole so many discordant which befell the Sibylline leaves.”150 Chaplain
elements, and that necessity must result from a sys- Stewart, on one occasion, referred to an “almost
tem of discipline, stem in its nature and prompt in sleepless night, from the excessive rolling of the ship”,
the execution of its penalties.”145 an experience which must have been somewhat com-
The chaplain’s part in the discipline of the ship’s mon aboard the small sailing men-of-war.151
company, while different from that of the line Normally, little sympathy was wasted on the sea-
officer, was very real and important. He did not sick individual. Old tars had a habit of recommend-
speak the language of implicit authority for he did ing, with feigned solicitude, “salt water, with fat
not command and govern. His duty was to be helpful, bacon and molasses as a grand specific?’ Wines
affable, and kind. “The stern character of Naval dis- described the feeling that came over one when af-
cipline,” wrote one captain, “renders this a rare flicted with this disease. “You loath everything you
quality in the intercourse between officers and seamen, see, or hear, or taste, or touch, or smell, or your own
and indeed it is seldom admissible: but the chaplain life in the bargain.”153 The only encouraging thing
comes among them in the character of a friend, not that one could hold to was the certainty that sea-
a stern superior.”146 The chaplain worked with the sickness was not fatal in its effects and that sooner
men as their personal friend and adviser; it was “his or later health would be restored.154 Jones pointed
province to reason men into what is right, and to dis- out that a chaplain who was subject to seasickness
suade them from what is wrong.”147 He appealed to was at a distinct disadvantage in carrying out his
men’s motives, to their conscience and their sober duties aboard ship.155
judgment, and if his influence was rightly used he Food aboard ship, especially after months at sea,
greatly aided in the discipline of the ship. sometimes presented a hardship to chaplains, many
The chaplain’s parish was a most uncomfortable of whom had lived in agricultural areas where it was
place in which to live and work when the ship abundant. Ships often stood to sea with six months’
pitched and rolled violently in a hostile sea. As one provisions and four months’ water on board.156
140 148
141
Wines, op. cit., I:39-40; Jones, op. cit., I:40. Wines, op. cit., I:93.
Wines. op. cit.. I:37. 149
142 150
Ibid., p. 88.
143
Ibid., I:23. Colton, Land and Lee, p. 8.
151
144
Hollis, The Frigate Constitution, p. 18. Stewart, A Visit to the South Seas, II, 10 Feb. 1829.
Wines, op. cit., I:37. 152
145 153
Jones, op. cit., I:17.
146
Ibid. Wines, op. cit., I:82.
Jones, op. cit., II:238-9. 154
147 155
Reynolds, Voyage of the Potomac, p. 24.
Rockwell, Sketches of Foreign Travel, II:428; Colton, Jones, op. cit., II:238.
156
Land and Lee, p. 238. Colton, Deck and Port, pp. 18, 384.

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Officers usually augmented their slender supply of must require it from others, or they would not be
fresh provisions by carrying chickens, ducks, sheep, respected aboard ship.164
pigs, etc., in apartments on deck conveniently near Steam was introduced into the United States Navy
the galley.157 Normally the fresh provisions were ex- during the latter thirties but won its way only grad-
hausted after several weeks. Salt meats, dried vege- ually, and in certain quarters most reluctantly, over
tables, cheese, and ship’s biscuit were the principal sail. With the final ascendency of steam, conditions
items of diet of seafaring men until about the middle aboard naval vessels greatly changed. The protracted
of the nineteenth century. Weavils usually reached voyages were over, since a steam vessel had always
the biscuits, which had been baked on shore, long to be within reach of a coaling station; ships became
before they appeared on the table.158 “Our water larger and roomier; improved methods. of caring for
was so bad both in taste and smell,” complained food were introduced. Life aboard ship became
Wines, “that I generally held my breath till I had radically different for the chaplains of the post-sail-
drunk off all I wanted, to avoid, as far as possible, ing-ship era.
the unpleasant sensations occasioned to the olfactory
and gustatory nerves.”159 Chaplain Colton, no doubt, DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES
expressed the wish of many officers when he wrote The American Bible Society continued its activi-
“How I long for a cup of milk! even a glass of good ties in distributing Bibles and Bible selections to
pure water would be a luxury.”160 naval personnel after 1820, the year the Secretary
The chaplain lived with the other wardroom of- of the Navy had invited the Society to engage in this
ficers—the lieutenants, purser, surgeon, master and project. Upon request they were sent direct to com-
marine officers—in small compartments dignified manding officers of ships or shore stations or to chap-
with the name state rooms. These rooms were ap- lains.
proximately five by seven feet and contained “neat In 1841 the American Bible Society again sought
little bureaus which were furnished by the govern- official endorsement of this plan and directed the
ment.” Some officers provided carpets for the deck attention of the Secretary to its willingness to supply
and fitted up their state rooms in “elegant style.”161 copies of the Bible to naval personnel. The Secre-
The chaplain was treated with respect aboard tary issued instructions to the commandants at the
ship and, like other officers, had his rights and several Navy Yards that they should “supply the
privileges. The starboard side of the quarter-deck crews of public vessels going on a cruise, with the
in port, for example, was available to him and he Bible, one copy to each mess.”165 The Annual Re-
could freely use the starboard gangway when leaving ports of the Society frequently mention its contacts
or returning to the ship. He rated a hand salute from with the Navy. In 1844 the Portsmouth was given
the men, was greeted as “Sir,” and had the honor fifty-two Bibles and 510 Testaments. In 1845 Chap-
of being attended by two side boys when he was lain Colton received 100 Bibles for the Congress.
“piped over” the side by the boatswain’s mate.162 He, Chaplain Wood of the Powhatan received 300 Testa-
as other officers, had boys assigned to him who acted ments on the eve of the departure of that vessel for
as personal servants and were at his beck and call. China. From 1820 through 1860 the reports show
On many frigates the barber or one of his mates that “at least 4,618 Bibles and 8,361 Testaments in
daily visited the chaplain’s and other officers’ rooms English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Ger-
and twice a week “gave a general overhaul to the man and Irish were distributed to or through chap-
men’s chins.”163 Chaplain Jones warned other chap- lains and other officers of the U. S. Navy.”166
lains that they must know what is due them and
157
THE END OF FLOGGING
Bell,
1 5 8
Room to Swing a Cat, pp. 132, 137.
159
Ibid. While it is not possible to assess fully all of the
160
Wines. op. cit., I:23 ff. factors which brought about the abolition of flogging,
Colton, Sea and Sailor, p 394. Perhaps in no respect
does the contrast between sea life in sailina ship days and it is reasonable to believe that the writings of such
modern sea life stand out more clearly than in the com- eye-witnesses as E. C. Wines and W. M. Murrell,
parison of food and drink. It was in the years immediately
preceding the Civil War that primitive refrigerating systems added to that of Chaplains McLaughlin, Rockwell,
were
161
introduced on board ship. See Bell, op. cit., p. 132.
164
162
Jones, op. cit., I:3; Wines, op. cit., I:35. Jones, op. cit., II:238.
165
Stewart, op. cit., I:119, 208; Taylor, The Flag Ship, Annual Report, 1842, p.54.
166
I:21.
163
CoC., Author’s File, letter from Dr. Gilbert Darlington,
Wines, op. cit., I:15, 99. Treasurer, American Bible Society, 4 June 1945.

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and Stewart, undoubtedly contributed to the final way, showed with an awful vividness. I cannot analyse
result. my heart, though it then stood still within me.168
Two other important books which appeared dur- Like Dana, Melville resolved to do all that he
ing this period under review further pricked the could to arouse public opinion. “You see a human
public conscience. The first of these books was Rich- being, stripped like a slave; scourged worse than a
ard Dana’s Two Years before the Mast, 1840, which hound,” he wrote, “and for what? For things not
was to the Merchant Marine what the other works essentially criminal, but only made so by arbitrary
were to the Navy. laws.” Melville appealed to his readers: “Are we not
Dana gives (Chapter XV) a vivid description of justified in immeasurably denouncing this thing?
a flogging which took place on the Pilgrim. He tells Join hands with me, then; and, in the name of that
of one unfortunate man, stripped and tied to the Being in whose image the flogged sailor is made, let
gratings, crying out “Oh, Jesus Christ! Oh, Jesus us demand of legislators; by what right they dare
Christ!” as the cat-o’-nine tails slashed across his profane what God himself accounts sacred.”169
back. Dana wrote: In Memories of a Rear-Admiral, S. R. Franklin
“Don’t call on Jesus Christ,” shouted the captain; “he comments as follows on the effect of Melville’s book:
can’t help you. Call on Captain T. . . . . . . . . ., he’s the Melville wrote a book, well known in its day, called
man! He can help you! Jesus Christ can’t help you now!” White Jacket, which had more influence in abolishing
At these words, which I never shall forget, my blood corporal punishment in the Navy than anything else. This
ran cold. I could look on no longer. Disgusted, sick, and book was placed on the desk of every member of Con-
horror-struck, I turned away and leaned over the rail, and gress, and was a most eloquent appeal to the humane sen-
looked down into the water. timent of the country. As an evidence of the good it did,
That night Dana found it difficult to go to sleep a law was passed soon after the book appeared abolishing
as he lay in his hammock in the forecastle. Nearby flogging in the Navy absolutely, without substituting any
were the two men who had been flogged, groaning other mode of punishment in its stead; and this was
exactly in accordance with Melville’s appeal. He said:
with pain. Dana vowed that if God should ever give “Abolish it at once, even if you substitute nothing for it;
him the means, he “would do something to redress but abolish it.”170
the grievances and relieve the sufferings of that poor Instances of flogging were more numerous during
class of beings. . . .”167 Dana’s book, which contained 1840-1849 than in the thirties.171 During the forties,
this protest, was more widely read than he antici- four sentences are on record of 200 lashes each and
pated. His resolve was fulfilled. A “voice from the forty-one of 100. Usually a part of the sentence was
forecastle” had at last found an audience. remitted in these instances of severe penalty.
The other book which contains an expose of the An enlightened public opinion was beginning to
inhumanity of flogging was written by a man who express itself through members of Congress as early
had served as a member of the crew aboard a United as 3 June 1844, when Senator Hale introduced an
States vessel. It was White Jacket by Herman Mel- amendment to the Naval Appropriation Bill calling
ville, which has been previously mentioned. Mel- for the abolition of flogging in the Navy. The amend-
ville’s vivid descriptions fairly pull the reader into ment was not passed, but for more than six years
the group of seamen assembled on the deck where Senator Kale kept the issue before his fellow legis-
the floggings took place. lators.
Once Melville was threatened with the cat for an On 29 January 1850 the Secretary of Navy, Wil-
offense of which he was innocent. Of his reactions liam Ballard Preston, sent a circular to the higher
he wrote: ranking officers of the Navv soliciting views on the
My blood seemed clotting in my veins; I felt icy cold following question:
at the tips of my fingers, and a dimness was before my
eyes. But through that dimness the boatswain’s mate, Can corporal punishment be dispensed with consistent-
scourge in hand, loomed like a giant, and Captain Claret, ly with the interests and efficiency of the Naval Service?
and the blue sea seen through the opening at the gang- If so, what punishment should be substituted?172
167 Eighty-six replies were received. Only three voted
Dana, Two Years Before the Mast, pp. 107-8. Yet in
the closing chapter of his book, Dana refers again to flog- to abolish flogging. These were Commodores Conner
ging and reluctantly gives the following conviction (p. 380): 168
“Yet, when the proposition is made to abolish it entirely and 169
Op. cit.,
p. 263.
at once; to prohibit the captain from ever, under any cir- 170
Melville,op. cit., pp. 132-5.
cumstances, inflicting corporal punishment; I am obliged to 171
Franklin,op. cit., p. 64.
pause, and, I must say, to doubt exceedingly the expediency “General Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry 1799-
of making any positive enactment which shall have that 1861.”
172
effect.” Nav. Rec. Coll., V:2:167-8.

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and Stockton, and Lieutenant W. D. Porter. One thing shall no longer be permitted.” On 28 Septem-
other officer, who did not, answer the questionnaire ber 1850 Congress outlawed the practice in both the
but. who later was known to be in favor of the re- Merchant Marine and Navy.
form, was Commodore Uriah P. Levy. Among the
statements approving flogging is the following: GROG OR NO GROG
The seamen of our Navy have never applied for the Mention has been made of the activities of chap-
abolishment of corporal punishment. On the contrary, lains in promoting temperance aboard naval vessels.
as wherever they have expressed themselves upon the sub-
ject, they have advocated its continuance.173 When Chaplain George Jones served in the Colum-
bia, he induced approximately two-thirds of the men
A common argument was that many of the men and nearly half of the officers to sign the temperance
who composed the average ship’s company were pledge. Seeking a substitute for spirituous liquors,
reckless or slothful and that they could not be made Jones turned to coffee. He wrote to the Secretary of
to do their duty without the fear of corporal punish- the Navy and offered to procure at his own expense
ment. coffee and sugar “for the night drink for the deck
One of the most influential advocates of the pro- watches,” if the Secretary “would furnish con-
posed change was Commodore Robert Stockton who veniences for having it prepared.”177 Secretary Up-
was insistent that corporal punishment by the lash shur accepted this arrangement in 16 February 1842 :
“can be and ought to be dispensed with.” He felt
that the American sailor ought to be regarded as an Sir, Your letter of the 10th inst has been received. In
reply you are informed that the necessary apparatus for
American citizen and that notwithstanding. the the preparation of Coffee or Coco, for the purpose men-
peculiar habits incident to his mode of life and train- tioned by you, may be procured, if the measure be ap-
ing, he has about him many noble characteristics of proved by Captain Parker.178
his countrymen.”174 Chaplain Colton only once or It seems reasonable to assume that this marks the
twice referred to flogging aboard the Congress which beginning of the widespread habit of coffee drinking
Stockton commanded.175 In his reply to the ques- aboard naval ships. In this same year, coffee, cocoa,
tionnaire Stockton stated that he felt the power of and tea, together with dried fruit, pickles, and cran-
moral suasion and the appeal to higher motives were berries were included in the food ration. It is sig-
more effective “than the dread of a degrading pun- nificant that the grog ration was reduced at the
ishment.” Commodore Stockton’s influence in favor same time.179
of the reform had far-reaching effect. This reduction, however, did not always bring
The vigorous protests voiced by naval surgeons about completely satisfactory results. An observer in
who were required to stand by and observe flogging the Constitution remarked that while temperance had
were additional factors in its eventual abo1ition.176 been steadily advancing, he felt that it had received
In the final analysis the abolition of flogging in a set-back in the law of 1842 which cut the grog
the United States Navy can be claimed as another ration in half. A much larger number of men were
victory for the Christian church. The naval chap- now drinking their grog, he said, since the money
lains and such Christian-minded officers as Com- allowance for those who gave it up had dropped
modores Stockton and Levy were only a part of a from six and a quarter cents a day to two cents a
larger movement which was sweeping across Amer- day. The immediate effect of this law “was to
ica. Finally, members of Congress moved by essen- send back to the grog-tub a great many who had
tially Christian convictions said in effect: “This previously withdrawn.” He approved the new law;
173
See Nav. Rec. Coll., “Corporal Punishment and Spirit nevertheless, he felt that the old money allowance
Ration:, Reports of Officers, 1850,” with pamphlet “Naval should be continued, for the government would be
Discipline and Corporal Punishment” by John J. Almy,
bound with letters, p. 12. Sailors aboard the Germantown, compensated for the additional outlay “both in quiet
on the other hand, expressed their gratitude to Senator and good order on board ship, and in the popularity
Hale for his consistent effort in favor of the reform by pre-
senting him with a medal. See Nav. Rec. Coll., Letter of of the service.”180
H. K. White, 18 Jan. 1922. 177
174Nav. Rec. Coll., MS., “Corporal Punishment and Spirit Robert, “The Naval Academy Chapel,” Naval Institute
Rations.” Proceedings, Oct. 1945, p. 1136.
175Colton, Deck and Port, p. 23. Colton wrote: “Corporal 178Nav. Rec. Coll., I:32:66.
179
punishments are opposed to the spirit of the age; but he Bradley, “Sketch of History of Medical Corps, Navy,”
would be worthy a monument who could invent an adequate Journal of the Association of Military Surgeons, May 1902,
substitute on board a man-of-war.” p. 506.
176Roddis, A Short History of Nautical Medicine, p. 95. 180 Southern Literary Messenger, Feb. 1843, p. 73.

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 The wardroom presented another side of the liquor The good of the service would be promoted by dis-
problem. Chaplain Joseph Stockbridge, who entered pensing with the spirit ration. The habitual use of ardent
the service in September 1841 and had his first duty spirits feeds the appetite for Stimulus, and the appetite
naturally grows stronger by indulgence-And the best sub-
aboard the Independence, was distressed to find that stitute for it, in my opinion, an increase of pay.183
he together with other officers who did not indulge
in intoxicating liquors were obliged to pay a pro- Chaplains were very much concerned about the
portionate part of the cost. On 11 May 1843 Stock- liquor problem. Temperance education and the pro-
bridge addressed a letter to the Secretary of the motion of temperance societies had proved but a
Navy saying in part: partial answer. Several chaplains wanted the daily
issuance of grog aboard ships abolished. Colton
Without doubt you are acquainted with the fact that in wrote : “The whiskey ration is a curse to the service,
most Wardroom messes wine and other intoxicating drinks
are used at dinner and on other occasions; but it may
and a damning blot on our national legislation.”184
not be known to you that as a general rule, this is done Chaplain Taylor summed up the opinion of his col-
at the expense of each individual in the mess,—that total leagues when he wrote:
abstinence men are taxed to support a practice against
which they are conscientiously opposed of which they feel Strange that the government of the United States will
themselves pledged to suppress by every honorable means. not dispense with the spirit ration in the Navy, as well
As a total abstinence man I have protested against being as to have done it in the Army. The delivering out of
taxed for wine and other intoxicating liquors drunk in liquor two or three times a day on board our ships, will
the mess to which I belong, and hitherto the only re- make the young seaman, however temperate when first
sponse I have received has been, that I must submit to entering the service, in a little time an habitual drinker,
the will of the majority, who forget that the minority has and induce a habit, which finally makes him a drunkard,
any rights at all. I feel that in this manner my rights are and a sorrow to his family. Hundreds on hundreds of
invaded.181 young men, who enter the service from the spirit of ad-
venture, are thus finally ruined—disgracing themselves,
The Secretary replied that the dispensing of dishonoring their kindred, and fearfully wrecking their
liquors “in the messes of officers on board vessels of hopes for this and the world to come. The broken hearts
war is one which belongs properly to the mess itself.” of a thousand mothers call loudly to those who legislate
in the halls of Congress, to do away with this crying evil.185
He declined to interfere.
The same circular sent out by the Secretary of the Finally, the weight of public opinion inspired Con-
Navy on 29 January 1850 to sound out opinion gress to act on 14 July 1862. Much credit for the
among high ranking naval officers on the matter of final enactment of this law has been given to Gus-
flogging included this question: “Can the issue of tavus Vasa Fox, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
the spirit ration be dispensed with and what substi- Writing to Senator J. W. Grimes on 28 May 1862,
tute will answer in its stead?” Twelve out of the Fox urged:
eighty-four who replied said that the spirit ration I beg of you for the enduring good of the service, which
could be eliminated. The three officers who voted you have so much at heart, to add a proviso abolishing
for the abolition of flogging were also in favor of the spirit ration and forbidding any distilled liquors being
giving up grog. placed on board any vessel belonging to, or chartered by
the U. States, excepting of course, that in the Medical
Captain J. Downes wrote: Dept. All insubordination, all misery, every deviltry on
When I commanded the frigate Macedonian in 1819, board ships can be traced to rum. 1 8 6
being on the West Coast of Mexico where no spiritous
liquor could be obtained, the crew were about three The law read:
months without their spirit ration. The effect of the ab-
sence of spirit from the ship was most happy, as, from And be it further enacted, That from and after the
the day that the last of the spirits was served out, until first day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-two
the spirit ration in the Navy of the United States shall
the ration was restored, the men appeared perfectly con-
forever cease, and thereafter no distilled spirituous liquors
tented: there was no quarreling & very little, if any, occa-
shall be admitted on board of vessels-of-war except as med-
sion for punishment. I am perfectly satisfied that nine
ical stores, and upon the order and under the control of
tenths of the offences committed by seamen on board our
ships of war are caused by the spirit part of their ration.182 the medical officers of such vessels, and to be used only
for medical purposes. From and after the said first day of
Commodore Stockton, writing on 6 February 1850, 183
was of like opinion, claiming that: 184
Ibid.
185
Colton,
Deck and Port, p. 19. See also pp. 303-4.
181 186
Taylor,
The Broad Pennant, p. 284.
182
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:May 1843:87. Thompson and Wainwright, Confidential Correspond-
Ibid., MS. “Corporal Punishment and Spirit Rations.” ence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, II:304.

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September next there shall be allowed and paid to each detail, improving their working conditions aboard
person in the Navy now entitled to the spirit ration five ship, and liberalizing the policy of supplying mate-
cents per day in commutation and lieu thereof, which shall rial equipment for their use. Divine Service was more
be in addition to their present pay.187
generally observed throughout the Navy in this
Thus a reform long recommended by chaplains be- period than it had been in the previous twenty years.
came a reality. It is impossible after this lapse of The regulation of 1860 permitted each chaplain to
time to evaluate accurately the chaplains’ part in the conduct Divine Service according to the manner and
reform, yet it is reasonable to believe that what they forms of his own church.
said and wrote on the subject helped to create that A more careful procedure was adopted in selecting
public opinion which reflected itself in the action of chaplains and their number was increased from nine
Congress. to twenty-four. After a heated debate in Congress
relative to the wisdom of employing chaplains in the
IN REVIEW various branches of the United States Government,
naval chaplains emerged from the discussion more
The period 1841-1860 was marked by significant
firmly established than ever before.
gains in the history of the Navy Chaplain Corps.
During the period, chaplains contributed to the
The status of chaplains was now more clearly de-
achievement of a number of reforms, the most no-,
fined in Navy Regulations. Greater recognition was
table being the abolition of flogging and the final
given to them by increasing their pay and regulating
elimination of the daily ration of grog. These were
more carefully their uniform. Their usefulness was
important gains which contributed directly and in-
greatly facilitated by defining their duties in more
directly to the effectiveness and efficiency of the
187
12 Stat. 565. chaplains’ ministry.

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 CHAPTER EIGHT

THE CIVIL WAR AND AFTERWARDS

1861-1880

Open hostilities in the Civil War began on 12 capturing important sea ports, and of gaining con-
April 1861 when Fort Sumter was fired upon. On 4 trol of the Mississippi River. During the war years,
March 1861, the United States Navy consisted of the personnel of the Navy expanded nearly seven-fold
sixty-nine vessels. Forty-two of this number were in —from 7,600 enlisted men at the beginning to 51,500
commission, including two frigates, eleven sloops, one at its close.3 It is estimated that during 1861-1865,
screw frigate, five first-class steam sloops, three side- more than 118,000 men served in the Navy for
wheel steamers, and eight second-class steam sloops. varying periods. By the time the war ended, the Navy
Twenty-seven vessels were in ordinary and dis- had nearly 700 vessels in commission, most of these
mantled. When hostilities broke out, the North had being small craft suitable only for coastal operations.
but twelve vessels in. commission in home waters, The United States emerged from the war one of
including three small steamers.1 The other vessels in the strongest naval powers in the world. Yet, within
commission were in the various squadrons scattered five years, most of the 700 vessels were sold or other-
in Asiatic and European waters. wise disposed of. The fleet of monitors rotted at their
According to the Secretary of the Navy, Gideon anchorages. By 1880, the United States had only
Welles, 322 naval officers “traitorously abandoned forty-eight serviceable ships of which “not more than
the service” at the outbreak of the war.2 This was thirty wooden corvettes and sloops were fit for serv-
about one-fifth of the total officer personnel. How- ice abroad.” During this period of stagnation, the
ever, the North did not lose a single ship in this
United States dropped to twelfth place in naval
shift of individual loyalties. The Naval Academy at
strength, ranking below Denmark, Chile, and China.4
Annapolis lost 106 of its midshipmen, which repre-
This, in brief, constituted the background for the
sented a much larger percentage of southern sym-
pathizers than was found among the Regular Navy services rendered by the Chaplain Corps during this
officer personnel. period.
In addition to such serious defections came the
loss of the Navy Yard at Norfolk on 20 April, only CHAPLAINCY IN THE CONFEDERATE NAVY
eight days after the beginning of hostilities. The There were seven articles in the Confederate reg-
Confederates captured there a rich store of heavy ulations governing the work of chaplains.5 These
ordnance, ammunition, and other war supplies. The articles were taken over from the proposed regula-
steam frigate, Merrimack, was burned and scuttled tions which had been submitted to Congress by the
before the yard was abandoned. Later the Confed- Secretary of the Navy in 1858. These articles read as
erates raised the hull, rebuilt her; reinforced the sides follows :
with sheets of iron, and sent her forth to spread
devastation upon the squadron of Northern vessels ARTICLE 1.
in Hampton Roads. Respect to the Chaplain.
Although the titanic struggles in this war were All officers are required to treat the chaplain with the
fought largely by armies, the United States Navy respect due to his holy office, and to afford him every
was called upon to perform the tremendously im- proper facility for the discharge of his sacred duties.
portant task of blockading 3,000 miles of coast, of 3
Ibid., p. 130.
4
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 281.
1 5
Report of Secretary of Navy, 4 July 1861, p. 10. Regulations for the Navy of the Confederate States,
2
Ibid., 1865. pp. 139-40.

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 ARTICLE 2. Confederates did not have the larger naval vessels
He will be attentive to the performance of his duties. which ordinarily rated chaplains.
Among the ex-naval chaplains who supported the
He is to be attentive to perform with due solemnity the
duties of the Lord’s Day, that the ship’s company may be Southern cause was Joseph Pere Bell Wilmer, who
impressed with devotion, and he will carefully adapt his served in the United States Navy from 7 March
discourses to the capacity of the majority of his hearers, 1839 to 23 July 1844. Wilmer went to England in
that his instructions may be intelligible and beneficial to 1863 to purchase medical supplies and Bibles for the
them. Confederate Army and was taken prisoner on the.
ARTICLE 3. return voyage. He with others was taken to Wash-
To perform divine service when required. ington and confined for a time in the Old Capitol
Prison. Claiming that he had been on an errand of
He will perform divine and funeral service when re- mercy, he was soon released.6
quired to do so by his commanding officer.
ARTICLE 4. CIVIL WAR CHAPLAINS
He will be attentive to the requests of persons The year 1861 opened with the full complement
requiring his attendance. of twenty-four chaplains—eight awaiting orders, ten
He shall be very attentive to the requests of all sick at shore stations, and six at sea. Of those at sea,
persons who may desire his attendance, and shall, al- Chaplain Stewart was on the Niagara in Japanese
though not requested, visit all such as may be dangerously waters, Chaplain Lewis was with the Pacific Squad-
ill, and offer such consolations as they may require.
don on the Lancaster, Chaplain Bartow was in the
ARTICLE 5. East Indies on the Hartford, Chaplain Blake was off
Religious instruction of boys, &c. the coast of Brazil on the Congress, Chaplain Davis
was on the Richmond in the Mediterranean, and
He is to instruct in the principles of the Christian re- only Chaplain Lenhart on the Cumberland was serv-
ligion the boys and such other persons as the captain may
put under his care. ing aboard any vessel of the Home Squadron.7
By the law of 21 December 1861, any officer of the
ARTICLE 6. Navy was eligible for retirement “whose name had
Instruction of the boys in the elementary branches been borne on the Naval Register forty-five years” or
of education. who had attained the age of sixty-two.8 This pro-
He will apply to the captain to direct some intelligent vision made it possible for a number of the older
and well-disposed person of the crew to instruct, under officers to turn over the responsibilities of their office
his directions, the boys of the ship in reading, writing, to younger men during the critical days of the war.
and the first rules of arithmetic, and will examine the boys In the 1862 Navy Register, the following seven chap-
often, and will report to the captain those whom he may
find diligent and well-disposed, that they may be re- lains were listed as having been retired under this
warded. law: Charles Stewart, T. J. Harrison, George Jones,
ARTICLE 7.
Moses Chase, J. W. Newton, John Watson, and
Henry Wood. Actually, at least half of the chaplains
Chaplain’s reports. listed as retired continued on duty during the war.
He will make to the commander of the ship a report The first Navy chaplain to die as the result of
on the first of January, April, July and October, of the enemy action was Chaplain John L. Lenhart, who
duties performed by him in the previous three months, and was on board the Cumberland when she was rammed
a condensed report at the end of the cruise.
and sunk by the C. S. S. Virginia (formerly the
These Confederate regulations mention neither Merrimack) at Hampton Roads on 8 March 1862,
compulsory church attendance on Sunday nor daily with a loss of 150 men. One account of the action
prayers. The commanding officer determined when stated that
Divine Service should be held. Article 5 refers to the when it was seen that the Cumberland must go down
“Christian religion” which was not specificallly men- all the officers in charge of the wounded were ordered to
tioned in any United States naval regulations before 6
Hibben, Navy-Yard, Washington, p. 121. Dr. Wilmer
this date. was elected Bishop of Louisiana for the Episcopal Church
Even though provision was made for chaplains in in 71866.
the Confederate Navy, none were commissioned. The 8
Navy Register, 1861.
Report of the Secretary of Navy, 1862, p. 39.

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 John Lenhart, 1847-1862. First naval John Beugless, 1864-1887.
chaplain to be killed in action. Appears to be wearing a sword.
(From painting by Clayton Braun) (From photograph)

TWO CIVIL WAR CHAPLAINS

Dates refer to naval service.
The first known reference to the wearing by chaplains of “a silver cross” on shoulder straps is found in the 1864
Uniform Regulations. Since Chaplain Lenhart lost his life in the sinking of the Cumberland 8 March 1862 before the
wearing of the cross and before relative rank were authorized, it is evident that the insignia had been added to the picture.

come on deck and bring with them such of the wounded partment felt that it had too many chaplains. Writing
as there might be some hope of saving which order was to G. S. Blake, Superintendent of the Naval Academy
obeyed by the surgeons and others. The Chaplain, in-
stead of coming on deck, went into his room and shut the on 30 September 1862, Gustavus Vasa Fox, then
door when in a few minutes he met his fate, the ship Assistant Secretary of the Navy, asked:
going speedily down. 9 We have more chaplains in the Navy than can be used,
It was thought that the door swung shut after and are about to appoint a few more. Should you like to
the Chaplain entered his room and that he was un- have any of them as Asst. Prof’s, temporarily attached to
the Academy?11
able to open it, due perhaps to damage it sustained.
During World War II, a small chapel, the Lenhart The suggestion seems to have been well received:
Oratory, a part of the larger Royce Chapel at the for four chaplains were instructing at Annapolis in
Naval Training Station at Sampson, New York, hon- 1864. Seven were serving in this capacity in 1865:
ored the memory of this first naval chaplain to Chaplains Noble, Hale, Wallace, McLaren, Smith,
lose his life in the service of his country. 10 Henderson, and Hibben.
At no time during the war, after 1861, was the The following proffer reveals the spirit of patriot-
active list of chaplains up to the authorized twenty- ism so frequently noted in the letters of chaplains
four. The average was nineteen, some of whom were during this crisis.
not on active duty. One new chaplain entered in 6 March 1861
1861, one in 1862, six in 1863, and four in 1864- I feel constrained to request, and do request, that if
a total of twelve. In 1861, there was on the average unfortunately it shall be found necessary to order any
one chaplain for every 320 enlisted men; by 1865, ship carrying a Chaplain or having accommodations for
the average had fallen to one chaplain for every a Chaplain, to order to the discharge, on or off our
coasts, of any duty of special peril, I may be ordered to
2,450 men. the ship and share the duty and the peril.
During the first part of the war, the Navy De- Chester Newell12
9 11
From notes by Chaplain Hoes taken from 1862 General Thompson and Wainwright, op. cit., II:389.
12
Minutes
10
of Newark Conference. Nav. Rec. Coll., III : Mar. 1861:79. Newell received no
Names selected by Chaplain W. W. Edel, senior chap- answer to this letter. He wrote again offering his services on
lain at Sampson at the time of the erection of the Chapel. 17 June.

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 FOUR EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY CHAPLAINS
All pictures except McLaren’s from paintings by Clayton Braun. Dates refer to naval service.

Joseph Stockbridge, 1841-1873 Chester Newell, 1841-1865

FIRST CHAPLAINS TO BE MADE COMMODORES
Both promoted in 1883 while retired

Donald McLaren, 1863-1896 Thomas A. Gill, 1874-1902

Commissioned Rear Admiral 1906 Commissioned Rear Admiral 1902
From photograph in Edel Collection
FIRST CHAPLAINS TO BE MADE REAR ADMIRALS
Both promoted while retired

Among the outstanding chaplains of the war period If no other chaplain is ready for that duty, I am.
was Joseph Stockbridge who was on the inactive list .....
impatiently awaiting orders during the summer of Where there is so much work to be done, I prefer not
to be idle and am ready for anything. 13
1861. He had served in the Navy since September
1841 and was most effective in his ministry to sailors- Stockbridge was ordered to the Lancaster in Sep-
He had a sharp tongue and’ an equally pointed pen, tember 1861 and served aboard that vessel until
which at times got him into trouble for he was never October 1863. He was then stationed at the Naval
awed by rank when he felt he was defending truth. Hospital at Norfolk. From this place, comes a story
Writing to the Secretary of the Navy on 24 August written years later by Admiral Robley D. Evans. It
1861, Stockbridge appealed for orders : appears that Evans had been wounded in the attack
Sir, on Fort Fisher and was taken to the hospital for
The U. S. Receiving Ship N. Carolina has been without treatment. Referring to Chaplain Stockbridge, Evans
a Chaplain for several months & at a time too when a observed:
large number of recruits needed the services of such an
officer. 13
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:3 of Aug. 1861:30.

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 Several times the doctors gave me up, and though they The poem consists of four stanzas and is modeled
never told me so, I knew when they thought I was going after a favorite device of ancient Latin hymns. Each
to die by the appearance of the chaplain, who never of the first three verses is dedicated to a person of
hesitated to tell me I was dying and also just where I was
going to bring up after I was dead.14 the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The fourth
stanza, as a summary, centers about the idea of the
The Miltonian eschatological views of the old, Trinity itself.
frank chaplain evidently had a tonic effect upon the
young naval officer who always rallied after such in- The hymn was printed in the United States in
terviews. 1870 in Hymns, Ancient and Modern by William
Henry Monk. The differences between this version
THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION and the modern rendering, as found in the 1941 edi-
tion of Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, is
On 14 and 15 November 1861, a national conven-
indicated below. The changes are indicated by italics.
tion of the YMCA was held in New York, which
sponsored the organization of the United States
Christian Commission. This Commission, the fore- 1870 VERSION
runner of the modern United Services Organization, Eternal Father, strong to save,
grew out of the following resolution adopted at the Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
YMCA convention: Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep;
Resolved: That it is the duty of the Young Men’s
Christian Association to take active measures to promote O Christ, whose voice the waters heard
the spiritual and temporal welfare of the soldiers in the And hushed their raging at Thy word,
army and the sailors in the navy, in co-operation with Who walkest on the foaming deep,
the chaplains.15 And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
With the exception of the Bible societies which Most Holy Spirit, who didst brood
had been supplying copies of the Scriptures to Navy Upon the chaos dark and rude,
personnel for years, this Christian Commission marks And bid its angry tumult cease,
the beginning of organized inter-denominational And give, for wild confusion, peace;
effort on the part of the people of the United States
to supplement the chaplains’ work. Pioneering in a 1941 VERSION
new field, the Commission rendered outstanding serv- Eternal Father, strong to save,
ice. Quantities of religious literature were distributed Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
at Navy Yards and aboard ships. Religious meetings Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep,
were conducted for sailors. Perhaps, one of the best Its own appointed limits keep;
services rendered by the Commission was the awaken- O Saviour, whose almighty word
ing of the Christian conscience of the United States The winds and waves submissive heard,
to the needs of the service men. Who walked’st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep.
“ETERNAL FATHER STRONG TO SAVE”
O Sacred Spirit, who didst brood
Belonging, by virtue of chronology, to this period Upon the chaos dark and rude,
is the story of the familiar hymn, so widely used to- Who bad’st its angry tumult cease,
day in Navy Divine Services, “Eternal Father, And gavest light and life and peace;
Strong to Save.” This hymn was written in 1860 by The chorus and the fourth stanza, with its chorus,
an Englishman, William Whiting, and was first pub- as follows were unchanged:
lished in England the following year in a volume
compiled by William Monk entitled: Hymns, O hear us when we cry to Thee
Ancient and Modern.16 Whiting wrote several hymns For those in peril on the sea
O Trinity of love and power,
all of which are almost forgotten except “Eternal Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
Father, Strong to Save.” From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
14 Protect them where-soe’er they go,
15
Evans, A Sailor’s Log, p. 104.
Moss, Annals of the United Station Christian Commis- Thus ever let there rise to Thee
sion, p. 105.
16
Julian, A Dictionary of Hymnology, p. 356. Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

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 The composer of the music was John Bacchus be noted, however, that the chaplain wore no in-
Dykes, also an Englishman. His contributions to signia of rank or any badge of his office.
Hymns, Ancient and Modern, which appeared in One of the chaplains who took a leading part in
1861, mark him as one of the great church composers agitating changes in the uniform was Chaplain
of modern times. Among his compositions are the Joseph Stockbridge, whose letters to the Department
tunes for the well known hymns, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” reflect an independent spirit.1s When he was ordered
“The King of Love My Shepherd is,” “Lead Kindly back to duty on 30 August 1861, he was troubled
Light,” and “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee.” about the uniform he would be obliged to wear, and
Dykes named the tune composed for “Eternal wrote to the Secretary of the Navy on 2 September
Father” “Melita” after the island of Malta. as follows :
The lack of good hymns dealing with the sea, to- During my last cruise, I often experienced inconvenience
gether with the merits of the poem and the restrained & sometimes rudeness in foreign ports from the fact that
melody of the tune, insured the popularity of this a Chaplain’s uniform does not distinguish him from a
hymn from its first publication. It was soon as citizen; the Navy button does not appear on it. It seems
familiar to the British tars as “Rule Britannia.” To- to me but just to give us the protection which the button
affords. I propose that, in addition to the present uniform,
day the English Navy uses the last stanza only. Chaplains be permitted to wear the following described
As with many English naval customs and tradi- coat:—
tions, the hymn was freely appropriated by the A double-breasted blue frock-coat with rolling collar,
United States Navy. Undoubtedly, the use of this having six Navy buttons on each breast. & the usual num-
hymn at the United States Naval Academy has ac- ber on the sleeves & skirt. Chaplains who have been twelve
counted for its wide-spread adoption throughout the years, or less, will wear one strip of gold lace on the cuffs,
those over twelve years two strips, the same as for Sur-
Navy today. Chaplain W. N. Thomas, formerly at- geons. The lace is necessary to distinguish the wearer
tached to the United States Naval Academy, states: from a forward officer; & the absence of the shoulder-
strap will distinguish him from all other commissioned
The tradition of singing this hymn at the Naval Acad- officers.
emy goes back to 1879 when a young officer, Charles J.
Train, who later became an Admiral in the Navy, was in To the Hon. Secretary of the Navy, this may seem a
charge of the midshipman choir and initiated the singing matter of little importance, but, to us who are left by
the present regulations to appear from our dress like cit-
of the hymn in the Chapel. The custom has continued
izens, whether on ship or shore, it is a matter of grave
from that time.17
importance. There is almost universal dissatisfaction in
The present custom calls for the singing of the the corps with the present uniform, & if the Department
has not heard of it, it is because many Chaplains wear a
first stanza only at the close of each chapel service, coat which was once in the book of regulations, but, has
including the Baccalaureate Service, with the congre- long since disappeared.
gation kneeling. The dress proposed is a plain, inexpensive service coat
The hymn has been translated into French and which, being in addition to the black coat, will be worn
now belongs to the French naval tradition as well. Its by only those who prefer it. Whether adopted or not, I
popularity has spread, moreover, into civilian circles. beg permission to wear such a coat “during the war.”19
It is now included in most church hymnals used by Stockbridge followed up his letter of 2 September
the larger denominations throughout the United with another on the 4th to the Assistant Secretary of
States.
18
Stockbridge was a Baptist and loyal to the historical
tradition of that church. He had a total disregard for cler-
THE CHAPLAIN’S UNIFORM icalism and had taken an active part in the prayer-book
controversy earlier. Concerning his inactive status, he wrote
During the years under review, the matter of the on 20 March 1861 to the Honorable Hannibal Hamlin:
chaplain’s uniform was again under consideration. “You probably remember the long & fierce struggle I had
with Episcopalians on the use of the Prayer Book in the
The regulations of 1853, which substituted black cov- Navy. That controversy brought me into disfavor at the
ered buttons for the regulation buttons, removed the Navy Department, & as soon as Mr. Toucey could find an
excuse for it, he put me off duty.” (Nav. Rec. Coll., III:
only distinctive naval insignia from the chaplain’s Mar. 1861:264).
19
uniform. In all other respects such as cut of cloth, Nav. Rec. Coll., III : 1 of Sept. 1861:15. A reference
to the chaplain “corps” appears in Stockbridge’s letter.
wearing of sword, etc. the chaplain’s uniform was The Chaplain Corps as such was not organized with a
similar to that worn by other naval officers. It is to Chief or Director until October 1917, yet there was a grow-
ing tendency among naval chaplains during the Civil War
17
and the years following to refer to their number as com-
COC., Thomas File, letter of 17 Mar. 1945. prising a Corps.

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the Navy, on the subject of the uniform. He SHOULDER STRAP AND CAP INSIGNIA
declared: FOR CHAPLAINS, 1863-1898.

At present, the only regulation dress is such a coat as

is worn by Catholic Priests & Episcopal ministers, a dress
which in no manner identifies us with the Navy. Unless
my face is, known, I am nowhere, even on duty such as
visiting other ships of the Squadron, recognized by sailors
as an officer. I wear a cap, but, anybody can buy one for
a few shillings, & may wear it where he pleases. The
older Chaplains, when they go abroad, extemporize a uni-
form with the Navy button on it; but, I am a “law &
order” man & prefer to have the authority of the De- From Uniform Regulations for 1869. Chaplains with the
partment.20 relative rank of lieutenant commander wore the gold leaf
with the gold cross. Those who held the relative rank of
commander wore the silver leaf with the silver cross. The
The. Secretary informed Stockbridge that the original illustrations are in color.
whole subject of proposed uniform changes would be
investigated when “more time is afforded the Depart-
ment.”
Stockbdidge discussed the matter of uniform with
his friend and colleague, Chaplain Chester Newell,
who wrote to the Navy on 18 September 1861.
Newell confessed that he had given little thought to
the subject, but, felt that some kind of insignia would
be helpful. He was not altogether in accord with
Stockbridge’s proposals as the following reveals:
The first illustrations of the chaplain’s insignia appear in
the 1863 Uniform Regulations in black and white. The cross
Mr. Stockbridge proposes a blue frock coat with Navy was to be 7/8 ″ in length and 1/2 ″ in width. It was to be
buttons, stripes of gold lace, etc. The cut & style of a placed “obliquely in centre.”
coat may be of small importance, but I should prefer a
blue frock coat, single breasted, with black velvet rolling NAVY REGULATIONS
collar, ordinary silk-covered buttons and some sufficiently
conspicuous cord, same color & material, on the cuffs. I No less than five editions of Navy regulations were
am opposed to the Navy buttons & gold lace, as uncler- issued during the period under review, 1861-1880.
ical.21
The action of the Attorney General, in declaring the
The desired changes were not made until relative regulations formulated by the Secretary of the Navy
rank was granted to chaplains in 1863, at which time in 1853 invalid, brought about action on the part of
they were authorized to wear the Latin cross on their Congress. The following became law on 14 July
shoulder straps and caps together with other insignia 1862:
of rank. The cross measured seven-eighths of an inch And be it further enacted, That the orders, regulations,
in length and one-half inch in width. It was placed and instructions heretofore issued by the Secretary of the
in a sloping position on both the shoulder straps and Navy be, and they are hereby, recognized as the regula-
cap, with the foot of the cross forward. Chaplains tions of the Navy Department, subject, however, to such
with less than twelve years service wore the insignia alterations as the Secretary of the Navy may adopt, with
the approbation of the President of the United States.23
of a lieutenant commander and those with twelve
years or more that of commander. The cross was Many new provisions relating to chaplains and
silver in both cases. The regulations also provided: their duties appear during this period, and such sub-
“Chaplains, when performing divine service, may jects as “Divine Service,” “Sunday Observance,”
wear either the vestments of the church to which “Gambling,” and “Funeral Ceremonies” are covered
they belong or the uniform prescribed in the regula- in some detail. A comparative study of these chang-
tions.”22 ing regulations throws considerable light upon the
status of the chaplain and his responsibilities. Most
20
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:1 of Sept. 1861:88.
of the present regulations bearing on these subjects
21
Ibid., III:2 of Sept. 1861:185.
22 23
Uniform Regulations for the United States Navy, 1866. 12 Stat. 565.

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may be traced to the editions issued in the sixties or performed on Sunday, whenever the weather and other
the seventies. circumstances will allow it to be done; and it is earnestly
recommended to all officers, seamen, and others in the
naval service diligently to attend to every performance
NAVY REGULATIONS GOVERNING of the worship of Almighty God. Any irreverent or unbe-
DIVINE SERVICE coming behavior during divine service shall be punished
as a general or summary court-martial shall direct.26
It should be recalled that since 1799 attendance at
Divine Services on board ship in the Navy was com- The effects of this ruling were so radical that this
pulsory and on shore stations entirely voluntary. date may well be taken as the end of one era in the
Chaplain E. C. Bittinger, in his letter of 10 March history of the United States Navy chaplains and the
1862 to the Navy Department, contrasted the prob- beginning of another.
lem faced by chaplains at sea with those on shore. The burden of maintaining attendance at Divine
Of his experience on board ship he wrote: Service was thrown upon the chaplain. Men who
The Religious Services on board the Princeton have entered the Navy from non-church homes, who did
been invariably well attended by every man so that I have not have the church-going habit, were no longer
been greatly encouraged to labor for their improvement ordered to attend Divine Service. It became the
in morals, their instructions in righteousness & their Salva- chaplain’s duty to reach them by the persuasive
tion from the power & the pollution on Sin. Sailors like
soldiers will only do what is required of them.24 power of religion projecting itself through a friendly
personality. Under the earlier regulations, a chaplain
Quite different was Bittinger’s experience at the could, and some undoubtedly did, take their official
Philadelphia Navy Yard. Of the Marines stationed duties lightly. Under the new regulation, he was
there, he said he had so “signally failed” to persuade obliged to use all the initiative and ingenuity he
them to attend church that he found it necessary to possessed in order to reach a fourth or even a tenth
suspend Sunday services for the three preceding of the ship’s company. These conditions demanded a
months. His letter continued: more vigorous chaplain with a more aggressive pro-
gram.
I deem it my solemn duty to inform the Department
in regard to these Marines that seldom now attend divine The change in the regulation was in keeping with
service on the Sabbath while connected with this Yard; the constitutional provision which guaranteed free-
as soon as they are transferred to one of our men-of-war, dom of religion to citizens. At the time of the Rev-
having a Chaplain on board, they are required to attend olutionary War and in the early days of our national
divine service after the customary Sunday morning in-
spection, & I have never known a solitary Marine refus-
history, the Roman Catholic proportion of the popu-
ing to obey the regulations of the Service, but as soon lation was very small. According to a Congressional
as they are transferred from a man-of-war where they document dated 27 March 1854, the Roman
have attended divine service during the cruise to this Yard, Catholics then had 1,081 priests in the United States
they are no longer required to attend divine service at and 620,000 “worshippers.” The Protestants listed
this Yard, provided for them by the Government, & there- 27,122 ministers and 13,228,946 “worshippers.” Be-
fore you must see how very discouraging it must be to us
as well as how demoralising it must be to them when ginning with the Civil War period, there are in-
instead of attending upon the means of grace in the Chapel creasing references to the presence of Roman Cath-
after the customary Sunday morning inspection, they are olic personnel in the Navy. It was not until 1888,
allowed to do just as they please.25 however, that the United States Navy had a Roman
The rules governing church attendance were Catholic chaplain. It is quite possible that the grow-
radically changed on 17 July 1862 when Congress ing number of Catholic personnel in the service was
passed “An Act for the better Government of the one of the reasons the regulation requiring attend-
Navy of the United States.” Article 2 of this Act, re- ance by all available hands at Divine Service was
ferring to Divine Service, made no mention of com- changed to voluntary attendance.27
pulsory attendance or to daily morning and evening Chaplain George Dorrance, writing his annual re-
prayers aboard ship. The new article read: port on 31 December 1866, from the Hartford, then
at Hong Kong, stated that the average attendance at
The commanders of vessels and naval stations, to which
chaplains are attached, shall cause divine service to be 26
12 Stat. 601, The article is unchanged and still in ef-
24
fect (1946), with this exception—the last sentence is now
25
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:1 of Mar. 1862:208. article
27
3 of present day regulations.
Ibid. 33rd Cong., 1st sess.; House Report, No. 124.

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his Divine Services had been small. Part of the reason REGULATIONS REGARDING SUNDAY
for this was that “a considerable number of the crew OBSERVANCE
profess to be Roman Catholics.” However, the chap- The series of Navy regulations under review con-
lain added: “The simple recommendation for men
tain several references to the importance of observing
to attend on the worship of Almighty God, where Sunday aboard vessels and at shore stations in an
all other duties on board ship are enforced by an orderly and reverential manner. It may be that re-
order, has little or no influence upon them.”28 peated emphasis was necessary as a substitute for the
On the other hand, Chaplain Stockbridge pointed old regulation requiring the attendance of all avail-
out that more attended the daily evening prayer able hands at Divine Service aboard ship.
meeting which he organized in the fall of 1862 On 15 November 1862 President Lincoln issued
aboard the Lancaster than had attended Sunday the following General Order:
services when attendance was compu1sory.29 Begin-
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and
ning with three “professed Christians,” Stockbridge Navy, desires and enjoins the orderly observance of the
soon had so many attending that the quarters be- Sabbath by the officers and men in the military and naval
came too crowded. “Many sinners were awakened,” service. The importance for man and beast of the pre-
he wrote, “and seven of the number converted, five scribed weekly rest, the sacred rights of Christian soldiers
of whom united with a mariners church in Cali- and sailors, a becoming deference to the best sentiments
of a Christian people, and a due regard for the Divine
fornia.” Interest in the prayer meetings was so great will, demand that Sunday labor in the Army and Navy
that they were held every night for ten months. be reduced to the measure of strict necessity.
Among the stories told about the famous Admiral The discipline and character of the national forces
Louis M. Goldborough is that of an incident which should not suffer, nor the cause they defend be imperiled,
by the profanation of the day or name of the Most High.
occurred aboard his Flagship Colorado when it was “At this time of public distress,” adopting the words of
in the Mediterranean shortly after the war. On a Washington in 1776, “men may find enough to do in the
bright Sunday morning, the quarter-deck was rigged service of God and their country, without abandoning
for church and all hands were called “up and aft.” themselves to vice and immorality.” The first General
Some 600 officers and men assembled for Divine Order, issued by the Father of his Country after the Dec-
laration of Independence, indicates the spirit in which
Service, the men being arranged by divisions and the our institutions were founded and should ever be defend-
officers seated immediately in front of the pulpit. ed: “The General hopes and trusts that every officer and
Directly in the center was a big arm chair reserved man will endeavor to live and act us becomes a Christian
for the Admiral. soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his
country?
When all were present, an orderly was sent to Abraham Lincoln31
notify the Admiral that Divine Service was about to
start. The organist played through a hymn on the The Regulations of 1865 contained the following
statement under article IV entitled “General Instruc-
portable organ. Minutes passed. Chaplain Charles R.
Hale showed signs of restlessness. The orderly was tions”:
sent a second time and the organist pumped out an- 210. Sunday must be observed on board of all vessels
other hymn. Still no Admiral. The Commanding of the navy, and at all stations and navy yards, in an or-
Officer, thinking that the Admiral was not planning derly manner, by officers and men. All labor or duty will
be reduced to the measure of strict necessity. The religious
to attend, nodded to Chaplain Hale to commence. tendencies of officers and men are to be encouraged, and
With reverential voice and ministerial solemnity, suitable times and places will be assigned for Divine wor-
the Chaplain bowed his head and intoned: “The ship. It is hoped that the religious rights of Christian
sailors will at all times, receive due regard from all com-
Lord is his Holy Temple . . .” and came to a full manding officers and others in authority.32
stop, for at that precise moment the Admiral sud-
denly appeared and shouted: The next edition of regulations, in 1869, assigned
the responsibility for Sunday observance to the Com-
“Hold on, Chaplain, hold on. I’ll have you to
mander-in-Chief and to individual officers com-
understand that the Lord is not in his Holy Temple
manding vessels. They were not to permit unneces-
until I get there!”30
31
28
General Orders and Circulars issued by the Navy Dept.,
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Dec. 1866:378. 1863-1887, p. 6.
29 32This section was repeated in subsequent revisions of the
Ibid., IV:Oct. 1862:157.
30
Ibid., Chaplain’s File, MS. “The Chaplain’s Mistake.” Regulations except for the deletion of the last sentence.

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sary work on board their ships on Sunday and were These regulations are similar to regulations pro-
to “see that divine service is performed every Sun- posed in 1853, submitted to Congress in 1858, and
day.” Commanding officers were instructed to “re- adopted by the Confederate Navy Department. The
quire that all persons on board, passengers included, Regulations of 1869 and 1870 substituted “ordered”
. . . conduct themselves with propriety, and that for “requested” in No. 573. The Regulations of 1876
silence and order be observed in every part of the read: “He will perform Divine Service and offer
vessel, by those who do not attend the service.”33 prayers at such times as the Commanding Officer
Deference to Sunday at the Naval Academy was may designate .”
provided by law on 15 July 1870. Under these regulations chaplains were to “in-
struct in the principles of the Christian religion.” No
That the Secretaries of War and the Navy be, and they
arc hereby, authorized and directed so to arrange the Jewish chaplain was commissioned until the First
course of studies and the order of regulations at the Mil- World War when such a regulation was no longer in
itary and Naval Academies that the students in said in- effect.
stitutions will not be required to pursue their studies on The Regulations of 1876 added the following para-
Sunday.
graph regarding the chaplain:
The proper observance of Sunday was assured in
A clergyman appointed Chaplain in the Navy of the
still another manner, and again by regulation in United States must consider it his duty that the morality
1876. Punishments had continued to be inflicted on of his conduct and the propriety of his manners are such
Sunday, even after flogging was outlawed. The 1876 as become his sacred office, and such as shall inspire offi-
Regulations, however, forbade this practice. cers and crews with reverence and respect toward him.
All minor punishments, except to prisoners confined in
the cells, or to whom punishments have been awarded by MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
a general or summary court-martia1, are to be discon-
tinued during Sunday, and punishments are not to be Several miscellaneous provisions, which bear upon
inflicted on Sunday except in cases where immediate the chaplain’s work are to be found in the various
action is necessary. editions of Navy Regulations issued during the years
under review. Article X of the 1869 Regulations
REGULATIONS OUTLINING THE strictly prohibited gambling “on board vessels of the
CHAPLAIN’S DUTIES Navy and in navy yards, and at all places and sta-
The Navy Regulations of 1865 outlined the duties tions belonging to, or under the control of the Navy
of the chaplain in section 10 of article VII as fol- Department.”
lows : This rule was repeated in subsequent Regulations,
and is still ( 1946) in effect. More than one sailor has
573. The Chaplain is to perform divine service and to
offer prayers when duly requested by the Commanding made an involuntary contribution to Navy Relief or
Officer. some other charitable fund at the time a gambling
574. He is, with the consent of the senior Medical Offi- game was raided.
cer, to visit the sick and afford them consolation. Article VI of the 1870 Regulations prescribed the
575. He is to instruct in the principles of the Christian order of appearance of staff officers in the Navy
religion the boys and such other persons as the Com-
mander of the vessel may commit to his care. Register. Chaplains were tenth in line, following
576. Should there be no schoolmaster on board, he is surgeons, paymasters, and engineers, and the assist-
to apply to the Commanding Officer to detail an intel- ants in those respective corps. The engineers, who
ligent and well-disposed person of the crew to instruct, were organized with the advent of steam, although
under his direction, the boys of the vessel, in reading, later in point of time, took precedence over chap-.
writing, and the elementary rules of arithmetic; and he is
frequently to examine the boys, and report from time to lains.
time to the Commanding Officer those whom he may Article VII of the 1870 edition ruled that the
find to be diligent and well-disposed, in order that they same military honors, rendered at the funeral of a
may be suitably encouraged and rewarded. line officer including the three volleys of musketry,
577. He is to make to his Commanding Officer, on the were to be given at that of a staff officer. Sections
first of January, April, July, and October, a report of the
duties performed by him during the previous three months,. 741 and 743 of this article gave directions for
and also a condensed report of the kind at the end of the funerals.
cruise.
Funeral processions will shove off in the following or-
33
Op. cit., article 3, sections 66, 67, 404, 406. der: 1st, Music and firing party; 2d, boat with chaplain

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and surgeon; 3d, boat carrying the corpse, with body bear- shows that the requirements of the law were met.
ers; 4th, boats with pall-bearers; 5th, boats with officers The average age was twenty-nine. Eleven of the
of the ship to which the deceased was attached; 6th, boats chaplains appointed during the years 1870-1880 also
from other vessels of the United States, in the inverse
order of the rank of Commanding Officers: 7th, boats averaged twenty-nine years of age when they were
from foreign ships, arranged from van to rear in the in- appointed.34
verse order of the rank of their several senior officers, and In addition to the age limitation, the Navy De-
when such seniors are of the same grade, then length of partment during this period under review deter-
service on the station will decide relative positions. If the
deceased be a Commander of a squadron or of a single mined the health requirements for officers. Gideon
vessel, his flag or pennant will be carried at half-mast in Welles, Secretary of the Navy in Lincoln’s cabinet,
the bow of the boat containing his coffin. issued a General Order on 15 October 1862 which
On reaching the shore, the procession should be formed stipulated:
under the command of an officer, senior to the officers Hereafter, no person will be appointed to any Com-
commanding the firing party and the details of men from mission, or Warrant Office in the Navy, until a Medical
different vessels who are to form a part of the procession. Board shall have declared the Candidate to be free from
The order of formation will be as follows: see plan. physical defects; or any obvious tendency to any form of
Music. disease which would be likely to interfere with the prompt
Firing party. and efficient discharge of duty.35
Chaplain and surgeon.
Pall or hearse. This was an important ruling, for in previous
Men from different vessels, in squads, commanded by years, many clergymen, whose health did not permit
their own officers. them to continue the strenuous duties of a parish,
Officers of the vessel to which the deceased was at-
tached, juniors leading. sought appointments as naval chaplains. The follow-
Officers from the fleet or squadron, juniors leading. ing letter of application from the Reverend Flavel S.
Foreign officers, arranged as directed for procession in Mines from New York dated 30 October 1840 is
boats. typical:
By an Act of Congress, 3 March 1873, all honor- I have, in time past, frequently thought of a chaplaincy
ably discharged soldiers, sailors, and marines who in the Navy as promising to be congenial to my taste &
served during the Civil War and died subsequent to feelings; & now the additional consideration of my health
the passage of the Act could be buried in any na- has more definitely turned my attention to the subject. . . .
I profess to be something of a sailor having been a num-
tional cemetery of the United States free of cost. ber of times to sea. If, however, I might be permitted to
Among those who lie buried at Arlington and other express a preference, it would be to be sent immediately to
national cemeteries are several who served as naval some quite southern port or the Mediterranean or some
chaplains. A special section called Chaplain’s Hill, similar climate for the present.36
has been set aside in the Arlington Cemetery for With this letter was one from a friend who stated
Army and Navy chaplains. that Mines had been compelled “to abandon his
parochial duties owing to his ill health.” Flavel
THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAINS Mines did not receive the appointment he sought.
A law of 1 June 1860 provided that a naval chap- There is much evidence to show that many chap-
lain would not be less than twenty-one or more than lains during the earlier period were old, ill, or infirm.
thirty-five at the time of his appointment. (The Chaplain Crawford, writing to the Secretary of the
Regulations of 1841, while not strictly observed, re- Navy on 26 March 1878, stated:
quired that a chaplain be not more than thirty years Appointments, orders, leave, etc., have been secured on
of age at the time of appointment.) This same regu- purely political grounds, without any reference to worth
lation was repeated in an amendment to a Naval or fitness. Chaplains have been appointed without physi-
Appropriation Act of 17 July 1862 and in the Regu- cal examination, making the Navy an asylum for invalids
who are incapable of sharing disagreeable duty with other
lations of 1865, 1869, and 1870. However, the officers.37
Regulations of 1876 lowered the upper age to thirty.
34
Section 1395 of an Act by Congress on 15 July This number did not include Chaplain Elijah W. Hagar,
who is believed to have been born in 1819. If this date is
1870 repeated the limitation of twenty-four naval correct, he was fifty-four when appointed in 1873. It is
chaplains “in actual service.” quite possible that a mistake was made in recording his age.
35
An examination of the known ages of sixteen Nav. Rec. Coll., V:2:395.
36
Ibid., File “NN”-1859, “Chaplains and Professors.”
chaplains appointed during the years 1862-1869 37
Ibid., III:Mar.-Apr. 1878:180.

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 The substance of the circular order issued by Fisk, Nathaniel Frost, John Blake, and E. C. Bit-
Welles was included in the 1865 edition of Navy tinger. In the Register of the following year, six
Regulations: .
chaplains on the retired list, including C. S. Stewart,
No person will be appointed to any commissioned or
George Jones, and Moses B. Chase, were also listed
warranted office in the Navy until he shall have passed a as commanders.
physical and a professional examination, except Chap- The revised Regulations for 1869 contained noth-
lains and Professors of Mathematics, who are not required ing about relative rank for chaplains with the result
to undergo the latter. . . . that the Navy Registers of 1 July 1869, 1 January
Although this edition of Regulations did not re- 1870, and 1 January 1871 listed the chaplains simply
quire a candidate for the chaplaincy to pass a pro- under two categories : “Active” and “Retired.” On
fessional examination, it did specify that he “must the basis of subsequent events, it may be assumed
be a regularly ordained minister of some religious that having once tasted the privileges of rank, the
denomination, and of unimpeached character.” The chaplains were unhappy with the reversion to their
three following editions of the Regulations repeated former ungraded status. The fact that Congress, on
this condition with the exception of the two latter 3 March 1871, passed the following Act implies that
clauses. pressure was brought to bear by an influential chap-
The Navy Department was beginning to insist on lain or group of chaplains: “Chaplains shall have
younger and stronger men for the chaplaincy. By relative rank as follows: Four, the relative rank of
1862, the day had passed when an old or sick clergy- captain, seven, that of commander; and not more
man could turn to the Navy for an easy berth. than seven that of lieutenant commander or lieuten-
ant.” This accounted for eighteen of the authorized
RELATIVE RANK twenty-four. The failure of this Act to define the
status of the remaining six, when the full quota of
The growth of the Navy during the war made twenty-four was in service, caused some embarrass-
necessary a clarification of the status and a decision ment to those left unclassified.
on the order of precedence of the various grades of
The first four chaplains to attain the “relative
naval officers. On 13 March 1863, Secretary of the
rank” of captain, listed in the 1872 Navy Register,
Navy Welles issued a circular which permitted chap-
were Joseph Stockbridge, John Blake, E. C. Bittinger,
lains and professors of mathematics of more than
and Robert Givin. All attained the rank on the basis
twelve years’ service to rank with commanders.
of seniority. As vacancies occurred in the higher
Those with less than twelve years’ service were to
grades, names were moved up, with the result that
rank with lieutenant commanders.38
some chaplains were given the relative rank of com-
The Navy Regulations of 1863 listed the various mander with less than five years service. Such was
grades of officers, including chaplains, who were the case with Chaplain W. O. Holway in 1873.
classified as “staff officers” as distinguished from the Some held the relative rank of lieutenant com-
“line officers.” The Regulations then defined “the mander, with less than two years service, as did
relative rank” between the officers of the two classes, Chaplain J. B. Van Meter in 1873. This may have
using the basis set forth by Welles in 1863 concern- brought criticism from other officers, for, beginning
ing chaplains. The establishment of relative rank with the Register of 1878, the grade of lieutenant
meant that staff officers wore the insignia, and had was substituted for that of lieutenant commander,
other prerogatives pertaining to their respective posi- which was entirely in accord with the law. This ex-
tions, but did not necessarily draw the pay of that plains the demotion of Chaplains Rose, Crawford,
rank nor did they hold a commission as such. Rela- Rawson, Van Meter, Tribou, Clark, and Hager from
tive rank merely fixed precedence at official and lieutenant commander in 1877 to lieutenant in 1878.
social functions.
It is to be noted that the Act of 1871 removed the
The first chaplains to hold the relative rank of
requirement of twelve years’ service before a chaplain
commander, received by right of seniority, were the
could be ranked with commanders. For more than
following ten listed in the 1863 Navy Register:
twenty years following 1878, chaplains were listed in
Rodman Lewis, F. W. Taylor, M. R. Talbot, Chester
the Navy Registers under the four categories: Cap-
Newell, T. B. Bartow, Joseph Stockbridge, Photius
tains, Commanders, Lieutenants, and Chaplains.
38
V:2:406. The first chaplains to be given the relative rank

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of commodore were Chester Newell and Joseph Stock- posed limits upon the discriminatory acts of the oc-
bridge. These chaplains, both retired at the time they casional unsympathetic commanding officer. Also,
were privileged to wear the broad stripe, were the there were certain financial considerations that went
only chaplains to rise above the relative rank of with rank, including longevity and retirement pay,
captain during the nineteenth century.39 which were important factors in attracting the right
While most chaplains of that generation, undoubt- kind of men to the chaplaincy.
edly, welcomed the official recognition which came Rank in the military service is an issue that has
with relative rank, there was at least one who reg- brought criticism from civilian clergymen, who claim
istered a protest to the innovation. He was Chaplain that the office of a Christian or Jewish chaplain is
Van Meter, who in a letter to the Secretary of the incompatible with the gradations which rank im-
Navy dated 11 April 1878, objected: poses. Most chaplains connected with the service,
Perfect freedom of intercourse with all grades of the however, while admitting that there are limitations
service are essential to a proper performance of a Chap- in accepting rank, consider it indispensable in the
lain’s work. There should be no artificial barriers be- effectiveness of their work.
tween him and the men on the one hand, or the officers During the seventies, a number of incidents oc-
upon the other. He should have the same access to them
as is had by a civilian, and they should have such access curred which involved the assignment of chaplains to
to him. No rank should be attached to such an office as cabins on board ship. A difference of opinion existed
this,—it is utterly incongruous with its nature. The con- as to whether the chaplain should occupy the fourth
ferring of what is termed “relative rank” upon the Chap- or the fifth cabin on the port side off the ward-
laincy is a comparatively recent thing, and I cannot but room.41 While the whole matter may seem rather
regard it as a mistake. Rank is a device for effecting and
maintaining organization and regulating subordination and trivial, yet, it involved the prestige of the chaplain
command. But the Chaplain is no part of a military or- aboard ship.
ganization. He does not exist for the sake of anything When Chaplain John D. Beugless reported for
which that organization contemplates. His relations are duty aboard the Susquehanna in August 1864, he
with men as men, not as officers and seamen, commanders found the marine officer occupying the fourth room.
and subordinates, and his office relates to matters alto-
gether outside of, and above, military discipline. He com- “As a matter of accommodation to Mr. Wallace,”
mands no one,—in his duties no one can command him. wrote Beugless to the Secretary of the Navy on 17
There is no reason, in the nature of his office and its re- March 1865, “I took, temporarily, the after room.”
lations to the service, why any one, even the third class A little later, Lieutenant Wallace took up quarters on
boy or scullion should regard him as a superior,—no shore and the Chaplain occupied his room. The
reason why an Admiral should consider him a subordinate.
Rank digs a gulf between him and those to whom he marine officer soon returned and demanded the
should minister as the servant of all, separating him on fourth room. “We have agreed,” wrote the Chaplain,
the one hand from the men, who see in him a superior “to refer the matter to the Department, and most
to whom they must defer,—on the other from the out- respectfully beg leave to solicit your decision as to
ranking officers, not necessarily by any fault or incivility who is entitled to the said fourth (4th) room on the
of theirs, but by the feeling of estrangement on both sides
which these distinctions engender. . . .40 Port side of the ship.”42
On 3 April the Secretary sent back his decision:
Van Meter’s colleagues felt, not that “the chaplain
is no part of a military organization” but that, since “All rooms abaft the one assigned to the Surgeon or
he must live and work within the naval organization, Assistant Surgeon in charge of the Medical Department
even the nebulous relative rank gave him a certain to be occupied by the officers entitled to rooms on port
side in the order of their rank of seniority, whether desig-
official standing. It enabled the chaplain to be more nated as Fleet Officers, Marine Officers, or otherwise.”43
effective in his work, for it gave him protection and
an allotted place among his brother officers, and im- As Chaplain Beugless did not join the Navy until
39 just before reporting for duty on the Susquehanna, it
Promotion to the relative rank of commodore was made
possible by the Act of 3 March 1871 which provided that is probable that he was the junior officer and, there-
“Officers of the Medical, Pay, and Engineer Corps, chap- fore, the one who moved to the fifth room.
lains, professors of mathematics, and constructors, who shall
have served faithfully for forty-five years, shall, when re- 41
tired, have the relative rank of commodore.” The Act also Original plans of the frigate United States in Nav. Rec.
provided that officers with forty years service who retired at Coll. show that the fifth cabin was allotted to the chaplain.
the age of sixty-two could be promoted to this rank. Both Several chaplains, on the other hand, testify to having occu-
Newell and Stockbridge came under this latter provision for pied the fourth.
42
both were commissioned on 8 September 1841. Nav. Rec. Coll., III:2 of Mar. 1865:344.
40 43
Nav. Rec. Coll., III: Mar.-Apr., 1878:327. Ibid., I:Apr. 1865:280.

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 Article 2 of the Navy Regulations of 1865 pre- captain, wrote to the Secretary of the Navy regard-
scribed stateroom occupancy as follows: ing his claim to the fourth stateroom on the port side
The state-rooms opening into the wardroom country
of the California. This vessel, then at Mare Island,
will be occupied, on the port side, by the Staff Officers, was about to become the Flagship of the Pacific
as follows: the forward room shall be occupied by the Squadron. When the Chaplain reported aboard, he
Senior Engineer, in charge of the engines, and if there be was told that the fourth room belonged to the marine
no such officer on board, then by the Paymaster, or As- officer and that the fifth room was assigned to the
sistant Paymaster in charge of the Pay Department; the
next room by the Surgeon, or Assistant in charge of the chaplain.
Medical Department; the next room by the Marine Officer Troubled by this reversal of an old tradition, the
in charge of the guard; and all the rooms abaft this by Chaplain argued his case with the Secretary of the
Staff Officers, in the order of their rank. In flag-ships the Navy in a letter dated 9 September 1871.
Engineer, Paymaster, and Surgeon, in charge of their re-
spective departments, shall occupy rooms comformable As this room has, for many years, on all Flag Ships,
to the above rule, and all other officers entitled to rooms been the Chaplain’s room, and as Regulation 976 ex-
on the port side, according to their rank. All other rooms, plicitly requires that it be assigned to officers according
not assigned by the Department, shall be occupied as the to rank, it is the opinion of many officers on this station
Commander-in-Chief may direct. that the directions of the Department have been misun-
derstood and will not bear the construction here placed
The chaplain’s position aboard ship was not en- upon them.
tirely overlooked, however, for a section of article 12 As the rooms of the Chaplain and Marine Officer ad-
of the same Regulations included the chaplain and join each other, it is evident that this change was not re-
the professor of mathematics as mess-room officers quired as a matter of convenience, and as the last Con-
and provided that each was “to have the state-room gress saw fit to confer on me the relative rank of Captain,
connected therewith prescribed for his own accom- it seems impossible that any other room than the fourth
could be assigned me in accordance with Regulations. If
modation, if any such there be.” the law which confers this rank is regarded as defective
Another stateroom problem involving a chaplain or inoperative, then of course I am entitled to no room—
arose on the Piscataqua, the Flagship of the Asiatic no rights—and no protection—on board ship, as the dis-
Squadron, in October 1867 when Chaplain E. C. Bit- cretion formerly given Commanding Officers, whereby
they were enabled to assign certain rooms to persons with-
tinger reported. So many officers were already on out rank has been superseded by the present Regulations.
board that the junior medical officer was forced to In conclusion, I respectfully remark that having been
vacate his room in order to accommodate the Chap- for about thirty years in the public service, nearly twenty-
lain. The Captain wrote to the Secretary of the Navy five of which have been in the Navy, and having been
requesting that the Chaplain’s orders be revoked be- ordered south on the Blockade during the War, where I
cause of these crowded conditions. He added: remained for nearly three years, it was not without hu-
miliation that I received the Order of the Admiral, re-
The vessel will be cruising in a region where mission- quring me, thus, to give precedence to a young man with
aries are numerous and who are gratified at an oppor- only the assimulated rank of Lieutenant and less than ten
tunity of holding service on board ship. I write with the years in the service.46
concurrence of Admiral Rowan that the orders of the
Chaplain may be revoked, and, thus, all the staff officers The Secretary replied: “The ruling of the depart-
be provided with rooms, which seems 44almost necessary on ment is that the senior marine officer always oc-
so long a cruise and in that climate. cupies the fourth room on the port side of the ward-
The Secretary of the Navy replied on 18 October. room.”46
While the settlement of the room controversy is not There are two instances of chaplains who, being
disclosed, he did insist that the Chaplain remain without relative rank, were not assigned cabins, but,
aboard. “In reply to your letter of the 15th Inst.,” were obliged to make themselves as comfortable as
the Secretary wrote, “you are informed that the De- possible in the steerage. The first case involved Chap-
partment declines to withdraw the Chaplain, con- lain S. D. Boorom, who was appointed in January
sidering it advisable to have one at least of that 1876, and the second Chaplain Richard Hayward,
grade in each Squadron.”45 who entered the Navy in October of that year. Since
On 2 October 1871, Chaplain John Blake, who the quota of eighteen chaplains with relative rank
had shortly before been given the relative rank of was filled, they were listed simply as “chaplains.” The
difficulty came when each reported aboard his respec-
44
Ibid., II:July-Dec. 1867:166.
45 46
Ibid., I:83:460. Ibid., III:Oct. 1871:11.

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tive ship for duty. in both cases, the commanding cabin on the port side of the wardroom. The circular
officers refused to recognize their claims to a room. read as follows:
Writing from Yokohama on 22 June 1877, Rear On board of all vessels of the Navy, the marine officer
Admiral Reynolds on board the Tennessee laid the in command of the marine guard will occupy the fourth
following difficulty before the Secretary of the Navy: room from forward, on the port side of the ward-room.
All other marine officers will be assigned quarters in
Chaplain Hayward, on reporting for duty on this ship, accordance with their rank.50
wore the uniform of a Lieutenant, and supposed himself
to have the relative rank of a Lieutenant. Immediately Thus, an issue raised by Chaplain Blake in 1871
arose a question as to assignment of a State-room in the was officially settled—in favor of the marine officer.
Ward Room.
On referring to the law, I find that the relative rank THE CHURCH PENNANT
for Eighteen Chaplains only, out of twenty-four is pre-
scribed. On examining the Navy Register for 1877 it ap- Instead of the blue Greek cross which the United
pears that the rank of Lt. Comdr. is assigned to the seven States Navy used, the Confederate Navy adopted a
Chaplains who are to have the rank of Lieut-Comdr. or
Lieutenant, thus, exhausting the quota to whom relative red Latin cross on a white background, with the long
rank is allowed by law. The remaining Chaplains ap- arm of the cross vertical. An illustration of the
parently have no rank at all, either by law or regulation. Southern church pennant appears in the Signal Book
Under these circumstances, I have not assigned a room of 1861 which was compiled for the use of the Con-
to him in the Ward Room as if he had the relative rank federate Navy.
of a Lieutenant, and beg leave to request a decision of the The earliest discovered order regarding the display
Department in this case47
of the church pennant is that issued by Admiral
The Secretary of the Navy submitted the problem Farragut from his Flagship Hartford, off New Or-
of what to do with these unclassified chaplains to leans on 26 April 1862:
the Navy Solicitor, John A. Bolles, who in his reply
Eleven o’clock this morning is the hour appointed for
referred to the earlier case of Chaplain Boorom. all the officers and crews of the fleet to return thanks to
Bolles briefly summarized the problem and made his Almighty God for His great goodness and mercy in per-
recommendation : mitting us to pass through the events of the last two days
with so little loss of life and blood.
that the Secretary by genl order, or regulation circular, At that hour, the church pennant will be hoisted on
direct that all Chaplains whose relative rank is not fixed every vessel of the fleet, and their crews assembled will, in
by law shall, in the assignment of quarters, be treated as humiliation and prayer, make their acknowledgment there-
having the relative rank of Lieutenants. fore to the great Dispenser of all human events.51
As like doubts may arise in regard to the uniform of
this class of officers, & other matters affecting their official The United States Navy Signal Code for 1867
status, the Solicitor respectfully submits a form of order gives the first known official directions for the dis-
that will provide for this whole subject, as follows:— play of the church pennant. “The Church Pendant
“Genl. O. No. . . . . . Chaplains whose relative rank is will be hoisted immediately above the ensign at the
not fixed by law will, in the assignment of quarters,—in peak or flagstaff at the time of commencing, and
the matter of uniform,—& in all cases affecting their
official status, be regarded & treated as having the relative kept hoisted during the continuance of divine service
rank of Lieutenants.”4 8 on board all vessels of the Navy.”52 This regulation
merely puts into words the traditional usage of the
The general order recommended was officially church pennant.
issued on 1 August 1877.49 However, the Navy Reg- A book by Captain G. H. Preble, published in
isters continued to list all chaplains over the allotted 1872, entitled Our Flag, contains the following
number of eighteen as “chaplains” until 1899 when
description of the church pennant and its usage. It
full rank was granted by law. is a “white pendant, without swallow tails charged
On 14 August 1878, the Secretary of the Navy 50
issued another order to clarify the vexing problem Ibid., V:352.
51
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies
of precedence in regard to the respective claims of in the War of The Rebellion, Series 1, XVIII:152. The
the chaplain and the marine officer to the fourth Hartford was the Flagship Admiral Farragut took into Mo-
bile Bay during the Civil War when he is reported to have
47
ordered : “Damn the torpedoes. Full steam ahead.” The old
Nav. Rec. Coll., Letters from Asiatic Squadron for steam frigate, without its masts, remained tied up at the
1877:61. dock for years at the Washington Navy Yard. In 1945, the
48
Ibid. vessel was taken to Norfolk to be restored.
49 52
Nav. Rec. Coll., V:8. Op. cit., article 45, p. 11.

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with a blue Latin cross, to be hoisted at the peak, 1860, and today furnish a good index to the varied
during divine service, over the ensign.” It is the “only activities of chaplains.54
flag to which the national ensign shows such submis- This directive appears to have had faulty pro-
sion.”53 The pennant is described as it is today with mulgation in the first years after its adoption. Chap-
a Latin cross while early signal books indicate it as lain William H. Stewart, who had been commis-
having a Greek cross. Indeed, even in Preble’s book, sioned in 1863, in a letter to the Secretary on 10
the illustration of the church pennant shows the June four years later, apologetically confessed that
Greek cross while the text refers to the Latin cross, he had failed to get the word: “I beg leave to state
that my attention not having been called to his law, I
BUGLE CALL FOR HAMMOCKS was ignorant that annual reports to the Secretary of
Conclusive evidence is not available as to when tie Navy were required until the present time, and
the bugle call for hammocks was introduced into the hence my failure to report heretofore.” Once the
Navy. Tradition has it that in the “old days” when making of annual reports became established as a
hammocks was sounded in the evening, all men not routine duty, they provided comprehensive and sta-
on watch stood by their hammocks, faced aft, and tistical data on the work of Navy chaplains through
maintained silence while the chaplain read the the years.
evening prayer. It is quite possible that this custom Chaplain T. B. Bartow, writing from the Hartford
began during the years, 1861- 1880, under review. at Shanghai, China, on 29 May 1861, before the
regulation requiring attendance at Divine Service
HAMMOCK BUGLE CALL had been changed, revealed a conscientious attention
to his duties:
The law of Congress enjoining the worship of Almighty
God has been carefully observed on board this ship. In
Ship and Gunnery Drills, 1927, p. 327. obedience to that law “daily morning and evening prayers
have been offered and sermons preached on Sundays,
The call closely resembles taps. The custom of a whenever bad weather did not prevent.” The funerals of
few moments of silence at hammocks has continued six sailors have been solemnized. I have preached on
on some ships down to the present time, but the fact board the Adams, Saginaw and Dacotah when our ships
of its origin in the chaplains’ practice of reading have been together. Regular services have been held for
the sick, and on suitable occasions the Holy Communion
evening prayers has almost been forgotten. has been administered to the religious men of the ship.
Good books & tracts, abundantly supplied from home,
ANNUAL REPORTS have been distributed and when we were in the interior
I have given books in their own language to the amiable
According to an old yarn, which must have orig- and friendly Chinese, who seemed to receive them as most
inated around the scuttlebutt (i.e. the drinking foun- acceptable.55
tain), one sailor asked another: “What does the Chaplains covered in these reports such activities
chaplain do?” The other replied: “He does nothing as conducting Sunday Schools, weekly prayer meet-
six days a week and disturbs the peace on Sunday.” ings, visiting the sick, teaching classes, distributing
According to another anecdote, one bluejacket said Bibles and tracts, and operating libraries. Chaplain
to another: “Who has less to do, the chaplain or the George Williamson Smith, who was commissioned in
marine officer?” The answer was: “The marine of- July 1864, writing from the Franklin, gave the fol-
ficer because he has a second lieutenant to help lowing description of her library:
him.”
Chaplains carried on a great number of activities, As there is much leisure time on board a ship a library
however, and their annual reports for these years is very desirable, that the men may have instruction oc-
indicate that the Navy chaplaincy was composed of 54
The 1865 edition of Navy Regulations, and the three
capable and conscientious men whose duties oc- subsequent editions, directed chaplains to report to their
cupied them seven days of the week. These reports commanding officers. Some chaplains assumed that this
superseded the Act of Congress and reported only to their
are submitted to the Secretary of the Navy in ac- respective commanding officeis, with the result that such
cordance with the Act of Congress dated 1 June reports are not on file in Naval Archives. A sufficient num-
ber, however, sent direct to the Secretary remain to paint
the picture.
53 55
Op. cit., p. 469. Nav. Rec. Coll., III: 2 of May 1861:235.

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 cupation and that there may be less temptation to peruse Panama, & in California at San Francisco, Vallejo &
the unseemly literature which is always found among them. Healdsburg. I have visited all the ships of the Squadron
Accordingly, by the consent of Captn. C. R. P. Rogers and distributed among them the Sacred Scripture, tracts
and the hearty cooperation of the officers under his com- & other religious reading.58
mand, a proposition was laid before the crew to raise by
subscription money to start a library. The appeal was lib- One tradition associated with certain branches of
erally responded to and the books purchased. the Protestant church is the offering for charity or
Without exaggeration, the library has been a success. the “deacon’s fund” taken at the communion serv-
The number of volumes from first to last is upwards of ices. An early instance of the taking of a collection
1400, of which there are now on hand 536 volumes. Many at a Divine Service conducted by a naval chaplain
of the books first purchased have been worn out, so that
the discrepancy between these numbers is accounted for. appears in the 5 June 1868 annual report of Chap-
The number of members of the library is 325. The total lain G. W. Smith. Smith had been stationed at the
amount of money raised and expended is $622.47. The Naval Academy since 20 September 1864. He stated:
highest cost to any member for 30 months has been $1.80.
Newspapers and periodicals were subscribed for, accord- The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper has been admin-
ing to the money on hand; lamps and also stationery were istered nine (9) times during the Academic year. The
purchased, that means of letter writing might be within average number of communicants has been thirty-three
reach. (33). The alms collected on these occasions and distrib-
From 4 P. M. to 8 or 9 P. M. whenever circumstances uted amount is $135.06. It may be proper to add in this
permitted, “tables were placed on the starboard side of connection that the number of Midshipmen who are in
the half-deck, and such persons as desired have had op- full membership with some Christian body is eighty-five
portunity for reading and writing. Under the tuition of (85), being rather more than 25 perc’t of the whole num-
the Schoolmaster, a number of the crew have learned to ber of Midshipmen.59
read and write during the hours above indicated.56 While only twenty-five percent of the midshipmen
In their annual reports, chaplains frequently men- were communicant members of a Christian church,
tioned their work of distributing the Scriptures to this ratio corresponds favorably with the national
naval personnel. During the Civil War, the American church membership of that day.
Bible Society was active in providing copies of the
Scriptures to members of both the Army and the THE CHAPLAIN’S PAY
Navy. The records do not distinguish between the Chaplains received two pay advances during the
two branches of the service, but, indicate that during years 1861-1880. The first came by an opinion of the
the war a grand total of 5,297,732 Bibles or portions Attorney General dated 4 September 1862 which
were distributed on both sides of the fighting line. allowed chaplains the same pay as that specified for
The Society reported that many naval vessels were lieutenants in the Act of 16 July 1862.60.According
supplied, including gunboats on the Ohio and Mis- to this pay scale, chaplains received $1,875 per an-
sissippi Rivers. num while on sea duty and $1,500 on shore. They
Chaplain Stewart’s report covering the war years, were to receive $1,200 while on leave or awaiting or-
reveals his own activity in this work: ders and $1,000 if retired.
By order of Rear Admiral Porter, dated Jan. 14th, 1864, An act approved 21 April 1864 provided that the
I made a journey down the Mississippi River, visiting the retired pay of staff officers, including chaplains, be
vessels for the purpose of distributing Bibles and other the same as that of retired line officers with whom
religious publications, and resumed my duties on the Re-
ceiving Ship on my return. they had relative rank. Hence, while chaplains on ac-
On the 1st of March I made another journey up the tive duty were paid as lieutenants, on the retired
Tennessee River for the same purpose.57 lists they might receive the retired pay of a com-
That the chaplains’ services to naval personnel mander.
were somewhat similar all over the world is apparent The Naval Appropriations Act of 15 July 1870
from the statement of Chaplain Stockbridge. Writing provided the following pay scale for chaplains:
from the Bay of Panama on 27 October 1862, he On leave or
described his duties as a Squadron Chaplain: At sea On shore awaiting orders
I have during the last twelve months delivered on board First five years. . . . . . $2,500 $2,000 $1,600
this ship one hundred & twenty sermons & lectures, and After five years. . . . . $2,800 $2,300 $1,900
besides, have preached on the Isthmus at Aspinwall & 58
Ibid., IV:3:157.
56 59
57
Ibid., III:Nov. and Dec. 1871:66. 60
Ibid.,III:June 1868:36.
Ibid., III:June 1867:88. See Regulations, 1869, Article XXXIII.

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 While this increase of pay was acceptable, the law Chaplains have the entire charge of the religious and
still discriminated against chaplains for it allowed the educational instruction of men and boys, including the
following compensation to surgeons, paymasters, and hundreds of apprentices under the new system. They have
no subordinates or clerks to assist them as other officers
chief engineers: have. Abundant testimony can be brought to the fact that
On leave or no other officer can be so efficient in securing comfort,
At sea On shore awaiting orders good order, and good discipline among the men. The
1st five years. . . . . . . $2,800 $2,400 $2,000 question then comes down to this: “How shall we secure
2nd five years. . . . . . $3,200 $2,800 $2,400 an efficient worthy corps?” Only by making it an object
3rd five years. . . . . .$3,500 $3,200 $2,600 for good men to come in and stay in. If chaplains are to
4th five years. . . . . . $3,700 $3,600 $2,800 accomplish any good, it must be evident that the power
After 20 years. . . . . . $4,200 $4,000 $3,000 61 which creates them intends them to be respectable and
respected.62
According to this law, chaplains had but one
increase of pay while their brother staff officers had This bill passed the Senate, but failed in the
four. An effort was made in 1878 to have Congress House. Another effort was made in 1880 which also
place the chaplain’s pay on an equality with the failed. Twenty replacements entered the Corps
surgeon, paymaster, and chief engineer. The friends between 1861 and 1870 and twelve in the following
of the proposed law included a section in the bill to decade, a turnover which suggests discontent.
reduce the number of chaplains from twenty-four to
twenty so as to provide for the increase of pay with- SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
out placing a heavier burden. on the government. During the seventies, a number of excellent sug-
This was to silence critics who might have opposed
gestions were sent to the Secretary of the Navy by
the measure on economy grounds. individual chaplains and by groups of chaplains
The Naval Affairs Committee of the Senate offering ideas for the improvement of their work.
reported this bill favorably on 24 January 1879, and Some, however, were not adopted until World War I
commented on the section calling for the increase of and others were delayed until World War II.
pay as follows: Chaplain G. W. Smith, on 6 November 1871, sub-
This section increases the pay of chaplains, placing them mitted a paper to the Secretary. entitled “More
on an equality, in this respect, with surgeons or paymas- Chaplains Desirable.” He had just returned from a
ters, and chief engineers. No professional man can be ex- cruise aboard the Franklin and wrote from the
pected to leave civil life and subject himself to long ab-
sences from his family, unless he has the inducement of Boston Navy Yard.
such preferment and increased pay as his talents and con- It seems also desirable that there should be Chaplains
stantly enlarging experience would give him in civil life. on more of our Naval vessels than there are now. . . . Un-
This is recognized in every corps except that of chaplains. der the present system the great majority of sailors are
All other staff officers, after certain grades, have their pay unused to the presence of such an officer, and when they
increased up to 15 and 20 yrs. of service. Chaplains have happen to be sent to a ship carrying a Chaplain, he does
now only one increase, at the end of 5 yrs., so that a not seem to them a part of the ordinary ship’s comple-
chaplain who has served 5 yrs. gets as much pay as one ment with ordinary duties to perform, but rather an orna-
who has served 40 yrs. mental appendage to give dignity to the ship or superior
The natural tendency of this is to drive out the men we officer. He is not, in their minds, on the same footing as
need to keep and keep-the men we could well spare. Such other officers whose usefulness they see exemplified every
has been the fact, except in the case of a few worthy men day, and hence he is an object of indifference or perhaps
who have remained from conscientious principles. Of the of dislike; and unless favorable circumstances enable him
24 chaps. now in the service, only 2 have served 16 years, to overcome this feeling, he is tempted to become in real-
and 15 have not served 10 years. This shows a rapidity of ity, what he is considered by. the great majority of people
change which is not healthy. on the ship to be, viz., a respectable Nonentity.
Other things being equal, the longer a man is in the
service the more efficient he can be, especially in dealing Smith found, as has the chaplain in the naval serv-
religiously with sailors, who form a class so distinctly sui ice of this generation, that much of his time was
generis. Chaplains simply ask to be put on the same foot- spent in counselling with the men. He requested that
ing with officers whose equals they are expected to be in
every respect, and with whom they share equally all ex- space be provided where the chaplain could inter-
penses, including heavy mess bills and fees for official en- view privately those coming to him. He wrote:
tertainments, which last are provided for in other Navies The work done by a Chaplain is not simply the holding
at the national expense.
62
61
45th Cong., 3rd sess., Senate Report, No. 626; 46th
16 Stat. 330-1. Cong., 1st sess., Senate Report, No. 209.

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of services on Sunday as required by Regulations. That The time has been that there were three Chaplains at one
which tells most is the intercourse with individuals one by time in the European fleet and none in the North Pacific
one. At present, the Chaplain is quartered in the Ward- or South Atlantic. A strong desire has been expressed by
room with the other commissioned officers and has no some earnest Chaplains that they should be regularly
place to see those of the crew who desire to consult him. represented on board every first and second rate ship in
It is awkward to have to talk about delicate matters at the commission, ironclads excepted. A proper system of detail
Wardroom door, or on the Gun-deck, or forward between would set every Chaplain at work, and, further, give each
the chains, and it is hardly proper to take one of the crew his appropriate work. . . .
into the Officers’ quarters. When preparing a small num- Third, to guard the entrance to the Chaplaincy, the
ber to receive the Holy Communion the only place ob- Chaplain in charge should carefully investigate the claims
tainable was the Yeoman’s Storeroom.63 of applicants, ascertain by corespondence the fitness of
One of the most penetrating analyses of the weak- each for the work, and be prepared at the first vacancy to
nominate to the Secretary the right man. . . .
nesses of the chaplains status in general was made
by Chaplain W. O. Holway on the invitation of the Fourth, to assist in the scheme of training boys for the
naval service. . . .
Secretary of the Navy. In his report of 20 March
1878, he pointed out the need of a unified corps with Fifth, to represent the Chaplaincy at the Department.
There must, occasionally, arise questions which only a
an experienced chaplain at its head to watch over Chaplain could answer. It is only right and just that a
and direct the affairs of chaplains. Chaplain should be within call at the Department to ex-
Holway pronounced the system of appointing and plain or defend the work of his office.
detailing chaplains “radically defective.” Candidates Chaplain Holway was serving aboard the Minne-
were not selected with care, he wrote, and once they sota when he submitted his report. Captain S. B. Luce
had been commissioned, no rules were laid down to of that vessel added the following endorsement:
guide them and no supervision was exercised over
The careful examination by a competent board into the
their movements. Good men, he further pointed out, character, qualification, and special fitness of candidiates
were “frequently chilled by the coldness and uncon- for appointments to Chaplaincies in the Navy is shown by
cern which everywhere confront them, and soon experience to be very necessary. It is believed that this
learn that it is a matter of indifference whether they class of officers form the single exception to the practice
perform their appropriate duties or not.” Holway of holding such examinations previous to appointment.64
continued: Writing from the Boston Navy Yard on 26 March
It is not to be wondered at that such results follow a 1878, also on the invitation of the Secretary of the
system, so incomplete and faulty. With no responsible Navy, Chaplain G. A. Crawford likewise stressed the
head, no concert of action, no coherence as a body, mere imperative need for reform. His frankness and
units without union, no regular system of detail, no cir- sincerity are convincing and many of his suggestions
culars incorporating those methods of usefulness which were similar to those advocated by Holway.
have proved effective by actual experience, no sympathy
either afloat or ashore, it is no wonder that the corps is On 2 November 1878, a self-appointed committee
signally inefficient, and that many sincere and thoughtful of chaplains consisting of Holway and Crawford,
officers believe that the time has come for its excision. together with Chaplains W. H. Stewart, J. D.
Holway believed that “the first and most important Beugless, J. M. R. Matthews, E. K. Rawson, and
step toward a reform” would be the appointment of D. H. Tribou, submitted to the Secretary of the Navy
some older chaplain who would act as the head of these “suggestions” for the “greater efficiency” of the
the Chaplain Corps: Corps:
First, to exercise supervision over Chaplains. None but I. That a roster for sea duty be kept, and that all Chap-
a Chaplain is really competent for the work, as none but lains, except the first four, be sent to sea in regular order,
a Surgeon is competent to supervise Surgeons. Communi- due respect being had to rotation in stations.
cations relating to Chaplains should be referred to him. II. That each Fleet have at least one Chaplain. Three
He should invite correspondence with Chaplains, learn of our six Fleets are without Chaplains at the present time.
their methods of usefulness, stir them up to their duty, In other Corps from one third to one half of the officers
devise systems of reports, prepare circulars, and perform are at sea.
such other duties as may be needful for a thorough, in- III. That Chaplains be required to make, through the
telligent and systematic supervision. usual channels, Quarterly Reports to the Department, and
Second, watch over the detail of Chaplains-see that that some one there be authorized to examine and act
every Chaplain is regularly and appropriately employed. upon the same.
63 64
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Nov. and Dec. 1871:66. Ibid., III:Mar. and Apr. 1878:142.

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George A. Crawford, 1870-1889 David H. Tribou, 1872-1922 Alfred L. Royce, 1881-1902
Showing summer uniform. With more than forty years of A Spanish-American War Chaplain.
active service.

Roswell R. Hoes, 1882-1912 Charles H. Parks, 1888-1890 William H. I. Reaney, 1892-1915

Historian of the Chaplain Corps. First Roman Catholic Navy Chaplain Prominent Catholic Chaplain.

Dates refer to naval service. All from paintings by Clayton Braun except
pictures of Chaplains Hoes and Reaney which arc taken from photographs.

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 IV. That all Chaplains who have not on record the cer- B. A. or a B. D. degree but retained the provision
tificate of a Medical Examining Board be ordered before requiring a year’s practical experience. However, the
such a board, and all not found fit for sea duty be retired.
A large number of Chaplains have never been subjected
effort made in 1880 to get Congress to take action
to a physical examination. for the improvement of the Chaplain Corps of the
V. That the U. S. Statute requiring a physical examina-
Navy failed. Thus, these unsettled issues remained as
tion before appointment, and also before each promotion, focal points of agitation and restlessness among the
be enforced in the case of Chaplains. Navy chaplains for twenty years or more until a satis-
VI. That Chaplains be allowed stationery. They are factory solution was reached.
now required to make all communications upon official
paper, but, are not allowed the means of complying with
the regulation. DATA ABOUT CHAPLAINS
VII. That each ship to which a Chaplain is attached In 1861, the full quota of twenty-four chaplains,
be allowed a School-master, who shall be competent to including those awaiting orders, was carried on the
play an organ and lead ordinary singing.65
rolls. Beginning with the Navy Register of 1862,
The efforts which were made in 1878 and 1880 to chaplains were divided into two main classifications,
have Congress pass a law to give the chaplains more active and retired. During the years 1862 to 1865
pay included other reforms. Section two of a pro- inclusive, the number of chaplains on the active list
posed bill submitted to the House of Representatives totaled for the respective years 16, 18, 20, and 21.
in 1878 referred to the appointment and qualifica- The full quota of twenty-four chaplains on active
tions of applicants for the naval chaplaincy. duty was not reached again until 1875.
No person shall be appointed as chaplain, until he shall Among the new chaplains commissioned were the
furnish proof that he is a regularly ordained minister of following five, who had served as Army chaplains
some religious denomination in good standing at the time during the Civil War: E. D. Winslow, J. D. Beugless,
of his appointment, together with a recommendation for
such appointment from some authorized ecclesiastical H. B. Hibben, G. D. Henderson, and J. B. Rose.
body, or, from not less than five accredited ministers of Samuel Kramer also served as an Army chaplain
said denomination; and, further, no person shall be ap- during the war, and, although not commissioned,
pointed as chaplain, unless he has taken the degree of acted as a chaplain at the Washington Navy Yard
bachelor of arts or bachelor of divinity in regular course, beginning in 1880. J. J. Kane served in the Navy
and has been pastor or assistant pastor of some church
at least one year.66
as a mate and ensign during the war and was com-
missioned a chaplain three years after he left the
The House opposed the bill for the selfsame service. W. R. Cobb, who had been wounded and
clause that won the Senate’s approval; namely, the captured while serving in the Confederate Army,
condition that all appointees have either a B. A. or a became a naval chaplain in 1869. Two, who served
B. D. degree. The House took the stand that such a as privates in the Union Army, T. A. Gill and A. L.
provision eliminated many candidates from those Royce, were commissioned naval chaplains in 1874
denominations with low educational standards for and 1881 respectively. In all, ten who had military
the ministry. The attitude of the Senate was ex- or naval experience during the war became naval
pressed on 29 January 1879 by Senator Sargent who chaplains.
argued that naval chaplains especially should have at
Among the best known and most capable chap-
least an M.A. degree “because when they go abroad lains of this period was the saintly and scholarly
they are invited to preach before foreign officers and George Williamson Smith, who served from 1864,
on other occasions and ought to display to a certain to 1876, the years 1865 to 1868 being spent at the
degree the culture of their profession among the Naval Academy. He was responsible, while at
American people.”67 Annapolis, for the building of a new chapel. Since
The provision is now an accepted part of the Navy the old one built like a Greek temple was inadequate,
chaplain’s qualifications, but was too extreme for that Smith interested Vice Admiral D. D. Porter in the
generation and the bill was defeated. project. Porter in turn presented the need to Congress,
The bill of 1880 omitted the requirement for a and in July 1866 an appropriation of $25,000 was
voted for the erection of a new chapel. An impressive
65
Ibid., III:Nov. and Dec. 1879:18. Gothic structure with a high thin spire was built,
66
45th Cong., 2nd sess., House Report, No. 4477.
67
Congressional Record for 29 Jan. 1879. and dedicated on 24 May 1868

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 Smith was elected a bishop of the Protestant Henry Howard Clark, for nineteen years Chaplain
Episcopal Church three times and each time declined at the Naval Academy, author of a number of books
the office. He became President of Trinity College dealing with boy life in the Navy, loved by genera-
at Hartford in 1883. tions of midshipmen who passed under his influence
A fine commendation of the conscientious ministry while at Annapolis.
rendered by Chaplain Smith is found in a letter Mention should also be made of the Reverend
written to the Secretary of the Navy by Commodore Samuel Kramer who served as chaplain at the
C. R. P. Rodgers on 14 March 1872. The Com- Washington Navy Yard for almost four years, begin-
modore wrote: ning this duty at the age of seventy-two. Kramer’s
I desire to place on file in the Navy Department my
interest in the Navy undoubtedly went back to the
opinion of the services and character of Chaplain G. Wil- years 1822-1830 when he served as a seaman. His
liamson Smith, who served under my orders during the name is the last on the list of non-commissioned
two years’ in which I commanded the “Franklin.” Chap- chaplains. Yet, he performed a chaplain’s duty at the
lain Smith by his devotion to his duty and his benevolence request of the Navy Department and received com-
to the crew commanded their respect and won their af-
fection in a remarkable degree, contributing largely to
pensation at the rate of $75 a month for the first two
their contentment on board ship. When sixty of the Frank- years of his service. He served without pay from
lin’s men were ill with smallpox at Flushing, (England), 1 July 1882 to 26 March 1884. Kramer began his
their Chaplain went with them to the X ship’s hospital work at the yard as the relief of Chaplain E. W.
on shore, where he remained with them through the most Hager, who died a few days after Kramer began his
loathsome stages of the disease, rendering the services of
his sacred office to the dying with the most tender as-
duties. Friends of Kramer urged his claims upon
siduity,—nursing and comforting the sick by night and Congress which granted him the retirement pay of
day, and evincing a sense of duty and an indifference to a chaplain on 5 July 1884. President Arthur, how-
danger that secured for him respect and honor from every ever, did not sign the bi11.69
officer and man on board. It is in such a battle that a It should not be forgotten that through the years
Chaplain best exhibits his courage and zeal, and I desire
that Chaplain Smith receive the credit to which he is en-
chaplains of the United States Navy have enjoyed
titled. the hearty cooperation of many consecrated Christian
officers. During the war, Stephen Decatur Trenchard,
The original letter in the Navy Records Collection later rear admiral, commanded the Rhode Island
bears the pencilled notation “File and send copy to and conducted Divine Service himself so faithfully
Chaplain Smith.” Today, an official letter of com- that by the close of the war his ship was known
mendation would approximate this gesture of the throughout the Navy as the “Gospel Gunboat.”
Navy Department in recognition of the Chaplain’s E. S. Maclay in his Reminiscences of the Old Navy
distinguished service. gave the following account of Trenchard’s religious
A number of important names appear on the list activities:
of the chaplains for the first time during these years.
Sunday always was a sacred day with him. In the four
Special mention should be made of the following: years he commanded the Rhode Island, he held service
Charles R. Hale, widely known as a scholar and with uniform regularity, much to the disgust of some of
author, spoke Russian and Greek fluently, travelled the wicked tars who preferred to lounge away the time
extensively throughout the near East, later became reading cheap literature, or teasing the ship’s cat. It has
Episcopal bishop of Cairo, Illinois; been estimated that during the time he commanded this
vessel, Trenchard failed to hold service on Sunday only
Edward Kirk Rawson, later a professor of mathe- twice, and then only because the weather made church
matics in the Navy, Superintendent of Navy War service out of the question.70
Records of the Navy Department, author of well Chaplain Henderson, writing to the Secretary of
known naval histories; the Navy on 18 May 1871, commented on the efforts
David Howard Tribou, “one of the rarest and many line officers had made for the religious welfare
sweetest souls ever to have worn the uniform of the of the men under their command:
Corps of Chaplains,68” an active chaplain for a
. . . we are glad to know that there have always been
record of more than forty-three years at the time of Naval officers of all grades who have engaged in religious
his death in 1922, historian of the Chaplain Corps; work on board of their respective ships. The honored
and
69
70
Hibben, Navy-Yard, Washington, p. 178.
68
Edel, “Navy Chaplains from 1775-1917,” pp. 134. Op. cit., p. 26.

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names of Stockton, Dupont, and Foot are familiar to us Navy chaplains during the period were develop-
all in this connection, and they are but examples out of ing a sense of unity in a common task. They were
many who, ever since the unfurling of our flag, have thus tending more and more to refer to their group as
hallowed it on every sea.71
a Corps. The provision for relative rank and the per-
The period under review closed with twenty-three mission to wear the sign of their ministry, the cross,
names on the roll of active chaplains. Four of these on their uniform, helped to create a fine espirit de
had the relative rank of captain. Bittinger, age corps. Stricter rules had been adopted regarding the
seventy-two, and Given, age sixty-two, retired in age and health of new appointees, yet, great and
March 1881, leaving Stewart and Wallace on the beneficial as the changes were, many chaplains were
active list, each being fifty years of age. The average eager for still more improvement. They proposed
age of the seven who had the relative rank of com- good and timely suggestions for the betterment of
mander was forty-six; that of the seven lieutenants their work, many of which, however, were not
was thirty-nine; and the five “chaplains” averaged immediately adopted. This agitation for reform was
thirty-eight. Never before was there such a well- a healthy sign.
trained and stable group of men serving as nava1 The old tradition of the church pennant flying
chaplains. The fact that most of these men joined above the national emblem during Divine Service
the naval chaplaincy in the early years of their aboard ship was now officially recognized. Another
ministry with the intention of making it their life tradition taking root was the use in Divine Services
work brought in a stabilizing element which augured of the hymn appropriated from the English, “Eternal
well for the spiritual welfare of naval personnel. Father, Strong to Save.” During the Civil War, came
the Christian Commission, an organization notable
IN SUMMARY for its service to naval and military personnel.
The events of the years 1861-1880 were epoch- Some radical changes, such as permitting voluntary
making in the history of the naval chaplaincy. For attendance instead of enforcing attendance at Divine
the Navy itself, the great expansion during the Civil Services, were made. This was a period when the
War was followed by a period of contraction and whole subject of naval regulations was in flux, and
stagnation. out of the series of improved regulations came those
guiding principles which, for the most part, are still
71
Nav. Rec. Colt., III:May 1871:138. in effect.

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 CHAPTER NINE

THE NEW NAVY STEAMS FORTH

1881-1900

Agitation for a new Navy began about 1881. In THE CHAPLAINS OF THE NEW NAVY
March 1883 Congress authorized the 1,485 ton dis-
Twenty-three chaplains were on duty in 1881.
patch vessel Dolphin; the unarmored cruisers of 3,000
With the addition of new and more powerful ships
tons, Atlanta and Boston; and the 4,000 ton cruiser
came the inevitable increase in naval personnel. The
Chicago. The commissioning of these vessels marked
the beginning of what was called the “New Navy.” number of officers and men increased from 9,840
During the years 1887-1893, some thirty-six vessels in 1881 to 18,515 in 1900. In addition, the number
of officers and men in the Marine Corps grew from
aggregating more than 130,000 tons were added to
1902 to 5,414 during the same period. Since the
the Navy, including thirteen armored cruisers. Also
added were the Maine and New York, listed at first quota of chaplains remained unchanged at twenty-
as heavy cruisers and afterwards classified as battle- four, there was, in 1881, a ration of one chaplain to
ships, and the battleships Texas, Indiana, Massachu- 487 naval personnel and in 1900 the ratio was one
setts, Oregon, and Iowa. Other vessels were built and to 997. In other words, considered numerically, the
commissioned during the years 1894 to 1896, includ- chaplain’s responsibility had doubled. During the
peak enrollment of the Spanish-American War, the
ing the battleship Kearsarge.
ratio was one chaplain to 1,075 men.
The names of large ships are as important in the
history of the Navy Chaplain Corps as are the names The full quota of twenty-four chaplains was
of dioceses and parishes in the history of the Chris- usually on duty during the years 1881 to 1900. Never
tian church. These larger ships were the floating before was the turnover in the chaplaincy so small.
parishes of naval chaplains. While some clergyman This is evidenced by the fact that only nine new
ashore might take great pride in being pastor of a chaplains were commissioned during the decade,
certain church in a large city, his brother in naval 1881-1890, and fifteen in the ten-year period follow-
uniform would be equally proud, if not more so, to ing. In the previous period, 1861-1880, thirty-two
be chaplain of a cruiser or battleship. The chaplain chaplains had been appointed.
had the advantage over his brother on land, in that Another indication of stability is found in the
the farthest any member of his parish could be re- increased average length of service of chaplains. The
moved from him at sea was the distance of only nine men who entered the chaplaincy from 1881 to
several hundred feet. 1890 averaged 18.5 years of service each. Such men
The period of naval decay from the war peak ex- as Frank Thompson and Roswell R. Hoes each
tended to 1881, a span of sixteen years, and ‘this was served about thirty-nine years. Only three out of the
paralleled by a like period, 1883-1898, in the ascent nine served less than ten years. During the next
again to naval power. A new and vastly stronger decade, the average length of service of the fifteen
Navy than ever before came into being in who entered the Navy as chaplains was about thirteen
the years 1881-1900. Not only was the usefulness of years. The men of this group who remained in the
the old sailing vessels as potential members of the longest were W. E. Edmonson, twenty-five years;
fleet ended, but also consigned to the limbo of obso- John Brown Frazier, thirty; W. G. Cassard, twenty-
letism were the hybrid combinations of sail and two; Curtis H. Dickins, thirty-one; and W. G. Isaacs,
steam. Such ships as the Constitution, Constellation, thirty-six years.
and Hartford, were kept in commission merely as There is no instrument that can measure the
training ships and because of their historic increase of usefulness and effectiveness which accom-
significance. panied this new stability. Even though the chaplain

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were not being paid on an equal basis with their The classification of the ordained men by denomina-
fellow staff officers, yet for the most part the men tions is as follows: Baptist, 12; Congregational, 7;
who entered the chaplaincy [during these years found Methodist, 22; Protestant Episcopal, 42; Presbyterian,
such joy and satisfaction in their work that they 14; Unitarian, 3; and Universalist, 1. Since the total
remained in the Navy in spite of the discrimination. is 101, the figures given show the approximate per-
Of the twenty-four chaplains who were commissioned centage. Two denominations, the Methodist and the
during these years, five died while on active duty, Protestant Episcopal, furnished about two-thirds of
seven remained sufficiently long enough to be retired, all ordained naval chaplains for the first eighty years
eight resigned, three were asked to resign, and one of the Navy’s history.
was court-martialed. As was to be expected, the time came when other
During these years, the following procedure was churches requested the privilege of having some of
followed by a clergyman desiring to obtain a com- their clergymen commissioned as chaplains. In this
mission as a naval chaplain. He applied directly to twenty year period under review, two new denomina-
the President of the United States or to the Secretary tions were represented among the chaplains for the
of the Navy. Often the applicant asked an influential first time, the Disciples of Christ and the Roman
member of Congress to endorse his application. For Catholic.
instance, Senator Angus Cameron recommended The first Disciples chaplain in the Navy was Carroll
Alfred L. Royce to the Secretary when the death of Quinn Wright, who was appointed in 1885. In
Chaplain Elijah W. Hager created a vacancy. Some- applying for a commission, Wright in a letter to the
times ecclesiastical superiors wrote either to the Secretary of the Navy dated 7 January 1885, stated:
President or to the Secretary of the Navy. Such a “The Denomination which I represent ranks about
recommendation was made. in behalf of Father 3rd in the U. S. numerically. None of our ministry
Louis Paul Rennolds. James Cardinal Gibbons wrote has ever held a chaplaincy in the U. S. Navy.” A
on 13 January 1900 to the President, requesting: letter of recommendation from Senator John B.
“Rev. Father Parks one of the Catholic chaplains in Mitchell to President Arthur read: “He is endorsed
the Navy intends to resign. It is the chaplaincy thus by some of the prominent Republicans of Philadel-
made vacant which Father Rennolds desires to phia very strongly, and I have no doubt his appoint-
obtain?’ Beyond any such letters from ecclesiastical ment would give very great satisfaction in that city.”
superiors or brother clergymen, no endorsement by This suggests that a would-be chaplain’s political
the denomination an applicant represented was affiliation was influential in his appointment.
required. Chaplain Wright rendered notable service in the
These letters were kept on file in the Secretary’s Navy from 1885 to the time of his retirement in
office, and, when a vacancy occurred, the most 1920. Chaplain Edel appraised Chaplain Wright as
promising candidate was nominated by the President. “one of the most effective and convincing preachers
The Senate, before the man could be commissioned, the Corps ever had, and one of the most lovable of
had to give official confirmation. The successful men.” Chaplain Frazier, the first Chief of the Chap-
candidate was then required to pass a physical lains Division, referred to Chaplain Wright as “a
examination. Captain who never commanded a ship, but whose
An effort was frequently made to select new chap- sphere of command was the hearts of all his ship-
lains of the same denomination as those who were mates, and who won, not the glories of war, but the
being replaced. The Navy Department, however, love of all with whom he came in touch.2”
does not appear to have pursued a policy of a fixed
quota for the separate denominations. FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPLAINS
The Reverend Charles Henry Parks, who was com-
FIRST CHAPLAIN FROM THE
missioned 30 April 1888, was the first Roman
DISCIPLES CHURCH
Catholic priest to become a chaplain in the United
The number of men who are known to have States Navy. An effort, however, had been made in
served in the United States Navy as chaplains down 1846 to obtain a Catholic chaplain when President
to 1881 total 159, of which 58 were not ordained. Polk had appealed to Bishop Hughes of New York,
1 2
CoC., Correspondence File. Edel, “Navy Chaplains from 1775 to 1917,” pp. 21-2.

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 but was informed that no priest was available at from 1891 to 1893. At that time, a number of naval
that time.3 prisoners were confined aboard this ship, a common
With the increase of Catholic personnel in the practice after the middle of the century, when flog-
service after the Civil War, a rapid expansion in ging was abolished. Wallace was deeply interested in
the number of chaplains of this faith was logical. the spiritual and moral welfare of these men and
Three more Catholics were commissioned before the zealously ministered to their needs.
end of the century. They were: William Henry Shortly before Chaplain Wallace retired in 1893,
Ironsides Reaney, 1892; John Patrick Sylvester a former naval prisoner who described himself as
Chidwick, 1895; and Louis Paul Rennolds, 1900. “one of those that stand at the lowest rung of the
Reaney, surprisingly, was born on the old frigate social ladder,” wrote to the Chaplain in apprecia-
Constitution in New York harbor and, thus, received tion, saying,
the unusual third name of Ironsides. Chaplain Edel allow me at this time an opportunity to accord you my
in his appraisal of Chaplain Reaney said that he humble, but heartfelt and sincere thanks for your kind
became one of the outstanding characters in the whole words and actions towards myself while I was undergoing
history of the Navy. . . . As a boy, he looked forward to a sentence at the naval prison. You brought with your
service in the Navy and when his vocation opened before presence into that prison some of the brightest sunbeams
him, his dearest wish became that he might be a Catholic that ever straggled over the pathway of a then dark and
Chaplain and serve in that capacity. He was appointed to dismal portion of my life.
the Corps in 1892 and served twenty-three years ashore You may never, perhaps, in this life fully comprehend
and afloat, becoming easily the best known Chaplain of how precious and anxiously looked for those Sunday after-
his day. . . . Chaplain Reaney was a big man, erect of noon visits were to my comrades in misery.5
carriage, with handsome, leonine features and the trained
body of a fine athlete. His ready Irish wit and instant
It is said that the agitation for drastic reforms in
friendly affection for those around him won an equally the treatment of naval prisoners, in which Chaplain
instant friendliness for him in turn. He loved all athletic Wallace took a part, led to the construction of the
sports and threw himself with unexampled vigor into the new naval prison at Portsmouth, New Hampshire,
promotion of an athletic program for the men of the in 1904.
Navy. . . . He promoted baseball, football, rowing and Among the reasons Chaplain Wesley O. Holway
boxing, especially boxing. He, himself, was a boxer of skill
and resource, winner of many bouts, sparring partner of should be remembered is that he introduced physical
President Theodore Roosevelt. . . . He fitted the Chap- drill into the Navy. In the old days, sailors kept
laincy as the hand fits the glove, and in the battle for physically fit by climbing the rigging and handling
righteousness he used his office with the same skill and the canvas. When steam was introduced and the
zest that he used the gloves when he fought in the squared donkey engine provided power for the hoists, the lack
circle. . . . And neither before his day nor since has there
been one like him.4 of hard labor had an unfavorable effect upon the
physique of the enlisted personnel. Sailors tended
During the first decade of the twentieth century, to become soft-muscled and round-shouldered.
six of the allotted twenty-four chaplains were Cath- Captain Bunce of the Newport Training Station re-
olics. No definite quota of denominational representa- quested Chaplain Holway to set up some form of
tion has ever been set for the Navy Chaplain Corps, compulsory drill. Holway prepared a booklet which
although an effort has been made to select men from set forth some light dumbbell drills based upon a
the larger denominations more or less on the basis pamphlet issued by the YMCA. The success of these
of the national religious census returns. drills was such as to attract the attention of the
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and of the Navy
OUTSTANDING CHAPLAINS Department. In 1898, the Navy Department issued
There were certain outstanding chaplains whose A Manual of Physical Drill which had been prepared
interest in and activity for the men under their care by Chaplain Holway.6
set them apart as worthy of special mention. One of the youngest chaplains ever to be com-
First in order of seniority is the name of Chaplain missioned in the Navy was George A. Crawford, born
John S. Wallace, who was commissioned in 1863. in Maine, 29 April 1849 and commissioned 23 May
Perhaps, his most outstanding service was achieved 1870, when he was a few days more than twenty-one
during his tour of duty on the receiving ship Wabash years old. Ten years later, he was ordered to the
3 5
Germain, Catholic Military and Naval Chaplains, p. 143. 6
Wallace File, Alumni Records, Harvard University.
4
Edel, op. cit., pp. 17-8. Copy in Edel Coll.

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Richmond, then on the Asiatic station, where he re- quary was spoiled when Chaplain Hoes entered the
mained for about four years. The story of the reli- corps.”
gious revival which occurred on the Richmond is With such predilections, it was expected that
told by Chaplain Edel: Chaplain Hoes would become interested in the
history of the naval chaplains. He was the first to
Chaplain Crawford had already served ten years before
he joined the RICHMOND in 1880, but he found laid begin collecting pictures, records, and other chaplain
out for him on that vessel the work for which he was to data from the beginning of the Navy down to and
become famous. When he arrived on the Asiatic Station, including his own day. His successors who have car-
he found the RICHMOND a most unpromising field for ried on researches in the history of the Chaplain
Christian effort, with a greatly lowered state of morale. Corps have built on the foundations which Chaplain
The crew are said to have indulged freely in the revolting
vices of the foreign waterfronts, they were addicted to Hoes so well laid.
drugs and drink, and they scoffed loudly at the idea that In addition to those mentioned, certain chaplains
any Chaplain could have any influence over them. Only who entered the service before 1881, as William H.
a handful of men greeted the Chaplain with friendliness, Stewart, Donald McLaren, David Tribou, Henry
but the Chaplain using these men as the nucleus of his Howard Clark, Adam A. McAlister, Thomas A. Gill,
Christian activities, preached with boldness the need for
instant conversion. To the surprise of officers and men, and Sylvester Boorom, were also in their prime during
there broke out almost at once a great revival of religion, this period.
which continued until the majority of the crew and many
of the officers professed conversion and banded them- THE BEGINNING OF THE NAVY YMCA
selves into prayer groups, led by the valiant Chaplain.
The use of intoxicants and drugs nearly disappeared, lib- One of the most effective and efficient civilian
erty parties returned to the ship clean and sober, and agencies organized to minister to the physical, mental,
officers and men began to refer to the RICHMOND as and spiritual needs of naval personnel, especially
a “happy ship.”7
when off duty, is the Navy Young Men’s Christian
Chaplain Crawford often referred to his temper- Association. Naval chaplains whose duty brought
ance work aboard the Richmond. Writing on 4 them within reach of the Navy Y activities are quick
January 1884, he commented on the “Lodge of to praise the splendid service rendered by this branch
Good Templars,” a temperance organization, which of the National Council YMCA.9 It is interesting to
had been organized aboard his ship. He said it “con- note that two naval chaplains, David H. Tribou and
tinued in a flourishing condition, and nearly all of Robert Edward Steele, played an important role in
its members have been true to their pledge.8” the organization of the first Navy YMCA.
Among the new names which appear on the roll The YMCA was first organized in London by
of Navy chaplains, during these years, is that of George Williams in 1844. Transplanted to the
Roswell Randall Hoes, who was commissioned in United States, the organization quickly took root and
1882. His usual self-introduction was “My name is reached its fullest development. As has been men-
Hoes, it rhymes with goose.” His hobby was history tioned, the YMCA was concerned with the welfare of
and nothing delighted him more than to dig into the men in service during the Civil War and took
the records of the past. Through the years, he built a leading part in the organization of the United
a notable collection of early and rare Americana. States Christian Commission. When the Spanish-
Sections of this collection are now in such libraries American War broke out in 1898, the Y again be-
as the Library of Congress, the Henry E. Huntington came active in ministering to the men in uniform.
Library at San Marino, California, and the New Out of this conflict came the Army and Navy
York Historical Society. By request of the Queen of YMCA, an organization which during the following
the Hawaiian Islands, Chaplain Hoes spent some forty years established branches in China, the
time in arranging archives there and in preparing a Phillipines, the Canal Zone, at military posts and in
bibliography of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He also was the leading naval port cities of the United States.
interested in several local histories of New York State Wherever the United States Navy went, the Y fol-
and in the early story of the Dutch settlers in New lowed if circumstances permitted.
Amsterdam. Chaplain Henry H. Clark referring to
9
his colleague once remarked that an “eminent anti- The Army and Navy Department of the International
Committee of the YMCA of the United States and Canada
7
was transferred to the National Council of the YMCA of
8
Edel,
op. cit., p. 13. the United States upon the establishment of the latter body
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Jan. 1884:55. in 1924.

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 The first Navy Y was organized in 1898 at Captain A. S. Crowninshield of the Maine gave this
Brooklyn, New York. The following historical item word of testimony;
is found on the souvenir program printed for the Through the untiring efforts of your Chaplain, the Rev-
dedication of the “Brooklyn Branch of the Naval erend R. E. Steele, many men were sheltered in comfort
Young Men’s Christian Association 15 May 1902.” where the alternative might have been jail and the police
courts. On the day of sailing, two men who would, un-
As early as January, 1898, before there was any real doubtedly, have been left behind, were brought off’ to this
belief in the possibiilty of war, Chaplain D. H. Tribou, vessel by your Chaplain, and on other occasions men who
U. S. N., in his annual report to the Department at Wash- would have broken their liberty were, undoubtedly, in-
ington, suggested that in his judgment the Young Men’s duced by him to return to their vessel.10
Christian Association could minister to the needs of the
young men in the Navy, and offered to take up the ques- In May, following the declaration of war on Spain,
tion with the International Committee. This he was in- Steele offered his services to the Army Christian
structed to do by the Department, and as a result the Commission, under which name the YMCA was
Committee received a communication from him dated
January 27, 1898. In response: to this a secretary of the seeking to carry on its activities with Army personnel.
Committee went to Boston to confer with Chaplain Tribou, Nothing had been done as yet for the Navy men-
and a feasible plan of procedure was outlined. Thus, even Steele offered to go to Key West and inaugurate
before the war began, forces were set in motion which work there for the men of the fleet. The Y accepted
prepared the way for the prompt action needed when it
Steele’s offer. He arrived at Key West on 4 June
was actually declared.
and rented a large tobacco factory which he called
In the meantime, the Reverend Robert E. Steele the “Naval Headquarters of the Army and Navy
was also studying the possible application of the tech- Christian Commission.” Here he carried on a multi-
niques developed by the Y to the needs of naval per- plicity of duties. He visited the sick, provided reading
sonnel. Steele, a Presbyterian minister, became sec- matter for both soldiers and sailors, and held religious
retary of a Mission for Sailors organized at meetings almost every evening in the tobacco factory.
Brunswick, Georgia, in 1886. After two years, he His excellent work inspired a letter of commendation
went to Savannah to study the work of the YMCA from Commander George C. Remey to the Navy
there. Steele later became the chaplain of the New Department.
Orleans Seaman’s Friend Society. On 4 July 1898 ‘Steele was commissioned a Chap-
Steele saw the need for a building in the city lain in the Navy and given duty on the Lancaster then
which could be used for the entertainment of naval at Key West. The fact that Steele was chosen out of
personnel while on liberty. ‘Through the generosity of more than seventy applicants to fill one of the three
a number of citizens whose interest in the project had vacancies, speaks well for the high regard the Navy
been cultivated by Steele, a temporary “Sailor’s Department had for the work he had performed.
Rest” or “Bethel” was secured on Chartes Street, The outbreak of yellow fever at Key West in August
just off Canal. Hundreds of naval men used the compelled the withdrawal of the naval forces. Chap-
facilities of this place while their ships remained in lain Steele accompanied his ship to Portsmouth where
port. This was the first successful attempt in the ‘he was detached and ordered to the Navy Yard at
United States to deal with the problem of entertain- Brooklyn. Here, he was given the special assignment
ing naval personnel while on liberty. of investigating the problems to be met in handling
Early in 1897, the battleships Maine and Texas naval personnel on liberty.
visited New Orleans to permit their crews to take On 19 September 1898, Steele submitted his report
part in the famed Mardi Gras festivities. The mayor to Rear Admiral F. M. Bunce. In pointing out the
of New Orleans gave Steele full police authority over necessity for a Naval Young Men’s Christian Associa-
all intoxicated and disorderly bluejackets while the tion, Steele wrote:
ships were in port. Steele did not permit a single No society or other instrumentality is, at present, main-
sailor to remain in jail. As soon as he was notified of taining resorts entirely suited to meet the real demands of
an arrest, he secured the man’s release and after our sailors, nor can I find that any comprehensive wide-
sobering him up, saw that he was returned to his reaching plan such as that of the Young Men’s Christian
Association, has ever been formulated for this purpose.
ship. The success of this unusual experiment attracted
the attention of the commanding officers of the ships, Perhaps, one of the best proofs of the practical demand
who extended their thanks to Steele. Writing to the for this proposed organization is the fact that from all
Board of Directors of the Bethel on 26 March 1897, 10
Edel Coll., Steele File.

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parts of the country, and from different sources in the in this work. Miss Helen Gould provided funds to
Navy, come suggestions very similar in detail and all look- purchase property at 167 Sands Street, Brooklyn,
ing to the same results.11
within three blocks of the main entrance of the Navy
Steele envisaged a work that would be navy-wide Yard. The building there was opened on 1 March
in scope and not limited to any particular port. He 1899. Men who were critical of anything resembling
recommended the erection of buildings at Brooklyn, a mission were at first prejudiced against the institu-
Boston, Norfolk, and San Francisco. He suggested tion. It was not long, however, before the Navy Y
that the building at Brooklyn be erected first because had their full confidence and respect.
the largest Navy Yard was located there and because Steele was ordered to the Hartford in September
it was near the headquarters of the International 1899, and on the 25th of that month submitted a
Committee of the YMCA. Steele felt that this latter report to Rear Admiral J. W. Philip at the Navy
fact would make it possible to secure able supervision Yard, New York, which summed up the part he had
for the new project. played in the organization of this branch of the
Admiral Bunce gave his hearty approval to the YMCA. Steele first referred to the fact that he had
plan and forwarded it to the Department. On 8 been assigned by Admiral Bunce “to special duty
October 1898, Secretary of the Navy John D. Long of organizing the Naval Young Men’s Christian As-
wrote to Chaplain Steele approving the plan. Sec- sociation, and the establishment of a Home for en-
retary Long suggested, however, that a change be listed men on liberty, near the Yard.” Steele reported
made in the rules of the new organization to permit that the Navy Y had sixty-four charter members, and
all members the right to vote and hold office. Steele, that “A Naval General Committee has been ap-
true to his own convictions and the generally pointed, a constitution prepared and adopted, and
accepted policy of the Y, had divided membership arrangements perfected for the establishment of
into two categories, active and associate. Those who branches on ship board and at stations.”
became active members had to be Christians, and After referring to the building which had been
were called upon to sign a credal statement of faith opened for the accommodation of the men at 167
in Jesus Christ. This excuded such faiths as the Uni- Sands St., Brooklyn, Steele wrote of the work in
tarians and it so happened that Secretary Long was other places as follows:
of this persuasion. At Newport, R. I., Boston, Mass., Portland, Me., and
Steele replied on 18 October, pointing out that the at Bar Harbor, Me., buildings were fitted up by the local
suggested change did not exist “in any other branch Young Men’s Christian Association for temporary sleeping
of the YMCA” and that the change would have the quarters during the visit of the N. A. Squadron. This was
effect “of emasculating the whole movement of its in response to my requests, excepting at Newport, where
the local Association responded to the request of Chaplain
strongest element.” He stated that, in his mind, the Royce of the Flagship New York. At Philadelphia, Pa.,
main purpose of this rule was “to organize and the Association extended all the privileges to our men but
identify the Christians of the service, both officers was unable to secure a building for sleeping quarters. At
and men” for the evangelizing of the Navy. On 21 Tompkinsville, L. I., the Naval Association fitted up, un-
October, Long notified him that since “this proposed der my direction, a large Hotel building near the landing,
with cots, a piano, lunch room, etc. This was used by the
branch’ organization is not a part of the Naval Serv- men of the N. A. Squadron during and just preceding the
ice, the Department is at present of the opinion that Reception of Admiral Dewey.
it may be left to establish its own rules.” I have visited Washington, D. C., Boston, Mass., New-
The Secretary wrote a strong letter of endorsement port, R. I., Philadelphia, Pa., Albany, N. Y., West Point,
for the proposed “Naval Branch of the Young Men’s N. Y., Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Tarrytown, N. Y., in
the interest of the Association. Have held divine service
Christian Association in the City of New York,” on board the Detroit, New Orleans, Newark, Texas, and
which was evidently to be used in raising funds. Massachusetts, and on the Cob Dock, and at the Naval
“The plan,” wrote the Secretary, “provides for the Hospital.
proper entertainment of the sailors of our Navy when The Navy Y owes much to the indefatigable zeal
on shore, their protection from the temptations which and vision of Chaplain Robert E. Steele. Basic
beset them, and the general care and good influence
principles; which have guided the Army and Navy
which such an institution will exert.”
YMCA in its activities from the very beginning of
A number of wealthy persons became interested its history, were first outlined and put into practice
11
Ibid. by Chaplain Steele. His plan of providing clean and

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comfortable sleeping accommodations, reading and 1893,. suggests that some chaplains were not as dili-
recreational rooms, and eating facilities are still in- gent as they might have been in providing religious
cluded in the arrangements of every Navy Y. Many services for those of the crew who differed from them
a United States sailor has been the beneficiary of this in faith. In the early years of the Navy, it was as-
little known Navy chaplain. sumed that all were Protestants. With the commis-
sioning of Roman Catholic chaplains in 1888 and
EVOLVING NAVY REGULATIONS 1892, a policy had to be evolved to care for Prot-
Navy regulations were still in flux during the years estant men on ships served by the Catholics and
1881 to 1900. New editions appeared in 1893, 1896, to make Catholic services available for those ships
and 1900. Gradually, the articles governing the duties and stations which had Protestant chaplains.
of the chaplain evolved into their present form. Article 737 modified the earlier provisions which
Chapter XVII of the 1893 edition was entitled authorized the chaplain “to instruct in the principles
“The Chaplain.” The Regulations of 1876 stated that of the Christian religion the boys and such other
the chaplain “will perform Divine Service and offer persons as the Commander of the vessel may com-
prayers at such times as the Commanding Officer mit to his care.” All reference to the “Christian re-
may designate.” In the 1893 edition, the following ligion” was stricken out. Thus, the way was prepared
article appeared : for the services of Jewish chaplains.
734. The chaplain shall perform divine service and The 1893 edition contained the following two new
offer prayers on board of the ship to which he is attached articles:
at such times as the captain may prescribe; also on board
other ships to which chaplains are not attached, or at 740. He shall always report at quarters for inspection,
shore stations and naval hospitals, when so directed by when on board. His station at quarters for battle and for
the senior officer present. inspection, shall be as the captain may direct.
741. The chaplain’s duty in battle is to aid the wounded.
The “will perform” of the 1876 Regulations was
supplanted by the more forceful expression, “shall The 1896 Regulations combined the two articles
by inserting article 741 after the first sentence in
perform.” It is interesting to note that the chaplain
article 740. The 1900 edition eliminated article 741
was also instructed to conduct services on other ships,
of the earlier edition.
shore stations, and at hospitals where no chaplains
Article 1685 of the 1893 Regulations stated that
were attached “when so directed by the senior officer
present.” This provision greatly increased the chap- newly appointed chaplains were to be not less than
lam’s usefulness. The 1896 and 1900 editions of the twenty-one or more than thirty-five years of age. The
1876 Regulations had placed the upper age at thirty.
Regulations repeated the provisions of article 734.
This article also ruled the applicant for the chap-
The following articles from the 1893 Regulations laincy had to pass a physical examination and “be a
were also repeated in the 1896 and 1900 editions: regularly ordained minister of good standing in his
735. He shall be permitted to conduct public worship denomination.” No previous ruling on this subject
according to the manner and forms of the church of which
he is a minister. had been so specific. The Regulations of 1896 and
736. He shall facilitate, so far as possible, the perform- 1900 repeated this article without change.
ance of divine service by clergymen of churches other than The law of 1860 which required chaplains to
his own, who may be permitted by the captain to visit report annually to the Secretary of the Navy was
the ship for that purpose. frequently disregarded in the years that followed.
737. He may, with the sanction of the captain, form The Regulations of 1896, still in force, reaffirmed the
voluntary classes for religious instruction.
738. He shall visit the sick frequently, unless the con-
earlier law: “Chaplains shall report annually to the
dition of the sick renders such visits unadvisable. Secretary of the Navy the official services performed
739. Under the direction of the captain, he shall super- by them.”
vise the instruction of boys, and of such other persons in It took the Civil War to give relative rank to the
the Navy as may need to be taught the elementary prin- staff officers of the Navy and the Spanish-American
ciples of reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography. He War to give them actual rank. Congress, on 3 March
shall report in writing to the captain at the end of each
week the character of instruction given, the number of 1899, passed “An Act to reorganize and increase the
hours under instruction, and the progress made by each efficiency of the personnel of the Navy and Marine
person. Corps of the United States.” Section 7 stated that
Article 736, which appears for the first time in “all sections of the Revised Statutes, which in defin-

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ing the rank of officers or positions in the Navy, con- “All punishments consisting of extra duties shall be
tain the words ‘relative rank of’ are hereby amended discontinued on Sunday.” More and more Sunday
so as to read ‘the rank of’.” All staff officers, includ- was being protected and set apart as a day for rest
ing chaplains, and those on the retired list were in and worship. All this was a great help to the Navy
this way placed on an equal footing with line officers chaplain in his work.
in respect to rank. Nevertheless, discrimination still
existed, for the maximum pay chaplains could “THE SMOKING LAMP IS OUT”
receive, regardless of rank, was that of lieutenant Before the invention of matches, and cigarette
commander. Section 13 provided further: “That lighters, a smoking lamp hung from a cord near the
naval chaplains, who do not possess relative rank, cook’s stove. During certain hours of the day, the wick
shall have the rank of lieutenant in the Navy.”12 was lighted and all who wished to light their pipes
Newly commissioned, chaplains received the rank of or cigars had to go there to do so. Later a lantern
senior grade lieutenant. The rank of lieutenant was substituted for the old smoking lamp, but the
(junior grade) was not given to chaplains until 1905 name itself remained.
and the grade of acting chaplain with status of lieu- Mention of smoking is found in the section dealing
tenant (junior grade), did not apply until 1915. with the duties of the commanding officer in the
In accordance with this 1899 law, the Regulations 1865 edition of Navy Regulations. It is as follows:
of 1900 provided the rank of lieutenant for “the re- He will permit a lighted lantern to be hung up in a
maining chaplains” whose rank had not been ‘deter- suitable place during meal hours, and after evening quar-
mined by the 3 March 1871 Act of Congress. The ters until tattoo, or the setting of the watch, from which
distribution for the other ranks remained the same pipes or cigars may be lighted. No pipes or cigars shall
as in the earlier Act, and promotion was still on the be lighted at the galley or on the berth deck.
basis of seniority. In the 1876 edition of Regulations the following
Several regulations, dealing with the observance restrictions were laid down:
of Sunday, are of interest. The Regulations of 1876 He will not permit smoking in the wardroom, steerage,
stated: “When a national anniversary, to be cele- cockpit, or on any part of the berth-deck, and will him-
brated,. occurs on Sunday, all the ceremonies are to self designate the places where smoking will be permitted.
be deferred until following day; and in no case shall A further restriction on smoking was included in
a salute be fired on Sunday, unless the failure to do the 1893 and subsequent Regulations which read:
so would give offense to foreign authorities; but 378. (4). Smoking during divine service is forbidden.
salutes may be returned on that day.” Even earlier Here, then, is the origin of the traditional passing
editions of the Regulations carried similar provisions. of the word by the boatswain’s mate: “The smoking
Article 239 of the 1893 edition reads as follows: lamp is out. Knock off all card games. Keep silence
1. Officers commanding squadrons or ships shall not per- about the deck during Divine Service.” The smoking
mit women to reside on board of, or take passage in, any lamp and the smoking lantern have long since disap-
ship of the Navy in commission for sea service. peared. Yet the call “The smoking lamp is out” is
2. Sunday shall be observed on board of all ships and still used ashore and afloat to mean, “knock off
at naval stations in an orderly manner. All labor shall
be reduced to the requirements of necessary duty. The re-
smoking.”13
ligious tendencies of officers and men shall be recognized At the conclusion of Divine Service, it was cus-
and encouraged. The religious institutions and customs of tomary on some ships and stations to have the boat-
foreign countries visited by ships of the Navy must be swain’s mate notify the ship’s company by singing
respected. out: “The smoking lamp is lighted.” This was a signal
The Regulations of 1896 added a section which for the resumption of all activities which were sus-
relieved somewhat the pressure of work on Sunday. It pended during the church hour.
stated that Saturday afternoon “shall in general be 13
The traditional church call has been amended today to
regarded on board ships as a half holiday,” thus per- include “Turn off all radios.” The installation of a public
mitting the men to perform incidental chores which address system on the larger vessels permits the sound of the
boatswain’s pipe and voice to be carried to every corner of
had been attended to on Sunday. It also provided: the ship or station with ease. In line with the tradition that
all unnecessary activities cease during Divine Service, the
12
30 Stat. 1006-7. It is to be noted that the granting of ship’s service store and the library are usually closed at this
full rank to chaplains did not permit them to wear the same time. Upon the suggestion of the chaplain, the call can be
uniform as that worn by other naval’ officers. This was pro- given sufficiently in advance of the opening of the service
vided in subsequent legislation, as was equalization in pay. to permit all hands to assemble.

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 THE CHAPLAIN’S UNIFORM I did not think, nor could I think, that there was the
slightest intention to discriminate against me; but the
When chaplains were given the relative rank of conclusion was obvious that in the judgment of the Com-
commander and of lieutenant commander in 1863, mander-in-chief my dress afforded sufficient reason for
they were authorized to wear the regular naval debarring me from participation in an occasion in a man-
officer’s uniform, including full-dress, with the in- ner that had been made a common privilege and duty for
all other commissioned officers of the ship. I did not ex-
signia of their respective ranks. The cross was to be perience any sense of personal or professional injury, but
worn on the shoulder straps and on the cap as the I could not resist the inferences, that by my exclusion from
Corps device. Some chaplains, however, preferred to the bridge my uniform had deprived me of a statutory
wear their civilian clerical clothes. On 25 August right, and that from a military point of view I had suf-
1881, Chaplain W. F. Morrision wrote to the Sec- fered humiliation.
retary of the Navy requesting permission “to wear Inasmuch as the prescribed chaplain’s uniform for
the ordinary black clerical suit when on ship.” The dress occasions set them apart from all other naval
Secretary, however, ruled: “Chaplains must wear officers, Chaplain Clark respectfully requested that
their uniform as well as other officers.”14 “a uniform be devised for Chaplains which shall ex-
The 1883 edition of Uniform Regulations made press their relative relations to the naval establish-
optional the wearing of the authorized uniform by ment, and which shall raise no question as to their
chaplains: “In place of the prescribed uniform, chap- availability for, or presentability in, any military
lains may wear the single-breasted coat, waistcoat, formation or parade, or shall seem unfitting to any
and trousers commonly worn by clergymen, made of occasion, of which, by virtue of law and custom, they
black or dark navy-blue cloth.” These Regulations are a legitimate and organic part.”15
also permitted the wearing of a summer uniform, a On 3 September 1895, the Secretary of the Navy
white duck coat with white braid and without dis- replied that the Admiral had “been advised of the
tinctive marks on the collar. Department’s disapproval of his action in directing
that you be ordered from the bridge of the U. S.
The edition of Uniform Regulations, approved 1
Flagship New York upon the occasion of the review
July 1885, contains only the following regulation
of the naval fleet, at Kiel, by the German Emperor.”
relative to chaplains :
Regarding the request for an appropriate full-dress
Chaplains shall wear the dress commonly worn by uniform, the Secretary wrote that “the Department
clergymen, consisting of a single-breasted coat, with stand- does not deem it desirable, at the present time, to
ing collar, waistcoat, and trousers of black or dark navy-
blue cloth, and black, low-crowned soft felt hat. make any change in the existing dress for officers of
this corps.”16
Since no mention was made of the full-dress uni- The new Uniform Regulations of 1 July 1897 con-
form, chaplains were obliged to wear civilian dress tained the following article :
on formal occasions.
Chaplains shall wear the dress commonly worn by
This often caused embarrassment. A typical illus- clergymen consisting of a single-breasted frock coat, with
tration of this is found in an experience of Chaplain standing collar, waistcoat, and trousers, of black or navy-
H. H. Clark when he was ordered by Admiral blue material, and a black hat. A navy cap with black
Kirkland from the bridge of the Flagship New York buttons and strap, and without ornaments, may be worn.
at the opening ceremonies of the Kiel Canal, 27 An Addenda appeared on 23 December 1898
June 1895. which specifically prohibited chaplains from wearing
Writing to the Secretary of the Navy, Chaplain the full-dress and the special full-dress, uniforms
Clark stated that as chaplain of that ship he had authorized for other Navy officers. Chaplains were.
received “a typewritten order . . . to be present on authorized to wear for special full-dress a “Frock
the ship’s bridge during the Emperor’s review of the coat, plain blue trousers, blue cap.” For less formal
fleet.” Chaplain Clark appeared in the authorized occasions, white trousers were permitted and a white
full dress uniform of a chaplain, the frock coat of a cover with the cap if such were ordered. The chap-
civilian clergyman. He was then ordered below, the lain’s service dress consisted of “Blue or white serv-
Admiral explaining that his “dress was unsuitable for ice coat, plain blue or white trousers, and blue caps
such distinctively military assemblage as that on the (with white cover if ordered), and his evening dress
bridge.” Chaplain Clark then added: 15
Original in Clark File, Chaplain’s Office, Naval
14
Academy.
16
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Aug. 1881:131. From copy in Clark File, Naval Academy.

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consisted of “Evening dress coat and waistcoat, plain church to which they belonged was repeated in the
blue trousers and blue cap. Chaplains who desire may Regulations.
wear the frock coat instead of the evening dress coat,
with this uniform.” In other words chaplains were THE CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK
not permitted to wear the cocked hat, full-dress frock During the years before the building of the White
coat, laced trousers, shoulder knots, sword, and Squadron, when the fortunes of the Navy were on the
leather belt. decline, when ships were rotting away at their
Drastic changes were also made in the service anchorages, and when the total number of naval
uniform. In general, the chaplains’ dress was to be personnel dropped below 10,000, the opportunities
separate and distinct from that of their brother for an effective ministry on the part of naval chap-
officers. All brass buttons, which were the regular lains were naturally becoming more and more re-
Navy eagle buttons, were removed from the chap- stricted. Undoubtedly, during these years, some chap-
lain’s uniform. The result was that the white jacket lains were having an easier time and a larger income
of the summer uniforms closely resembled that of than were some of their brother ministers in civilian
the mess attendant. parishes. Since there was no organized Chaplain
While other officers had a double-breasted frock Corps with a Director or Chief empowered to super-
coat with two rows of the official buttons, the frock vise chaplains’ activities and take remedial action
coat worn by the chaplain was to be as follows:
where necessary, it is possible that among the chap-
For chaplains—The frock coat shall be of dark navy- lains on duty were a few who were indolent or
blue cloth, faced with the same and lined with black silk inefficient.
serge, single-breasted, made to button to the neck, with Whatever the circumstances in the background
one row of navy size plain flat silk buttons on the breast,
seven in number; plain standing collar; skirts to be full, may be, a barbed-pen article, from which the follow-
and to descend four-fifths of the distance from the hip ing extracts are taken, appeared in a prominent New
bone to the knee, with two buttons at the waist behind; York newspaper in 1885.
cuffs to be closed, without buttons, and from 2½ to 3
inches deep. On each side of the collar shall be embroid- UNCLE SAM’S NAVAL CHAPLAINS
ered in high relief the corps badge and grade device. Tweny-one Fortunate Clergymen who are Blessed with
Ease and Plenty
Sleeve ornaments, too, were ruled out: “The
sleeve ornaments for chaplains shall be of lustrous Out of the many thousand gentlemen who find snug
black braid, and shall correspond in width and dis- shelter beneath the Government’s fostering wing, none
enjoy the peace, prosperity, and general happiness in equal
position with those of line officers of the same rela- measure with the twenty-one who are chaplains in the
tive rank.” Insignia of rank and corps appeared on navy. They toil not and seldom pray, but draw their sal-
the collar, the cross being worn at a 15° angle, as it aries with elegance and precision. These salaries are large,
had previously been worn on the cap and shoulder or would be for an ununiformed worldling. For the first
straps. Some have theorized that the cross was first five years of service each chaplain culls $2500 per year
and his rations, if at sea, from a benevolent national
placed at an angle on the collar to correct the natural Treasury, $2000 if on shore duty, and $1600 if on wait-
slope of the collar and make the cross appear vertical. ing orders, the last named being a condition of complete
It is, however, to be noted that the cross was worn inertia. Even after the five years mentioned, the remunera-
at an angle on the cap and on the shoulders before it tion is $300 more, in all stages of service. Rations consist
in the main of hardtack and pork, with a smack of sugar
appeared on the collar. and coffee thrown in, and can be traded off for canned
A distinctive change was also made in the cap. chicken or anything palatable to wardroom appetites.
Chaplains were authorized to wear the usual blue With the exception of giving the ship schoolmaster an
cap, with the white cover when ordered, but with occasional lift in his duty of driving simple educational
“the sliding chin strap and buttons” of black mohair. facts through saline skulls, the chaplain does nothing. He
“Chaplains with the ranks of captain and com- holds no services, except now and then at a stray funeral.
The only Sunday features of a man-of-war ‘are extra clean
mander shall have on the front edge of the visor a decks and officers in full dress uniforms, including but-
band of lustrous black mohair, one-half inch wide.” tons. The chaplain wears just as many buttons as any of
Thus, all gold braid was removed from the chaplain’s them, but he does no preaching. Except for a provision
uniform along with the brass buttons. in the naval regulations it would be hard to tell why any
ships carry a chaplain. This says they must, and they do.
The earlier provision which permitted chaplains There is no dodging naval rules with salaries attached to
to wear during Divine Services the vestments of the them. No chaplain on shipboard wearies himself with stir-

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ring up religious sentiment among the men, or worries hymn books, Chaplain Tribou raised by popular
about their tarry souls. subscription the money necessary to secure them. His
Not every ship carries a chaplain. Only flagships are report for 1883 is more specific in regard to the men’s
thus adorned. Chaplains are too expensive. response to Divine Services.
Not a few of the shore chaplains are prosperously quar-
tered on denominational parishes, thus, securing pleasing During the year, I have been attached to, and serving
additions to their several incomes. Those stationed at navy on board this ship, this being my second full year on board.
yards make the most show of professional usefulness. Lo- I have held divine service ninety-three times, forty-seven
cal churches or missions usually afford services of some times in the morning and forty-six times in the evening.
sort on the receiving ships in which the chaplain cooper- The attendance has been excellent, averaging seventy-
ates. But, altogether the lot of a chaplain is a most happy seven at the morning service and ninety-seven at the eve-
one, and that of chaplains at sea especially so. Without ning service,—or one hundred and seventy-four for each
irksome labor of any sort or responsibility, he can join Sunday.19
the Captain of marines, another flagship luxury, in a per-
ennial siesta on the wardroom sofas.17 Since the Powhatan had a complement of about
300 men, it would appear that Chaplain Tribou
The evident prejudice, misstatement, and over- reached an unusually high percentage of the person-
statement which colors this editorial is so extreme as nel of the ship.
to make it humorous. The writer does not take into Chaplain Tribou’s 1883 report delineated a score
account the fact that naval officers often spent as of collateral duties as well. He lectured to the men
much as $600 for a complete uniform outfit. They on the “history, government and resources of the
had no manse ashore for their families, but, had to islands” visited by the ship, and arranged for “friends
keep up not only the usual wardroom expenses on from on shore” to give several concerts. The ship’s
ship, but, also a separate establishment for their library under his supervision, was
families on shore. These were extra expenses which
much enlarged during the year,—more than two hun-
civilian clergymen did not have. Moreover, the chap- dred volumes having been added, and nearly one hundred
lain was the lowest paid of all naval officers of the volumes having been rebound, at an expense of more than
same relative rank. two hundred dollars. The library now contains about four
It should be remembered that the critic wrote in hundred and fifty volumes, and has cost for additions,
1885 just as the White Squadron was beginning to books replaced and books rebound, about four hundred
and twenty dollars. There was no library on board when
take form. With the ‘growth of the Navy and the I joined the ship two years ago, except some books be-
increase of naval personnel, without any correspond- longing to the Seaman’s Friend Society. It furnished al-
ing increase in chaplains, the work of the latter, most all the reading matter for the men, and is very pop-
naturally, became more important. ular and well patronized.20
The official reports of contemporary chaplains, Tribou tried to induce men “to abstain from the
moreover, furnished a highly conclusive rebuttal to use of intoxicating liquors.” He summarized his
the newspaper criticism. Chaplain David H. Tribou, activities with this observation :
who served in the Powhatan, reported that he pro- The work of a Chaplain which can be reported is but
vided Sunday morning services forty-nine out of the a small part, and by far the least important part of his
fifty-two Sundays in 1882, and evening services on duty. While I have tried to attend to the more public
forty-six of those Sundays. While the ship was in the duties, I have never lost sight of the fact that, in personal
West Indies and the crew were unable to procure work among the men, lies the Chaplain’s most promising
opportunity, and while there is much to discourage one
good reading. matter, he was able, “through the in such work yet it is by far the most satisfactory part of
kindness of some of the Exchange Editors of the daily the work which I am sent to do.21
papers in Boston and the Secretary of the Young
Men’s Christian Association of New York . . . to Tribou was one of the younger and more aggressive
distribute hundreds of newspapers among the naval chaplains then on duty. His popularity with
the men was based upon a genuine interest in their
men . . .”38
welfare.
Chaplain Tribou’s report indicated his interest in The available reports of other chaplains indicate
the spiritual, mental, and physical welfare of his men. that Divine Services were held regularly unless in-
In days when the benevolence of the Navy Depart-
clement weather prevented. Sunday Schools were
ment did not include such church gear as organs and
19
17 20
Ibid., III:Jan. 1884:6.
18
NewYork Sun, 28 Oct. 1885. 21
Ibid.
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Jan. 1883:6. Idem.

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usually conducted at shore stations for the children for the use of officers and men—also a Cabinet
of naval personnel. All chaplains had the usual duties Organ for use at service.”23 Chaplain Rawson wrote
which included officiating at funerals and weddings, on 17 November 1884: “Owing to the kindness
and administering the sacraments. They continued to of the Directors of the Boston Public Library, a
look upon the promotion of temperance among the plentiful supply of books has been furnished under
men as part of their duty. my personal supervision to the Marines at the bar-
Chaplain Hoes, writing from the receiving ship racks to the number of sixty to one hundred volumes
Wabash at the Boston Navy Yard on 23 January per month . . . it is to their credit that not a single
1900, reported,’ how he had increased church attend- book has been defaced or lost.” 24
ance by rigging church on the forward part of the Chaplain A. A. McAlister, writing from the Naval
quarter-deck. He secured a choir from a local church Academy on 1 January 1883, reported a Sunday
ashore whenever possible for his services. “This plan,” School for cadets which met after Divine Service on
wrote the Chaplain, “has met with great success, as Sunday morning and a YMCA which met in the
in my opinion at least 80 percent of the men on the afternoon. “I have said prayers in the mess-hall daily
ship attend each Sunday the worship of Almighty immediately after breakfast,” wrote Chaplain
God.”22 McAlister, “except on Sundays, Thanksgiving and
Several chaplains commented on their activities in Christmas, when Divine Service was held in the
securing books and papers for the men. Chaplain chapel.”25 This practice is still continued at the
Crawford writing on 2 January 1883 stated: “I raised Academy. Duty at Annapolis has always been con-
money by subscription and purchased a large library 23
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Jan. 1883:35.
24
22 25
EdelColl., Rawson File.
NRSO: 10608. Ibid., III:Jan. 1883:1.

Second Naval Academy Chapel, 1869-1903.

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sidered a choice assignment by naval chaplains and Many people had said to me that a Chaplain’s life was
letters of application from members of the Corps for an exceedingly easy one. I beg to differ with them, how-
ever, and say, not with the spirit of egotism, but because
this duty were often received by the Secretary of the I think it is an absolute fact, a minister on shore has
Navy. twice as easy an occupation as a Chaplain aboard a ship.
Chaplain H. H. Clark, who reported for duty at A minister is known best by his own immediate family.
the Naval Academy in September 1890, noted in In fact, no one knows him as well as his wife and chil-
volume two of the Chapel Log that on his arrival: dren, and no one sees the minister as he really is, but
those of his family circle. His congregation sees him in
“About seventy of the cadets belonged to the several his pulpit at different times, and he is with them on their
church squads attending the city churches, making prayer-meeting nights during the week, but they don’t
the number attending the chapel about one hundred see that minister as a man. They simply see him as a
and eighty.” This custom of sending ashore church pastor and preacher; and I don’t believe there is a min-
parties composed of midshipmen who desire to wor- ister in the world who would be willing to live with his
whole congregation seven days in the week, that is, to
ship in civilian churches of their choice has been long have each member of it become one of his immediate
observed at Annapolis. family—but that is what the Chaplain has to do.27
Chaplain Clark wrote in the Chapel Log about the
activities of the YMCA at the Academy. Chaplain Jones then commented on the fact,
noticed sooner or later by all Navy chaplains, that
The Y. M. C. A. began on the first Sunday in October naval personnel, especially aboard ship where all have
in the chapel at 5:15. Chaplain Rawson had been very
successful with the Association, & it was in a flourishing to live in such close proximity, are quick to detect
condition. It numbered about seventy-five members, & the the slightest inconsistency in the life of the chaplain.
attendance at the meetings was from thirty to fifty. Jones added :
During the 1893 June week exercises at the In fact, I think a Chaplain’s life is the hardest one a
Academy, Bibles were presented to the members of Christian man can live. He has no encouragements to help
the graduating class by the American Seaman’s him in his work, no loved ones to stimulate him, nothing
Friend Society in accordance with a custom which of the sweet discipleship of noble Christian women that
the minister is blessed with at home; he has to stand
was then long established. there alone, single handed, to fight against the tremendous
Chaplain H. W. Jones, who was commissioned in army of Satan. Many times, however, he is privileged to
June 1896, tells in his book, The Experiences of a find sweet Christian men among the officers, and, often-
Chaplain Ashore and Afloat, of his activities at the times, in the crew are noble Christian fellows, striving to
Naval Training Station at Newport, Rhode Island. live for the Lord Jesus Christ; and where he is fortunate
enough to find such men, it is of great assistance to him
Among other duties, he served as “a sort of over- in reaching others, as example counts for much in the
seeing schoolmaster” for 387 boys, ranging from Navy. If the Commanding Officer absents himself from
fourteen to seventeen years of age. Jones had three the divine services, it does tremendous injury in the mat-
assistants who took care of most of the week-day ter of attendance; but if the Commanding Officer feels
work. that it is his duty to recognize the services for the sake
of the men, the effect is wonderful in influencing many of
Sunday came; the boys were mustered as the bugle them to attend.28
sounded, and all marched in a very orderly manner into
the gymnasium, where divine services were to be con- An interesting anecdote handed down through the
ducted. The Stars and Stripes were lowered, and above years concerns Chaplain Frederick Sherman, an
them went the Church pennant. . . . I took my place be- Episcopalian, and his Commanding Officer, Captain
hind the desk and commenced my first service as a Chap- Alfred T. Mahan. The incident occurred aboard the
lain in the Navy. All the Protestant boys were compelled
to attend this service. The Roman Catholic boys were Chicago in the early nineties. It appears that the
sent ashore to attend Mass.26 famous Captain objected to the continued discourses
by the Chaplain on the subject of socialism. Reaching
As though he were answering the critical article
the end of his patience, Captain Mahan handed the
in the New York Sun of 1885, Chaplain Jones com-
Chaplain a list of subjects on which he was not to
pared the life and work of a naval chaplain with that
preach, a list which included all aspects of socialism.
of a minister in civilian life. He wrote:
Chaplain Sherman resented what he considered to be
26
Op. cit., p. 110. Compulsory church attendance at re- an infringement of his clerical rights and expressed
cruit training activities known as “boot camps” was a
common practice until it was pointed out by the Secretary his displeasure by refusing to serve communion to
of the Navy in 1944 that “no coercion or discrimination of 27
any kind is to be sanctioned to compel such attendance.” 28
Jones op. cit., p. 122.
(SecNav. ltr 44-1302) Ibid.

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Captain Mahan. This, in effect, meant excommuni- over 10,000 slides already available from which selections
cation. Suffice it to say, Chaplain Sherman was trans- could be made.
ferred to another ship. Chaplain Holway suggested that a special set of
This was not the only occasion on which Mahan slides on Bible subjects be provided with other slides
had friction with a naval chaplain. In fairness to carrying the words and music of hymns. “Sailors
Mahan, however, it should be noted that he was a love to sing,” he wrote, “. . . and a cornetist or violinist
sincerely religious man and early in his career had can always be found on board ship who could ‘lead’
considered entering the ministry. Throughout his these hymns.” Holway felt that this scheme “would
service in the Navy, he was always interested in the prove particularly helpful to the unchaplained
religious welfare of his men. During the monotonous many.” He offered to help arrange the lectures. His
blockade duty in the Civil War, he had ample time proposal, however, was rejected, since the Chief of
for reflection and expressed in his correspondence his the Bureau of Navigation did not “consider it prac-
concern over this question: How could he influence ticable to carry the lecture outfit recommended by
his men for their spiritual benefit?29 Still later, Chaplain Holway in any but the largest ships, on
Mahan’s deeply religious tendency culminated in the account of the lack of storage room.” The plan, how-
book, The Harvest Within, a spiritual and devout ever, was approved for training stations.31
treatise on personal religion. One of the first chaplains to use a stereopticon
Evidence of Navy chaplains’ interest in moral machine aboard ship was Chaplain J. P. S. Chidwick
problems is found in a rare little sixteen page pam- who purchased a machine with slides for use aboard
phlet printed at Nice, France, by Chaplain W. F. the Maine. Writing to Admiral A. S. Crowninshield
Morrision while he was serving as chaplain aboard from the New York on 26 February 1901, Chidwick
the Lancaster, 20 August 1881—19 June 1884. The stated:
pamphlet contains the substance of two discourses The Bureau of Equipment has refused to furnish us with
delivered aboard the ship. Chaplain Morrison had a stereopticon and lecture-slides which have been granted
some pointed remarks to make about “that infamous to some of our ships, and, as we will be away for a few
institution at Monte Carlo.”3o years, I believe that lectures of this kind will be greatly
beneficial to the crew. I have expended all my money on
One of the first if not the first chaplain to use the a piano, a phonograph and church effects and have not
stereopticon lantern in his. work was Chaplain sufficient to spare for the lectures. . . .
Holway. Writing to the Secretary of the Navy in You are aware, perhaps, that I did furnish machine and
October 1897, Chaplain Holway requested permis- slides from my own money on the “Maine” and was not
sion to introduce the lanterns on sea-going vessels. He reimbursed for it when lost on the ship. I lost about one
hundred and twenty-eight dollars. . . .32
wrote:
Chaplain Wright was one of the first chaplains to
It has been demonstrated that lectures and slides can conduct sightseeing parties of sailors ashore. Out of
be prepared that may be used on board our ships by any
intelligent petty officer or sailor. . . . Twenty-two of such this practice of guiding bluejackets on visits to ports
lectures, illustrated by 571 slides, were prepared by the of interest in the nineties, grew his two pamphlets.
writer at the Newport Training Station in 1892-1895. These, published in 1901, were entitled : Notes on
They were intended to furnish the bulk of English instruc- New York & Brooklyn and Guide to New York &
tion for the apprentices. . . . They proved to be exceeding- Brooklyn Compiled for my Shipmates in the U. S.
ly popular and instructive. . . . Some of the sailor men on
the Station have heard these lectures scores of times and Navy.
never seem to tire of them.
SUGGESTED CHANCES
Up to within a recent date, the introduction of lanterns
on board sea-going ships has been impracticable. Both Suggestions, which chaplains of this period made
kerosene oil and compressed gases were prohibited by reg- for the betterment of the Corps and of conditions
ulation. An electric arc light stereopticon has been invent- affecting the men, throw light on the problems and
ed which can be used on an incandescent circuit, and
which works (at Newport) successfully. . . . One of these difficulties these chaplains faced.
lanterns can be installed on board any ship provided with On 12 August 1881, a committee of chaplains
an electric plant. . . . A good lecture will stand repetition including Beugless, Holway, and Rawson sent to the
three or four times at least during a cruise. . . . There are Secretary of the Navy a letter containing suggestions
29 31
30
Puleston,
Mahan, pp. 23-4, 37. NRSO:5330.
CoC., Morrison File. 32
NRSO:12299.

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for the improvement of the Chaplain Corps. The corps has a room assigned to him, while the Chaplain has
tone of this petition was similar to the one submitted to take his chance of the rooms remaining, according to
his rank; and as many of the Junior Chaplains have no
by six chaplains on 2 November 1878. rank, they sometimes have a very inferior room. As the
The petition opened with a statement that the Chaplains’ duties involve the necessity of constant retire-
chaplains felt that every possible safeguard should be ment and study, it seems but reasonable that a light and
“placed at the door of entrance to the Corps—at airy, room should be secured to them. This could be ac-
least as strong safeguards as those which protect complished by an order giving to Chaplains fixed rooms,
irrespective of rank. Is there any good reason why the
admission to other Corps in the Navy.” The report fourth or fifth room should not be assigned to him?34
claimed that chaplains had been commissioned
“without any kind of personal examination of the Another attempt was made by friends of Navy
applicants, either physical, mental, moral, or profes- chaplains to secure legislative action on certain de-
sional.” The chaplains earnestly recommended that sired reforms. Senate Bill No. 1551 introduced into the
first session of the 47th Congress, raised the lower age
in every case of future nomination to the Naval Chap-
laincy, applicants shall be required by the Department to limit of the applicant to twenty-five, called for the
undergo a like physical examination with applicants for denominational approval of applicants, and author-
appointments to other Corps; and, further, that a Board ized a longevity increase of pay after ten years serv-
of Chaplains shall be designated by the Department to ice. While the bill had the approval of the Naval
investigate the claims and credentials of applicants as Affairs Committee of the Senate, it did not become
to their professional qualifications and fitness for the work. a law.
The committee of chaplains made further recom- In 1884, a unique suggestion was presented to the
mendations concerning the assigment of members of Secretary of the Navy by Chaplain Richard Hayward.
their Corps to duty, as well as to quarters on shore He requested that he be sent to Europe for the pur-
and on board ship. They suggested that every ship pose of studying the “moral and religious work” of
to which a chaplain was attached be provided with foreign armies and navies.35 He pointed out that
an organ and “singing books” and pointed out that if chaplains in our services were without guides or prec-
the chaplain were permitted to select the ship’s edents and that they worked in widely separated
schoolmaster, he could “choose for the purpose a areas where they could not easily communicate with
man capable of playing on the organ, and of con- one another. It was his purpose, therefore to prepare
ducting the singing.” Finally, the committee urged a manual of instructions for chaplains which could
the appointment of a chaplain “not below the grade be used as a guide. Hayward’s suggestion was filed
of Commander” to the Washington Navy Yard, with without action. In 1918, Chaplain Frazier brought
“a desk at the Department, that through him the out the first Navy chaplains’ manual.
Department may be brought into closer communica- Another chaplain, J. H. H. Brown, stated that
tion with the Corps, and learn more of its need in conditions under which he and his colleagues worked
order to its greater usefullness.” were so intolerable that a number of chaplains were
The matter of the assignment of the fourth or fifth leaving the service. He pointed out that there was
cabin continued to be discussed. Chaplain Hoes wrote no “proper provision made for the decorous celebra-
to the Secretary on 24 November 1882, suggesting tion of Divine Services.” He said that chaplains were
that a definite room be assigned the chaplain regard- not provided with suitable offices and places of study
less of his rank. He wrote: and added that the “wardroom is not the place for a
Until recent years, the rooms upon the port side of student arid a clergyman who wishes faithfully to
the ward room were so arranged upon all Flag ships that discharge his duties.” Totally discouraged, Chaplain
the fourth room was assigned to the Chaplain. That room Brown, after serving ten years, resigned.36
was subsequently assigned to the Senior Marine Officer and A little later, Chaplain Hoes, writing from the
the fifth room was given to the Chaplain. Under the pres-
ent arrangement the senior officer in each of the other receiving ship Wabash at the Boston Navy Yard, con-
33
firmed Chaplain Brown’s comment on the inadequate
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Aug. 1881:111-2. The suggestion office quarters for chaplains aboard ship. Referring
concerning the schoolmaster, no doubt, reminds Navy chap-
lains who served in World War II of the newly established in particular to his own type of ship, he said:
naval rating for chaplain’s assistants known as Specialist
(W). The last suggestion was later put into effect by the It is my belief that on this and every other receiving-
Navy Department. For a number of years before the Chap- 34
lain Corps was officially organized with a Chief, the chaplain 35
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Nov. 1882:171.
on duty at the Washington Yard served as an advisor to the 36
Ibid., III:Sept. 1884:143.
Navy Department in many matters pertaining to the Corps. Ibid., III:May 1884:146.

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ship, and, as far as practicable, on every sea-going ship, to naval personnel means whereby money could be
a suitable place should be provided where the Chaplain sent home or deposited in a bank.
may see the men in private. I believe that the reasons Another excellent suggestion was contributed to the
for this are too obvious to require explanation. I beg leave
to suggest to the Department the importance of making Department by Chaplain Tribou in his letter of 1
provision for such office or other place on this ship, and I January 1883. He wrote:
respectfully ask that it be done.37
On several occasions, there have been entertainments
The Acting Chief of the Bureau added the follow- given on board, consisting of reading and singing, without
ing comment to Chaplain Hoes’ suggestion: expense to the men. Such exercises have a good influence
on the crew, and were it not for the expense attending
The Bureau would recommend any accommodation for them they might be well increased in numbers. If some
a Chaplain which their interests on a vessel permit, but it regular fund could be provided for this purpose, I am
does not regard it as advisable that offices for chaplains sure good would result. The men as a rule are better off
be permitted on board modern vessels where every square on board ship than roaming about the streets and what-
foot of space is needed for other purposes. Space can be ever helps to keep them contentedly on board should be
canvassed off where necessary. encouraged.39
The report with this notation was then returned The subject of compulsory attendance at Divine
to the Chaplain’s Commanding Officer who added: Service aboard ship was reopened in 1882 by Chap-
“In my opinion, an office for the Chaplain on board lain T. A. Gill in his letter from the Tennessee. He
this ship is not necessary or desirable, and is not prac- reminded the Department that attendance was re-
ticable, without using space which is required for quired of the boys when they were on training ships,
other purposes.” The Bureau sent the suggestion to and that certain commanding officers of ships at sea
the Board of Construction for its comments. This demanded it. On the Tennessee, however, church
Board reported that it concurred in the endorsement attendance was entirely voluntary even for the young
of the Commanding Officer of the Wabash. There boys. “As a consequence,” commented the Chaplain,
the matter rested. “very few of them are ever seen at a Religious Serv-
Chaplains frequently offered suggestions for the ice, and these attend with a not very exemplary
improvement of conditions which affected the wel- regularity.” The Chaplain had taken up the matter
fare of the men. Chaplain McAlister was concerned with his Commanding Officer who refused to take the
with the improvidence of the sailor and his habit of responsibility of compelling the boys to attend
squandering his money a few days after he had because he felt “that such a course would not be
received it. He presented the problem: sustained by the Department.” Gill then laid his case
Alluring schemes are presented to him by designing men before the Secretary of the Navy.
on shore, and especially when he is under the influence
of liquor, the temptation to take what money he can get The position maintained by the Chaplain has been, in
and desert, is too strong for so weak a mortal to resist. At these several instances, that the Department sustains to-
the end of a week or month after deserting, he may wish ward these Boys, till their majority, a relation substantial-
himself back in the service, but he can return only in ly that of “In Loco Parentis”; and although it may not
disgrace as a deserter.38 compel the attendance of the crew at large at Religious
Services, as in the British Navy, yet it may properly do
McAlister suggested that a plan, such as an so with these Boys, other than those of the Catholic
“ordinary savings bank” which would protect the Faith. . . .40
sailors’ funds and also pay them interest, be adopted The Department, however, refused to change the
by the Navy. Years passed, however, before his sug- regulations which permitted officers only to “recom-
gestion was put into practice. mend” church attendance.
One of the first projects undertaken by the newly
organized Navy YMCA at Brooklyn was that of THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
arranging with a bank for the care of money de-
posited by honorably discharged enlisted men. Chap- The New Navy was initiated in the early eighties
lain Steele stated on 25 September 1899 that the and the fleet was in relatively good condition when
Navy Y had handled over $13,000 since it opened in war with Spain broke out in the spring of 1898.
Brooklyn on 1 March of that year. Through the While friction with that country had been of long
years, the Navy Y has encouraged thrift by providing standing, it was the sinking of the battleship Maine
37 39
38
NRSO:
10608. 40
Ibid., III:Jan. 1883:6.
Nav. Rec. Coll., III:Nov. and Dec. 1879:319. Ibid., III:Apr; 1882:261.

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in the Havana harbor on 15 February 1898 that pre- spiritual matters every time I preached to them during
cipitated hostilities. Among the eighty-nine survivors these days, when we were standing by ready for action.43
in the doomed ship’s complement of 355 was the Many chaplains, especially in the subsequent
first and only chaplain to serve aboard the Maine— World Wars, have confirmed Jones’s observations. In
John P. S. Chidwick, the third Roman Catholic to their reports, they note that fear and danger often
be appointed to the chaplaincy. make the mind attentive and the heart receptive to
When the explosion occurred, Chaplain Chidwick spiritual truth.
was in his cabin and had just finished reading his During the Spanish-American War, the Navy
office of the day. Uninjured, he rushed to the deck Department was not equipped to handle casualty
where he joined with others in rescue work. His notices promptly and efficiently. After the battle of
zealous efforts in behalf of the wounded and dying Santiago, Jones found that one of his duties was to
inspired a letter of commendation from Captain notify the next of km of battle casualties. Of this
N. Sigsbee of the Maine to the Secretary of the Navy. he wrote:
On 9 April 1898, Secretary John D. Long sent the
following letter to Chaplain Chidwick : I immediately took the names of the wounded and the
addresses of their people, taking down messages for them
My dear Chaplain: that they wanted me to wire to their homes, so that their
The Department is in receipt of a letter from Captain friends would not be too much broken up when reading
Sigsbee, dated yesterday, calling attention to the manner the possible exaggerated newspaper reports regarding their
in which you performed the duties which devolved upon injuries. 44
you in connection with the disaster to the Maine.
In transmitting to you a copy of this letter, I cannot Two other naval chaplains, W. G. Cassard and
refrain speaking for the Department, and myself, from Roswell R. Hoes, published works on their war
adding this further expression of commendation. Your experiences. Cassard, who served aboard the Indiana,
heroic devotion to duty; your tender sympathy with suffer- wrote The Battleship Indiana and her part in the
ing; your care for the dead; your fearless fidelity to your
post, mark you as a true servant to the Master. You have Spanish-American War. Chaplain Hoes published
set an example for the emulation of every chaplain in the God’s Hand at Santiago, A Sermon preached on
Navy, and are entitled to the gratitude of the Department board the U. S. Battleship Iowa in Guantanamo Bay,
and of every American citizen.41 Cuba, July 10, 1898, the Sunday following the Naval
The only naval chaplain known to have been Battle of Santiago. This outburst of literary activity
wounded in action during the war was Harry W. was practically the first endeavor of the kind since
Jones, who served aboard the Texas.42 Jones wrote the days of the scholarly Walter Coltan and George
two books on his war experiences: A Chaplain’s Jones.
Experience Ashore and Afloat, The Texas under Fire, The name of the Spanish-American war hero,
1901, and The Battle of Santiago on board the U. S. Admiral William T. Sampson, has been perpetuated
Battleship Texas, 1913. in the great naval training station established on
Chaplain Jones gives the following description of a Seneca Lake in World War II. On the recommenda-
Divine Service held aboard the Texas shortly before tion of the senior chaplain on duty at the time, W. W.
the battle of Santiago: Edel, the two chapels which were erected were
Sunday morning the sun was shining as bright as ever; named in memory of two outstanding Spanish-
it was a perfect day; the bugle sounded the church call, American War chaplains-John P. S. Chidwick and
and about two hundred of our men mustered to attend Alfred Lee Royce. Royce was the chaplain of
divine service. Our Church pennant went up, together
with the other Church pennants of the ships of the Squad- Admiral Sampson’s Flagship, New York.
ron. Chaplain Joseph P. McIntire was on board the
The contrast was most striking: here we were telling Oregon when she made her famous 14,700 mile cruise
the men of Jesus and His love; and, yet, at any moment from San Francisco around South America to Cuba
we might have to cease our discourse and enter an en- in the record time of sixty-six days.45 Other chap-
gagement. Our men were very attentive all through this lains who saw sea duty during the war were
service, and they seemed to have far greater interest in
McAlister on the Brooklyn, Isaacs on the Massachu-
41
Chidwick, John P. S., Remember the Maine, This pam- 43
phlet was published by Harry T. Cook to whom the Right 44
Jones,A Chaplain’s Experience, pp. 215-6.
Reverend Consignor Chidwick dictated his memories of the 45
Ibid.,
p. 222.
Maine disaster shortly before his death in 1935. Chaplain McIntire stated that he received $75 as his
42
Jones, Battle of Santiago, p. 11, refers to having been share of the prize money awarded the crew of the Oregon.
wounded 2 July 1898. (NRSO: 5670-78.)

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setts, Parks on the Essex, Reaney on the Columbia, IN CONCLUSION
Freeman on the Baltimore, and Frazier on the
The years under review saw an increase in naval
Olympia.
personnel brought about by the building of the “New
Frazier and Freeman served under Commodore
Navy.” While naval personnel doubled in these years,
George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay. Chaplain
the number of chaplains remained unchanged.
Edel wrote of Frazier:
Twenty-three chaplains were on duty in 1881;
Chaplain Frazier had been appointed in 1895 and was twenty-four carried the work of the Corps over into
Dewey’s Chaplain at Manila Bay in 1898. During the bat-
tle the young Chaplain thrust his head up out of a hatch
the new century. Among these twenty-four were some
on the OLYMPIA, was seen by the Commodore and called of the best loved men who ever wore the chaplain’s
to the bridge. For part of the battle he stood at Dewey’s insignia on the naval uniform.
side on the bridge, and he stood by Dewey’s side in friend- During the period, Navy chaplains were still more
ship for the years that followed, and in 1917 when Dewey’s
body lay in state in the rotunda of the Capitol at Wash-
closely integrated into the life of the Navy. They
ington it was in response to the Admiral’s own dying re- were given actual rank; their duties were better de-
quest that Chaplain Frazier conducted the final rites.46 fined. In addition to such recognized duties as con-
There were twenty-three chaplains on the active ducting Divine Services and religious instruction,
list on 1 January 1898.47 Four new chaplains were establishing and maintaining libraries, ministering to
appointed in 1898 to maintain the quota of twenty- the sick and imprisoned, and supervising educational
four. Even though the country was involved in war, activities of members of the crew, chaplains were also
the Government made no move to increase the taking a leading part in providing wholesome en-
allotted number of chaplains. tertainment aboard ship, conducting sightseeing tours
With the outbreak of hostilities, patriotic clergymen on shore, and promoting other activities designed to
of all of the larger denominations offered their serv- interest the sailor in his off-duty hours. Chaplains
ices to the Government as naval chaplains. Some were among the first to recognize the fact that good
seventy applications, from twenty-four different states morals contribute to high morale.
and the District of Columbia, were received by the The morale of the chaplains themselves, however,
Navy Department. The average age of the applicants was undermined by continued discrimination in both
was thirty-one. Many of those seeking appointments congressional legislation and Navy regulations.
sent letters of endorsement from senators, congress- Deferentially worded petitions, requesting such re-
men, and others prominent in political affairs. forms as prerogatives of rank and increase in pay,
A Presbyterian missionary from San Louis Potosi, were submitted to the Secretary of the Navy with
Mexico, volunteered to serve as a chaplain. “It might little success. There was no organized Chaplain
be that my knowledge of the Spanish language,” he Corps to build up an esprit de corps; no Director or
wrote, “would be of use in the coming conflict.” A Chief in Washington to intercede in their behalf; no
Christian Science reader of Dallas, Texas, offered medium through which they could exchange helpful
his services. No chaplain from this denomination, ideas and methods of work; and little if any interest
however, was commissioned in the Navy until 1918. in their work on the part of the denominations from
That nearly twenty times as many applications for which they came. With conditions so discouraging,
commissions were received as could be granted it is understandable that several able chaplains re-
reflected the patriotic spirit of the clergy. signed their commissions. The marvel is that so many
46 good and capable men remained to carry on the
Edel,
“Navy Chaplains from 1775 to 1917,” pp. 24-5.
47
Navy Register, 1 Jan. 1898. work.

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 CHAPTER TEN

PRELUDE TO WORLD WAR I

1901-1916

After all previous wars, the United States Navy The intent of this provision was to give men who
had experienced a decline in men and ships. This was received their professional training at their own ex-
not true after the Spanish-American War. The events pense equality to some extent with those officers
of this conflict made the Navy popular and the who were trained at Government expense at An-
American public navy-minded. The acquisition of napolis. Since no exception was made in this section
new possessions in the Far East and in the West for chaplains,. the newest appointee to the Chaplain
Indies called for adequate naval protection and the Corps did not wait five years for the first advance in
canal at Panama which was soon under construction pay but started with exactly the same pay as the
presented new strategic problems. In Theodore oldest chaplain in the service. In other words, while
Roosevelt, who became President in 1901, the Navy the new chaplain had the actual rank of lieutenant,
found a warm supporter whose policies demanded a he received a lieutenant commander’s base pay.
strong modern Navy. The new President was a Although this was quite acceptable to new chaplains,
disciple of Admiral Mahan, the leading authority on it made the older ones feel that the Government had
sea power, who taught that capital ships were the failed to recognize long and faithful service.
strength of a fighting force. It was but natural then A full realization of the discriminatory sections of
that the United States Navy experienced a vigorous the Act as they affected the pay of the older chaplains
expansion and that it devoted its main attention to was not appreciated at first. A year or so elapsed
battleships which were showing the most marked de- before active agitation began for modification of
velopment in the early years of the nineteenth cen- these provisions. Civilian clergymen took up the cause
tury.1 of the Navy chaplains, who by regulation were not
permitted to engage in activities which were intended
AGITATION FOR REFORM to influence legislation.
When the twentieth century opened, in addition to The most outspoken civilian friend of the Chaplain
the inequalities of pay, Navy chaplains were dis- Corps was the Reverend G. E. Strobridge, the
satisfied with the arbitrary quota and certain uniform author of a pamphlet which put the chaplains’ case
regulations. They had expected much of the Act of before the public. Strobridge began with the state-
1899, which had placed chaplains on the same basis ment that “the chaplains of the United States Navy
as other staff officers. The law, however, in its prac- are the victims of invidious discrimination as com-
tical application gave chaplains actual rank with pared with the other officers of the service.” Con-
their brother staff officers but kept them on the dis- cerning the inequality in pay, Strobridge wrote:
criminatory pay scale adopted in 1870. Out of this, insignificant and jealously curtailed salary,
Another provision of this Act which contributed the chaplain must pay an average of $30 per month mess-
to the discontent among chaplains was the provision bill, support the establishment of his family on shore, and
in section 13 which states that meet the expensive outlay necessary to his station on ship-
board. This latter item is no fiction. The officers, as a rule
all officers, including warrant officers, who have been live high, and although the chaplain may be quiet in his
or will be appointed to the Navy from civil life shall, on tastes and moderate in his habits, he is constantly taxed
the date of appointment, be credited, for computing their to contribute his share to meet the demands of his ex-
pay, with five years service. travagant environment.
1 . . . .
Clark and others, A Short History of the United States
Navy, pp. 477-8; Sprout, H. and M., The Rise of American In the Personnel Bill, passed at the last session of Con-
Naval Power, pp. 251ff. gress, while every branch of the naval service was

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advanced in pay, the salary of the chaplains was not in- Most of the Secretary’s 19 January reply was taken
creased. The omission is specially and painfully conspicu- up with a defense of the old pay scale. The following
ous, not only because such an increase would have been are extracts from his letter:
eminently just, but because this discrimination against the
chaplains is despicable and degrading. . . . One can read- As to pay, there are many points in that regard which
ily see how this neglect puts the chaplains in a pillory of have escaped your attention. The question of pay must
mortification before their fellow-officers and even before depend somewhat upon the usual consideration of supply
the men. and demand, and upon the rates paid for like service out-
side of the Navv.
Pertinent comments on pay were also contributed With regard to chaplains, for instance, I should be glad
by an anonymous twenty-four page pamphlet attrib- to have you advise me what is the average pay of clergy-
uted to Chaplain Tribou: men at large throughout the United States, and also what
was the highest salary paid any present naval chaplain
Chaplains are the only sea-going officers who have no prior to his appointment. The pay of a chaplain is now, as
allowances for quarters when on shore duty. you say, $2,300 on shore and $2,800 at sea after his first
Except at the Naval Academy, Chaplains are not pro- five years. Am I wrong in assuming that this is two or
vided with quarters, while other officers of rank, both line three times the average salary of a clergyman at large?
and staff, are furnished houses easily worth a rental of Regarding the discrimination in longevity pay, the
$1000 a year. Secretary claimed that the services of other staff
Chaplains are the lowest paid of all commissioned offi- officers increased in value to the Navy with years of
cers of the Navy; and . . . the pay of a warrant officer, experience “while the duties of a chaplain are the
in certain grades, exceeds that of a Chaplain.
same upon his entrance into the service as they are
Every officer and every enlisted man is given longevity afterwards.” The Secretary added:
pay but chaplains are not.
I regret, therefore, that you should speak of “the present
This writer, too, claimed that such “invidious dis- pay table as a reflection” upon naval chaplains and “a
crimination” put the chaplain “at a disadvantage be- blow at their self-respect.” It seems to me that this is a
fore the men to whom he is sent to minister.” frame of mind which is not to be commended. The char-
acter of the chaplain and his self-respect certainly do not
THE CHAPLAINS AND SECRETARY LONG depend upon the question whether his salary is somewhat
more or less than that of other officers. . . .
Another source of information regarding the Long pointed out that there could not be any
feelings and attitudes of chaplains toward pay is reflection upon the self-respect of the chaplains, since
found in several House and Senate documents of the Department was overwhelmed with applications
the second session of the 57th Congress. The most for appointments to the Corps while the quota for
informative of these, Senate Document No. 138, the Medical Corps had not been filled for years.
contained “all correspondence relating to the pay Cassard sent a long reply on 21 February in which
and status of naval chaplains between the secretary he gave rebuttal arguments and submitted addi-
and naval chaplains from November 1, 1901, to the tional evidence to strengthen former statements. His
present time [1903].” In brief the story is as follows: letter contained this information:
Chaplain W. G. Cassard wrote, on 16 December
In conclusion, sir, I should be untrue to myself if I
1901, from the Naval Training Station at Newport, should fail to tell you that I was deeply hurt to see your
Rhode Island, respectfully requesting permission to answer to my letter published in numerous daily papers
submit suggestions to the Secretary of the Navy for and also in the Army and Navy Gazette. In the Baltimore
legislation in behalf of Navy chaplains. Admiral A. S. Sun, the letter was published under these headlines: “Re-
Crowninshield, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, bukes a chaplain—Secretary Long writes minister a sting-
ing letter—He complains about pay.”
replied on 23 December granting permission. Cassard
The publication of your letter with the construction
submitted his proposals on 4 January 1902 and stated placed upon it by the papers, without any word to repre-
that he was voicing the sentiment of twelve chaplains. sent the position of the chaplains, is calculated to estrange
He addressed his appeal to the Secretary, he said, interest from our position and to make impossible any
because he believed that the discrimination against favorable action in Congress. . . .
chaplains was neither deserved nor intended, “but
has come to pass because the corps has always been THE NEWSPAPER CAMPAIGN FOR
small and never self-assertive and has simply been PAY REFORM
overlooked in legislation in behalf of the personnel The pamphlet by Strobridge, the booklet credited
of the Navy.” to Tribou, the release for publication of Long’s letter

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to Cassard, and the discussion of this letter on the To brand his office and work as inferior in comparison
floor of the Senate together with its appearance as with that of the others, is to put him at a disadvantage
a Senate document, all combined to furnish in- and render him a nonentity or an object of contempt to
the carelessly minded.
terested editors with verbal ammunition for a barrage
of explosive editorials. Among the many papers that THE CHAPLAINS ARGUE THEIR CASE
published editorials favorable to the chaplains were:
Chicago Advance, 30 October 1902; Interior, Chi- It appears that this outburst of public opinion had
cago, 11 December (written by Dr. Henry van Dykc an immediate effect upon the Committee of Naval
of Princeton) ; Christian Intelligencer, 25 December; Affairs of the House, for a meeting was arranged
The Churchman, 27 December, 10 January 1903, 31 with representative naval chaplains on 12 January
January; Christian Register, 1 January (written by 1903. For years the majority sentiment in the Senate
Edward Everett Hale) ; New York Examiner, 8 Janu- had been favorable to naval chaplains. The House,
ary; Boston Herald, 10 January; 11 January; New on the other hand, contained influential members
York Sun, 10 January; Army and Navy Register, 10 who blocked proposed changes. For the first time,
January; New York Christian Advocate, 15 January; Navy chaplains had the opportunity to present
and The Christian Advocate, 29 January. Such a directly and officially their point of view to members
sudden outburst of editorial opinion in so many of Congress. Chaplains Hoes, Cassard, and Clark
papers scattered throughout the country could not were called to testify.
have been accidental. This is evidence of well laid The report of the committee meeting appeared as
plans and weeks of careful preparation. House Document 42, second session, 57th Congress.
Although matters of pay were discussed at length, the
These editorials were collected and published by
chaplains were insistent that the real issues troubling
authority of the United States Senate in its Document
them went much deeper. Hoes declared:
No. 129, second session, 57th Congress, under date
of 2 February 1903. We feel most deeply the humiliation involved in the
fact that, when the new awards were accorded by Con-
The Personnel Bill of 1899, with its discriminatory gress after the Spanish war, we were the only seagoing
pay scale for chaplains, was denounced in these edi- officers’ in the whole Navy who were excluded. We can
torials as being “unjust,” “a cruel wrong,” “a stigma never understand why we, as naval officers who are sub-
upon the chaplain corps,” and a “brand of dishonor.” jected to the same limitations and discouragements and
deprivations as all other seagoing officers, should be placed
The influential Army and Navy Register stated: in a position of relative inferiority which not only affects
The day is long since past when a minister of the gospel, our self-respect, but also curtails our influence and prac-
whether in or out of the service of his country, can be tically casts a reflection upon our labors as representatives
treated with conspicuous injustice without invoking the of the Christian Church.
vigorous protest of all patriotic American citizens. Chaplains wanted to be treated on the basis of
. . . . equality with other staff and line officers. “The
The wholly gratuitous statement that has been presented matter of pay has been forced to the front,” said
by a few men of contracted intellectual horizon . . . that Hoes, “perhaps logically, but we look upon that as a
the national government should enter the theological labor subordinate matter, and as merely incidental to the
market and bid in its chaplain at the lowest merchantable one essential point at issue, namely, that, with all
rate, as it would buy its coal or its pork, is an argument
that perhaps might appeal to the strictly utilitarian mind, deference and respect, we ask for fair play and no
but will never commend itself or its wisdom in our day discrimination.”
to the conservative judgment of the American people. That The pay scale was discussed in committee. Chap-
was an argument that was not applied to Navy paymasters
or surgeons, and nothing short of the most cruel injustice lains asked that they be paid according to the rank
can by any possibility make it apply to navy chaplains. held with the same allowance as other officers. The
adoption of this suggestion would have greatly in-
An editorial in The Churchman was contributed creased the pay of the older chaplains. Chaplain
by Dr. George Williamson Smith, President of Trinity Cassard felt that new appointees to the Corps should
College, Hartford, who had served nearly twelve be commissioned as lieutenants. If this were done,
years as a Navy chaplain. He wrote: newly appointed chaplains would receive less under
The injustice of this discrimination against the repre- the new scale than under the old. He also suggested
sentatives of the Christian Church in this branch of the that in the period of readjustment no chaplain would
national service is manifest . . . . have his pay reduced but that the new scale would

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apply only to appointments made after the proposed This law carried two important provisions for
changes became law. chaplains. In the first place, while it did not place
In the course of the discussion the advisability of the older chaplains on the same pay scale with other
chaplains having rank was raised. One of the com- naval officers, it did grant a welcomed financial in-
mittee members asked the chaplains whether it crease. The words “and allowances” meant that the
might not be well to abolish the chaplaincy alto- chaplains who qualified would receive not only the
gether and to send civilian clergymen aboard ship to base pay of a lieutenant commander, but, also the
minister to the spiritual needs of the men. “Do you longevity pay, rental allowance, and other financial
not believe,” he asked, “that if you had no rank at benefits that went with the rank. This also became
all . . . you would command universal respect, and the maximum pay of commanders and captains in
command the love and respect of the naval officers, the Chaplain Corps.
more than if you attempted to divide with them the The new law corrected the unforeseen application
mere earthly honors?” of section 13 of the Act of 1899 which credited newly
Chaplain Hoes replied: “Under existing circum- commissioned chaplains, who entered with the rank
stances, no sir.” And Chaplain Clark added that of lieutenant, with five years service, thus, giving
on board ship rank simplifies matters . . . the fact that them the pay of a lieutenant commander. Chaplain
naval chaplains have rank settles matters that come up J. F. McGinty, commissioned on 16 January 1905,
necessarily much more than any other method could set- was the last to enter with this status.
tle them. For instance, if we did not have rank, there The second important provision of this law author-
would have to be whole pages of regulations defining our
position. ized, for the first time in the history of the Navy,
the commissioning of chaplains with the rank of
In spite of all the agitation, the session adjourned lieutenant (junior grade). The first chaplain to enter
without approving the bill. the Corps with this rank was George E. T. Steven-
NEW LEGISLATION GIVES INCREASED PAY son, who received his commission 26 April 1907.
The next law which affected the pay of naval
On 28 June 1906, Congress passed an Act which officers was the Act of 13 May 1908 which fixed
contained the following provision: Navy pay at essentially its present (1946) base rates.
That all chaplains now in the Navy above the grade of The annual base pay of ensigns was $1,700; lieutenant
lieutenant shall receive the pay and allowances of lieu- (junior grade), $2,000; lieutenant, $2,400; lieutenant
tenant-commander in the Navy according to length of
service under the provisions of law for that rank, and all commander, $3,000; commander, $3,500; and cap-
chaplains now in the Navy in the grade of lieutenant shall tain, $4,000. A longevity increase of ten percent of
receive their present sea pay when on shore duty: Pro- this base pay was granted for each additional five
vided, That naval chaplains hereafter appointed shall have years service up to forty percent. In other words,
the rank, pay, and allowances of lieutenant (junior grade) four increases or “fogies” were authorized. The law
in the Navy until they shall have completed seven years
of service, when they shall have the rank, pay, and allow- also allowed an increase of ten percent to all officers
ances of lieutenants in the Navy; and lieutenants shall be on sea duty or on shore duty beyond the continental
promoted, whenever vacancies occur, to the grade of lieu- limits of the United States. To the general provisions
tenant-commander, which shall consist of five numbers, of the law was added the single exception: “Provided
and when so promoted shall receive the rank, pay, and . . . that the pay and allowances of chaplains in the
allowances of lieutenant commander in the Navy: Pro-
vided further, That nothing herein contained shall be held Navy shall in no case exceed that provided for
or construed to increase the number of chaplains as now lieutenant-commander.”3
authorized by law or to reduce the rank or pay of any now Finally, on 29 August 1916, Congress erased all
serving.2 limitations on the pay of Navy chaplains and granted
2
34 Stat. 554-50. The clause “which consists of five them full equality with other naval officers. The law
numbers” refers to the Navy custom of printing a signal passed on that date stated that hereafter “all com-
number opposite every officer’s name in the Navy Register.
This custom began with the 1898 edition. The reference in missioned officers of the active list of the Navy shall
the law of 1906 to the “five numbers” meant that only five receive the same pay and allowances according to
chaplains could hold the rank of lieutenant commander.
The law made no reference to the quota of the higher ranks rank and length of service.”4 The law also changed
so the limitations set by the Act of 1899 of five captains and the age of retirement from sixty-two to sixty-four. By
seven commanders remained. The signal number is not to
be confused with the file number (sometimes erroneously the provisions of this Act, all chaplains who held rank
called serial number) given every officer in the Navy. This 3
number appears on the officer’s jacket on file in the Navy 4
35Stat. 128.
Department and is stamped on his “dog tag.” Ibid.

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above that of lieutenant commander received the full The Navy Register for Jan’y 1902 shows twenty-six
pay of their respective ranks. This reform removed ships needing Chaplains, only twelve of which are sup-
one of the main causes for discontent in the Chaplain plied. There are also eighteen shore stations requiring
Chaplains.
Corps. Thus, the way was further prepared for the
At least FORTY-FOUR Chaplains are needed to meet
high morale and splendid efficiency demonstrated by the actual requirements of the service.
the Chaplain Corps during the First World War.
Of all the sea-going officers of the Navy the Chaplains’
THE DEMAND FOR MORE CHAPLAINS Corps alone shows no increase in point of numbers for
sixty years.6
It is well to consider at this point, how the expan-
sion of the Navy which took place during Theodore In December 1907, when sixteen first-line battle-
Roosevelt’s administration affected the Chaplain ships of the Atlantic Fleet left Hampton Roads for
Corps. Between 1900 and 1909, the enlisted person- a cruise around the world, only five of the ships had
nel had increased from 25,000 to 45,000. As there a chaplain aboard. These were: the Connecticut,
was no corresponding increase in the number of Gleeson; the Georgia, Charlton; the Minnesota,
chaplains, ‘it was obvious that the Corps was totally Evans; the Rhode Island, Fleming; and the Virginia,
unable to meet the new opportunities and responsi- Stevenson.7 A number of other vessels accompanied
bilities. In 1901, even before Roosevelt’s expansion the battleships, including some units of the Pacific
program began, all twenty-four chaplains had im- Fleet, bringing the total up to forty-two ships. There
portant assignments. Chaplains Hoes on the Kearsage simply were not enough chaplains to fill all the bil-
and Wright on the Massachusetts were with the lets ashore and afloat.
North Atlantic Squadron; Dickins on the Chicago Throughout the first decade of the twentieth cen-
with the South Atlantic; Brown on the Iowa with tury, Congress refused to approve any of the bills
the Pacific; and Frank Thompson on the Brooklyn introduced into both Houses which called for an in-
and Rennolds on the Newark with the Asiatic. On crease in the chaplain quota. Senate Document No.
ships in the training service were Frazier, Steele, Ed- 138, printed by order of a 23 January 1903 Senate
monson, Sykes, Harry Jones, Gill, Reaney, and resolution, recorded correspondence between Secre-
Helms. Several were on duty at Navy Yards: Tribou tary of the Navy Long and Chaplain Cassard. The
at Boston, McAlister at Mare Island, Holway at Chaplain proposed an increase in the quota to thirty-
New York, Morrison at Philadelphia, Isaacs at San four, and Long concurred, stating that he had
Francisco, and Cassard at Newport. Chidwick was recommended an increase to Congress. No action
attached to the receiving ship Vermont; Clark to the resulted, however.
Naval Academy, and Royce to the Naval Home Around 1910, the churches of the United States
(formerly called Naval Asylum) in Philadelphia. began to take an active interest in both Army and
There is evidence that even this distribution of Navy chaplains. The organization of the Federal
chaplains was inadequate, for in a pamphlet by Council of the Churches of Christ in America, in
Strobridge, published around the turn of the century 1908, brought a new and a powerful ally to the side
under the title The Chaplains in the United States of the chaplains.
Navy, Their Unfair Treatment, appeared this state- The House of Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal
ment: “. . . at present there are several of our larger Church sent a memorial on 30 January 1910 to the
ships at sea without chaplains, although one of our Secretary of the Navy requesting a quota increase.
leading admirals says this never should be so, and On 28 February, the Right Reverend Alfred Harding,
some of our shore stations are also without any.”5 Bishop of Washington, followed the memorial with
Another pamphlet, appearing anonymously about a letter to the Secretary in which he pointed out
the same time, shows the need for more chaplains:
5 The Reverend G. E. Strobridge, author, first read the
that, in 1842 the ratio of chaplains to naval person-
material as a paper before the New York Methodist nel had been one to 508, while in 1910 the ratio was
Preachers Association, whose members authorized its publi- one to 2,251. The Bishop, stating that he believed he
cation and saw that copies were sent to the President of the
United States, the Secretary of the Navy, and members of was speaking “in behalf of the whole religious world
Congress, as well as to individuals. It seems reasonable to
believe that Chaplain W. O. Holway, a Methodist, then on of the United States in urging upon Congress the
duty at Brooklyn Navy Yard, could and may have supplied 6
both facts and arguments to Dr. Strobridge. Copy of pam- Evidence points to Chaplain Tribou as being the writer,
phlet may be found in Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File. although
7
he could not openly acknowledge authorship.
No date of publication is indicated. Possibly, 1902. Navy Register, 1908.

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necessity of an increase in the number of naval chap- whenever the weather and other circumstances will per-
lains,”8 wrote: mit.9

It must be evident that the Provision made by Congress Admiral Stockton testified that the character and
for our Naval forces is wholly and grotesquely inadequate ability of chaplains had improved with the elimina-
to administer to the present Naval Force, including the tion of political influence in appointments and the
ten thousand (10,000) men in the Marine Corps, in up- requirement of ecclesiastical approval
wards of three hundred ships of all classes, nine construc-
tive and repairing centers, and thirteen Naval Stations, of
No chaplain was more indefatigable in his efforts
which seven are outside the boundaries of the North to improve the status of the naval chaplaincy than
American Continent. was Chaplain G. Livingston Bayard. After serving in
the Army during the Spanish-American War, Chap-
In July 1912, Admiral Charles H. Stockton (Re-
lain Bayard accepted a commission in the Navy in
tired) advocated an enlarged Chaplain Corps
1902. He had the unusual distinction of serving three
through the columns of The Churchman. He wrote:
tours of duty at the Washington Navy Yard: 1907-
It is to be deplored that in the expansion of late years 1908; 1909-April 1914; and October 1914-1917. His
in the United States Navy, matters of religious instruction residence in Washington and his personal friendship
and supervision have almost suffered by neglect. . . . The
performance of the religious service on board any ships
with influential government officials gave him an en-
by officers as laymen is exceptional, and the consequence tree to inner circles which no other chaplain enjoyed.
is that Sundays on board a majority of our vessels in com- In season and out, Chaplain Bayard pleaded the
mission consists of ceremonial formations in the early part cause of the Navy chaplain.
of the day, and idleness or a day for sports on shore in The inadequacy of the Corps to meet the needs of
port in the later part of the day . . . so that the old “Arti- the growing Navy is clearly revealed by the following
cles of War” carry an unfulfilled promise when they state
that each commanding officer is required by law to hold data based on records-in the Navy Registers of 1913
divine service every Sunday morning on board his ship and 1915:
8 9
NRSO: 1572-5. Op. cit., 20 July 1912, p. 85.

SHIPS 1 Jan. 1913 1 Jan. 1915

With Without With Without
Type: Chaplains Chaplains Chaplains Chaplains
Battleships, first line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 10 6 4
Battleships, second line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19 7 16
Armored Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 3 7
Cruisers, first class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 1 3
Gunboat ( Helena) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 1 ..
ASIATIC STATION
(Ashore) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ..
Chaplains at sea or overseas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 19
U. S. SHORE STATIONS
Naval Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1
Naval Training Stations:
Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1
Newport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1
San Francisco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Navy Yards:
Boston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Charleston (then Nav. Sta.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Mare Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Philadelphia (& Naval Home) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portsmouth, N. H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Puget Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Washington, D. C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Awaiting Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chaplains ashore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 5
Total Chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 24

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 WELFARE SECRETARIES ABOARD SHIPS moral needs of naval personnel. This, naturally, led
to his concern for the improvement of the Chaplain
A complicating factor in the endeavor to increase
Corps. Never before did Navy Chaplains have such
the allotment of naval chaplains was the introduction
a friend in the Secretary’s chair. At the beginning of
of the YMCA or welfare secretaries aboard ships in
his official duties as Secretary, Daniels felt that the
1909. The need for chaplains aboard ships and on
strength and efficiency of the Chaplain Corps did not
foreign stations became so acute that the Navy
measure up to the demands of the Navy. Therefore,
authorized the Army and Navy Department of the
he continued for the time being the policy he in-
YMCA to place a secretary aboard each ship not
herited-that of supplementing their work with that
carrying a chaplain.10 In 1909, Secretary G. A.
of YMCA secretaries. This aroused suspicion on the
Reader of the Y served four months aboard the
part of certain chaplains who were naturally jealous
Nebraska. The 1910-1911 Year Book of the YMCA
for the prerogatives of the Corps. However, before
reported:
Daniels left office in 1921, after serving through both
Following up the special work in the USS Nebraska, of President Wilson’s terms, the naval chaplains
a shipboard secretary accompanied the USS Delaware realized that a great debt of gratitude was due him
on its winter cruise to European waters; the commanding
officer together with the officers and men were enthu- for the many reforms he had instituted.
siastic over the results accomplished. During the stay of Daniels was keenly aware of the Navy’s need for
the Atlantic fleet for target practice at Guantanamo religious leaders. His Annual Report for 1913, from
Bay, Cuba, two secretaries conducted a splendid work which the following extracts are taken, brought his
for the sailors while they were in camp.11 recommendations to the attention of Congress:
YMCA secretaries had served in 1911-1912 with It is a reproach to our country that we have only
the Atlantic Fleet on the Delaware for three months the same number of chaplains in the Navy in 1913 as
and on the Kansas for six weeks. In the Asiatic Fleet, there were in 1842 . . . . Now the number of officers
a secretary spent six months on the Saratoga and two and enlisted men has grown to 3,600 officers and 61,000
men.
months on the Rainbow.12 The statistical report for There is need of an immediate increase in the number
the year indicates that these secretaries conducted of men who are charged with the high duty of leading
fifty-three religious services, all but three aboard men afloat to a recognition of the truth that man’s
ship, with a total attendance of 2,565. They also led first and highest obligation is to his Maker. I earnestly
fifty-five sessions of Bible classes, supervised libraries, recommend an immediate recognition of the need of
more leaders in the higher life on board our ships. I
entertainments, recreational activities, and distributed recommend additional chaplains and an appropriation
literature. In other words, they were doing what is to enable the Secretary to employ on every ship that
ordinarily expected of chaplains except administering has no chaplain a young religious leader known as a
the sacraments. Even this was possible whenever a welfare secretary. It has been urged by wise and patriotic
secretary was also an ordained man. The reports of leaders that there should be a chaplain for every 1,000
men in the service. The country, will I am sure, warmly
the Y secretaries on this part-time duty with the approve the suggestion that not less than 60 chaplains
Navy show that their combined services for the or welfare secretaries should be authorized.14
previous year about equaled the work of one Navy Daniels also recommended that a law be passed
chaplain. permitting the appointment of acting chaplains for
During 1912-1913, welfare secretaries lived aboard a three-year probationary period. “The qualities that
the following vessels for periods varying from two make a minister successful in a pastorate ashore,”
to five weeks each: Wyoming, North Dakota, Ver- wrote the Secretary, “are not always those which
mont, North Carolina, and Prairie.1 3 equip him for the special sort of service required of
Josephus Daniels, who became Secretary of the a chaplain in the Navy.” He felt that, after the act-
Navy in 1913 in the cabinet of Woodrow Wilson, ing chaplain demonstrated his ability to minister suc-
looked favorably upon the appointment of civilian cessfully to sailors during the probationary period, he
welfare secretaries. Daniels, a member of the could then be commissioned.
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, manifested great Regarding the YMCA secretaries, Daniels recom-
interest in everything pertaining to the spiritual and mended that such men work under the direction of
10
Annual Survey, YMCA, 1910, p. 69.
chaplains. From this report, it is evident that Daniels
11
12
Op. cit., p. 21. felt that most chaplains then in service were either
13
Year Book of the YMCA, 1911-12, p. 291. 14
Ibid., 1912-13, p. 269. Op. cit., pp. 20-l.

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too old or were not trained to take active leadership chaplains in the matter of salary.”15 According to
in welfare activities. Daniels explained: the Federal Council report: “The Committee did not
view favorably the substitution of lay workers for
The chaplains do a noble work and no commendation
could be too high for the deserts of naval chaplains. ordained chaplains.”16
But, just as in all churches, organizations of societies A matter closely related to the presence of wel-
for young people has been found necessary to draw out fare secretaries aboard ships was that of having in-
all that is best in youths, so on shipboard there is felt dividual civilians or groups from. churches go aboard
the need for a leader, young and enthusiastic, who will
enter into the feelings and ambitions of the young men, ships for the purpose of conducting Divines Services
and direct them in their athletics and entertainments as or other religious activities. During the Spanish-
well as in their religious life. Young Men’s Christian American War, a group of zealous church folk at San
Associations have proven the best shore stations for Diego, California, who had organized the Floating
young men in many communities. Other organizations Society of Christian Endeavor, obtained from Secre-
of young men in Catholic and Protestant churches have
been helpful influences for giving the right direction to tary Long permission to hold services aboard war
young men looking for exercise and clean living and vessels in that harbor.17 There can be no doubt that
clean thinking. The Navy should be up with the age. many of these individuals and societies conducted
In addition to our chaplains and the good work they their missionary work at sacrifice to themselves and
accomplish, the best thing that can be done for the with good results. They carried a religious message
young men on shipboard is for Congress to authorize
the employment of a welfare secretary on board every and distributed religious literature to naval personnel
ship in the Navy, at naval stations and at other places who otherwise might never have received it.
where young men are trained or enlisted, in addition On the other hand, the insistence of some of these
to the chaplains. There is an indefinable sympathy and
interchange between young men that makes it wise to
civilian groups to carry on work on vessels where
call young men to lead in the forward religious move- chaplains were assigned brought difficulties. Chaplain
ment on shipboard. The trial of a Y.M.C.A. secretary E. W. Scott wrote to Chaplain Frazier on 20 Decem-
on a few ships as leader in religious thought, Bible ber 1919: “I found the other chaplains even more
study, athletics, and entertainment, was so successful firmly convinced than I that we did not want the
as to make it certain that enthusiastic young religious
leaders are needed on every ship. These consecrated
Floating Society of Christian Endeavor to come on
and talented leaders must have the enthusiasm of youth board to hold services, judging by the experiences
and must themselves love the pleasures that appeal to some of our ships have had.”18 Civilian groups some-
youth. times included good people who, though sincere,
raised problems for the chaplain. It was natural for
Daniels further recommended that such welfare
the chaplain to look upon his ship as his parish and
secretaries be given no permanent position and that to feel a sense of responsibility about opening the
their tenure of office “be measured by their ability doors to individuals or groups over which he had
to gain the confidence and cooperation of the young little control.
officers and enlisted men.”
The attitude of Secretary Daniels regarding wel- THE NEW QUOTA AUTHORIZED
fare secretaries was not shared by chaplains or by The House Naval Affairs Committee reported in
members of the Commission on Army and Navy January 1914 in favor of having one chaplain for
Chaplains of The Federal Council of Churches of every 1,250 naval personnel and for the establishment
Christ in America. A hearing on the Naval Person- of the grade of acting chaplain, but, made no
nel Bill, which included the reforms so ardently de- recommendation regarding equalizing the salaries of
sired by the chaplains, was held by the House Naval the older chaplains with other officers of like rank.
Affairs Committee on 20 January 1914. The Federal Opponents of the bill in the House, however, be-
Council, the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the fore the measure was sent to the Senate, succeeded in
striking out all sections dealing with chaplains. The
Roman Catholic Church were all represented. All
15
the clergy present were agreed on the following three Federal Council, Biennial, 1914, p. 71. Inadequate pay
was another point of chaplain dissatisfaction; agitation for
points: “(1) An increase of chaplains in the Navy this reform was contemporaneous with the demand for more
so that there shall be one chaplain to every 1,000 of chaplains.
1 6 Ibid., p. 72. The Army ratio, fixed in 1918, is one,
-the force; (2) Establishment of the grade of acting chaplain for 1,200 personnel.
17NRSO: 7627.
chaplain; and (3) Removal of discrimination against 18CoC., Scott File.

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Senate Committee on Naval Affairs voted to restore and naval prisoners” as a part of the total naval
the sections and in this the Senate agreed. The bill personnel to be figured when computing the possible
was sent back to the House twice for conference be- number of chaplains to be commissioned.
fore an agreement was reached. Finally, on 30 June
1914, the sections concerning chaplains were officially ENTER THE ACTING CHAPLAINS
accepted as a part of the Naval Appropriation Act. The recommendations of Daniels and others re-
Through all the varying fortunes of the bill, garding appointments to the naval chaplaincy were
Chaplain Bayard and the representatives of the vari- embodied in the new law of 1914. Under the pro-
ous denominations redoubled their efforts to secure visions of section 254-a, chaplains were appointed by
its final passage. Much credit for the enactment of the Secretary of the Navy as acting chaplains for a
this Act must be given to the Federal Council of three year probationary period. During this time of
Churches of Christ in America. Its Annual Report trial, an acting chaplain received the rank, pay, and
for 1914, which also paid tribute to Chaplain Bayard allowances of a lieutenant (junior grade). At the
for his ceaseless efforts in behalf of the bill, sum- end of the probationary period, which was to be spent
marized the efforts made by this body to create the at sea, he was examined for “physical, mental, moral
necessary public opinion which finally moved Con- and professional fitness” by a board of chaplains and
gress to act: doctors, and if found qualified was commissioned a
Various sources of influence were sought in securing lieutenant (junior grade).
favorable action, for the opposition, though quiet was One of the first results of the establishment of the
widespread — in letters from prominent ministers and
laymen to Senators and Representatives; resolutions by grade of acting chaplain was that younger men
general ecclesiastical bodies, such as the Presbyterian and entered the chaplaincy. The average age of chaplains
Reformed General Assemblies and the General Con- commissioned during the years 1901-1910 inclusive,
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; per- was thirty-three, whereas the average age of the
sonal conferences with Senators and Representatives. The eleven appointed acting chaplains in 1915 was
office of the Federal Council sent out several thousand
letters to influential men and, thus, secured important twenty-nine, and twenty-eight for the seven who
endorsement. Also articles in the religious press, furnished entered in 1916.
from the Washington office, editorially supported, and The last chaplain to come in under the old limit
favorable paragraphs in the daily press helped greatly of twenty-four was John Joseph Brady, who was
to carry the legislation through.19
commissioned 11 June 1914 and who was retired
No law ever passed by Congress, following the 1 November 1934. The first to enter the Navy as an
establishment of the naval chaplaincy, has had such acting chaplain was Irenee Joseph Bouffard, a
far-reaching consequences for the Corps itself and Roman Catholic, who was appointed 4 February
for the spiritual welfare of naval personnel as this 1915. Eleven others were appointed in 1915, of which
Act of 1914. Section 2541-a, which authorized the number Robert D. Workman (the second acting
grade of acting chaplain for all new appointments, chaplain and the sixth Chief of Chaplains), Charles
will be considered subsequently. V. Ellis, and Herbert Dumstrey were still on the
Section 2541-b authorized: “Hereafter the total active list in 1946.
number of chaplains and acting chaplains in the Although the Act of 1914 provided for the appoint-
Navy shall be one to each twelve hundred and fifty ment of acting chaplains and an increase of the total
of the total personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps number of chaplains on duty, welfare workers were
as fixed by law, including midshipmen, apprentice permitted to work aboard ships at sea for at least
seamen, and naval prisoners. . . .” Thus, the limit two years after the Act was passed. Shipboard work
of twenty-four chaplains in effect for seventy-two had been continued during 1914-1915 in both the
years was repealed. The establishment of a ratio in- Asiatic and the Atlantic Fleets, with the Delaware
stead of a fixed number eliminated the possibility of “officially assigned as headquarters for shipboard
the Navy expanding beyond the ability of the author- work with the Atlantic Fleet.”23 The following secre-
ized complement of chaplains to meet the need. taries spent a part of the same years aboard the
Chaplain Bayard, who was responsible for the word- vessels indicated: H. G. Mann, Texas; W. E. Herr,
ing of the sections concerning the chaplains, de- Delaware; and W. W. Elder, Atlantic Fleet. In addi-
liberately included “midshipmen, apprentice seamen, tion, one secretary spent six months with the Marines
19 20
Op. cit., p. 72. Annual Report of the YMCA, 1914-15, p. 347.

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at Vera Cruz, Mexico.21 The Annual Report for chaplains be organized within the Navy Department.
1915-1916 indicated that Herr had spent a full year Every other corps is thus provided for. The chaplains
have never had an official head from their own number,
aboard the Delaware and that C. O. Smith had spent as is the case with all the other departments. For instance,
three months on the New Jersey. at the head of the surgeons is a surgeon, at the head of
Gradually, however, the number of newly ap- the paymasters is a paymaster, at the head of the naval
pointed chaplains increased to meet the need. During constructors is a naval constructor. But, over the chap-
1916, seven more acting chaplains were appointed, lains is placed not a chaplain, but an admiral of the
line — a perfect gentleman, of course, and a competent
including Chaplains Lewis and Elder, who were still disciplinarian, but of necessity, out of touch with the
on the active list in 1946. Chaplain Elder had pre- chaplains in the tastes and feelings peculiar to their
viously served as a welfare secretary under the profession. Such a bureau, however, as is here advocated,
YMCA. The accessions of 1915 and 1916 brought the with the senior chaplain at the head of it, would not
only be a righteous, as well as congenial arrangement,
total strength of the Chaplain Corps up to forty on but, also would give direction and force to the work of
the eve of the First World War. the chaplains.
Chaplain Bayard, too, urged the appointment of a
THE APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION
Chief of Chaplains. In response to a request from the
OF CHAPLAINS
Secretary of the Navy for suggestions designed to
Among other reforms which were effected during attain the highest efficiency in the Corps, he wrote,
these years under review was the establishment of a under date of 27 May 1907:
more careful system of selecting men for the chap- A wise and good Chaplain holding the confidence and
laincy. The old system of giving weight to political respect of the Secretary of the Navy would understand
considerations had brought a few poorly qualified the laws and limits binding him and adapt himself to
and unworthy men into the Corps. During the years existing conditions. Such a man would render valuable
service in an advisory capacity both to the Department
1898-1907, four chaplains either were court- and to every man in the Corps of Chaplains; especially
martialed or resigned to avoid being tried. Never helpful would he be to the clergymen coming to the
before or since, in such a short period of time, has Navy direct from civil life with little or no conception
so large a proportion of the Chaplain Corps been of the customs and traditions of the Navy.23
disciplined. These few focused attention on the neces- A Chief of Chaplains would raise the efficiency of
sity of greater care in the appointment of men for the Corps, not only by supervising the selection and
the chaplaincy. training of chaplains, but, also by making recom-
No group was more interested in raising the stand- mendations for a more judicial assignment of chap-
ards of the Corps than were the chaplains themselves. lains to duty. For years, this important responsibility
On 20 October 1906, a Board of Chaplains consisting was handled by a woman clerk in the Bureau of
of Clark, Thompson, and Gleeson, appointed by the Navigation. Frequently, one of the newest chaplains
Secretary of the Navy to make recommendations for in the Corps was given duty on a battleship or some
the improvement of the Chaplain Corps, made its other choice billet while others much his senior in
report. The Board recommended that: there should rank were given smaller ships or small shore stations.
be a Chief of Chaplains; the Corps be increased to Chaplain Bayard also recommended that full col-
forty; all newly commissioned chaplains be graduates lege and theological education be required of appli-
of both college and seminary and that such should re- cants, and felt that, in addition to the examination
ceive denominational endorsement; and all candi- by a medical man, the candidate should undergo an
dates appear before a Board of Navy surgeons and a examination by a “Board of Naval Chaplains, con-
Board of Navy chaplains for their endorsement as to sisting of three members.” The ideas in Bayard’s
health and other qualifications.22 paper received a hearty endorsement by the Chief of
The recommendation of a Chaplain Corps head the Bureau of Navigation, who stated that he was
was one the chaplains themselves repeatedly sug- “in favor of any improvement in the present method
gested. Strobridge, when he took up their cause, had which will secure desirable and competent men for
enlarged on this point of the chaplains’ dissatis- the corps of naval chaplains.”24
faction: The combined recommendations from the “Board
A crying demand to-day is that a bureau for the of Chaplains,” from individual chaplains, and from
21 23
Ibid., p. 223. 24
NRSO: 24620.
22
NRSO: 5288. Ibid.

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representative clergymen finally brought about the our country and ourselves to do this work if deemed
desired reforms. Article 1606 of Navy Regulations, by you in any instance desirable or necessary.
issued 2 January 1909, authorized for the first time Bishop Cranston’s letter was forwarded on 24
a Board of Chaplains to pass on the fitness of all October to the Secretary of the Navy with a note by
applicants for the chaplaincy. The new article the President’s Secretary: “The President assumes
provided: that the present proportion of Methodist chaplains in
His moral character, general fitness, and experiences the navy will be substantially kept up on the ground
shall be established to the satisfaction of a board of that it roughly corresponds to the percentage of
chaplains, which shall conduct a written examination to Methodists in our population.” The President’s Sec-
determine his mental attainments. retary added that the President looked with favor
The last of the “politicaIly appointed” chaplains upon the suggestions made by Bishop Crandall and
was Sidney Key Evans who was commissioned on 5 recommended that “no Methodist shall be appointed
December 1907. The first to come before the Board whose name has not been submitted to Bishop
of Chaplains for examination prior to being commis- Cranston and is not, after proper inquiry, found to
sioned, were H. M. T. Pearce, commissioned 5 March be satisfactory by Bishop Cranston’s committee.”26
1909, and J. D. MacNair, commissioned 20 May 1909. Evidence of the desire of the Navy Department
In 1905, the Catholic Archbishops of the United to keep a certain ratio among the chaplains in the
States designated the Reverend Alexander P. Doyle, matter of denominational affiliation is also found in
C.S.P., to act as their representative with the Govern- a letter written by the Secretary of the Navy on 21
ment in the appointment of Catholic chaplains. In December 1911 to Senator Moses E. Clapp who had
those days, before the Military Ordinariate had been requested the appointment of another Roman
established, candidates for the chaplaincy were Catholic.
obliged to procure their faculties from the Bishop of I find that the next regular vacancy in the corps of
their home diocese. Father Doyle served in his ap- chaplains in the Navy in the Catholic faith will not
pointed liaison capacity until his death in 1912. He occur until 1925. It is possible, however, that a vacancy
was followed by the Reverend Louis J. O’Hern, may occur in that faith, either by resignation, or other-
wise than by retirement, prior to 1925.27
C. S. P.25
In addition to the steps taken by the Navy to insure Six of the twenty-four chaplains on duty in 1914
a more careful selection of chaplains, individual de- were Roman Catholic.
nominations were also taking steps to examine their Even if the Navy had then desired the official en-
candidates. One of the first churches to act was the dorsement of the other Protestant denominations for
Methodist Episcopal Church, North. In October men making application for the chaplaincy, there was
1906, Bishop Earl Cranston of that denomination no ecclesiastical machinery to give such approval.
wrote to President Theodore Roosevelt stating that The Protestant churches of the United States were
the Board of Bishops of his church had become con- strangely apathetic to the whole subject of the Army
cerned over certain unfortunate appointments to the and Navy chaplaincy before 1913.
chaplaincy in the Army. The Board appointed a com- In that year, Chaplain Bayard appeared before a
mittee, with Bishop Cranston of Washington as the Baltimore meeting of the Federal Council of the
resident member, to work out a method agreeable to Churches of Christ in America and advocated the
the government for granting denominational ap- establishment of a committee for the approval of
proval to all Methodist candidates for either the chaplaincy candidates. The meeting authorized the
Army or Navy chaplaincy. The Bishop wrote: “Washington Committee on Army and Navy Chap-
lains,”28 and appointed Dr. H. K. Carroll its first
We do not presume to interfere with the Departments, secretary. Denominational leaders primarily respon-
nor to monopolize the right of commendation, but
simply offer, in behalf of our own church, to look care- sible for the action of the Council in setting up this
fully into the antecedents, record of service, educational Committee were Dr. W. H. Roberts, stated clerk of
and other attainments, and the fitness in general of such 26
NRSO: 24620.
men of our own ministry as may be referred to us by 27
NRSO: 13179-3.
28
those in authority, as candidates for appointment as The Washington Committee was the forerunner of the
chaplains in the army and navy. It is a duty we owe present General Commission on Army and Navy Chaplains,
25
an independent organization which serves as a clearing
Handbook of the National Catholic War Council, 1918, house for most Protestant clergymen seeking a commission
pp. 27-8. as chaplain.

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the Presbyterian Church, USA; Bishop Earl Cranston tain, and Chaplains Bayard, Stone, Gleeson, and
of the Methodist Church, North; and Bishop E. Scott were advanced to commanders, all promotions
Talbot of the Protestant Episcopal Church. One of dating from 30 June, the date of the law. Although
the most significant results of this Committee is that, they held higher rank, they were still lieutenant com-
at the outbreak of World War I, the Protestant manders as far as pay was concerned. Cassard was pro-
churches of America had at their disposal the neces- moted to captain in 19 15 and three others, Dickins,
sary machinery for the processing of candidates. Charlton, and Patrick, became captains on 29 August
Until Dr. Carroll was able to take over, Chaplain 1916. Patrick had been in the service but fourteen
Bayard served unofficially as the secretary, handling years. Chaplain Evans was advanced from a lieuten-
all the correspondence of the new organization. He ant (junior grade) to commander within twenty-one
has remained a member of this committee to the time months. These quick promotions were necessary to
of this writing in 1946. No one person played so long fill the authorized quotas for the various ranks.
and so influential a role in the history of the General Section 2541-c of the Act of 1914 made the follow-
Commission on Army and Navy Chaplains as has ing provision for the promotion of acting chaplains:
Chaplain Bayard.
Naval chaplains hereafter commissioned from acting
Dr. Carroll, in a report submitted to the Federal chaplains shall have the rank, pay, and allowances of
Council of Churches of Christ in America for 1914, lieutenant, junior grade, in the Navy until they shall
stated that both the Army and Navy had welcomed have completed four years’ service in that grade, when,
the establishment of an organization to which they subject to examination as above prescribed, they shall
have the rank, pay, and allowances of lieutenant in the
could turn for information regarding non-Catholic Navy, and chaplains with the rank of lieutenant shall
applicants. Dr. Carroll carried on correspondence have at least four years’ service in that grade before
with four to five hundred Protestant ministers regard- promotion to the grade of lieutenant commander, after
ing the Army and Navy chaplaincy. He encouraged which service, chaplains shall be promoted as vacancies
the various denominations to set up their own chap- occur to the grades of lieutenant commander, com-
mander, and captain: Provided, That not more than
lains’ commission. Among the first bodies to respond seven acting chaplains shall be commissioned chaplain’s
to this suggestion were the Luthern General Council in any one year: And provided further, That no pro-
and the Disciples of Christ. “To such commissions,” vision of this section shall operate to reduce the rank,
reported Carroll, “all candidates are referred for pay, or allowances that would have been received by any
investigation and recommendation in order that the person in the Navy except for the passage of this section,
and that all laws or parts of laws inconsistent with the
Secretary of the Navy may be assured that candidates provisions of this section be, and the same are hereby,
of their respective denominations are worthy of ap- repealed.
pointment.” Carroll felt that this plan tended “to
eliminate political influence and to make each de- The first chaplain to wear the two star insignia
nomination in some measure responsible for its of a rear admiral was Thomas A. Gill who attained
candidates.”29 Thus, another reform long advocated this rank the day he retired, 8 February 1902. Four
by chaplains was accomplished. other chaplains attained this rank on the retired list
Contemporaneous with this improved method of during the first decade of the twentieth century.
selection was a revision of the Navy’s promotion They were Chaplains W. H. Stewart, Donald
policy for chaplains. When the Act of 1914 fixed the McLaren, J. J. Kane, and F. B. Rose. These promo-
ratio of one chaplain for every 1,250 naval personnel, tions came under provisions of the Act of 3 March
it also set a new ratio for chaplains holding the 1899 which advanced naval officers who were
higher ranks. Ten percent of the corps were to be veterans of the Civil War one step above that held
captains, twenty percent commanders, and another on the active list at the time of retirement.
twenty percent lieutenant commanders. The remain-
der were to be lieutenants or lieutenants (junior UNIFORM CHANGES
grade). These were the highest percentages in the A part of the story of the chaplains’ struggle for
upper grades ever granted by Congress to either the full equality with other staff and line officers con-
line or the staff. cerns the uniform. The Addenda to the 1897 Uniform
The passage of the 1914 Act made some immediate Regulations had stripped chaplains of full-dress wear,
promotions possible. Chaplain Frazier became a cap- of the distinctive Navy buttons, and of gold cap and
29
CoC., Federal Council File. sleeve ornaments.

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 Secretary Long defended the Navy’s policy in an He pronounced the regulations affecting the white
8 April reply to a chaplain who had evidently written uniforms of chaplains “a burning shame”:
about the unsatisfactory uniform regulations:
Their coat and the mess-jacket of the naval cadets
With regard to uniform, the navy chaplain has a single- are identically the same, and to add yet a keener edge
breasted frock coat of dark navy-blue cloth, and he has to the humiliation, the white service coat for the chap-
a blue service coat exactly like that of other officers also, lains and the jacket of the mess-attendants, i.e., the
except that it has black braid on the sleeves instead of waiters, are so nearly alike that only an expert can
gilt braid, and white service coat like that of other distinguish them.
officers, except that the chaplain, very properly, does
not wear military buttons, as he also does not wear a Shortly after Josephus Daniels assumed the respon-
sword. Both of these would certainly be out of keeping sibilities of Secretary of the Navy in 1913, Chaplain
with his profession. His mess jacket is the same. On his Bayard, then on duty at the Washington Navy Yard,
collar, he has the silver insignia of his rank and the
silver designation of his corps. His cap is the same as called on him and laid on his desk three buttons-a
other officers, except that it has black braid instead of a regulation large-size gilt Navy eagle button which
gilt . . . . I cannot believe that the clerical profession all officers were allowed to wear except chaplains, a
would regard it as anything else than unbefitting if a
chaplain were to be arrayed in the full uniform of a plain black silk button, and a plain white composition
naval officer. button. “This button,” declared Chaplain Bayard
picking up the black silk button, “adds distinction to
Secretary Long had nothing to say about the civilian evening dress for the opera or formal dinners
failure of regulations to prescribe a full-dress uniform
or dances but any button not a Navy button on a
for the chaplains.
Navy uniform is discordant, degrading, and in every
This letter was ordered by the Senate to be printed way objectionable to everyone in the Navy.” He con-
on 3 December 1902. It appeared as Document No. tinued: “This white button is the same as that worn
10, second session, 57th Congress. by bartenders, barbers, waiters, and mess attendants
The chaplains, however, in their desire for a “fair who shine officers’ shoes. Only chaplains among navy
and reasonable uniform,” took exception to the full officers are forced to submit to such indignity and
dress regulation. Strobridge revealed their feelings disgrace.” Chaplain Bayard found Secretary Daniels
in his pamphlet; he conceded that receptive to his appeal.
the chaplains were given a satisfactory service uniform, Later in the year, as a result of this incident, the
but on dress occasion, they are compelled to wear a new Uniform Regulations were modified so that
single-breasted, long tailed, shad-bellied frock-coat, a
sort of monkish gown, sometimes seen on clericals in
chaplains could wear the same buttons as other naval
foreign countries but never worn by American ministers. officers. They could now wear the “five large-size gilt
It is offensively odd, loudly conspicuous, and distasteful navy buttons” on their. white service coat, but not
to Protestants and Catholics alike. on their frock coat. Another step toward full equality
Strobridge cited instances of the chaplains’ being had been taken by the members of the Chaplain
ignored at all official or dress functions among the corps.
officers whether at home or abroad.” He recounted The 1913 Regulations ruled that chaplains should
Chaplain Clark’s humiliation at the opening of the wear black braid on the sleeve in lieu of the gold
Kiel Canal, because “of this grotesque garb” and ex- braid.
pressed indignation over the fact that when Sleeve marks on the frock coat shall be as follows:
Chaplain — stripes of lustrous black braid of the same
the great land parade was given in New York in size, number, and disposition as for line officers of the
honor of Admiral Dewey, and the nation was thus same rank.30
expressing its joy in the return of the brave warrior,
and its gratitude to God on account of the victorious It was not long before chaplains were referring to
war, not a single chaplain had a part in the parade either
as a participant marching on foot, or as a member of the “lustrous black braid” as “mourning braid.” With
the naval service riding in a carriage, and why? Simply, but few exceptions, they wanted the full insignia,
because the uniform was not presentable. The people without the sword, but with the gold braid of their
coming into possession of these facts have a right to
ask, “How much longer does the Government propose fellow officers.
to continue this policy of abuse and shame?” 30
Op. cit., p. 34.

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 OUTSTANDING CHAPLAINS members of the Corps in the early days of the First
AND THEIR ACTIVITIES World War, as they came to him for training before
being sent to sea. Chaplain Tribou was a scriptural
Eighteen new chaplains were commissioned in the preacher, and his message was uttered in the rich and
first decade of the twentieth century in order to main- salty language of the sea, and when stirred it was his
tain the quota of twenty-four. This represented the habit to burst forth in thunderous approbation or denun-
ciation. The Navy loved him for the splendid catholic
heaviest turnover in the chaplaincy in forty years. A humanity of his views and the rare and tender sweetness
seventy-five percent turnover in ten years is evidence of his personality.31
of the discontent then existing in the Corps. The in- Among the most noteworthy chaplains of these
troduction of reforms in the second decade, however, years was Henry Howard Clark whose two tours of
was an important stabilizing factor. duty at the Naval Academy, 1890-1894, 1896-1911,
Twenty more chaplains entered the services during totaled nineteen years. He was frequently referred to
the years 1911-1916, including eighteen acting chap- by his brother chaplains in good-natured jest as “the
lains. The goal of one chaplain for every 1,250 men, Angel of the Church that is at Annapolis.”32 The
authorized by the Act of 1914, was not reached for members of the successive classes of midshipmen
many years. Often the size of the Corps and the num- came to know and to love the genial, warm-hearted
ber of promotions were limited because Congress man whose unselfish and sacrificing spirit ever
appropriated insufficient funds. Another handicap to prompted him to go out of his way to help one in
full strength was section 2541-c of the Act which need.33 No chaplain of his generation was known by
limited the commissioning of acting chaplains in any so many naval officers as Chaplain Clark.
one year to seven. Chaplain Clark’s ministry at the Naval Academy
The thirty-eight chaplains who entered the naval was broken by a two-year assignment to the New
service during the years 1901-1916 were divided York. There, too, the Chaplain endeared himself to
among the larger denominations as follows: Baptist, the men he served. The mess stewards on 11 October
5; Catholic, 12; Congregational, 2; Disciples, 1; 1896 directed a letter to Chaplain Clark, which said
Lutheran, 1; Methodist, 6; Episcopal, 6; Presbyterian, in part:
4; and Reformed, 1. Herbert Dumstrey, of the Re-
We, the undersigned and part of the crew of this great
formed Church, appointed 15 December 1915, and vessel, do most sincerely regret the detachment of your
Paul E. Seidler, a Lutheran, appointed an acting genial and most valuable divine services from our pride
chaplain 15 May 1916, were the first of their respec- of the Navy — the New York . . . .
tive denominations to become Navy chaplains. Four We profoundly appreciate your great sermon this
of these thirty-eight chaplains—Scott, Evans, Duff, morning, and it touched the right spot at the right time.
It was a well delivered sermon from start to finish, and
and Workman—later became Chiefs of the Chap- we are sure that officers and men alike will miss your
plains Division. grand advices.34
Of the chaplains who entered the service during Another paper that bears witness to Chaplain
these years, the following in order of their seniority, Clark’s effectiveness as a spiritual leader of young
were still on active duty in 1946: Thomas B. men is a petition directed to the commandant at the
Thompson, Robert D. Workman, Charles V. Ellis, Academy and signed by thirty-nine midshipmen. It
Herbert Dumstrey, Roy L. Lewis, and William W. follows:
Elder. Chaplain Thompson, commissioned 10 March United States Naval Academy
1913, became the Senior Chaplain upon the retire- Annapolis, Maryland
ment of Chaplain Evan W. Scott in 1940. May 31, 1897
Several chaplains who entered the service before Sir:—
1900 and who continued their naval ministry into the We, the undersigned Naval Cadets of the Second
Class, have the honor respectfully to request that the
twentieth century, merit special mention because of sermon “Naval Life; Its Privations and Recompenses”
their long and distinguished record. Chaplain delivered by Chaplain Henry H. Clark to the Naval
Holway, who was commissioned in 1868, was retired Cadets on May 30th, 1897, be published and distributed
in June 1901. The gentle and benevolent Chaplain to the Naval Cadets.
31
Tribou retired in 1910. Of him Chaplain Edel, draw- 32
Edel, “Navy Chaplains from 1775 to 1917,” p. 14.
ing upon personal recollections, wrote: See Edel article under this title in Naval Institute pro-
ceedings,
33
Aug. 1942, pp. 1067 ff.
A Communion Rail was dedicated 2 Feb. 1925 in the
Out of the rich wisdom of his many years of service, Academy Chapel in memory of Chaplain Clark.
he gave advice and counsel to many of the younger 34
Clark File. Chaplain’s Office, Naval Academy.

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 A number of books describing midshipman life at Thompson of. the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi
Annapolis and boy life in the Navy came from Chap- and uncle of Chaplain Hugh Miller Thompson
lain Clark’s virile pen. These were: The Admiral’s Pearce (commissioned in 1909). Chaplain Thompson
Aid, Boy Life in the United States Navy, Joe Bently, served from 1881 to 1920. Included among the seven
Naval Cadet, and Midshipman Stanford. In his old was Chaplains Hoes, who was on duty at the Navy
age, Clark consented to the publication of a number Yard in Washington from May 1902 to January 1907.
of his sermons which had first appeared in the Sun- This gave him the opportunity to examine Navy
day editions of the Baltimore Sun. The volume Department archives for data about chaplains, and
appeared under the title The Sword of the Nation, he spent many a spare hour going through hundreds
which was also the title of the first sermon in the of volumes of bound correspondence which the
volume. Such sermon topics and texts as the follow- Department had accumulated during more than a
ing are suggestive of both his originality and under- century.
standing. “False Bugle Calls”—“For if the trumpet
give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to
the battle?” (1 Cor. 14:48); “The Word Behind
Thee,"—"And thine ears shall hear a word behind
thee, saying this is the way, walk ye in it.” (Isaiah
30:21); and “Naval Life: Its Trials and Compensa-
tions."—"And when we had taken our leave one of
another, we took ship.” (Acts 21: 6). The last men-
tioned sermon was preached on the last Sunday of an
academic year just before the senior class left and
before the other cadets departed for their summer
cruises.
In December 1899, Chaplain Clark was called to
Washington to take part in the ceremonies connected
with the re-interment in Arlington Cemetery of the
bodies of the victims of the Maine disaster.
Although Chaplain Clark was retired on 6 March
1907, he continued on duty at the Academy until
30 June 1911. Through the years he had kept a
Matthew C. Gleeson, 1903-1927
faithful record of Divine Services held in the Wearing uniform of First World War Period.
Academy Chapel. On the date in which he
terminated his active duty, Clark made the following Among the most able naval chaplains in the history
notation in the chapel log: of the Corps was Carroll Quinn Wright who was at
Now, after long service at the Academy, I commend the height of his influence during these years. Chap-
those who shall follow me to the One who appoints us lain Wright had boundless energy and initiative, and
to our work and who ever holds our destinies in His was deeply concerned about the welfare of his men.
hands. We are his workmen.
Writing to Chaplain Edel from Washington, D. C.,
Three other chaplains commissioned in the seven- on 21 March 1923, Chaplain Wright gave the follow-
ties continued to serve during the first decade of the ing account of the organization of the Silent League
twentieth century. They were Chaplains McAlister, and of some of his other activities, while on duty at
Gill and Boorom. After his retirement in 1902, Chap- the Philadelphia Navy Yard:
lain McAlister was recalled to active duty in 1914 at
In sending you the sketch of my poor life recently,
Mare Island, serving again in his beloved St. Peter’s I neglected to mention the fact that, in 1903, at the
Chapel. He died at Mare Island on 8 July 1916 and League Island Navy Yard, I founded or started the
lies buried in the small naval cemetery near the Silent League in the U.S. Navy, for the discouragement
hospital. of Obscenity, Profanity, Gambling and Debt — specially,
the first two vices.
Seven chaplains, commissioned in the eighties, saw There were no meetings, no dues, no reports — each
service in this period. Among these was Chaplain man who accepted the token (a small metal piece having
Frank Thompson, son of Bishop Hugh Miller the initial letters S L on it) was thereby initiated, and

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became a league within himself—to enlist others of machine cost the chaplain $125. The old flicker
reliability in the same way—being instructed briefly how movies were such a novelty that they could be shown
to make the approach etc., and admonished that it was
a matter left between him and God—that he’s to make
repeatedly to the same audience. Films then were ex-
his report on the Judgment Day. ceedingly difficult to obtain.
From that time, I think more than ten thousand tokens
have been given out, and, possibly, a hundred thousand
people reached and influenced by the League.

He also wrote a six-page pamphlet which was

published in 1905 aboard the receiving ship Lancaster
at the Navy Yard, League Island, Philadelphia. This
pamphlet, entitled Instructions for Recruits, was
designed as a brief orientation course for young men
entering the Navy. The information and good counsel
which Chaplain Wright offered were introduced by
the brief statement: “After enlistment ‘in the U. S.
Naval Service, every young man should carefully take
his bearing, and mark out a course for himself in the
new and strange seas in which his life is now cast.”
Chaplain Wright warned men against certain com-
mon temptations and failings of sailors. He empha-
sized the importance of keeping a clean record and
for the information of the recruit, gave the list of
penalties usually imposed for various offenses. The
pamphlet proved so valuable that the Navy Depart-
ment issued a second edition for wider distribution. 35
During the first decade of this century, three chap-
plains brought out small hymn books and orders of William W. Edel, 1917-1946.
worship. In 1900, Chaplain W. G. Cassard issued his Wearing uniform of First World War Period.
thirty-eight page booklet entitled Order of Divine
Service and Collection of Hymns for use at the Naval Also among the new appointees of the first decade
Training Station at Newport, Rhode Island. A re- of the twentieth century was Chaplain Matthew C.
vised and enlarged edition appeared in 1905. This Gleeson, a Roman Catholic, who served on the
was probably the first service and hymn- book ever Missouri in 1904 at the time of the turret explosion.
published for the benefit of United States naval per- Chaplain Gleeson distinguished himself in his atten-
sonnel. Chaplain C. H. Dickins, in 1904, issued his tion to the wounded and the dying, and was cited
sixty page book, A Divine Service for the United for valor by President Theodore Roosevelt in a letter
States Navy, which contained prayers, liturgies, selec- to the Secretary of the Navy dated 21 May 1904.
tions of Scripture, and hymns. In 1909, Chaplain
In the report of Captain Cowles on the late accident
Wright issued a thirty-four page pamphlet containing aboard the Missouri, particular attention is called to the
an order of service for Divine Worship. This included excellent and gallant conduct of Father Matthew C. Glee-
responsive readings, prayers, the Apostles’ Creed, and son, the Chaplain of the Missouri. Father Gleeson’s
a selection of seventy-two hymns and a few secular behavior throughout this trying ordeal was in every
way such as to give legitimate reason for satisfaction
songs. Among the hymns is “Eternal Father, Strong and pride to all interested in the Navy, and to all,
to Save,” with only the first and last stanzas. 36 therefore, who believe that the Chaplains of the Navy
The first chaplain to use a modem picture machine should show courage, common sense and efficiency no
aboard ship was Chaplain B. R. Patrick, commis- less than devotion to the spiritual and material well
being of those aboard the ships. It is a pleasure to
sioned in March 1902, who took one of the Edison record the gratification I feel in taking notice of what
Universal machines aboard the Yankee in 1903. The Father Gleeson has done.37

35 37
Edel Coll., Wright File. Germain, Catholic .Military and Naval Chaplains, pp.
36
Edel Coll. contains copies of these service books. 145-6.

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 Contemporaries of Chaplain Gleeson tell of his Through the years following the inauguration of this
phenomenal memory for names, his quick Irish wit, plan, chaplains on board ship and at shore bases
his ready svmpathy, and the hold he had upon every have often served as teachers for ambitious young
man in the ship’s company. men seeking Academy appointments.
When Congress, in 1914, authorized the Secretary When Chaplain C. H. Dickins was serving aboard
of the Navy to make appointments to the Naval the Florida (March 1912–June 1915), he replaced
Academy from the ranks of enlisted men, selection the old hand laundry system with modern machinery.
to be based on competitive examinations, aspiring The contrasts in degrees of whiteness between the
candidates turned to the chaplains for help. Two uniforms worn by the sailors of the Florida and those
chaplains became particularly active in coaching worn by men of the other ships in the Fleet soon
men. They were MacNair and Brady. MacNair attracted the attention of the Admiral, who ordered
claims that in a year in which only fifteen men were the machines installed on the other vessels.
accepted from the entire Navy, six of the eight can- The chaplains who remained in service during the
didates he coached passed the entrance examina- first decade of the twentieth century, in spite of the
tions.38 In 1919, MacNair was ordered to the Naval discouragements resulting from the inequalities of
Training Station at Newport where he became officer their official status, were men of consecration and
in charge of the newly organized Naval Academy ability. Chaplains of later generations owe much to
Preparatory Class. Chaplain Brady followed MacNair the faithfulness of these men of the old group of
in 1923, carrying on the work and expanding it. twenty-four who stood by during the years of tran-
sition when one by one the long-desired reforms were
38
CoC., MacNair File, Letter dated 27 Sept. 1945. becoming a reality.

TWO CHAPLAIN HEROES OF WORLD WAR I

Both of whom, having received the Navy Cross for heroism with the Marines in France,
were promoted to rear admiral on 16 January 1936 while on the retired list.

John J. Brady, 1914-1934 James D. MacNair, 1909-1930

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 REPRODUCTION OF CHAPLAIN’S COMMISSION

Reproduction of the chaplain’s commission granted John J. Brady, 12 May 1914, signed by Woodrow Wilson and
Josephus Daniels. This commission is the same as that given all appointees to the Chaplain Corps of the Navy. From
original in Chaplain Brady’s possession.

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 THE NAVAL MILITIA AND THE control of a Fleet Reserve for enlisted personnel who
NATIONAL NAVAL VOLUNTEERS had seen service in the Regular Navy was authorized
by law. For a little more than a year, these two naval
The genealogy of the United States Naval Reserve,
reserve organizations, one under state control and the
established in 1925, is to be traced back to 17 May
1888 when a battalion of Naval Militia was organized other under federal, existed side by side. Then, by
Act of Congress of 29 August 1916, the Naval Militia
in Massachusetts. Other states soon followed the ex-
and the Fleet Reserve were merged into the National
ample of Massachusetts, and, in 1894, the Secretary
Naval Volunteers.39
of the Navy was authorized to loan to each state hav-
ing a Naval Militia certain vessels for training pur- The Act of August 1916 also established the Naval
poses. Membership in the Militia was entirely Reserve Force with six classes of officers and men.
voluntary and no financial remuneration was avail- Class 2, into which the Naval Volunteers were later
able for maintenance of efficiency. The organizations absorbed, included: “Officers and men enrolled for
were state controlled. What the National Guard was four-year periods. and available in case of war or
to the Army, the Naval Militia was to the Navy.. national emergency for seagoing (duty on combatant
The Naval Militia proved its worth during the vessels”40 Members of this class were required to
Spanish-American War by furnishing about forty per- perform sixty days active duty in periods of not less
cent of the 10,373 additional men taken into the than fifteen days each during their four-year enroll-
Navy during that struggle. The Federal Government ment. Each was to receive two months’ base pay per
officially recognized the Naval Militia as a vital part year if the required duty was performed.
of our national defense by an Act of Congress of 16 39
February 1914. Navy Dept. Bulletin, Information concerning the US
Navy, May 1925, pp. 160 ff.
On 3 March 1915, the organization under federal 4 0
Ibid., p. 162.

The first chaplain known to have joined the Naval Militia was Edwin B. Niver, whose commission was
dated 6 November 1901. The following chaplains were enrolled:
Date of Year of register when
Name State Commission name first appeared
Niver, Edwin B . . Maryland . . . . . . . . 6 Nov. 1901 1907
Smith, C. E. . . . . . No. Carolina . . . . . 6 July 1908 1910
Sesnon, R. F. . . . . California . . . . . . . 1 Aug. 1909 1910
Ross, Albion H. . . Wisconsin . . . . . . 29 June 1909 1911
Olson, Richard . . Oregon . . . . . . . . . . 1 Aug. 1909 1911
Huske, B. F. . . . . No. Carolina . . . . .30 Apr. 1913 1914
McGann, Wm. T. .Florida . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 1916 1917
James, Sidney T. . Washington . . . . . .21 Sep. 1916 191741

The 1913 Register dropped the name of Chaplain Naval Reserve Force into the Regular Navy Chaplain
A. H. Ross and the 1914 edition omitted that of Corps. His son, Howard Malcom Day, became a
Chaplain C. E. Smith. Chaplain Niver was credited naval chaplain in 1940.
with nine cruises,42 which indicates that he took one Thus, there was on the eve of the First World
each year. Only three of the eight Naval Militia War a small band of nine chaplains in the Naval
chaplains are known to have accepted a commission . Militia. Perhaps, more important than the number of
in the National Naval Volunteers. They were Chap- chaplains available was the fact that the machinery
plains Niver, Huske, and James. was ready for the enlistment of other reserve chap-
Mention should be made of another Naval Militia lains when war was finally declared.
chaplain who was not listed in the 1917 Naval Militia
Register. He was James Samuel Day who passed THE CHAPLAINS AT WORK
through the National Naval Volunteers and the
During these years under review, the correspond-
41
Naval Militia Registers, 1907, 1909-17. In 1945 these ence of chaplains, as it had in previous periods, con-
Registers were in the custody of Mr. J. R. Durnell, Bureau tinued to bring into relief not only the lights and
of Naval Personnel.
42
Naval Militia Register, 1917. shadows of a chaplain’s duties, but, also the attitude

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of fellow officers and of the Navy Department. On 16 them. Regarding the request for an organ, the en-
June 1902, Chaplain Hoes, then on duty at the dorsement read “. . . the Department would not like
Washington Navy Yard, wrote to the Department to establish a precedent by making application to a
requesting that he be provided with stationery and charitable organization.” However, it does not appear
office supplies. The second endorsement on this re- that the Department approved the idea of appropri-
quest is as follows: ating funds for the instrument.46
Respectfully referred to the Bureau of Navigation, The Board of Chaplains which was appointed to
for report as to whether a Chaplain is needed at the make suggestions for the increase of the effectiveness
Navy Yard, Washington; also whether a Chaplain is of the Corps included the following in its report of
needed on board any vessel in commission.43 20 October 1906:
Since the number of chaplains was at that time In the interest of uniformity, compendious books of
strictly limited to twenty-four, many important shore worship should be compiled for Catholic and non-
installations as well as large ships did not have chap- Catholic seamen, including prayers familiar to common
lains. Consquently, many naval officers and men had liturgical usage, containing also prayers specially prepared
for the naval service’ and hymns accepted by all denomi-
no opportunity to see the contribution a chaplain nations; and in said books there should be a supplement
could offer. After the Act of 1914 fixed the chaplain containing concise practical instructions and suggestions
quota, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, in his as to the standards of conduct and character to be main-
Annual Report for 1915, was able to state: “It will tained in the naval service, the books to bear the im-
soon be possible to assign a chaplain to every primatur of the Navy Department; each man in the naval
service who may desire it to be furnished with a copy
battleship.”44 of either book. In the opinion of the Board, such books
Chaplains made frequent requests to the Navy would serve a high purpose of religious devotion and
Department during these years for stationery, moral inspiration and restraint, and we beg leave to
hymnals, books, and office equipment including type- suggest that a board of representative Chaplains be
appointed for the compilation of such books.
writers. The following from Chaplain Helms, 10
October 1901, is a typical example: This suggestion was not acted on until 1920 when
At present, the only possible way of procuring such the Navy joined with the Army in issuing the first
supplies, is to beg them or buy them from our individual edition of the Army and Navy Hymnal.
purses. A reasonable allowance for use in preparing Chaplains called attention to various traditional
sermons and lectures, for making such official state- practices that in any way affected, influenced, or
ments and letters as frequently have to be made by hindered their work. Several criticized the Sunday
Chaplains, and for writing letters home for men and
many other purposes too tedious to enumerate, all these morning inspection of the crew as imposing an undue
supplies are daily needed by Chaplains.45 burden upon what should be a day of rest and wor-
ship. General Order 37, dated 15 September 1909,
In endorsing the request, the Chief of the Bureau
which corrected the practice to the chaplains’ satis-
of Navigation recommended that the stationery be
faction, read:
supplied all chaplains.
Chaplain Frazier, on 27 January 1902, wrote re- 1. To the end that Sunday may be generally observed
as a day of rest on board ship, it is directed that the
garding hymnals, music, and an organ, and expressed duty required of officers and men on that day be reduced
“the hope that some provision may be made for to a minimum consistent with the requirements of the
supplying such articles.” He suggested that an appeal service.
for an organ might be made to the Women’s Army 2. The commanding officer’s inspection of ship and
and Navy League. Chaplain Frazier’s request was crew shall not be held on Sunday. The inspection of
endorsed: the ship shall be held on any other day of the week as
may be most expedient and the inspection of the crew
Respectfully returned to the Bureau of Equipment, on Saturday before noon, if circumstances permit; if not,
with authority to furnish hymnals for use on board ship as soon after the dinner hour as practicable.
and at naval stations, under the appropriation “Equip-
ment of Vessels.” The custom of offering evening prayer, at sundown
when the bugle call for hammocks was sounded,
Thus, this request led to the approval of the pur- gradually died out as a result of the regulation
chase of hymnals for all ships and stations needing changing compulsory church attendance. “Prayers at
43
NRSO: 14358. evening hammocks” were, however, still being offered
44
45
Op. cit., p. 26. 46
NRSO: 13179. NRSO: 13546.

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on some ships, and the Board of Chaplains which met to Samoa was on a freight steamer. On 6 July, Chap-
in 1906 suggested in their report that lain Patrick with his wife, two young sons, and a
prayers at evening hammocks should be made explicitly
trained nurse, had boarded the S. S. Aeon. Chaplain
uniform in all ships to which Chaplains are attached. Patrick related the incident:
Apart from the religious significance of this ‘service, it On our twelfth day out at 9:00 p.m., hundreds of
has a ceremonial function, which, in our opinion, tends sea birds screamed about the ship and at 9: 30 p.m. the
strongly to the aid of discipline and good order. It is officer of the watch shouted “Breakers ahead”, and almost
a custom inherited from the old Navy, and appears to at once the ship hit the reef and was hard and fast
us an indispensable bequest. aground. Christmas Island was presumably 25 miles west
Today, there remains one last vestige of this beauti- of us, but, we had struck the reef about 3 miles inside
the S. E. point of the island (About 90 miles north of
ful tradition. On some ships, following the bugle call the Equator). The engines succeeded in keeping the ship
to hammocks, the chaplain reads a brief prayer over bow on for awhile but by midnight the wind and current
the public address system. had forced the ship broadside to the reef, the engine
The directions for the display of the church pen- room was full of water and plate bolts were snapping.
The ship seemed to be breaking in two just forward of
nant, which first appeared in the Navy Signal Code the bridge. We could make out two lines of breakers,
for 1867, were repeated in substantially the same but could discern no land until dawn when the low
wording in subsequent editions of the Signal Book. coral sand of the island became visible. A line was
The church pennant is non-sectarian. When properly secured from the ship to wreckage ashore and at 6 A.M.
our party was landed.
flown, it indicates that Divine Services are actually
in progress. Navy customs have a way of moving from Lumber from the cargo, tarpaulins and food were
brought ashore all that day and by night we had three
sea to shore. Just when the church pennant was first tents, one for our party, one for the ship’s officers and
used at a shore station is not known. By the time one for the Chinese crew. No potable water had ever
of the First World War, the custom of flying the been found on the island, according to the Sailing Direc-
church pennant at naval installations in the United tions, and the ship’s chief fresh water tanks had been
States, according to the custom used at sea, was flooded with salt water. During the first 12 days ashore,
we had two showers and saved some water. But for the
already widely observed. most part we drank the water from canned asparagus
The importance of the chaplain’s work as educa- (ten tons of it in the cargo). On the 12th day, the
tional supervisor of boys is found in the testimony of Chief Engineer finished a distiller on the beach and
Chaplain Clark before the House Committee on made 25 gallons of fresh water.
Naval Affairs on 12 January 1903. He stated: In the meantime the Captain of the Aeon put to
Mr. Cassard has a thousand boys under his care. He sea in a small motor boat to get aid from Fanning
has entire charge of the instruction of these boys in the Island, 200 miles distant. Back on Christmas Island,
elementary English branches and has several instructors preparations were being hastily made for an event
under him. which would not wait even for a shipwreck.
Chaplain Cassard was then attached to the training A small cottage with beds and plumbing from the
ship Constellation. wreck had been built and was occupied by Mrs. Patrick
and Mrs. Riddle [wife of Lieutenant W. K. Riddle]. In
During this period under review, Navy chaplains this cottage, on 22 September, Jane Clark Patrick was
were given overseas shore duty for the first time. born with Miss Sarah Campbell, nurse attending. Just
Chaplain C. M. Charlton was the first of a long line 24 hours later, the S/S Manuka was sighted coming
of chaplains to see duty in the Philippines. He served to our rescue with our Captain Downey and party whom
at Cavite from March to December 1903. Chaplain they had picked up at Fanning Island. The Manuka’s
surgeon came ashore with Captain Downey, but there
J. B. Frazier initiated the chaplains’ work at Tutuila, was nothing for him to do.47
Samoa, serving there for three years bcgnning July
1905. The first chaplain to serve at Guam was J. F. FIRST CHAPLAINS ASSIGNED TO
Fleming who was stationed there from March to THE MARINES
August 1914.
Chaplain B. R. Patrick had an unusual experience Since the Marine Corps has no Chaplain Corps,
in the summer of 1908 when, enroute to his new its personnel, from the beginning of the naval chap-
station at Tutuila, he was shipwrecked with his laincy: have been included within the scope of the
family on Christmas Island. In those days, the most Navy chaplains’ ministry. The earliest discovered
available means of transportation from San Francisco 47
CoC., Patrick File.

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reference to. any extensive work by Navy chaplains Marines to Santo Domingo when they were ordered
for Marines appeared in a 4 December 1862 letter there in 1916. He distinguished himself in an engage-
which Chaplain C. S. Stewart wrote to a friend. He ment in which the Marines took part and received
described his activities with the Marines at the Naval the following letter of commendation for the Navy
Hospital, Navy Yard, New York: Department dated 18 October 1916:
I am now established, somewhat permanently, should The Department is pleased to note your excellent work
health and life be spared me, under the same roof with as driver of the motor ambulance and courage in advanc-
a good portion of my charge and with the Chapel in ing through fire-swept zones when called upon to do so,
which I preach to them. The number of patients in the and informs you that this correspondence will be filed
Hospital averages about three hundred. The Soldiers with your official record.50
at the Marine Barracks, amounting to some three hundred
are also in my diocese and I preach to them also every THE WORK OF THE NAVY YMCA
Sabbath in the Mess Hall of the Barracks.48
No history of the naval chaplaincy and of religion
The first Navy chaplain known to have had ex- in the United States Navy would be complete without
clusive duty with the Marines was Chaplain J. F. a consideration of the services rendered by various
Fleming, who served on board the California in the welfare agencies.
summer of 1912 when the Marines were sent to Since its organization during the Spanish-American
Nicaragua. The first detachment of Marines went War, the Army and Navy YMCA has been a faithful
ashore at Managua on 4 August. Just when Chaplain partner of Navy chaplains in their work ashore. In
Fleming joined the landing party, or, when he re- those places where its work is limited almost exclu-
turned to his ship, is not known. The official “Report sively to naval personnel, the full name is abbreviated
of Operation of First Provisional Regiment of U. S. in characteristic American style to the Navy Y.
Marines in Nicaragua” contains a reference to the
‘The Young Men’s Christian Association has always
burial of four men on 6 October when Chaplain
Fleming officiated. On the 11th of the month he was centered its attention on a three-fold approach to
reported as assisting at the Field Hospital.49 young men—the mental, the physical, and the
spiritual, hence, its symbol of the triangle. Travelling
The first chaplain known to have been assigned libraries were introduced to the Army and Navy by
full-time duty with the Marines was Bower R. the Y as early as 1902, when some 150 compactly-
Patrick who was ordered on 21 April 1914 to the made wooden boxes, each containing two shelves of
Marine Expeditionary Force of the Atlantic Fleet. books, were circulated.51 By 1903, over 10,000
This was at the time when friction existed between volumes were made available to soldiers and sailors
the United States and Mexico. Chaplain Patrick through this means. A reading and writing room and
sailed with the Marines for Vera Cruz from Phila- a library have been indispensable parts of every Navy
delphia on the Moro Castle. He went ashore with the Y building. Free stationery with the Y letter-head has
Expedition and, from 14 June to 22 September, carried unnumbered letters from sailor lads to their
maintained club rooms at Vera Cruz for the use and home folks. Attractive lectures and sightseeing tours
benefit of the enlisted men. Patrick returned to have been scheduled. Before movies became avail-
Philadelphia with the Expeditionary Force in the late able, many YMCA secretaries made extensive use of
fall of that year and was detached from this duty on the stereopticon lantern to illustrate their lectures.
21 December. For hundreds of thousands of naval personnel such
The sceond chaplain to see duty with the Marines activities have fruitfully absorbed leisure hours and
was Leroy N. Taylor who served with the Fourth successfully counteracted undesirable influences.
Marine Regiment from 23 August 1915 to 18 In ministering to the physical needs of the sailor,
December 1916. This assignment came in response the Y erected buildings often containing well
to Chaplain Taylor’s request for duty with the equipped gymnasiums, swimming pools, bowling
Marines at San Diego. “The fact that Colonel alleys, game rooms, cafeterias or restaurants, and
Pendleton asked for a Chaplain when the ‘Camp’ was dormitories. The first Army and Navy YMCA
first established,” wrote Taylor to the Department, physical director was employed in 1909 for the staff
“is evidence in itself that one is really needed to of the Brooklyn Navy Y. This experiment was so suc-
work among them.” Chaplain Taylor accompanied the
50
48 51
CoC., Taylor Annual Report File.
49
Ibid.,
Stewart File. Pond, MS., “History of the Army and Navy YMCA.,”
Nav. Rec. Coll., Register No. 2677, pp. 3, 12. p. 42.

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cessful that appointments were soon made for other of the need of strong arms and brave hearts to protect
Y buildings.52 All the equipment, as well as the serv- those liberties without which the blessings of peace are
ices of the staff, were available to sailors without worthless. While the purpose of this building is to help
you in maintaining that high standard of manhood which
charge or on a cost basis. A nominal fee was usually is essential in your profession of arms, God grant that
collected for dormitory rooms and for food. you may also find here influences which will help you
Activities sponsored by the Y to meet the spiritual keep near to Him who is the Prince of Peace. Sincerely
needs of sailors included Bible classes, religious serv- yours, John D. Rockefeller.53
ices, distribution of religious literature such as Bibles The building was opened to receive the men of the
and Testaments, Sunday morning breakfast clubs at fleet who returned from their world cruise in Febru-
which speakers brought religious messages, and ary 1909. Formal dedicatory services were held 17
church parties. The Y has made it a practice to work March 1909. Rockefeller supplemented his first gift
in closest harmony with local churches. with another $200,000 for an endowment fund.
One of the early projects of the Navy Y was the The work of the Y in Philadelphia began in Octo-
promotion of the Naval Temperance League which ber 1906 when a branch was established in rented
had the approval in 1900 of Secretary of the Navy quarters at 2009 South Broad Street. As these quar-
J. D. Long. Members of this League promised to ters proved inadequate, funds were later secured for
abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors while in the purchase of a larger building at 1301 Shunk
the service of the United States Navy. It is reported Street. It was opened in December 1915. An exten-
that nearly 6,000 signed the pledge. sion service of the Y was carried on at the Philadel-
The first Navy Y building, near the Brooklyn Navy phia Navy Yard in “The Annex,” a building which
Yard, was dedicated 15 May 1902. The second build- cost about $30,000 and was dedicated 28 April 1911.
ing was located at Vallejo, California, near the Mare In December 1907, just before the Fleet left on its
Island Navy Yard. This site was donated by Rear world-encircling cruise, Admiral Dewey wrote to the
Admiral and Mrs. B. H. McCalla who also gave Army and Navy Department of the YMCA:
$27,000 toward the cost of the building modelled It occurs to me as the departure of the Fleet for the
after the Brooklyn Y. The cornerstone was laid by Pacific approaches, that a grand work lies ready for the
President Theodore Roosevelt 14 May 1903 and the YMCA to inaugurate for the aid of the enlisted men.
building was opened 16 July 1904. Could not some place be secured in San Francisco where
On 14 January 1903, the Y initiated its work at our men would find friends to look after their welfare,
lodging, etc.? In short, to do the same estimable work
Newport in rented quarters at 102 Thomas Street. that is now being done in the Brooklyn Navy YMCA.54
After eight years, it was moved into a new building
on Washington Square which cost over $275,000. This led to the beginning of the Army and Navy Y
This building was a. gift of Mrs. Thomas J. Emery in San Francisco. Rented quarters were secured at
of Cincinnati who, at her summer home in Newport, 82-84 Market Street and were used for eight and a
had observed the good work of the Y. half years.
The first Y building erected within a Navy Yard Navy Y work for the men of the Boston Navy
was the “Annex” opened at Norfolk in July 1906. Yard at Charleston was opened in 1909 at the Ed-
Again, this was possible through the liberality of Miss ward Everett House, 14 Harvard Street. The begin-
Helen Gould. The work at Norfolk proved to be so ning of the present extensive work at San Diego goes
important that it soon outgrew its first quarters. John back to temporary activities carried on in a large
D. Rockefeller, Sr., was interested and gave $300,000 tent in 1910-1911. On 2 May 1911, the Navy Y occu-
for the erection of a modern building. On 9 May pied rented quarters at 246 Washington Avenue,
1908, Mr. Rockefeller wrote the following for the Bremerton, to serve the men attached to the Puget
cornerstone laying ceremonies: Sound Navy Yard. In 1913, larger quarters were
secured by leasing adjoining buildings.
To the Enlisted Men of the Navy, Gentlemen: It is a Thus, during the years 1901-1916, the Y had
privilege to be permitted to give expression in this perma-
nent form to the pride which all Americans feel in their established branches in the vicinity of the following
Navy, and to the sense of obligation which we feel to navy yards and training stations: Brooklyn, Mare
you who have consecrated your lives to our country’s Island, Newport, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Boston, San
defense. The ambitions of our people have always Francisco, San Diego, and Bremerton.
centered in the arts of peace, but, we are not forgetful
53
52 54
Ibid., pp. 191 ff.
Ibid., p. 39. Ibid., p. 209.

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 The overseas work of the YMCA began in the ship were not practicable and this aspect of the
Philippines at the time of the Spanish-American project was given up about 1928.
War. The first YMCA building in Manila, a two-
story structure was secured in 1898 by Lieutenant ST. PETER’S, MARE ISLAND
General Arthur MacArthur. When the United States At the north end of the Bay of San Francisco lies
established a naval base at Cavite, the Y followed. what was once an island but is now a peninsula,
Activities began in a tent and were transferred to a measuring five miles by two, known as Mare Island.
building about 1900. As the work grew, larger quar- Its nautical name has nothing to do with the Latin
ters were occupied in 1902 and 1903. The Cavite word for sea but rather to the mundane subject of
branch was discontinued in 1909. The first building General Vallejo’s old gray mare which fell off a raft
owned by the Y in its overseas activities was erected one day while the General was transporting some of
at Olongapo with the help of the Marines in 1903. his belongings across the Carquinez Straits. He was
This early structure was replaced by a more perma- unable to rescue the mare at the time of the acci-
nent building in 1912. A secretary remained on duty dent and gave her up for dead. Later, she was dis-
until about 1914. The Army and Navy Y had ade- covered grazing upon the island-hence the name
quate quarters in a building at 205 Calle Real in Mare Island.
Manila in 1903 and 1906. When the United States By law, all of the islands in San Francisco Bay
Fleet made its famous round-the-world cruise in 1908, became government property when California was
the Y rented for temporary use two large buildings taken over from Mexico. The island became a naval
on the banks of the Pasig. In 1910, similar temporary base in 1854 with Commodore Farragut as the first
service was provided for the men of the visiting Commandant. Midway on the small island, in a grove
Pacific Fleet. of eucalyptus trees, stands a beautiful wooden build-
The first continuing work in Shanghai conducted ing known as St. Peter’s Chapel.
by the Navy Y for American sailors dates back to St. Peter’s, erected in 1901 before the present
1912 when a club house at 7 Nanking Road was Chapel at the Naval Academy, is the oldest extant
opened for their use by the American Women’s Club naval chapel in the United States. A bronze plaque
of Shanghai. The Y secretary then attached to the in the entrance-way of the chapel at Mare Island
Asiatic Squadron was placed in charge.55 The Annual bears the following legend:
Report of the YMCA for 1914-1915 stated: “The Erected by the Congress
Asiatic fleet work has so grown that it has become A.D. 1901,
necessary to recognize the necessity for permanent Through the efforts of
shore work at the headquarters in Shanghai, and the The Honorable George C. Perkins,
fleet Secretary is now managing this work in a com- United States Senator,
and
modious rented building.”56 Quarters were moved to The Reverend A. A. McAlister,
23 Nanking Road in the fall of 1915. Chaplain United States Navy.
A Y secretary accompanied the American forces Albert Sutton
Architect.
to Peking at the time of the Boxer trouble in 1900.
Work with the Legation Guard was begun soon after The funds for the Chapel came from the Naval
and continued until 1914. A large clubhouse in the Appropriation Act of 1900 which set aside $5,000
Canal Zone was placed at the disposal of the YMCA for this purpose. The building, a low rectangular
in 1911. Other centers for Marines were opened as structure with two small rooms, one on either side
early as 1909.57 of the chancel, was built out of California redwood.
Shipboard chapters of the YMCA were organized It has painted shingles now brown with age on the
in 1901 and flourished for several years. Later, the outside walls. A low steeple rises over the squat
name Triangle Service League was adopted but ex- tower which serves as an entrance-way. The Chapel
perience proved that such organizations on board was dedicated on Sunday, 13 October 1901.
Attractive as the exterior may be, the interior of
55
Year Book of the YMCA, 1911-1912, p. 291. the chapel is far more so. The skillful modification
56
Op. cit., p. 347. of the Gothic architecture, the beautiful stained glass
57
Information about YMCA buildings at home and abroad windows, the furnishings, and the perfect appoint-
obtained from Pond, MS, “History of the Army and Navy
Young Men’s Christian Associations.” ments of the chancel and altar, all contribute to a

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Triptych Window in St. Peter’s Chapel, Mare Island, California. This window depicts the calling of Peter and is dedicated
to the three navel heroes who played important roles in early California history—Rear Admiral John Drake Sloat, Admiral
David Glasgow Farragut, and Commodore Robert Field Stockton.

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 Interior of St. Peter’s Chapel, Mare Island, California.

“religious atmosphere.” A mellow-toned pipe organ The Chapel also has a number of memorials in
is included among the furnishings. The sanctuary can the form of carved medallions and bronze plaques.
seat a maximum of about 200. All are dedicated to men, officers and enlisted per-
Most of the windows are by Tiffany. The first to sonnel of the Navy and Marine Corps, with the ex-
attract the attention of the visitor is the triptych win- ception of one window which combines the deep
dow which dominates the rear end of the building. It blue of the sea and yellow of the California poppy
embodies the theme, “The Calling of Peter,” and in a representation of the Madonna and Child. This
shows the fishermen pulling in their nets from the is dedicated “To the Women of the Navy and
waters of Galilee. In the center are Jesus and Peter. Marine Corps.”
This triptych is a memorial to the great naval leaders St. Peter’s Chapel was the first chapel built by
Commodore J. D. Sloat, who raised the American Government funds on any Army or Navy installation
flag over California on 7 July 1846; Commodore to be used for both Protestant and Catholic worship.
R. F. Stockton, who completed the conquest; and However, there was an earlier chapel built by the
Admiral D. G. Farragut, the first Commandant of Government in which both of the great branches of
Mare Island. Over the altar is a rose window, “The the Christian church held services. This is the chapel.
Ascension,” which is a memorial to the officers and built in 1871 at the United States Soldiers Home in
enlisted men of the United States Navy and Marine ‘Washington, D. C. Records of this church indicate
Corps who have served in the Pacific. that, as early as 1877, both Catholic and Protestant

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 Exterior of St. Peter’s Chapel, Mare Island, California.

services were being held each Sunday in the build- held. Captain Thomas A. Kearney, who once lived
ing.58 on Mare Island and worshipped at St. Peter’s, wrote
When the idea of having one government chapel of this Chapel:
at Mare Island for the joint use of Catholics and There in the midst of an eucalyptus grove it stands—
Protestants was first broached, many were hesitant this navy chapel-church. Apart, and yet so near to the
and doubtful. Chaplain McAlister was one who be- houses around about it; so near to the shops, the ships,
lieved that satisfactory arrangements could be worked the barracks of the men. Its great rose window mirrors
back the light of setting sun; its steeple lies half-hidden
out so that Catholics and Protestants could worship in the wind-swayed branches of the trees, the steeple
at different times in the same sanctuary, using the cross-crowned, its summoning bell indicates it as a harbor
same altar and other furnishings. The experiment of refuge to those who come in from the sea, an anchor-
proved successful and was further popularized in age, good holding ground, a place where weary men
scores of other government chapels, both Army and may rest before they go back to the sea—St. Peter’s
Chapel, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.59
Navy, in the Second World War.
Since its erection, St. Peter’s has served the pro- NEW CHAPEL AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY
cession of naval personnel who have visited or lived
at Mare Island. The ledger-size record books, some- In 1904, the tall spired Gothic church at the
times called the “Chapel Log,” tell of weddings per- Naval Academy, erected in 1869, was torn down and
formed, baptisms administered, and Divine Services work begun on a magnificent $400,000 structure
58 59
CoC., Research File, letter from Major General H. K. Kearney, “St. Peter’s Chapel, Navy Yard, Mare Island,”
Loughry dated 16 Oct. 1945. Naval Institute Proceedings, July 1932, p. 1025.

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which remains today as the main part of the present Moslem he must say his prayers, facing Mecca, every
Chapel. The cornerstone was laid on 3 June 1904 night. and morning, and on Sundays he must remain
in his room, reading the Koran on which frequent reports
by Admiral George Dewey, and the dedication serv- would be expected..Conviction involved too great a sacri-
ices were held on Sunday, 24 June 1908, with Chap- fice, and the decision was soon reached that it would
lain H. H. Clark in charge. During the years of con- be better to become conventional once more.61
struction, Divine Services were held in the old The author of the article from which this anec-
armory adjacent to Worden Field. dote is taken, paid tribute to the several chaplains
The new Chapel was erected in the form of a he had known who had served at the Academy. He
Greek cross surmounted by a great dome which rises wrote:
150 feet. Seating accommodations were provided for
1,250. The acoustic properties of the new Chapel The chaplains of the Naval Academy have shown
intellectual and spiritual power and they have admirably
proved unsatisfactory, for the great dome seemed to adapted themselves to the duty. They have made of
swallow up the voice of the speaker and the marble religion something so natural and manly that strong men
walls of the stately structure added to the difficulty. could accept it without weakness or compromise. I know
Since the public address system had not yet been in- of no early Easter morning celebration of the Holy
vented, many experiments were tried before the Communion at any of the universities equal to some I
have known at the Academy at which fully 600 mid-
defect was remedied. shipmen were present and went to the Communion Rail.
Professor Charles A.. Zimmerman, bandleader and
composer of “Anchors Aweigh,” presided at the new IN SUMMARY
organ at the time of the dedication. In January 1913,
A great change took place in the attitude of Navy
the casket containing the remains of John Paul Jones,
chaplains toward their work during the years 1901
brought from Paris in 1905, was transferred from
to 1916, inclusive. The years can well be remembered
Memorial Hall to the Crypt of the new Chapel with
as an era of reform in the history of the Corps. One
appropriate ceremonies.60
by one, a number of annoying discriminations, which
The following description of the stained glass win-
existed at the beginning of the century and had ad-
dows is taken from the 1948 edition of the Academy’s
versely affected the esprit de corps of the chaplains,
Catalogue of Information:
were removed by Act of Congress or decree of the
Four of its beautiful stained glass windows are memo- Navy Department. Along with the granting of an
rials to heroic leaders of the past. Significantly, the fifth increase in pay, the establishment of a ratio basis
and newest window shows a young man on Graduation
Day. Behind him are years of anxiety and hope, work to fix the quota of chaplains, and the modification
and play. Before him lies a lifetime of dedicated service. of certain uniform regulations, came a new policy in
Dressed for the first time in the uniform of an Ensign their selection and promotion. These combined re-
in the Navy of. the United States, he reads the scroll forms did much to elevate the dignity and improve
commissioning him as such. High above him the Stars
and Stripes flutter in the breeze, but in the background
the efficiency of the Corps. The YMCA had begun
stands the Man of Galilee, pointing to an even higher its service to naval personnel on leave and liberty.
obligation. It is the graduate’s “Invisible Commission,” A few Reserve chaplains were standing by for
challenging him to consecrate his loyalty to self and to emergency service..
country by supreme loyalty to the God who gave him
both. All these changes took place in the years which
were the prelude to World War I. Undoubtedly, the
An undated anecdote relating to compulsory outbreak of hostilities in Europe in 1914 made the
church attendance at the Naval Academy may well United States more aware of the Navy’s responsibili-
belong to this period. According to the story, one ties and accelerated some of the reforms so long de-
sophisticated cadet claimed that he was a Moslem sired by chaplains. By the end of 1916, there were
and should, therefore, be excused both from attend- sufficient signs to warn the most indifferent of the
ing Divine Service in the Academy Chapel and from coming conflict. Never before had the United States
going to any church in the town. The unusual situa- Navy been so well prepared for such an emergency.
tion was handled with diplomatic firmness in the fol- Likewise never before had the Chaplain Corps, with
lowing manner. its forty men on active duty, been so large and so
He was told by his battalion officer that as a devout well regulated.
60 61
“The Heart of the Academy,” Shipmate, June 1942, Alden, “Officers and Gentlemen in the Making,” Naval
p. 9. Institute Proceedings, Oct. 1935, p. 1497.

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 CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE FIRST WORLD WAR

1917-1919

The United States entered the war against Ger- The United States Navy provided 86 percent of the
many on 6 April 1917. Although hostilities came to needed protection. When the war was over, the Navy
an end on 11 November 1918, the war with Germany was able to make the proud boast that not a single
and Austria-Hungary was not officially terminated American soldier had been lost on the way to France
until the approval by Congress of a joint resolution as a result of enemy action.
on 2 July 1921. Separate treaties with Germany, American naval losses in ships and personnel, ex-
Austria, and Hungary were subsequently effected. clusive of the Marines, were small. The armored
The year of (demobilization, 1919, is included in this cruiser San Diego sank off the entrance of the mouth
chapter dealing with the history of the Chaplain of New York harbor after striking a mine laid by an
Corps in World War I. enemy submarine. Other losses included two de-
When the United States entered the conflict, the stroyers, two submarines, and a few smaller craft.
submarine menace was so serious that great emphasis
was immediately placed on combating the undersea NEW LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE CORPS
craft. Construction on battleships and cruisers was
The declaration of war on Germany made neces-
stopped during the war and efforts were concentrated
sary new legislation enlarging both the Army and the
on the building and acquisition of light craft adapted
Navy. Congress grimly swung into action and on 22
for anti-submarine warfare. With the exception of
May 1917 passed “An Act to temporarily increase the
this anti-submarine activity, the units of the United
commissioned and warrant and enlisted strength: of
States Navy in World War I had little direct contact
the Navy and Marine Corps.”1 The authorized en-
with the enemy. A squadron of five battleships, the
listed strength of the active list of the Navy was
New York, Wyoming, Texas, Florida, and Delaware
temporarily increased from 87,000 to 150,000, which
joined the British Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow in
included 4,000 additional apprentice seamen. The
December 1917. Before the end of the war three
authorized enlisted strength of the Marine Corps was
others, the Nevada, Oklahoma, and Utah were sta-
temporarily increased from 17,400 to 30,000. The Act
tioned at Bantry Bay in southern Ireland.
authorized additional commissioned officers, on a
Naval forces went ashore in France to man a num-
temporary basis, “not above the grades and ranks
ber of fourteen-inch guns mounted on flat-cars and
of lieutenant in the line and staff,” to correspond
used on the western front. More than 30,000
with the temporary increase of enlisted personnel.
Marines were sent, part of whom engaged in the
The authorized strength was later raised as the war
bloody fighting at Chateau Thierry Belleau Wood,
demands expanded.
St. Mihiel, and elsewhere.
When war was declared, the Navy had 64,680
The main task of the Navy in World War I was enlisted men and 4,376 officers. In addition 12,000
convoying to and from France the unprecedented Reserves and 10,000 Naval Militia had been enrolled.
number of troops. In addition to the two large navy The Navy took over the Coast Guard with its 590
transports, the Henderson and Hancock, the Navy officers and 3,478 men. This gave a total force of
took over some twenty American liners. More than approximately 95,000.2 The Marine Corps grew from
2,000,000 men were sent abroad, 46 percent in Amer- a force of 13,725 officers and men to a total of 75,101
ican ships and most of the balance in British vessels.
1
The first convoy crossed in June 1917, and the 2
40
Stat. 84-5.
Daniels, Our Navy at War, p. 311. Report of Secretary,
peak was reached in the spring and summer of 1918. 1919, p. 173.

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including 269 women.3 By the time of the Armis- aware of any difference between acting chaplain and
tice, naval personnel, including all categories—Regu- temporary acting chaplain until they came up for
lars, Reserves, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard- promotion. The temporary acting chaplains then
totaled about 533,000. This number included approxi- found that they lost precedence to acting chaplains
mately 11,000 Yeomen (F) and 1,713 women nurses. who were promoted first. No temporary acting chap-
The women yeomen were never officially designated lains were appointed after the signing of the
as yeomanettes. The “F” indicated female.4 armistice with Germany. Navy Department records
All these developments greatly affected the Chap- disclose no appointments of temporary chaplains.
lain Corps for an enlarged Navy and Marine Corps
demanded more chaplains. The Act of 22 May 1917 RESERVE CHAPLAINS IN THE
included the following section :
FIRST WORLD WAR
Provided further, That temporary chaplains and tem- When the United States declared war on Germany
porary acting chaplains in the Navy may be appointed on 6 April 1917 there were only forty chaplains on
for service during the period of the War in the propor-
tion of the personnel of the Navy as now prescribed by active duty in the Navy. The first immediate and
existing law. available supply of additional chaplains came from
the various reserve organizations. Out of the small
Upon the passage of this Act, the Regular Navy nucleus of nine chaplains on the rolls of the Naval
had four classifications of chaplains in addition to Militia at the beginning of 1917, only Chaplains
the Reserves. They were: chaplain, acting chaplain, Niver, Huske, James, and Day transferred to the
temporary acting chaplain, and temporary chaplain. National Naval Volunteers and were thus available
George Snavely Rentz, who was appointed a tem- for duty. Four other chaplains joined the Naval
porary acting chaplain on 15 August 1917, was the Volunteers on or before 6 April, bringing the total
first and only chaplain to be received in this status to eight. Of this number the following five were
in 1917. Forty others were given temporary appoint- called to duty the day after war was declared:
ments in 1918. Most chaplains, who entered the Gould Brokenshire, James, Williams and Larned.
Navy during the months of April to October 1918, Only two other names were added to this roll during
came under this classification, and many were un- the remainder of 1917. The following ten Naval
Volunteer chaplains were on duty in 1918:5
3
Daniels, op. cit., p. 216.
4 5
Ibid., p. 329. Navy Register, 1 Jan. 1918.

Commanders
Date of
Born Date of Commission first duty
Romeo Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 June 1873 6 Apr. 1917 7 Apr. 1917
Ernest LeRoy Paugh. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Jan. 1890 16 July 1917 23 July 1917

Lieutenant Commanders
William P. Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Aug. 1881 12 Mar. 1917 7 Apr. 1917
John I. Brokenshire6 . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Aug. 1862 6 Apr. 1917 7 Apr. 1917

Lieutenants
Edwin Barnes Niver . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1863 1 Nov. 1901 8 June 1917
Bartholomew F. Huske . . . . . . . . . . . 15 July 1884 30 Apr. 1913 9 May 1917
Sidney Thomas James. . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dec. 1883 21 Sep. 1915 7 Apr. 1917
James Samuel Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 June 1886 30 Nov. 1916 11 Apr. 1917
Albert Cecil Larned. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Apr. 1883 1 Jan. 1917 7 Apr. 1917
Charles W. Moore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Feb. 1886 10 Apr. 1917 13 June 1917
6
It is interesting to note that Chaplain Brokenshire was fifty-four years old at the time he was commissioned.

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 Chaplain Paugh received the rank of commander Albert R. Parker, joined Class 2 of the Naval Re-
when he entered the Naval Militia. Chaplains Gould, serve Force in 1918, while sixteen others entered the
Williams, and Brokenshire were commissioned as service by coming under the provisions of Class 4.
lieutenant commanders. Gould was promoted to This brought the- total of Reserve Force chaplains
commander in June when he transferred to the who saw service with the Navy in 1917 and 1918 to
National Naval Volunteers. There was, evidently, thirty-two, eleven of whom were in the Volunteers
wide disparity in the various units of the Naval or Class 2 and twenty-one in Class 4.
Militia in granting rank and promotion. The most prominent Reserve chaplain was Dr.
Class 4 of the Naval Reserve Force, which had Henry van Dyke, the famous educator, author,
been established in August 1916, consisted of clergyman, and diplomat, who accepted the rank of
“Officers and men enrolled for four-year periods and lieutenant commander on 4 January 1918 and re-
available in case of war or national emergency for mained in the service until 18 December of that
the coast defense and for special technicist duty on year. Van Dyke served more as a public relations
shore.“’ There were at least five Reserve Force chap- officer than as a chaplain. His brilliance as an orator
lains who were commissioned and called to active and his first-hand knowledge of European conditions,
duty in 1917 who belonged to this class and were gained while serving as United States Minister to the
not, therefore, listed as members of the National Netherlands and to Luxemburg during the years
Naval Volunteers. These five were: 1913 to 1917, admirably fitted him to serve in this
Date of Date of capacity. He toured the country speaking before
Commissions First Duty civilian audiences and at various naval installations
John Nicol Mark.. . . . . . . . . 3 Apr. 1917 18 Apr. 1917 interpreting the issues involved in the war. No other
Thomas Montgomery Mark. 3 Apr. 1917 18 Apr. 1917 naval chaplain has had such an unique tour of duty.
Hersey E. Rountree. . . . . . . . 31 July 1917 31 July 1917 A number of important lessons were learned
William B. Ayers . . . . . . . . . 4 Dec. 1917 11 Dec. 1917 through this experience with Reserve officers during
Patrick J. Hammersley . . . . 10 Dec. 1917 15 Dec. 1917 the World War I which helped to reshape the new
These men brought the total of Reserve chaplains post-war legislation bearing upon this subject. Thus
who were available for duty in 1917 to fifteen. the way was prepared for the much more extensive
use of Reserve chaplains in World War II.
The National Naval Volunteers and Class 4 of
the Naval Reserve Force served a useful purpose in
FIRST CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS
providing a nucleus of Reserve chaplains for World
War I. After war was declared, however, the Navy The appointment of Chaplain John B. Frazier on
Department laid chief emphasis upon the procure- 5 November 1917 as head of the Chaplain Corps,
ment of Regular rather than Reserve chaplains. New was made absolutely necessary by the exigencies of
chaplains were encouraged to enter the Navy under war.8 Ever since 1871 chaplains had urged the Navy
the provisions of the Act of 1917. However, this Act Department to appoint one of their number to rep-
did not entirely rule out the further commissioning resent their interests in Washington.
of Reserve chaplains. Since it gave the status of Frazier’s appointment was hailed with acclaim not
lieutenant (junior grade) to the acting and tem- only by chaplains but also by the churches of the
porary acting chaplains, it was to be expected that United States. Even though five other chaplains then
the younger newly appointed Reserve chaplains on active duty in the Navy were his seniors, his
should receive the same rank. Such was the case. splendid executive and administrative abilities,
The first Reserve chaplain to be commissioned added to his keen judgment of human nature, made
lieutenant (junior grade) was Hersey E. Rountree. him a logical choice.
On 1 July 1918, Congress transferred the National Chaplain Frazier was a Southern Methodist, as
Naval Volunteers to Class 2 of the Naval Reserve was the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels.
Force. Thus within a period of two years several The two were fast friends and this often redounded
chaplains were members of three different reserve to the benefit of the Chaplain Corps. The Navy De-
organizations—Naval Militia, National Naval Volun- 8
The office of Chief of Naval Chaplains was officially
teers, and Naval Reserve Force. Only one chaplain, created by law in December 1944 when the rank of rear
7
admiral was attached to the position. However, within the
Navy Dept. Bulletin, Information Concerning the U. S. Corps the title “Chief of Chaplains” was universally used
Navy, p. 163. before this date.

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partment then occupied rooms in the old State, War, Believing that a higher standard was necessary in
and Navy Building, but at first no accommodations the Chaplain Corps than in any other corps in the
were available for the newly appointed Chief of Navy, Chaplain Frazier wrote:
Chaplains. Frazier’s first office was in Room 813 of
A Chaplain is supposed to set an example in moral
the Woodward Building located at 15th and H living, and to do so he must maintain a higher standard
Streets, Northwest. than that of the average man. The world expects him
Chaplain Edel, out of his personal memories of to do this, and will not respect him unless he does.
Chaplain Frazier, has given the following sym- Officers and men aboard ship, regardless of religious
conviction, demand that he live a life different from
pathetic picture of the first Navy Chief of Chaplains their own, or suffer the consequences in loss of influence
and of his pioneer task: and usefulness. Not infrequently one will hear the
He was a big, hard-muscled man, with a face that remark:—“I saw the Chaplain do so and so.” “You
looked as if it might have been chiseled out of stone, did?” “Yes.” “Well, that finishes him so far as I am
and he was as resolute as he looked. But under that concerned.” The same thing might have been done by
flinty exterior there was . . . compassion and tender- other officers without creating the least comment or
ness . . . and a most amazing and unpredictable sense surprise. This homely illustration but emphasizes the
of humor. That sense of humor could ridicule and sting, fact that the Chaplains are a class by themselves, not
but it was the cut of the surgeon’s knife, corrective and only in what they profess, but in the demands that are
healing. And such a man, in 1917, was ready and made of them. This is as it should be, and is what
waiting when the call came to take the helm and steer the clean lived, conscientious Chaplain expects and
the Corps through its most difficult days. When he desires. 1 1
reported for duty at the Navy Department he found Chaplain Frazier carried the heavy duties of his
that he must develop his own position, continually break-
ing new ground, solving new problems, laying new plans, office during the war without assistance other than
continually meeting fresh opportunities and fresh discour- clerical. Beginning with 25 April 1919, Chaplain
agements, finding new friends . . . and through it all J. F. B. Carruthers was assigned as his assistant and
he thrust his way,, carrying the Corps of Chaplains to served until 3 October of that year. Fortunate indeed
new heights of efficiency and prestige. No man less was the Corps in having such a strong man as Chap-
resolute could have done it.9
lain Frazier to take over the helm in the days when
Chaplain Frazier’s appointment as the first Chief precedents were being set and principles established.
of Chaplains may be considered the beginning of All who followed have been his debtors..
the Chaplains Division, Bureau of Navigation. He Chaplains who entered the service during the
instituted many policies which greatly influenced the period from November 1917 to November 1921,
work and efficiency of the Corps. He inaugurated the when Frazier was serving as Chief of Chaplains,
present system of individual jackets for each chaplain have many interesting anecdotes to tell of him. He
which contain correspondence, reports, and other made it a practice to interview every applicant for
relevant material. Frazier called for monthly reports the naval chaplaincy and devised unique tests to
from the chaplains and exercised a paternal super- aid him in determining a man’s fitness for the office.
vision over their work. Backed by the authority given Usually, candidates were obliged to remain in Wash-
him by Secretary Daniels, he insisted upon the right ington three or four days while they were under
to make recommendations to the Department for the scrutiny. Protestants were asked to speak at the old
assignment of chaplains to duty. City Mission then located at Fourth and Pennsyl-
As opportunity permitted, he called groups of vania, Northwest. Chaplain Frazier joined the motley
chaplains together for conference. C.haplain H. R. congregation gathered in from the streets of Wash-
Davidson in his annual report for 1918 commented ington and judged the aspiring candidate with
on such a meeting: critical eyes and ears.
In December Captain J. B. Frazier, USN, visited “I want you to speak for twelve minutes,” said
New York on a tour of inspection and at the same time Chaplain Frazier to one nervous candidate, “and
some twenty-five chaplains gathered for a dinner and that does not mean thirteen.” This unexpected time
conference. This was productive of so much excellent limit often meant a rapid and impromptu adjust-
advice and wise counsel, I would recommend, if it be ment of an old sermon outline which was a test not
not presumptuous that this gathering of chaplains be
at least an annual occurrence? every man could meet.
Sometimes after the service Chaplain Frazier
9
10
Edel,“Navy Chaplains from 1775-1917,” pp. 25-6.
11
CoC., Davidson File. NRSO: 2650-281.

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would push through the circle of hearers who were responsibilities on a basis such as had never been under-
complimenting the speaker on his sermon, and break taken prior to that time. The manner in which Chaplain
Frazier faced his task and the degree of success which
the spell by gruffly asking: “Is that the best you can he attained have left us an example and a heritage for
do?” He deflated the ego of one man by bluntly de- which we must ever be thankful.
claring : “I never heard a worse sermon in my life.”
And of another he asked: “What makes you think THE PROCUREMENT AND ASSIGNMENT
you would make a good chaplain in the Navy?” OF CHAPLAINS
Chaplain Neyman described his manner as being
The most pressing problem Chaplain Frazier faced
“somewhat frightening and brusque, but really polite
after his appointment in November 1917 was that of
and kindly, and certainly wise and practical.”12
chaplain procurement. Between the declaration of
After Edgar W. Davis successfully passed his tests war and his appointment only twenty-six acting or
in July 1918 and was assured of an appointment, temporary acting chaplains were added to the Corps.
Chaplain Frazier conducted him into Secretary During December, January, and February, Chaplain
Daniels’ office and in his characteristically gruff man- Frazier accepted thirty-nine additional candidates.
ner said: “Well, Mr. Secretary, this is the best I For the two years, 1917 and 1918, a total of 162
can do for you today.” chaplains were received into the Corps. Of this
The Secretary left his chair and, stepping out from number, 107 entered in 1918, almost twice as many
behind his desk, put his hand on the shoulder of the as had been commissioned the previous year.
young chaplain, saying, “He doesn’t seem too bad.
In the procurement of chaplains, the Chaplains
What is his church?”
Division had the cooperation of Catholic and Pro-
“Methodist, South,” proudly replied Frazier.
testant churches. On 24 November 1917 the Pope
Whereupon Secretary Daniels grasped the hand of
appointed the first Episcopus Castrensis, or Chaplain
the candidate and exclaimed, “There is no need to
Bishop, in the United States in the person of the
question further his theology or his ability.”
Most Reverend Patrick J. Hayes, then Auxiliary
One day an ambitious young wife ushered her
Bishop and later Archbishop of New York.13 Bishop
husband into Chaplain Frazier’s office. While the
Hayes organized the Military Ordinariate with
young man was closeted in the inner office for the
headquarters in New York, which endorsed to the
interview with the Chief, his wife was nervously
Secretary of the Navy all of the thirty-five Catholic
anticipating the outcome in the outer room. Finally
chaplains who entered the service during 1917 and
the separating door opened and the two men
1918. Among this number were Chaplains J. T.
emerged. Before either could speak to her, the wife
Casey, W. A. Maguire, F. L. McFadden, and T. F.
bubbled forth: “Oh, Chaplain Frazier, I do hope
Regan, who remained with the Navy to serve in
you have taken Henry into the Navy. He is so fond
World War II.
of water.”
Among the Catholic chaplains were seven repre-
“If that is the case,” Chaplain Frazier quickly re-
sentatives from the following Orders: Dominican,
torted, “You’d better go home, dig a well, and let
Franciscan, Benedictine, Jesuit, and Augustinian. The
Henry jump into it.”
first Order man to enter the service was Q. F. Beck-
When such an incident is told to one of the older
ley, O. P., who received his commission as acting
chaplains who cherishes personal recollections of
chaplain, Regular Navy, on 22 June 1917. Two of
Chaplain Frazier, he will invariably hasten to add:
the Order men entered the service as Reserve chap-
“Yes, that’s pretty good, but I know a better story
lains, the others were commissioned as acting or
about the old man. One day . . .”
temporary acting chaplains in the Regular Navy. At
Following the death of Chaplain Frazier on 11
the end of the war, the Order men were expected to
November 1939, burial services were held in Arling-
return to their former duties as soon as possible un-
ton Cemetery, led by Chaplain Robert D. Workman,
less they had special permission which permitted their
then Chief of Chaplains. In his tribute to the first
exclaustration during peace time. Chaplain J. F.
Chief Workman said:
Underwood, O.S.B., remained in the service until
Upon the shoulders of our first Chief rested the respon- 12 October 1924 and Chaplain J. H. Finn, T.O.R.,
sibility of selecting an exceptionally large number of until 31 December 1928.
new chaplains, and of establishing our Corps and its
13
12
Williams, American Catholics in the War, p. 238.
Neyman, “Manual,” p. 39. United States Catholic Chaplains in the World War, p. XV.

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 On 27 March 1917 Dr. Worth M. Tippy began his suitable chaplains. In his report for 1917 Dr. Tippy
duties as the successor to Dr. H. K. Carroll, the first stated that the General Committee had taken aggres-
secretary of the Washington Committee on Army and sive steps throughout the various Protestant churches
Navy Chaplains already referred to. This Washington to stimulate interest in the naval chaplaincy. This
Committee consisted of two Methodists, two Presby- positive approach was used “to overcome the use of
terians, and two Episcopalians. It was reorganized political influence for the appointment of chap-
after the declaration of war to include one member lains.”15 In only one or two cases were appointments
of each of the. thirty-two constituent bodies of the to the chaplaincy during World War I made as the
Federal Council and was renamed the General Com- result of political pressure. The cumulative insistence
mittee on Army and Navy Chaplains. This repre- of the chaplains themselves and of their respective
sented the major portion of the Protestant bodies of denominations for high educational and spiritual
the United States. standards for all new appointees to the Corps was
Arriving in Washington on the eve of the outbreak gradually crystallizing into the fixed policy of the
of war, Dr. Tippy hastened to secure an understand- Department.
ing with both the Secretary of War and the Secre- The law stated that no chaplain could be more
tary of the Navy “by which it was agreed that the than thirty-five years old when commissioned. Since
Federal Council should have authority to investigate the Act of 1914 required a three-year probationary
and nominate all [Protestant] candidates for chap- period, during which the acting chaplain served
lains, and that applications already on file in the under an appointment, the upper age limit of the
departments should be sent over to the Washington candidate was of necessity pushed back to thirty-two.
office of the Federal Council.”14 Then, to be doubly sure that there would be suffi-
According to the report rendered to the Federal cient time to clear all technicalities, it became the
Council by the General Committee on 19 October policy of the Chaplains Division not to appoint any
1918, seventy-eight of its recommended candidates candidate who was more than thirty-one and a half
for the chaplaincy had then been accepted by the years of age.
Navy Department. The Committee was not requested The average age for acting and temporary acting
to consider the applications of Reserve chaplains. chaplains in 1917 was about twenty-seven; in 1918
On 5 September 1917 Chief Yeoman Alfred James about twenty-eight. The youngest chaplain to be ap-
Haines, who had been on active duty as a member of pointed was John M. Quinn, who was twenty-two
the Reserve Force since 23 April, was appointed an act- years and seven. months old when he entered the
ing chaplain. Haines was ordained by the Methodist Navy. Chaplain W. W. Edel was only a little more
Church, North, on 2 September. He was the first of than twenty-three when appointed. For the most part
several who, upon meeting certain necessary require- the Reserve chaplains were older men, their average
ments, transferred from other branches of the Navy age being thirty-eight. On 25 April 1917 Congress
to the Chaplain Corps. raised the maximum age limit for Reserve officers on
Among the Protestant chaplains who entered the first appointment from thirty-five to fifty. Evidently
service in 1917 and 1918 and remained in the Navy when a candidate for the chaplaincy was too old to
to serve in World War II were Chaplains H. S. Dyer, qualify for the Regular Navy, he was encouraged
W. W. Edel, H. G. Gatlin, E. H. Groth, F. H. Lash, to serve as a Reserve. Chaplain Henry van Dyke
M. M. Leonard, R. E. Miller, J. W. Moore, M. H. entered the Reserve at the age of sixty-five. His
Petzold, G. S. Rentz, B. D. Stephens, W. P. Williams appointment was made possible through a special
( all of 1917), E. L. Ackiss, F. L. Albert, E. W. Davis, order issued by Secretary Daniels.
T. L. Kirkpatrick, C. A. Neyman, H. M. Peterson, Three chaplains, G. S. Rentz, H. M. Peterson, and
R. W. Shrum, A. E. Stone, W. N. Thomas, R. W. E. C. Boynton, were thirty-five, thirty-two, and
Truitt, A. de G. Vogler, and M. M. Witherspoon (all thirty-three respectively when appointed temporary
of 1918) . Several who resigned their commissions acting chaplains. Chaplain R. J. Davis, a Christian
later returned to serve in time of emergency. Scientist, was appointed when he was thirty-four.
Unquestionably, the cooperation of the Military With these exceptions, the general rule of giving no
Ordinariate and the General Committee made appointment of acting or temporary acting chaplains
infinitely easier Chaplain Frazier’s task of finding to men over thirty-one and a half was observed.
14 15
Federal Council, Biennial Report, 1917, p. 77. Ibid.

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 In order to facilitate the procurement of chaplains, According to Chaplain Frazier, the 199 chaplains
a circular was prepared to disseminate information on duty at the time of the signing of the armistice
about the Navy chaplaincy. 16 This circular reprinted were divided as follows:
the sections of the Act of June 1914 pertaining to Thirteen of these were assigned to duty with Marines
the chaplaincy, outlined the policy of the Navy De- in France. One hundred and thirty six served on board
partment regarding the qualifications of the candi- battleships, cruisers and transports. Nine were assigned
date and the procedure to be followed to secure an to the various hospital units in France. Four served
with the Expeditionary Forces in San Domingo and
appointment, and listed the duties expected of a Haiti, the remainder [37] on shore duty in the United
chaplain as set forth in Navy Regulations. It was also States. 17
stated that chaplains would receive the same pay
and allowances as other commissioned officers of FIRST JEWISH CHAPLAIN
their rank.
The circular summed up the nature of a chap- The first Jewish chaplain to be commissioned in
the United States Navy and the only one to serve in
lain’s work both at sea and on shore as practically
World War I was Rabbi David Goldberg of Corsi-
identical to “that of a minister in civilian life in
cana, Texas, who was appointed acting chaplain on
charge of a parish on shore..” The first of its kind
30 October 1917. The inclusion of a Jewish rabbi in
ever issued. to encourage qualified clergymen to con-
the Chaplain Corps of the Navy came as the result of
sider the challenge of the naval chaplaincy, this cir-
the intercession of Senator Morris Sheppard of
cular was undoubtedly a great aid in procurement
Texas. Having made the appointment possible, Sena-
of chaplains during World War I.
tor Sheppard turned to Dr. Henry Cohen of Galves-
When practicable, the newly appointed chaplain
ton, then the acknowledged Dean of the Texas rab-
was given about a month’s shore duty for indoc-
binate, for a nomination. Cohen selected Goldberg.
trination under the tutelage of an older chaplain. He
was then sent to sea, in accordance with the Act of
1914 which required that acting chaplains spend
their first three years at sea. Temporary acting chap-
lains came under the same law.
One of Chaplain Frazier’s duties as Chief of Chap-
lains was to assign chaplains to those billets where
Insignia worn by the Jewish Chaplain, David Goldberg,
they would be of greatest service. Under the pressure in the First World War.
of immediate war demands, several chaplains still
in their probationary period were assigned duty with
the Marines in France. Later these chaplains were
penalized when they came up for promotion, for
such duty, even in the combat area, was not con-
sidered a substitute for sea duty. Special provision
had to be made by Congress for such cases.
With but few exceptions, only . the older chaplains
and the Reserve chaplains were available for regular Insignia worn by a Chaplain of the Christian Faith.
assignments at shore stations. This situation brought
difficult problems. The Naval Training Station, Great The appointment of Chaplain Goldberg as an act-
Lakes, Illinois, for instance, grew to 50,000 during ing chaplain in the Regular service showed that the
the war. Serving there with Chaplain Frank Thomp- Navy had recognized an obligation to meet the spirit-
son, the senior chaplain, were no more than six as- ual needs of personnel of the Jewish faith. However,
sistant chaplains, several of whom were there for the appointment of a chaplain from one of the
only a short time, Had it not been for the splendid minority religious groups of the United States intro-
cooperation received from the local clergy and from duced new problems of administration for Chaplain
the various welfare organizations, the spiritual needs Frazier. Did such an appointment establish a prece-
of so large a group could not have been met. dent for other minority groups? Since the Jewish
16 17
The circular is without date or indication of origin. It Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File. Frazier did not include
was probably prepared by Chaplain Frazier and issued by the two retired chaplains, called back to duty, in his
the Navy Department. statistics.

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personnel were so widely distributed throughout the own faith. “I could then carry on,” he wrote, “under
Navy, how could Chaplain Goldberg best minister the direction of the Chaplain of such station, social
to members of his faith? Where was such a chaplain and educational activities for ALL men, while con-
to be stationed? fining the purely religious and ceremonial to those
The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation wrote to of my faith only.”
Chaplain Frazier on 14 November suggesting that Chaplain Frazier acted on Goldberg’s request by
Chaplain Goldberg be attached to the Washington transferring him in June 1918 to the Naval Training
Navy Yard for a short period of indoctrination and Station at Great Lakes. There he remained until he
then be given a “roving commission” with instruc- resigned on 11 December 1919.
tions to spend two weeks at each of the principal When Chaplain Goldberg donned the uniform
Navy Yards and Naval Training Stations. Chaplain with the Latin cross, the insignia of the Chaplain
Frazier favored this plan. Secretary Daniels, how- Corps, he was painfully conscious of the incongruity.
ever, felt that Chaplain Goldberg had not been ap- However, for the time being there was no alternative.
pointed a chaplain-at-large but had entered the Since he was the first Jewish chaplain in the Navy,
Navy subject to the same rules under which all other he had no precedent to guide him. The newly created
acting chaplains served. Under the law governing Jewish Welfare Board did not then have a commit-
acting chaplains, a tour of sea duty was obligatory tee on the Army and Navy chaplaincy to intercede in
for chaplains in their probationary period and for his behalf. As a regularly appointed naval chaplain,
promotion. Therefore, after spending only a month Goldberg was obligated to wear the prescribed in-
at the Washington Navy Yard, Chaplain Goldberg signia of the Corps. Chaplain Frazier sought to ease
was assigned to the Grant. the inconsistency ‘by pointing out that he had entered
When the novelty of having a Jewish chaplain on the Corps as a chaplain who was a Jew rather than
board had passed, Chaplain Goldberg began to real- as a Jewish chaplain. “Anyway,” added Chaplain
ize the difficulty of his situation. Writing to Chaplain Frazier, “you will probably soon get your orders to
Frazier on 20 April 1918, he admitted : go to sea where you will meet only service men.
These understand perfectly that you are wearing the
Since my attachment to the U.S.S. President Grant
in the capacity of Chaplain, the conviction has grown insignia of your corps, and not the emblem of your
on me that the position of a Jewish Rabbi called upon faith.”
to minister to the religious needs of an almost exclusively Upon his first return to the States after making the
non-Jewish personnel is anomalous, and indeed intol- round-trip to France as chaplain on the Grant, Gold-
erable. Of the six-hundred men comprising the crew of
our Transport, only five are of the Jewish faith, that berg found a number of letters from several rabbis
is, less than one percenturn, and I feel that the services who were indignant over his wearing Christian in-
of a Christian Chaplain here would be more acceptable, signia. Writing to a friend on 5 April, Chaplain
and indeed more justifiable. Goldberg patiently pointed out the technicalities of
I can provide for recreational facilities as well as the situation. “I could not remove the insignia arbi-
could the Christian Chaplain, and I can minister to the trarily without scandal and punishment,” explained
educational needs of the men without conscientious
entanglements. 4 can also attract the men to religious Goldberg, “No officer could do such a thing arbi-
services, and my experiences on that score, I can state trarily.”
truthfully, have been very pleasant. But I cannot take On 10 May 1918 Chaplain Goldberg requested
the place of a Christian Chaplain, certainly not there permission from the Bureau of Navigation to sub-
where the presence of a Chaplain should be most helpful.
The difference between a Christian minister and a Jewish stitute the “Shield of David,” (the six-cornered star)
Rabbi, in the deep-rooted belief of the men, is so vast the insignia then worn by Army chaplains of the
and fundamental, that it leaves me almost beyond the Jewish faith, for the Latin cross. He gave as his
pale, and while in the submarine zone, in the sick-bay, reasons :
or at the death-bed, I find that the men are left almost
without spiritual consolation, as my own spiritual potency (a) It is unnatural for a Jewish Rabbi to be repre-
there is almost nil.18 sented by an insignia which is decidedly non-Jewish.
(b) The sight of the insignia renders impotent the
Chaplain Goldberg felt that he would be more influence which I should have with my co-religionists
effective were he stationed at one of the large train- in the service, were the insignia in any way expressive
ing stations where he would find more men of his of my vocation.
18 This request was denied in the reply of the Bureau
COC., Goldberg File. Additional information in this sec-
tion has been taken from this file unless otherwise noted. dated 14 June because the suggested insignia was the

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same as that used by “officers in the Army doing duty which could be worn by all “without conscientious
with the General Staff.” However, the Bureau in- entanglements” was immediate and emphatic. “. . .
vited Chaplain Goldberg to submit other suggestions. every one of us who professes the Christian faith,”
By this time the matter of suitable insignia for the wrote Frazier to Goldberg on 8 July, “‘would resent
one Jewish chaplain in the Navy had become a most bitterly any effort to substitute any other in-
matter of concern for the Jewish Welfare Board and signia in place of the Cross.” He also added: “I feel
was discussed at the Conference of Rabbis held in sure that I speak for the one hundred and sixty
Chicago 28 June-4 July 1918. The 29 June issue of Christian chaplains in the Navy, when I say that the
The Army and Navy Register carried the following Cross is dearer to us than any shepherd’s crook . . .
item under “Navy Uniform Changes”: could possibly be.” Chaplain Frazier, however, had
no objection to Jewish chaplains wearing some in-
Owing to objections on the part of Hebrew Chaplains signia indicative of their faith.
to wearing the cross, which has distinguished chaplains
in both Army and Navy, the suggestion has been made Chaplain Goldberg hastened to assure Chaplain
that the Shepherd’s Crook be substituted as the insignia Frazier that the request for a change of insignia was
of the Navy chaplains, as it has been in the Army, but made only for those of the Jewish faith. On 26 June
no action yet has been taken.
1918 Secretary of Navy Daniels put his official ap-
The shepherd’s crook appears to have been the proval on Goldberg’s request for the shepherd’s
first definite insignia of the United States Army crook as the Jewish insignia. Shortly thereafter an
chaplaincy. It is said to have been in use shortly official directive from the Navy Department con-
after the Civil War. Order No. 10 of 1880, War De- firmed this change.
partment, states that the shepherd’s crook insignia Since the law governing acting chaplains called
“may be worn by chaplains.” Army chaplains used for a three-year tour of sea duty, Chaplain Goldberg
this insignia until the cross was authorized in 1898. was ineligible for either a commission as a Regular
After noticing the suggestion in The Army and Navy chaplain or for promotion unless he completed
Navy Register, Chaplain Goldberg wrote to Chaplain this requirement. His previous experience at sea,
Frazier on 5 July and reported the outcome of his however, had demonstrated to him the anomalous
first appeal to the Bureau. Goldberg, emboldened by position of a rabbi ministering to Christians as regu-
the suggestion of the Register to which he drew lar duty. This situation together with the fact that
Chaplain Frazier’s attention, wrote : many Reserve chaplains were returning to civil life
. . . I have not been so presumptuous as to ask for a in the summer of 1919 made Goldberg feel that he
general change of insignia; I only requested it for myself, should resign his appointment.
on the grounds that I have stated. Now that the Bureau Goldberg in a letter on 27 August laid his problem
had found the insignia of the Shield of David impractical, very frankly before Chaplain Frazier. “If you remain
I will admit that I am not at all disconcerted with the
Bureau’s reply, for at bottom I would be infinitely more in the service,” wrote Frazier in reply, “you will
delighted with the device of the Shepherd’s crook as a have to go to sea at no distant date and I feel con-
universal insignia than with the Star of David as an fident that there is no ship to which you could be
insignia of my own, and the Bureau’s reply opens the assigned that carries in her complement more than
road just to such possibilities.
half a score of your faith.”
On the same day Chaplain Goldberg wrote again Goldberg estimated that about two percent of the
to the Bureau of Navigation requesting permission to total naval personnel were Jewish. This was a larger
substitute the shepherd’s crook for the Latin cross percentage than existed in the pre-war Navy. The
and if that be found impractical then the two tables fact that he was the only representative of American
symbolic of the ten commandments. While Chaplain Jewry in the Corps was an argument in favor of his
Goldberg intended his petition to apply only to him- staying in the Navy if at all possible. During the time
self and to other Jewish chaplains who might be ap- Frazier and Goldberg were corresponding regarding
pointed, yet the last paragraph of his letter was so this matter, a strong request came from the Jewish
worded as to leave the way open to the Bureau for Welfare Board for the appointment of additional
a consideration of an insignia acceptable to both Jewish chaplains. Frazier disapproved and in this
Jews and Christians. Goldberg agreed. “I am sure, you’re quite right in
Chaplain Frazier’s reaction to Goldberg’s sugges- advising against his recommendation,” wrote Gold-
tion that some insignia of universal design be adopted berg on 10 September, “as even the solitary Jewish

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chaplain already in the service cannot maintain him- assigned as a chaplain to a ship or station, he would
self without some exception or other.” On the other displace a Protestant clergyman and that as a con-
hand Goldberg felt that since it was expected that sequence the Protestant personnel would be denied a
there would be at least 4,000 men of the Jewish faith chaplain capable of administering the sacraments and
in the Navy by July 1920, some provision should be of serving them in other ways.
made for their spiritual care. While no Jewish chap- Dr. Worth M. Tippy, Executive Secretary of the
lain would have enough work to do if he worked Committee on Social Action of the Federal Council
exclusively among men of his own faith on a ship of Churches of Christ in America, wrote to Chaplain
or at a naval training station, Goldberg felt that Frazier on 24 January 1918, registering a protest. He
possibly a billet could be found as the Jewish chap- declared:
lain of a fleet or in the Chaplains Division of the
Bureau of Navigation. I called . . . attention to the fact that a Scientist
who is also a Layman, as is Mr. Davis, would be
Goldberg submitted his resignation on 21 Novem- unacceptable to both Protestant and Catholic, that he
ber 1919 after more than two years’ service. These ought not to have an appointment which would make
were years of pioneering for he had to set precedents him an official ministrant of religion, on a ship or at a
training camp. The only way in which he could serve
rather than follow them. In spite of the recognized acceptably would be as an itinerant Chaplain, looking
difficulties arising out of the differences of faith, after Christian Scientists in various places.19
Chaplain Goldberg rendered an unusual ministry to
Jews and Christians alike. At the Great Lakes Train- The Christian Scientists were like the members of
ing Station he served as chaplain of the Detention the Jewish faith in that while they had several
Barracks and often had as many as 1,200 present for thousand of their number in the Navy, these were
Divine Service, most of whom were Christians. Upon so scattered that it would be impossible for any one
the acceptance of his resignation as an acting chap- chaplain to reach effectively even a small percentage
lain, Goldberg enrolled in Class 2 of the United of them. The idea of making a representative of one
States Naval Reserve Force. He later transferred to of the religious minorities an itinerant chaplain had
Class 6 and as such was automatically transferred to been proposed in the case of Chaplain Goldberg and
the United States Naval Reserve when that was had been firmly rejected by Secretary Daniels. If
formed in 1925. He kept his commission alive until representatives of the minorities were accepted as
March 1941 when he was honorably retired in the chaplains in the Navy, they would then have to
rank of lieutenant commander. accept the usual duty given to other newly
appointed chaplains. This meant sea duty.
FIRST CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHAPLAIN Chaplain Frazier replied to Dr. Tippy on 25 Janu-
ary saying in part:
Upon the request of the Christian Science Board of
Directors, and the recommendation of such influen- Mr. Davis impresses me as being a fine type of man,
tial people as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and we have talked over carefully the kind of work he
will be expected to do. While, of course, he will hold
(Masonic) of Massachusetts, the Governor of that a Christian Scientist Service, he will also hold an unde-
State, and several members of Congress, the first nominational service in which Christian Science will have
Christian Scientist was appointed an acting chap- no part. It is impossible to give him the “roving com-
lain 19 January 1918. He was Richard Joseph Davis mission” as you suggest, but in all probability he will
be stationed on board a transport used for conveying
of Boston. The appointment was made by Secretary men back and forth, and on each of these transports
Daniels over the disapproval of Chaplain Frazier. in all probability there will be a Chaplain of some other
Even though Davis brought the highest testimonials faith. This is the only way that we can possibly provide
regarding his character, personality, and ability as a for a case of this kind.20
social worker, the fact remained that he was not Another problem arose in regard to this appoint-
ordained. He was a layman. With the appointment ment of a Christian Scientist. Davis, while a graduate
of a Jewish chaplain in October 1917, the Navy had of the University of Chicago and a qualified reader
recognized three main religions in its chaplaincy in in the Christian Science Church, did not have the
the Catholic, the Protestant, and the Jewish faiths. three-year theological education, or its equivalent,
How was the Christian Science chaplain to be required of all other candidates, including those of
classified? Certainly he could not be grouped with 19
CoC., Davis File.
either the Catholic or the Jewish faiths. If he were 20
Ibid.

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the Jewish faith. Would the exception made in the During 1918, 107 new chaplains were appointed.
case of Davis set a precedent to be seized upon by Of these, seventeen were Class 4 Reserves, fifty were
other religious minorities? If so, what would happen acting chaplains, and forty were under temporary
to the high educational standards which had been appointments as acting chaplains.22 The following
set for Navy chaplains after decades of work by those chart shows accessions by months and years.
interested in improving the chaplaincy?
1917:
After spending an indoctrination period of about
Act. Chap. . . . . . . . . . 2 1 8 10 2 3 4 9 39
three weeks with Chaplain Arthur Stone at the Tern. Act. Chap. . . . . 1 1
Charleston Navy Yard, Chaplain Davis was assigned Reserves . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1 2 2 2 15
to the Roanoke of the Mine Force. Here he was Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2 10 3 10 2 3 4 11 55
most effective in his welfare work and won the praise 1918:
of his commanding officer. He was faithful, whenever Act. Chap. .20 9 3 1 1 1 2 6 2 5 50
possible, in calling upon chaplains of other faiths, on Tern. Act.
YMCA workers, and other qualified religious leaders Chap. . . . 1 3 12 4 9 7 4 40
to conduct Divine Service and to administer the Reserves . . . 2 4 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 17
sacraments. During the summer of 1918, Davis was Total . ..22 13 6 5 12 7 12 10 7 7 5 1 107
given temporary duty ashore in England “to assist Chaplain Truman F. Riddle was appointed an act-
the Christian Science Camp Welfare and War Relief ing chaplain on 19 April 1916 and resigned on 8
Committee in organizing and opening rooms near January 1918 to enlist as an apprentice seaman. He
our larger Naval Bases.21 Davis served about six felt he could be of greater service as a chaplain later,
months each on the Supply and the Columbia in if he could in this way get the point of view of the
1919. Upon his resignation from the chaplaincy in
enlisted man. He served several months in this
January 1920, he enrolled in the Naval Reserve
capacity at the Naval Training Station, San Diego,
Force.
and on board the Arkansas, his shipmates being un-
aware of his background. Finally, on 5 June 1918
STATISTICS OF THE CHAPLAIN CORPS Riddle was appointed a temporary acting chaplain.
His experiment is unique in the Navy Chaplain
If the ratio of one chaplain for every 1,250 naval
personnel had been maintained, there would have corps.
been approximately 480 chaplains on duty at the Only two retired chaplains were called back to
time of the peak enrollment immediately before duty. One was the beloved David Tribou, who at the
Armistice Day. However, only 203 chaplains were age of sixty-nine resumed active duty first at the
on duty during the years of World War I, which was Navy Yard, Boston, and then at the Naval Home in
about forty-two percent of the authorized strength. Philadelphia. Tribou had been retired in 1910 after
Not more than 201 were in the Corps at any one thirty-eight years’ service. The other retired chaplain
time. called to duty was W. E. Edmonson who served
from 3 April 1917 to 31 March 1919.
The United States Government lacked the tech-
A summary of the statistics dealing with the
niques and experience of total mobilization for war.
strength of the Corps for the years 1917 and 1918
Munitions and equipment had to be manufactured;
shows :
ships had to be built; armies had to be recruited and
trained; and all this took time. When war was de- On duty 1 January 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
clared, forty chaplains were already in the Corps. Recalled to duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Acting chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Fifty-five additional chaplains entered during 1917, Temporary acting chaplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
of which number thirty-nine were acting chaplains, Reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
one was a temporary acting chaplain and fifteen were
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Reserves. Less duplication (Riddle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
All available Reserve Force chaplains were on duty
Net total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
within four months. Two chaplains, Ayers and
22
Hammersley, entered the Corps through Class 4 of Statistics do not include Frank A. Smith whose name
appears in the 1918 Register, but who declined the appoint-
the Reserve Force in December. ment. There were actually 106 accessions to the Chaplain
Corps during 1918 ; however, 107 commissions were granted,
21
Ibid., Davis report of 15 January 1919. since Riddle was commissioned twice.

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 The attrition rate during the war was only about experienced chaplain might pass on to a newly
one percent. There were no separations in 1917. The appointed chaplain assigned to him for indoctrina-
Corps lost only three chaplains before 11 November tion. Chaplain van Dyke called it “a simple and wise
1918 including the temporary withdrawal of Riddle. manual of applied Christianity in the service of the
Chaplain Brinckerhoff, who reported for active duty Navy.” As such it was of great value to the younger
on 22 June 1918, was released after ten days’ service. members of the Corps.
The only chaplain to die during the war was Chap- The kind of personal advice found in the Manual
lain Simon A. O’Rourke, who was appointed an act- is revealed in the following extracts:
ing chaplain on 14 June 1918. During his first week’s
Other officers have their prescribed duties, and when
duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, Chaplain O’Rourke these are completed there is very little more, if anything,
fell a victim to influenza. He died 21 September. The that they are expected to do. The Chaplain has few pre-
first chaplains to be released after the signing of the scribed duties, but if he doesn’t succeed in keeping busy,
armistice were Anderson, Schweitzer, and van Dyke, he is branded as a loafer, no matter how well he performs,
all of whom were discharged in December. The year the duties specified in the Regulations. Other Officers have
a definite time and definite place, and hence definite
1918 closed with 198 chaplains on active duty. opportunity,. for their work. In addition, they are clothed
An analysis of the denominational affiliations of the with definite authority for the performance of their work,
chaplains who served during World War I follows:23 SO that no man or officer dares interfere. On the other
Joined Joined hand, the chaplain has to ask for his time and ask for
On duty in in Approximate his place and ask for his opportunity. In fact, he must
1 Jan 1917 1917 1918 Total Percentage
Baptist . . . . . . 5 6 14 25 12.5 be content to gather up the frayed ends and weave them
Catholic . . . . 9 12 23 44 22. into opportunity. Also he must stand in no one’s way,
Christian . . . . . . 1 .. 1 .5 2nd must conflict with no one’s duty. Instead of being
Chr.-Science . . . .. 1 1 .5 able, as are other officers, to tell people what they “must
Congregational 2 2 8 12 6. do,” he can only persuade, entreat, and exhort, often-
Disciples . . . . 2 1 5 8 4. times in the face of opposition and discouragement.24
Jewish . . . . . . . . 1 .. 1 .5 Under the heading “The Chaplain as a Mess
Lutheran . . . . 1 3 6 10 5.
Methodist . . . 9 13
Mate,” Chaplain Frazier had the following to say
18 40 20.
Moravian . . . . . .. 1 1 .5 in behalf of tolerance:
Pro. Epis. . . . 6 9 6 21 10.5 Don’t be too sensitive or resentful about what you hear
Presbyterian . 4 6 22 32 16. or see in the ward-room or about the ship. Remember that
Reformed . . . 1 1 1 3 1.5 your views about things that may be objectionable to you
United Breth. . . . .. 1 1 .5 are not necessarily right; and are most assuredly not
Universalist . . 1 2 .. 3 1.5 always entertained by gentlemen whose belief is just as
40 57 106 203 conscientious as your own. You owe it to them and to
Only one new chaplain, Tipton Lee Wood, for- yourself to be charitable and reasonable in your attitude
towards habits of a lifetime and customs that may not
merly a chaplain in the United States Army, joined meet with your approval.25
the Corps in 1919.
The Manual contained wise directions as to the
FRAZIER’S MANUAL relation which a chaplain should have with his
In the summer of 1918, Chaplain Frazier issued, by superior officers, especially the executive officer. Re-
authority of the Secretary of the Navy, his forty-four garding the importance of paying close attention to
page pamphlet entitled The Navy Chaplain’s Manual. personal habits, Chaplain Frazier warned: “It would
The booklet carried an introduction by Chaplain be difficult to find a place where one’s personal habits
van Dyke. Cost of publication was borne by the are subject to closer scrutiny or are more constantly
General Committee of Army and Navy Chaplains of on exhibition than in the cramped quarters of a
the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in man-of-war.” Chaplains above all officers had to be
America and the General War-Time Commission of particular because, wrote Frazier, “Like Caesar’s wife,
the Churches. The Manual did not set forth a sys- he must be above suspicion.”
tematic and detailed statement of the chaplain’s re- Regarding Divine Services, Frazier urged that the
sponsibilities, techniques, or problems, but rather con- chaplain should. preach on subjects that “are of vital
tained the fatherly advice an older and more importance to every Christian life.” His preaching
23 24
Statistics do not include re-appointment of Chaplain 25
Op. cit., pp. 8-9.
Riddle, but do include Chaplains Tribou and Edmonson. Ibid, p. 13.

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“should be intensely evangelical, practical, and non- By way of illustration, Chaplain Frazier cited the
sectarian.” Frazier recommended that no sermon case of a certain chaplain at a naval training station
be over twenty-five minutes long and that the entire who saw the need for an “Official Bureau of In-
service should not consume more than an hour. “The formation.” He took his idea to the commanding
Chaplain who does not know how to emphasize officer who clothed him with the necessary authority.
Divine Worship,” added Frazier, “has no business on “The result was,” wrote Frazier, “that the Chaplain’s
board ship.” office became a clearing house for from 5,000 to
Out of years of experience in visiting men in the 10,000 men, many of whose troubles, whether
sick bay and the brig, Frazier drew his words of sound imaginary or otherwise, were explained away by the
counsel. He recommended that the chaplain pay daily tactful, wise manner in which they were handled.”
visits to each place. When this particular chaplain was detached, the com-
Regarding social activities, he stated: manding officer said: “I can’t imagine an officer
The monotony of ship-board life can never be known more essential to the success of this station than the
except by men who go to sea. The long hours of toil at right kind of Chaplain.”
one task, repeated with each passing day; the trackless Regarding the importance of delivering lectures on
waste of waters unbroken by a sail; hearing the same venereal disease, the Manual stated:
voices and looking into the same faces week after week,
with little variety of any kind to break the tedium of the There is one phase of a very difficult but very impor-
dragging months, make the coming of one who is able to tant subject that can and should be presented by the
introduce new forms of amusement and entertainment or Chaplain in a series of lectures, delivered once a month.
variety of employment a godsend to any ship. This is The reference is to social hygiene. The Navy today is
distinctly a Chaplain’s work, although the regulations do made up largely of boys and young men fresh from rural
not so state it. He happens to be the one officer aboard districts and small towns. They have not been exposed to
who is expected to do things that other officers would not the pitfalls of seaport cities and consequently are unaware
do; and, if he is capable and willing and possesses the of the dangers, physical and moral, that attend association
initiative, the authorities will be only too glad to have him with lewd women. While the Surgeon is the logical person
take charge of this recreational feature of the ship’s life.26 to speak on this theme from a medical standpoint, the
Chaplain will find that a wise presentation of its moral,
Chaplains on board ships which carried moving social, and professional aspects will carry just as much
picture machines usually found that they were re- weight as does the fear of physical contamination.28
sponsible for all movie programs. Chaplains were ex- Chaplain Frazier suggested that chaplains secure
pected also to sponsor athletic events, minstrel shows, authoritative literature and use moving picture films
tournaments of all kinds, church and social parties to illustrate the ravages of venereal disease. He
ashore, sightseeing tours, lectures, educational activi- warned new chaplains that occasionally while a ship
ties, and in addition be custodian of the library. was in port, especially in a foreign country, some
Sometimes chaplains were expected to issue daily man might ‘become so taken up by the sights and
bulletins or edit the ship’s paper. surroundings of shore that he forgets to come back.”
Under the heading “Other People’s Business,” If a shipmate carried the word to the chaplain, then
Chaplain Frazier summed up the chaplain’s multitu- it became his duty to go after the “lost sheep” and
dinous duties: persuade him to return. Frazier advised the chaplain
There is an old saying that the “best way to get along to protect his own reputation if he went in question-
in the world is to attend strictly to your own business.” able districts by taking one of the men with him.
For most men and most businesses this is a wise proverb. Frazier mentioned briefly the important task of
The Chaplain, however, who lives up to it — especially
when he lets somebody else tell him what his business is — counselling.
might as well “shut up shop” and go home. The Navy The Chaplain must remember that there are not many
Regulations very wisely do not specify the duties of a people on board ship in whom the one who faces diffi-
Chaplain. The reason for this is that his work is of such culties cares to confide. . . . There are few hearts that
a nature that to “build a fence” around it would of do not respond to a manifestation of brotherly interest,
necessity so handicap him that the most important of his and even the hardest, though it may give no outward sign,
duties could not be performed. It is my contention that a cannot forget the unselfish interest that another may take
Chaplain’s duties consist of “anything and everything” in it. Undoubtedly here is a wonderful field and to leave
that he may do in a wise and tactful way for the social, it uncultivated is to fail as a Chaplain. The personal
physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual welfare of the touch between Chaplain and man is the pivotal point on
ship’s company.27 which revolves the entire machinery of his usefulness.29
26 28
27
Ibid., p. 30. 29
Ibid, p. 40.
Ibid., pp. 37-8. Ibid, p. 43.

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 The Manual closed with the following account of the Lord’s Day Alliance, Secretary of the Navy
the ideal chaplain: Josephus Daniels, wrote:
Not long since, a letter was written by the Command- I am in hearty sympathy with the spirit of the official
ing Officer of a big ship with reference to a Chaplain order issued by President Lincoln in 1862, and believe
who had just been detached, in which he insisted that that always, particularly in a period of war, the Amer-
the Chaplain in question should be returned to his ican people at home and those in other branches of the
command, because, as he said, . “He is my right-hand service are entitled to the Sabbath as a day of worship.
man—one of the most useful officers on board, and The policy of the Navy Department is that nothing
through him I am able to keep in touch with the needs but necessity shall prevent the men in the navy from
of my crew.” On investigation it was found that this having these privileges of the Sabbath. We are appoint-
Chaplain knew most of his crew by name, was familiar ing additional chaplains so that every man in the navy
with the peculiarities and disposition of each, was always will have the opportunity to attend divine service on
ready to do anything within his power to minister to ship board and in our naval training stations.32
their comfort, and as a result of this constant and pro-
found interest on his part the crew would do anything Upon the suggestion of Mr. Bowlby, President
for him that he asked. It is impossible to measure the Woodrow Wilson on 21 January 1918 issued the fol-
usefuless of such a man.30 lowing order relative to Sunday observance in the
Through the medium of such kindly counsel and Army and Navy:
direction, it is possible to gain an appreciation of The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and
what was expected of Navy chaplains in the days of Navy, following the reverent example of his predecessors,
the First World War. Bishop W. F. McDowell of desires and enjoins the orderly observance of the Sab-
bath by the officers and men in the military and naval
the Federal Council of Churches of Christ called it service of the United States. The importance for man
a “most helpful publication.”31 Chaplain Frazier and beast of the prescribed weekly rest, the sacred
often commented that the best advice contained in rights of Christian soldiers and sailors, a becoming defer-
the Manual was implied in the single phrase: “The ence to the best sentiment of a Christian people, and a
faithful performance of unprescribed duties.” For due regard for the Divine Will demand that Sunday
labor in the army and navy be reduced to the measure
nearly a generation of Navy chaplains this Manual Of strict necessity. Such an observance of Sunday is
remained the only guide for the newly appointed dictated by the best traditions of our people and by the
chaplain. convictions of all who look to Divine Providence for
Between the Introduction and the body of the guidance and protection, and, in repeating in this order
the language of President Lincoln, the President is
Manual appears a poem without a title or signature. confident that he is speaking alike to the hearts and to
However, it was undoubtedly written by Chaplain the consciences of those under his authority.33
Henry van Dyke. Through rhythm and rhyme he set That part in italics includes the full text of the
forth the ideal conception of the Navy chaplain who order issued by President Lincoln on 14 November
in his fight against sin dares to stand alone. 1862. Strictly speaking, the Sabbath refers to Satur-
Of better stuff than heroes men are made day and Wilson deliberately clarified Lincoln’s ter-
Who in this age of deadly, awful strife minology by referring to Sunday. President Wilson’s
Stand all alone, uncrowned, unheralded, order appeared as AlNav34 12, 1918. Such an order
Proclaiming for the noblest things of life. smoothed the way for the regular and faithful per-
On battlefield the sound of clashing arms formance of Divine Services.
Makes cowards fight and drives the weakling’s blood
Through stagnant veins that ne’er before have known CHAPLAINS AT WORK
A near approach to warrior’s crimson flood. “Woeful is the ignorance of the public at large, and,
But he who fights against relentless foe even of. most naval officers, of the nature of the work
When silence reigns and cheer of eager van of a chaplain in the United States Navy,” wrote
Greets not his ear, but steadfast and alone Chaplain D. S. Robinson. “How frequently have I
Drives back the hosts of sin, he is a man. had people quizzically inquire: ‘Just what are your
duties in the Navy?’”35
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE The question may be satisfactorily answered for
On 27 October 1917, in reply to a letter sent by this period by an examination of the historical
32
the Reverend H. L. Bowlby, General Secretary of 33
The Lord’s Day Leader, Mar.-Apr. 1918, p. 11.
34
Ibid, Jan.-Feb. 1918, p. 4.
30
Ibid, pp. 43-4. 36
A Navy abbreviation for an “All Navy” directive.
31
Federal Council, Biennial Report, 1918, p. 173. Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File.

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reports submitted by chaplains after the war. Chaplain chaplains had to depend upon lung power or pos-
Frazier had requested these reports of their activities sibly a favorable wind to help carry the voice. Thus,
and experiences for historical purposes, and sent a chaplain would note the direction of the wind
them to Naval Records and Library on 6 January before fixing the place for the pulpit. .
1920. The St. Louis made more than thirty Atlantic
“A chaplain is primarily appointed,” wrote Chap- crossings between October 1917 and July 1919. Con-
lain Frazier in his summary of the chaplains’ his- voy duty was wrought with tension; it was dangerous,
torical reports, “to conduct religious services and ad- uncomfortable, wearing, monotonous. One of Chap-
minister in a religious sense to the officers and crew.” lain Edel’s methods of bolstering morale was to main-
In spite of the multitudinous demands of collateral tain a choir. The St. Louis choir was composed of
duties, chaplains, with but rare exceptions, placed thirty voices. After the armistice many concerts were
major emphasis upon their spiritual ministry. The given before civilian audiences along the East Coast.
following extracts from a few selected reports are Several chaplains reported Sunday afternoon song
typical.36 services on the open deck whenever weather condi-
Chaplain C. M. Charlton’s report for 1917 stated : tions permitted. The sailors loved to sing. Often the
I have preached one hundred and sixty different ser- ship’s band was used in Divine Services. Chaplain
mons, (repeated a few of them) delivered forty dif- B. C. Clausen wrote of an experience aboard the
ferent Bible lectures; delivered twenty-four lectures on North Carolina:
secular topics; conducted daily Morning Prayers . . . and
frequently administered the Sacrament of Our Lord’s The bandmaster had always manifested a most enthu-
Supper. siastic willingness to be of help in our services, and I
I have influenced at least two hundred conversions; had made use of his organization through the first
baptized or assisted at the baptism of twenty; directed months of my duty on the ship. But they seemed dis-
and instructed thirty or more for Church Membership. posed to drag the hymns always, and they always man-
aged to find a blue chord or two in the most self-
Chaplain Edel described in an article which ap- respecting old tune. There was a sailor aboard who
peared in the Christian Advocate of 27 June 1918, played the piano magnificently.
. I was hesitating between
a Divine Service held on Mother’s Day, 12 May two decisions. Should I relieve the band of their duties
on Sunday morning, and substitute the more inspiring
1918, on board the St. Louis which was then in the accompaniments of a well-trained pianist?
war zone. In a pile of mail which I was censoring, I came to
Rigging Church a pencilled letter. It had been written by a boy just
Above on the quarter deck a bos’un’s mate, with a after he had attended church service aboard.
dozen men, was “rigging church,” as piano and pulpit, “And O Mother,” he wrote, “when they sing, they
benches and chairs were brought out and put in place. have a band to play the hymns. It is wonderful. It
A few turns of line lashed the piano in place, secure sounds just like the organ at home in our church. I
from the rolling of the ship, and when Old Glory just couldn’t sing. I sat there with tears in my eyes. I
draped the pulpit, all was ready. The bugle’s notes of could hear that organ at home.”
the “church call” sounded through the ship. With the My decision was made for me. If that band of
last note the waiting quartermaster hauled smartly on the ours could make any boy hear the organ in his own
halyard and the church. pennant shook out its folds to church, nothing could induce me to dispense with it.
the keen air-the flag of the Master whipping out for
all the world to see, the only flag that flies above the In his report for 1918 Chaplain Clausen stated that
Star-Spangled Banner. And though in all the circle of he had held forty-three services aboard the North
the horizon there were no eyes save those of our own Carolina with a total attendance of more than 7,000.
ship to see it, we felt that the eyes of a thousand
mothers in a thousand homes two thousand heart-breaking Chaplain D. S. Robinson aboard the Frederick used
miles away were on us. “an excellent orchestra” to furnish the accompani-
Chaplains on board ships, especially on transports ment for singing at his services. He advocated fifteen
carrying troops to France, often held several Divine minute sermons.
Services in the morning in order to give as many as I soon learned that the men liked something snappy
possible the opportunity to attend. Such services were and to the point, and that sermons had to be con-
structed or adapted especially for them. The kind of
held on topside when the weather permitted. In the a sermon one would naturally preach for an ordinary
days before the public address system was invented, mixed congregation was not at all suited for my congre-
36 gation of young sailors. The men always joined in the
Unless otherwise noted the quotations used are taken
from the individual’s jacket in the office of Chief of service with a will, singing and reading the responses,
Chaplains. and uniting in the prayers when asked to do so.

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 Robinson said that his average attendance was on the station. The Y.M.C.A. Hut was under construction
about 100 and that “they gave excellent attention, then and was completed in January, 1918. . . . The
and were as reverent as if they were in a church.” building could hold not more than 450 men. . . . The
most suitable place in these days to hold Church Services
Chaplain Robinson also mentioned one aspect of a was the Mess Hall.
chaplain’s duty which is taken for granted by mem-
bers of the Corps but not always appreciated by When he arrived, the Air Station at Pensacola was
civilians. “Being a Protestant,” he wrote, “I have felt expanding at the rate of two to three hundred men a
it to be my duty to provide opportunity for Catholic week and was expected to grow to 10,000. After the
boys to attend mass. Consequently, I arranged for Y Hut was completed, Chaplain Pearce moved his
priests to come. aboard the USS Frederick. . . .” Sunday services from the unattractive Mess Hall to
Catholic chaplains mentioned in their reports of the Hut. Later when the Recreation Building was
making arrangements for Protestant services aboard completed, the services were moved to the reading
their ships. Frequently church parties were sent from room in that building. Pearce listed the services held
one ship to another or ashore so that men of a cer- on an average Sunday:
tain faith might have the ministrations of a clergy- On Sunday morning at 8 o’clock the Roman Catholic
man of their persuasion. men were marched to their church which is just outside
the Main Gate. The Y.M.C.A. held their Bible class
The term “General Service” appears to have been in their hut at 9 A.M. and the chaplain held his Service
first used in the Navy during World War I to de- at 10 A.M. The Y.M.C.A. also held an evening Service
scribe a Divine Service for all hands. In the absence at which the chaplain was sometimes asked to preach.
of a Protestant chaplain, a commanding officer some-
times requested the Catholic chaplain to conduct On board ship, with the possible exception of trans-
a General Service especially for the benefit of the ports, the number of worshippers was more or less
Protestants. Some Protestant chaplains, who con- constant. On the other hand chaplains at the larger
ducted an early or morning service according to the training stations found that they were working with
manner and forms of their own church, in order to a constantly changing personnel. At the Great Lakes
make a wider appeal to all, held a General Service Station, for instance, as many as 1,000 men arrived
as well. Often these were in the nature of evening a day.
sings, which were popular on some ships and stations: For three weeks the raw recruits were kept under
Chaplin Dickins tells of how 1,500 or more men strict discipline in detention. Many were homesick and
crowded into one of the temporary wooden recrea- leisure hours hung heavy on their hands. While there
tional centers at Philadelphia on Sunday evenings is no indication that church attendance was com-
for such services. Protestant and Catholic chaplains, pulsory in such camps, the chaplains who worked
on alternate Sundays, led these assemblies, at which there reported an encouraging response to Divine
they also delivered short messages. Services. Chaplain W. H. Wilson wrote of his
experiences at Mare Island:
The conducting of Divine Services at shore instal-
lations brought problems unknown to chaplains at Detention is a dreary three weeks for the new
sea. First there was the necessity of finding a suitable recruit. . . . It is the Chaplain’s opportunity. . . .
On Sunday afternoon he assembles a band placed at
place to conduct services. The Government did not his disposal and a group of singers who are ready to
build chapels at any naval installation during World lend their aid and soon the cheerful music draws the
War I. Chaplains had to adapt themselves to existing men from their tents and barracks to a sheltered part of
accommodations. When Chaplain H. M. T. Pearce the parade ground. The way they sing! and the eager-
reported for duty at Pensacola, Florida, on 4 Decem- ness which they show in participating in a religious
service!37
ber 1917, he found a Naval Air Station in the first
stages of development. Facilities for the Chaplain Writing on 1 January 1919 from the Naval Train-
were practically nonexistent. He was told to go ahead ing Station at San Diego. Chaplain M. A. Spotts
and do what he could. Pearce’s problems were typical claimed:
of chaplains at other shore stations, and of these he
The total attendance at church services for the year
wrote: was 22,500. The average attendance at church services
was 500. All services were voluntary and the boys assem
There was no auditorium where the men could bled readily for them.
assemble, save the Marine Barracks which would hold
37
but about 400 men, far too small for the 1,500 men then Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File.

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 Chaplain Spotts stated that every man in the De- cated by tabs on the individual’s jacket in the person-
tention Camp was given a testament or a prayer nel office.38
book if he desired one. Several nationally known Along with conducting the usual Divine Services
speakers were invited to the Protestant services and a and taking part in the special programs connected
definite effort was made to influence men to decide with the religious festivals and certain national
for Christ, to receive baptism, and to unite. with a holidays, as Thanksgiving, chaplains were busy with
church. Spotts wrote: those additional duties which come to clergymen
everywhere, such as administering the sacraments and
During the year, 25,000 decisions for Christ were
registered at these special meetings. To follow up and officiating at weddings and funerals. Chaplain T. M.
make the work definite, a list of the names with church Mark writing from Brooklyn on 30 January 1919
preference were sent to the local churches, and they in referred to the many funerals he conducted during
turn invited the boys to unite with the church. More the influenza epidemic: “For almost five weeks there
than 1,500 of the men before leaving camp on draft had were funeral services every other day.” From the
definitely tied up to a church.
Air Station at Pensacola, Chaplain Pearce wrote of
Chaplain B. R. Patrick, writing on 1 January 1918 the tragic aviation accidents which took so many
from the Naval Training Station, St. Helena, Nor- young lives. “The chaplain always wrote to those
folk, Virginia, gave the following statistics of a dearest to the young men who gave their lives for
religious survey taken of 14,789 recruits: their country,” he stated, “and the appreciative
Methodist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,441 letters in reply brought the certainty that the chap-
Baptist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,374 lain is of some use in the naval service.”
Catholic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,803 Catholic chaplains with characteristic faithfulness
Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,287 read Mass and administered the last rites to the sick
“Protestant” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,179
Christian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 669 and the dying. Since there was but one Jewish chap-
Lutheran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581 lain in the Navy during the war, chaplains of other
Episcopal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 faiths ministered to the best of their ability to Jewish
Congregational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 personnel or made special arrangements whereby
Hebrew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 these men could receive the religious ministry of their
Christian Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Mormon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 faith.
Orthodox Greek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The first chaplain, so far as is known, to use an
21 other denominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 airplane for transportation between posts where
Unknown or non-members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574 Divine Services were held was Chaplain Harry M.
14,789 Peterson who worked with the Marines on Haiti in
the winter of 1918-1919. Of this, Chaplain Peterson
Chaplain Frazier, reporting on his activities at
wrote:
St. Helena during the months of 1917 before he went
to Washington to be the first Chief of Chaplains, re- Chaplain Frazier informed me in 1921 that I was
the first Chaplain to use that mode of transportation
ferred to this religious survey and added: “By in carrying on the Chaplain’s work. At that time it took
inquiry from other Training Stations, I find that this a full hour by plane to fly from Port au Prince to Cape
proportion is practically the same at all of them.” Hatien and only a little less time to fly to Mirabelais,
Two years later chaplains were able to take a reli- Los Cohobas, and Thornone.39
gious census of a ship or station by consulting the The many material aids for Divine Services which
health records of personnel assigned there. The were made available in World War II by the Chap-
Bureau of Navigation on 25 October 1919 approved lains Division were not provided to Navy chaplains
Chaplain Frazier’s recommendation that denomina- during World War I. If chaplains felt the need for
tional affiliation be indicated on the health records portable organs, altar pieces, or hymn books, they
of naval personnel. The old record did not specify had to turn to friends, obtain money from the local
with sufficient clarity the religion of the individual; welfare fund, or pay for such items themselves. Chap-
the revised record carried the notation: “Religion lain Pearce at Pensacola wrote of receiving two
(denomination) .” In emergency this accurate infor- portable organs, one given by a friend and the other
mation often permitted more immediate ministration by the War Commission of the Episcopal Church.
by chaplains or clergymen of the faith the individual 38
CoC.;
Bureau of Nav. File.
professed. Sometimes religious affiliation was indi- 39
CoC., Peterson File, Letter of 20 Nov. 1944.

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Again and again chaplains voiced their appreciation to religion in that they administer to the general welfare
and contentment of the crew, that the Chaplain’s field
of the splendid cooperation received from local clergy of usefulness becomes a broad one. Especially was this
and from the various “War, Commissions” of the true during the war, for the Chaplain not only was the
larger denominations. Religious teacher, but Welfare officer, Athletic officer,
In the absence of any official hymn or service book, frequently stood lookout watch, was one of Communicat-
most Protestant chaplains used The Service Song Book ing Officers, and Decoding Board. . . . It was up to
him to provide entertainment in the way of motion
published by the YMCA in 1917. Chaplain Scott, pictures, boxing bouts, minstrel shows or in any other
writing to Frazier on 19 December 1919, reported way that would meet the demands of the situation. Vast
that many of the songs included in the YMCA book reading matter was given him for distribution and many
were strange to the sailors and that too large a of the comforts provided by civilian organizations were
percentage were “revival hymns.” Chaplain Scott was passed through his hand before reaching those for whom
they were meant. During the Flu epidemic the Chaplain
one of several who urged the compilation of a special was a friend and counselor to men sick and dying and
hymnal and service book for Navy men.40 was a connecting link between them and their homes.
Chaplain H. R. Davidson summed up his experi- A congested warship is divided into two distinct
ences of 1918 in words that would no doubt have worlds, for there is a traditional division between the
brought forth a hearty “Amen” from many of his bluejacket and the commissioned officer, between the
brother chaplains. forecastle and the wardroom. Two officers, because
It has been a rare privilege to me to have had this of the nature of their work, break through this wall
year’s work as a Chaplain. I have thoroly enjoyed the more easily and frequently than others. They are the
work and in spite of all discouragements sincerely feel
that I have been able to make religion real and practical doctor and the chaplain.
and vital to some of the men . . . . it has been a real Navy chaplains in the First World War found that
privilege to preach to men who do not ask one’s denomi- much of their time was spent in listening to the tales
nation’ nor anything else except that one be able to of woe poured out by bluejackets in trouble. Most
make a little clearer the instinctive faith they find in Navy chaplains are quick to affirm that no person
their hearts.
can get fouled up as quickly in as many unusual situ-
COLLATERAL DUTIES ations as a sailor.
Sometimes these difficulties involved minor points
Throughout the years the Navy chaplain has car- of adjustment to Navy life. The chaplain was one
ried on many collateral duties. Many of these duties officer in whom the men felt free to confide. It was
were made easy by the close proximity in which he good just to talk even if the chaplain could do
lived with his men aboard ship. During World War nothing except advise the sailor to keep his chin up
I, new responsibilities frequently arose which no and take it like a man. Sometimes the chaplain could
officer was delegated to handle either by precedent or help. Often a man was saved for greater usefulness
regulation. In such cases the chaplain was often to the Navy by being shifted from one billet to
asked to take over. another-the shift being made possible when the
From the beginning of the Navy the chaplain had chaplain explained the situation to the proper officer-
been interested in educational projects. Long before Sometimes the problem involved money. Refer-
World War I, they had sponsored welfare activities ences to the Navy Relief Society, which was incor-
for leisure hours ashore and afloat. Such precedents porated 23 January 1904 but was not strong or wide-
were accelerated under war conditions until many spread before the First World War, are found in a
chaplains found themselves burdened with many ex- number of the chaplains’ reports for these years.
traneous duties, some of which were only remotely Chaplain Sydney K. Evans writing from the Naval
connected with their sacred calling. The wise and Academy on 1 January 1918 claimed : “Much time
tactful chaplain knew when to limit these collateral has been given to the work of the Navy Relief
duties and how to turn them to the spiritual benefit Society as treasurer of the Naval Academy Auxiliary.”
of the men. Chaplain Wright in his report of activities at the
In his summary of a chaplain’s responsibilities, Naval Training Station, San Francisco, dated 4
Frazier wrote regarding collateral duties: March 1919 wrote of working with the Navy Relief.
There are however, many duties strictly speaking, not Chaplain Bayard, who followed Wright, in his re-
of religious character, but bearing such a close relation port for 1919 stated. “The Senior Chaplain takes care
40
Ibid., Scott File, letter of 12 Dec. 1917. of all Navy Relief cases.”

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 Other problems that came to the chaplains’ atten- the year 286 of these lectures were delivered to com-
tion involved home difficulties. “I carried on an ex- panies [assemblies] of men ranging from 85 to 5,000.
The Commanding Officer considered these lectures of
tensive correspondence with the homes and relatives, so much importance that he issued an order that all
wives, and friends of the men,” wrote Chaplain men of the Station, whether under training or otherwise,
Wright in his annual report for 1919. He felt that should “fall in” immediately after quarters on Saturday
this service did much to alleviate anxiety and pro- morning and hear these lectures. At such times, no
mote contentment both for the men and for the building being large enough to accommodate the crowd,
the lecture was delivered in the open air.
folks back home. Chaplain A. R. Charlton claimed
that he kept two stenographers busy simply handling Chaplains were expected to lecture on the dangers
the ‘correspondence that poured over his desk. of immorality. The doctor’s business was mainly the
Sometimes sordid stories of sexual irregularities prevention and control of venereal disease. It was
which involved sailors were told to the chaplain. Of the chaplain’s business to go deeper and touch the
this Chaplain D. S. Robinson wrote: man’s heart and persuade him that there was a
better way. Writing of his attempts to save men from
Many cases of sailors wronging girls have come to the ravages of venereal disease, Chaplain Robinson
my notice, and frequently I have been able to straighten
the affair out by marrying the couple. Some of these in his history report stated:
cases are really pathetic, but they are too sentimental In this connection I should also mention the attempts
and seamy to narrate in detail here. On the other hand, I made to save men from the ravages of venereal diseases.
I have been able to save one sailor from being taken I distributed literature on the dangers of these diseases
in by a loose character who was after the government and preached a sermon on “Reaping Wild Oats,” in
allotment. which I pointed out how inevitable are the consequences
of immorality, and warned the men against. the dangers
Transport chaplains during 1917 and 1918 devoted of licentious living. I know from what men told me
the twilight and early hours of the evening to visiting that this had a wholesome effect.
the soldier passengers in the holds. Needless to say,
Chaplains have always been sensitive to the rela-
the conversation almost always turned to religion and
tion between idleness and wickedness. Keep a sailor
its meaning. On such visits as many men as possible
busy and happy at worth while activities during his
crowded around to hear the conversation. Questions
leisure hours and you choke off at the source all kinds
were plentiful and the answers frank. Often the chap-
of moral irregularities. This is the justification that
lain was kept. until midnight or later.
Navy chaplains give for engagaing in collateral
Many chaplains commented on the importance of
duties. Directly and indirectly by so doing they are
personal counseling. Men who never dreamed of
helping to build upright character.
turning to a clergyman in their home communities
when in trouble, found it easy and natural to turn to A collateral duty which most chaplains had was
their chaplain for advice and help. Chaplain Perry that of caring for the library and providing clean
Mitchell was only one of many when he commented: wholesome reading. On board ship the chaplain was
usually given charge of the library. Of this duty
The Chaplain’s greatest opportunity, however, lies Chaplain Riddle on the New Mexico wrote that a
in his personal contact with the men. We have had a library
monthly average of over fifty visits a day from men who
were in need of advice or assistance. Such conferences, was furnished, for the most part, by the contributions
as well as visits to men in the Sick Bay, have given the of civilians. Every effort has been made to make it
Chaplain a point of contact with practically every man homelike and cheerful. . . . Through the gifts of the
aboard ship. Bureau of Navigation, there is a splendid library of
history, travels, and biography; a small collection of
Closely linked with counseling were the lectures educational and school books, and a large assortment
given by chaplains to groups of men, especially to of popular, modern fiction. Writing paper and envelopes,
recruits at receiving stations. Chaplain Frazier, who stamped with the ship’s name, are issued to the crew
excelled in this particular work, described his ex- gratis. At sea the daily Radio news is issued here and
a chart gives the daily information of the course of
periences at the St. Helena Naval Training Station, the ship.
Norfolk, in his 1918 annual report.
Chaplain Robinson purchased $1,200 worth of new
By order of the Commanding Officer, the Chaplain books for his ship from funds provided by the Gov-
was given the duty of delivering to each company as
soon as organized a lecture on Naval Customs, etc., also ernment. These books were issued to the men “with
a lecture to each company on moral prophylactics. During the use of as little red tape as possible.” He also

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reported the organization of classes in mathematics, own pockets until the ships’ finances were in a posi-
history, and English to help prepare men for the tion to make payment.
examinations for Annapolis. Chaplain Riddle described some sightseeing parties
Many chaplains issued daily mimeographed bul- he sponsored in France:
letins, especially on board ship where radio news
During the last two weeks, while the ship lay at
was avidly received. Others who had access to a print- Brest, France, arrangements were made with the French
ing press edited the ship or station paper. Writing authorities to give our men transportation on the trains
of his work in the Canal Zone, Chaplain E. W. to Paris and, as the crew had never been in a foreign
Foster included in his history report the following: port before, every effort was made to make the most
“I am also the Editor-in-Chief and Business Manager of this opportunity. I was sent to Paris in charge of
these parties and to provide for the comfort and welfare
of Service Life which was begun through my initia- of the men . . . sight seeing parties averaging seventy
tive, and embraces the activities of Service men both men were taken around to such places as the Arch de
in the Army and Navy on Canal Zone.” Triomph, Eiffel Tower, Tomb of Napoleon, the Louvre,
On the need of wide diversity of activities, Riddle and Notre Dame.
wrote: Chaplain Leslie Miller on board the South
There are no men in the world who go through Carolina had charge of the “ship’s shops” and served
necessary privations in a more sportsman-like spirit than as Welfare Officer. Of this he wrote:
the American bluejacket. But even he will get stale and
stupid, and sometimes morbid, with only drills and The Chaplain and his Yeoman have charge of the
watches and ships work. So the problems of entertain- business and of all the ship’s shops, such as Laundry,
ment came up to the Officers, and leaders among the Barber Shop, Cobbler, Tailor, Photographer, and
men in a serious light. Moving pictures had to be put on. Mechanical Cow. This represents a business of two or
three thousand dollars per month, including expendi-
Robinson likewise found moving pictures a neces- tures and income. We take fifteen percent of the net
sity in keeping up morale. He was also in charge of proceeds of these shops and set it aside for the Ship’s
musical events, boxing and wrestling contests, and Welfare Fund. This money is kept in trust by the Chap-
lain, and expended for the comfort, pleasure and benefit
stunt nights with all sorts of fun-making contests. of the crew. . . .
Baseball and football teams were organized to play
ashore whenever opportunity afforded. Several chaplains were closely associated with the
Chaplain M. H. Petzold outlined the techniques he Red Cross. Chaplain John M. Mark, writing from
used to entertain men aboard the Virginia: Pelham Bay Park on 11 January 1919 stated :
I have kept a complete census of the abilities of the I was appointed on October 20th, 1917, as Asst. Field
men on board, which has enabled me to organize the Director of the American Red Cross. From January 1st
men of talent and in as far as conditions have permitted to December 31st, 1918, over 30,000 outfits have been
have had at least two big entertainments per month and given out from my office, the outfit consisting of sweater,
moving pictures nearly every night in port and often muffler, wristlets; helmet, and comfort bag.
while at sea.
Senior chaplains at shore installations indoctrinated
Sometimes when there were insufficient funds for the newly appointed members of the Corps. The
athletic and recreational equipment, the chaplain’s coming of such days as Christmas brought extra
ingenuity was taxed to obtain the needed gear by duties, especially in the hospitals. Chaplain J. F.
devious unofficial ways. A number of transports, on Fedders writing from the hospital at Great Lakes on
which Navy chaplains served, had been taken over 16 February 1919 reported that several “thousands
from private lines or were reconditioned German of dollars were expended in bringing Christmas
ships. Hence, there were no welfare funds available cheer to a population of nearly fifteen hundred boys.”
until such ships had been in commission sufficiently Whenever a ship was in port and it was possible to
long to build up one of their own. With such funds as do so, boys and girls from an orphanage or school
were available, however, transport chaplains, with were brought aboard on Christmas Day in tradi-
the approval of commanding officers, purchased such tional Navy style and given an entertainment that
items as athletic equipment, books, and magazines, they would never forget. The bluejackets always en-
and rented motion pictures. When such funds were joyed such occasions as much as the children. If a
exhausted, the chaplain found individuals. or groups chaplain were aboard a ship where the crew was
who were willing to donate the desired items. In a entertaining a group of children, he would invariably
few cases chaplains advanced the money from their take a major part in the arrangements.

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 Among the unusual and unexpected duties that Foster describing his experiences at Hampton Roads,
devolved upon the chaplain outside the continental wrote:
limits of the United States was that of censoring mail.
Upon my return to duty, the epidemic had spread
Many a chaplain drank hot coffee into the early throughout the camp, more wards were added, and I
hours of the morning in order to clear the mail began working day and night writing letters, telegrams,
dumped on his desk. Chaplain Truman Riddle con- writing insurance for those who had taken sick from
the Detention Camp, and in various ways encouraging
verted even this boresome chore into an opportunity them and trying to cheer.
through the spirit in which he approached his task.
He wrote: A number of the transports had the misfortune to
I suppose every Chaplain in the fleet was put on a
have an out-break of the Spanish Influenza aboard
censoring board and allow me to express my honest when they were loaded with troops enroute to
opinion that here he found a great field for usefulness, Europe. This epidemic apparently varied in its viru-
although it may have interferred, to a great extent, with lence. It was serious afloat in its lightest attack due
other activities. As an average I put in from five to to crowded conditions from which there was simply
eight hours a day on this activity alone while on the
U.S.S. Pennsylvania and, many a night previous to no escape once the ship had sailed. Men were stricken
getting under-way. . . . But from a moral standpoint, down with few advance symptoms and sometimes
what can be more important than helping the men keep died in a matter of hours or a day or so. A few ships
up an uninterrupted communication with the best influ- were reported to have exhausted certain medical sup-
ences in their lives, their families, wives, and sweethearts? plies and had to receive additional supplies at sea.
Many an interesting story grew out of the cen- The supply of coffins on some transports became
sorship experiences. According to Chaplain Mitchell, exhausted and the carpenter’s force had to build
one lad commenting on the activities of the chaplain boxes. Aboard some ships, two and three decks were
in regard to providing entertainment, wrote: “We completely filled with influenza patients lying on mat-
have a Chaplain aboard, in fact, we have all kinds tresses with the break of just a few inches between
each mattress for attendants to help the stricken men.
of amusement.” Chaplain Edel found the following
The number of patients frequently became so large
expression of appreciation for a chaplain in a letter that Navy officers and enlisted personnel turned to as
from a seaman to his home : “A chaplain reported soon as they came off duty and helped nurse the
on board this ship last week. It makes me feel better sick. In some instances, Navy personnel, though run-
just to see him walk by.” ning a temperature, refused to turn in the sick-bay
Chaplain H. J. Fry summed up the chaplain’s because “it will take a bunk from some poor soldier
attitude to his collateral duties when he wrote: who is sicker than I am.” Fortunately, the epidemic
burned itself out in a relatively short time and most
He feels that he is saving men and carrying forward transports had only about one or two such tragic
the Kingdom of God if by bringing aboard the normal
and cultural influences the men had at home, he saves trips.
them from such debasing things as foul talk and gambling, Chaplain F. B. Huske, writing from the Naval
and offsets the stress and strain of sea life—a life that Hospital at Norfolk claimed that the days when the
breeds the “fling” ashore on the liberty party—a life that
naturally neglects man’s higher faculties. epidemic was at its height were the busiest of his
naval experience. Service men in the First World
And Chaplain Frazier in his brief summary of War sometimes had to be persuaded to take insur-
chaplains’ activities sent to Naval Records and ance. Many recruits, receiving only thirty dollars a
Library added: month, objected to the monthly deduction necessary
Thus the Navy Chaplain serves his government in to carry a $10,000 policy. The result was that many
bringing contentment and happiness to men—in conserv-
bluejackets were without insurance when stricken by
ing the religious, moral and educational interests of the
crew, develops morale. the disease. Some dying, were eager to apply for
insurance, but had no opportunity to do so. Depen-
THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC dents were thus often left without funds. Chaplain
The influenza epidemic which made its death Huske was one of several chaplains who found an
march around the world in 1918 brought heavy extra opportunity not only to bring spiritual succor to those
duties to many Navy chaplains. Chaplain E. W- afflicted but also to aid in the practical matter of

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helping the sick to take out insurance. He had the ments, Scripture portions, and tracts—all for free
following unusual experience to tell : distribution. Never before in history had such a
stream of religious literature flowed from the press.
It was my especial responsibility to go to those
patients who were confined to bed, and many of whom Chaplain W. H. Wilson paid tribute to the work
were weak and almost helpless, and to give them the of the churches in these words:
opportunity to take the insurance which their Govern- The splendid generosity and helpfulness of Church
ment desired they should have for the protection of Boards and philanthropic agencies during the period of
themselves and their families, while they were in their the war has made possible a helpfulness and Christian
Country’s service, and risking their lives for patriotic service upon the part of the Chaplains which otherwise
reasons and motives. Many of these men had a very would have been impossible. Testaments by the thousands,
apparent limit set upon the time in which they might books by the hundreds and periodicals without number
secure this insurance and protection, not only by the have come to the Chaplain’s Hut for distribution. In the
requirements of the Insurance Law, but by the sure
reception of these gifts the men have displayed the
approach of the Angel of Death. I could often see that finest spirit of gratitude. In taking a copy of the Scriptures
if they did not make their application at once, that the promise is often made with sincere intent to cherish
they could never do so; perhaps the next day would the Book and read it daily. “That is the first copy of
be too late. Thus it was my task to go to the bedside. the Bible I have had since I was an apprentice boy
of the: ill and dying, and help them to make some pro-
eighteen years ago” a CPO said to the Chaplains as he
vision for their loved ones, even as their Country wished
accepted the gift. . . .
them to do, before they died in their Nation’s service. . . .
And so it was often the case that a man, weak and low, Transport chaplains had an unusual opportunity to
with the aid of the Chaplain, and the nurse, or a faithful distribute religious literature to troops on their way to
apprentice, would perform his last unselfish and heroic
service for his loved ones, and secure for them, by France. They found the men in a receptive mood
means of this insurance, a regular income for the future and with time to read.
years, as the last earthly, conscious act of his life.
CERTAIN COLLATERAL DUTIES
In 1918, the policies for which Huske helped
sailors apply totaled $4,300,000. “The total amount DISCOURAGED
of money that will be paid to the families of the men Commanding officers, lacking a sufficient number
out of this number of those who took insurance, who of qualified line officers, sometimes placed chaplains
subsequently died’,” he added, “was a quarter of a on court-martial boards and assigned them to duty
million dollars, or more.”41 Many a parent, wife, and on the decoding watch. When instances of such un-
child found comfort in this last loving act of one who usual collateral duties for chaplains came to the
responded to ‘his country’s call and died in “line of attention of Secretary Daniels, he issued orders at
duty.” once directing the discontinuance of such assign-
ments, except when absolutely necessary.
DISTRIBUTION OF RELIGIOUS On 23 January 1918 Daniels wrote to the Com-
LITERATURE manding Officer of the Naval Home at Philadelphia:
A vast amount of religious literature, including The Department notes that a chaplain has been
ordered as deck court officer for the trial of the above
Bibles and Scripture portions, was distributed by named man. It is considered very undesirable to appoint
chaplains and welfare organizations to naval person- chaplains to such duty. You are directed that it be not
nel during the First World War. Chaplain Charlton done, except as the exigencies of the service make it
in his report for 1917 said that he had “distributed absolutely nccessary.42
tons of general reading matter” including “thousands Again on 7 March 1918 Daniels wrote of a similar
of portions of Scripture, Testaments, and Bibles,” case which occurred at the Washington Navy Yard.
and that he had “enrolled nearly a thousand men in Writing to the Commandant, he stated:
the ‘Silent League’ and hundreds more in the ‘Pocket
1. In reviewing the summary court-martial in the case
Testament League’.” of the above named men, it is noted that an Acting
The American Bible Society distributed nearly Chaplain, U. S. Navy, has been ordered as recorder.
7,000,000 copies of the Scriptures to members of the 2. The Department considers it very undesirable to
armed forces during the War. In addition, other appoint Chaplains for court-martial duty. You arc
directed that it be not done except as the exigencies of
societies as well as publishing houses of the larger the service make it absolutely necessary.43
denominations were busy producing Bibles, Testa- 42
41 43
NRSO: 27217-2477
Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File. Ibid., 27217-2620.

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 On 7 February 1919, Special Order No. 65 was Cuba. These Marines with their chaplains sailed in
issued by the Navy Department which stated: “The the first convoy that crossed to France June 1917.
Department directs that hereafter Chaplains shall not During the summer of 1917, the Sixth Marine
be detailed to court-martial duty except by direction Regiment and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion were
of the Secretary.” being formed at Quantico, Virginia, from newly or-
The historical summaries and annual reports of ganized companies. Chaplain J. D. MacNair was
chaplains covering the period of the First World ordered to the Sixth Regiment on 15 September 1917
War indicate that many chaplains on board ship were and Chaplain H. A. Darche reported on 12 October.
given duty on the decoding watch. Chaplain D. S. These chaplains went overseas with their units. In
Robinson wrote: “I had not been on board the USS France, the Marine units were joined to form the
Frederick long until I was made a member of the Marine Brigade which was included in the Second
decoding watch. . . .” Chaplain H. R. Davidson, re- Division of the United States Army. This Division
porting on his duties of 1917, stated: was organized in France in September and October
From the 13th of March I have been on duty as
1917. Thus, the Marines with their chaplains came
Assistant Communication Officer. This duty involves under Army jurisdiction. Each Marine Regiment had
decoding and coding of messages, custody of secret and one Catholic and one Protestant chaplain.
confidential publications, and messenger duty ashore. The Second Division went into intensive training
Chaplain E. L. Ackiss, serving on the Pocahontas, during the winter of 1917-1918. During these months,
was given submarine lookout watches and communi- the chaplains were active in directing athletics and
cation and coding watches. Some chaplains were entertainment, in addition to their usual religious
placed in charge of boats at abandon ship drill. duties. Writing to Chaplain Frazier, Chaplain Brady
While such instances do not seem to have come to reported that he had equipped a clubhouse of six
the attention of the Secretary, chaplains were in- rooms “with two pianos, five billiard tables, reading
directly involved in the following decision relative to tables, assorted musical instruments for the casual
medical officers serving on such boards: player, numberless magazines, having subscriptions to
cover a hundred magazines and papers, and games of
Upon decision requested as to whether or not medical
officers can be legally assigned to duty as coding officers, all sorts. . . .”45 Brady received many gifts of
Held: That neither chaplains, doctors, nor members of money, including a $2,000 contribution from John
the Hospital Corps should be assigned to duties of a Cardinal Farley, to cover cost of such equipment.
combatant character. Such members of the staff per- The chaplains in their reports of activities during
sonnel of a naval vessel are neutralized by the terms of
the Geneva Convention, the principles of which the these months tell of conducting “happy hours” or
United States accepts for general guidance.44 “sings” on Sunday afternoon, arranging Christmas
parties with French children as the guests, and in
CHAPLAINS WITH THE MARINES general doing everything possible to keep the Marines
When the United States entered the war against busy and happy in their leisure hours. American
Germany, only one chaplain-E. A. Brodmann—was tobacco and cigarettes were then very scarce in
then serving with the Marines. Brodmann was at the France. One of the chaplains won the undying grati-
Marine Barracks, Port Royal, South Carolina, where tude of his Marine unit when he located a shipment
he remained from 19 November 1916 to 5 August of cigarettes sent to American troops in France by the
1917. His tour of duty marks the beginning of the New York Sun which had been stored in a ware-
unbroken connection of Navy chaplains with the house. While others were arguing how such a ship-
Marine Corps. Chaplain G. S. Rentz relieved ment should be handled, this enterprising chaplain
Brodmann in August 1917 and remained until loaded the tobacco on truck and hastened back to his
October 1918. men where he was received with all of the honors of
a conquering hero.
In June 1917, Chaplains G. L. Bayard and J. J.
Brady reported to the Commanding Officer of the Several changes took place in the chaplain per-
Fifth Marine Regiment then waiting at Philadelphia sonnel in the early spring of 1918. Bayard was
for overseas duty. This Regiment was composed of detached from this duty with the Marines and
companies recalled from Haiti, Santo Domingo, and ordered back to the States. In February Chaplain
44
Albert N. Park arrived with the First Marine
Compilation of Court-Martial Orders, 1916-37, I:243. 45
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy 9 May 1918. Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File.

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Replacement Battalion, Chaplain C. M. Charlton described as “the heaviest losses suffered by any
with the Second, and Chaplain Q. F. Beckley with American brigade during a single offensive opera-
the Third. In June, Chaplain MacNair, who had tion” in World War I.48 These were days of horror.
then completed four years of sea or foreign duty, was Men were under fire for a month without being
detached from the Sixth Regiment and was relieved relieved. Some broke under the excessive strain. In
by Chaplain A. C. Larned. In addition to the eight the midst of the Marines, suffering with them, shar-
mentioned chaplains, five others saw service with the ing the dangers and bearing the strain were Chaplains
Marines in France, most of whom were at replace- Brady, Park, MacNair, Darche, and Beckley. Chap-
ment depots. They were: G. B. Kranz, R. E. Miller, lain Charlton was only a short time at the front when
G. F. X. Murphy, G. S. Rentz, and J. C. Short. he received orders for duty in Paris.
Before the war ended, these thirteen Navy chaplains The accounts written by chaplains who were in
served about 31,000 Marines who had been sent to the thick of the fighting tell of constant ministry to
France. the wounded and refer frequently to burying the
On 17 March 1918, the Fifth Marines moved into dead. Chaplain MacNair’s account of his experiences
the trenches in the Verdun sector and were followed the night of 6 June is typical:
by the Sixth Regiment the next day. Here they re-
During the night of the 6th, I remained at Head-
mained until 16 May. Although very few men were quarters with a hospital apprentice to take care of any
killed during this period, the trench type of warfare of the wounded that might happen to stray that way
was most trying. The Marines wanted action. They and it was a busy night for me. The hospital Corpsmen
fretted under the restrictions of trench life and grew belonged to the Army and were wholly inexperienced,
restless under the difficulties of their living conditions. consequently, the binding up of the wounds was done
almost entirely by myself. Seventy-five or eighty of the
All this placed a heavy burden upon the chaplains men came in claiming that they had been gassed. I took
who went with the men into the trenches and shared care of them as best I could putting them in a quiet
with them the difficulties of that life. Now and then place and giving instructions that they wrap themselves
there was an enemy raid, or an enemy shell dropped up in their blankets and keep warm.
into their lines. Once the Germans sent over gas that Referring to his experiences in burying the dead,
killed many and incapacitated others. Chaplain MacNair wrote:
Describing those days, Chaplain Brady wrote:
There was no “Burial Corps” in our organization;
To dispel this depression and gloom required the hence the digging of the graves and the burying was
cheery activity of the Chaplains telling stories, distrib- dependent upon volunteer parties of men ordered to
uting letter paper to write home, holding little impromptu play the part of undertaker, grave digger and
parties with cake and candy, and music from a mando- clergyman. . . .
lin or banjo. . . . Every morning Divine services were
held in some part of the line. Men went to confession MacNair gave further descriptions:
and communion and took a fresh grip on themselves.46 June 10 The day was spent in seeking for the dead
The experience in the trenches was but a shadow and burying them.
of what was to come. In the early days of June 1918 The 13th, 14th, and 15th were spent in working
around the dressing stations and encouraging the men
the Germans broke through the French line and had in the companies as best I could. I buried several men
a clear road to Paris. The Second Division with its and as Beckley and Darche were with us, those two or
Marine Brigade was hastily thrown across the path three days were not so strenuous as the previous ones.
of the invader. Then followed the terrible bloody The fighting had not been quite so severe.
battles of Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood—the On the 18th of June, I met Major Holcomb and
German advance was checked and the enemy thrown asked him how things had been going. He informed
back. me that out of the 1300 original men that he had taken
with him in June, he had about 300 left.49
During the days of June 6-15 some 451 Marines
were killed. Belleau Wood was finally cleared of the MacNair was detached from the Marines on 23
Germans on 25 June. “In the terrific fighting in that June and ordered back to the States.
month,” wrote Secretary Daniels, “the Marine Corps Chaplain Park’s letter to Chaplain Frazier dated
lost 1,062 men killed, and 3,615 wounded.”47 This 21 December 1918 carried considerable detail about
represented casualties of fifty-five percent and was his experiences with the Fifth Regiment. He wrote:
46 48
CoC., Brady File. 49
Metcalf,
A History of the U. S. Marine Corps, p. 490.
47 Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File.
Daniels, Our Navy at War, p. 210.

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 In the Champagne, Ardennes and Meuse fights I had was laid down near them, Park and his striker sought
some close calls. The casualties in the first of these were refuge in a shell hole. “This time,” wrote Park,
heavy and I soon realized that I had more in my burial
detail than some companies had in the line.50 “the shells seemed to light some distance away but
they began to creep a little nearer and my striker
Chaplain Brady wrote that during the worst of the looked at me with a gleam in his eyes as though he
fighting the chaplains had scarcely any sleep. Describ- would like to get away.” Soon a shell exploded close
ing the experience of a chaplain, Brady wrote: enough to throw dirt over the two crouching in the
He crawled, walked, ran among the fighting men, dur- hole. The striker’s nerve wavered as he suggested:
ing these uncertain days finding the wounded and mark- “Let’s go, Chaplain.” And Park added: “We went.”
ing the position of a dead Marine by forcing the bayonet Shortly after, another shell landed in the hole just
of his rifle into the ground so that the butt of the rifle vacated “My canteen and mess kit were all broken,”
stood upright, cutting away clothes from wounds, even
cutting the shredded flesh that held a shattered leg or wrote Park, “my blanket roll was cut by shrapnel,
an arm to the body, sounding out words of encourage- and a can of tomatoes in my kit had been struck and
ment, hearing the whine of the bullet as he dragged a the contents scattered about the hole.” It was the
wounded man into a shell hole, dazed and confused contents of this can of tomatoes splattered over the
by the flashes and explosion everywhere.
torn remnants of Park’s blankets that called forth the
And then with the night and a lull in the fighting,
the Chaplain with a shovel led off a gang of volunteers remark of the investigating Marine: “There was
to bury those who lay still on the ground. . . . blood in the hole where the Chaplain had been.”
. . . . Al Park loved to tell that story in the following
Soon would come a messenger to tell him of some years.
more dead bodies. Dead bodies, dying men, exploding
shells, whining bullets, mustard gas. . . . And he of Park had a deep religious spirit. Writing to Chap-
all men had to be cheery, had to perk up and say pleas- lain Frazier on 3 August 1918, he described his first
ant words and . . . that in spite of the horribly demoral- impressions under shell fire. Park gave the following
izing influence of the bloody handling of the bodies of description of a Divine Service held with the Marines
men with whom he had associated and chatted intimately
only a few hours before.51 near the front:
Later chaplains were relieved of the task of bury- I don’t suppose I ever felt more like preaching than
I did that Sunday morning. At the close of my sermon
ing the dead. Brady described the changed policy as I called for those who would make a definite stand for
follows: Christ and profess His name, and those who would renew
After the battle below Soissons it was realized that their former vows, to raise their hands. It was almost
unanimous and reminded me of the service at the station
the Chaplain and his orderly and a few volunteers hardly
made up an adequate regimental burial party and in last summer when Lash preached and you called for
their place was substituted a line officer and two hundred decisions. In the evening, at the service, I gave the men
men. The Chaplain was now called on merely to perform an opportunity to pray and many responded. Then we
the burial ceremony and he was thus free to go back had a genuine testimony meeting and Chaplain, I wish
to his rightful task of sustaining the morale of his men. you could have heard those men. . . .52
Park was the only chaplain to serve in every major
Park told of one narrow escape he had when a
engagement in which the Marines participated.
German shell landed in an old shell hole which he
and his Marine “striker” had just vacated. Others Chaplain Brady wrote of his friend: “Chaplain
in the company, not knowing that the Chaplain had Park was easily the outstanding Chaplain of the
moved and seeing the shell explode, sent a Marine Marines . . . having served with distinction through
over to investigate. He crawled to the spot, took one all major engagements.”53 Although Park was
good look, and then hastened back with the informa- wounded only once and then slightly, the chief re-
tion : “There was blood in the hole where the Chap- sult of those terrible days of strain and toil was a
lain had been.” Thus the word spread through the nervous state from which he never recovered. Park,
Regiment that Chaplain Park had been killed. Later the Presbyterian, and Brady, the Roman Catholic,
much to their relief, it was discovered that he was both Navy chaplains serving in the same Regiment
still alive. under the same conditions, formed a friendship which
was dissolved only when Park died in 1944.
In his letter to Frazier, Park told what really
52
happened. It appears that when a German barrage 53
Ibid., Park File.
Ibid., Brady File. A letter from the Commanding
50
CoC., Park File. Officer of the Fifth Regiment to the Secretary of the Navy,
51
Ibid., Brady File. 26 Nov. 1918, (CoC., Park File) confirms this statement.

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 Several other Navy chaplains also had narrow troops, in handling working parties and in aiding the
escapes. Brady, describing an experience which came surgeons were tireless; and he performed the last rites
of the church under fire.
to Darche, wrote:
For Chaplain MacNair:
Chaplain Darche was wounded severely and had to
be carried off the field near Verzy. He had become a . . . performing his services in daily risk of death from
spectacular figure because of his exploits under fire, enemy fire, when his labors in locating and burying the
paying not the slightest attention to the death being dead and in giving comfort to the wounded were given
dealt out on all sides of him. Many were the stories with fidelity to duty under all conditions.
of his cool indifference to death. Two Germans had just
been taken prisoners and Chaplain Darche was sitting For Chaplain Park:
down before them and asking them questions. Suddenly
. . . while in charge of the regimental burial detail,
a shell ripped the two Germans into fragments and
voluntarily exposed himself to shell fire to assist two
when two Marines picked up Chaplain Darche, he smiled
and said, “There is no use in asking these Germans wounded men to a place of safety, and calmly walked
anything.” around among the men directing them to get under
cover, while remaining himself exposed.
On another occasion Darche had a party of Chaplain Brady also received the Distinguished
German prisoners digging graves when a shell Service Cross, an Army decoration corresponding to
dropped into their midst killing all of the prisoners the Navy Cross. Since the Marines served in France
and knocking the chaplain unconscious. under Army authority, it was possible for a Navy
Chaplain Brady tells of going forward into the officer to receive an Army decoration. This citation
danger zone one day with his orderly. Not wishing in part read:
to expose the orderly unnecessarily, he left him in
what was considered a safe place and continud alone. chaplain, United States Navy, attached to 5th Regi-
ment, United States Marine Corps, 2d Division. For
Brady returned to find that a shell had exploded extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau-Thierry,
where the orderly was, killing him instantly. The France, June 6-7, 1918. He made two complete tours
Chaplain, who thought he was taking the greater of the front line under severe fire, carried on his duties
risk, was untouched. On one occasion Chaplain as chaplain with untiring service, and ministered to
Brady was knocked senseless by an exploding shell the men of the regiment under unusually trying circum-
stances. . . .54
and did not regain consciousness for three days.
The Marines saw action at Soissons in July and Three of the chaplains—Brady, Park, and Darche
later in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The chaplains —received the Croix de Guerre. Darche also was
went through it all. One day a Marine said to Chap- decorated with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor
lain Brady: “It certainly made us feel good to see of France. Both MacNair and Darche were awarded
you up there with us in the woods.” In addition to the second Division Citation by the Commanding
Chaplains Park, Darche, and Kranz who were General, Second Division, USMC. These decorations
wounded in action, Chaplains Beckley and Larned came as the outward signs of the gratitude of France
were gassed. and the United States for unusual heroism and faith-
Four Navy chaplains who were with the Marines fulness to duty. Darche was the most decorated chap-
during the heaviest fighting received the Navy Cross lain in World War I.
and these were the first chaplains in the history of In addition to the thirteen Navy chaplains who
the Corps to be so honored. They were Chaplains served with the Marines in France, the following
Brady, Darche, MacNair, and Park. The citation in eight served with Marines in other places outside of
each case mentioned extraordinary heroism. Other continental United States: H. S. Dyer, W. W. Elder,
significant comments were: G. L. Kerns, and M. R. Boynton in Santo Domingo;
For Chaplain Brady: H. M. Peterson and R. W. Truitt in Haiti; R. L.
. . he exposed himself fearlessly making a complete Lewis in Cuba; and W. McC. Miller on the Virgin
tour of the front lines twice. . He carried out his Islands.
duties as Chaplain with devotion and was cool under During the course of the war, some 16,000 Marine
fire. officers and men were trained at the large Marine
For Chaplain Darche : 54
The Congressional Medal of Honor, The Distinguished
Service Cross, and The Distinguished Service Medal issued
. . . his efforts in searching for and burying the dead, by The War Department, since April 6, 1917 up to . . .
in giving cheer and spiritual comfort to the fighting November 11, 1919, p. 438.

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base developed at Quantico. Here E. B. Niver, a Maguire, F. L. McFadden, and G. E. T. Stevenson,
Reserve chaplain, reported for duty on 8 June 1917 all had shore duty in France during these years at
and remained for over ten years. He received a letter radio stations or naval bases. Chaplains C. R. Blain,
of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for R. J. Davis, B. ‘R. Patrick, and A. W. Stone had
his faithful and outstanding services. With him for duty in England or on the Continent. E. W. Foster
a time was Chaplain T. B. Thompson. Chaplain was the first chaplain to be stationed at the Sub-
J. A. Tomerlin had duty with the Eighth Marine marine Base at Coco Solo in the Canal Zone. For a
Regiment at Galveston, Texas. More than 6,000 part of the time under review, Chaplain A. W. Stone
Marines were trained at Parris Island, South was at Guam, Chaplain T. B. Thompson at Guanta-
Carolina. Serving there were Chaplains E. E. namo Bay, and Chaplain R. D. Workman in the
McDonald and R. L. Lewis. This brings the total of Philippines.
Navy chaplains who served with the Marines for Chaplains aboard the battleships which composed
varying periods during the First World War up to the Sixth Squadron of the British Grand Fleet based
twenty-six. at Scapa Flow saw interesting action. The Florida,
Navy chaplains and doctors attached to the New York, and Delaware by skillful maneuvering
Marines found that no regulations existed to direct dodged torpedoes fired by German submarines. Two
them in the type of uniform to be worn. Each wore Navy chaplains were on transports which were
what he thought was best for the occasion. The Navy torpedoed and sunk by enemy submarines off the
then had only the blues and the whites, both of which coast of France. Chaplain Grover C. Whimsett was
were impractical for combat conditions. Chaplain aboard the President Lincoln when she went down
J. J. Brady in a letter to the author dated 17 Septem- on 31 May 1918 and Chaplain Perry Mitchell was
ber 1945 gave the following description of the uni- in the Couington when she was sunk on 1 July of the
forms worn by the chaplains assigned to the Marines: same year.
We wore enlisted men’s clothes at first until we
Another to receive the Navy Cross during the First
located a French tailor who made an officer’s uniform World War was Chaplain W. A. Maguire. His cita-
for us. tion tells the story:
All doctors and chaplains and even corpsmen wore the For extraordinary heroism as an officer in a boat
uniform of the Marines. We had rank insignia on the sent out from the U.S.S. Christabel to the rescue of men
shoulders, and a cross on one lapel of the blouse and from the Florence H. which vessel, loaded with explosives,
the marine insignia on the other lapel of the blouse. They was burned in the harbor of Quiberon on the night of
were not combined into one in any way. There were the seventeenth of April, 1918. Almost immediately
no rules about the matter. We wore what we thought after the outbreak of fire the water in the vicinity of
would best fit the situation. For a while Chaplain Bayard the Florence H. was covered with burning powder boxes,
wore an army officer’s uniform with the chaplain’s insignia. many of which exploded, scattering flames throughout
There were no rules and the Marine officers of high the wreckage. The Officers and the crew of the Christa-
rank did not attempt to lay down any rules for the bel’s boats drove their boats into the burning mass and
Navy officers. It was just a case of doing what seemed succeeded in saving the lives of many men, who but
the most polite and considerate thing in the case of for the help so promptly and heroically given, must have
outsiders serving with the marines. perished in the wreckage.55
A close and friendly relation existed between the Two Navy chaplains received decorations from the
Army and Navy chaplains assigned with the Marines King of Belgium. They were E. W. Scott, who was
in France. Occasionally Army chaplains assisted made an officer of the Order of Leopold, and P. F.
Navy chaplains in ministering to the Marines. For a Bloomhardt, who was awarded Chevalier of ‘the
time Chaplain Brady had additional duty with the Order of the Crown. Chaplains Sidney Key Evans
Army which included jurisdiction over about 100 2nd Charles V. Ellis received Letters of Commenda-
Army chaplains. tion from the Secretary of the Navy for meritorious
services.
SPECIAL WAR SERVICE Special recognition should be given to the unusual
OF OTHER CHAPLAINS services rendered by Chaplain David Tribou, who in
In addition to the chaplains who served with the April 1917 at the age of sixty-nine was called from
Marines in France, several other Navy chaplains saw the retired list to serve at the Boston Navy Yard. His
overseas duty during the First World War. Chaplains previous tour of active duty had extended from the
W. R. Ayers, E. A. Duff, T. L. Kirkpatrick, W. A. 55
CoC., Maguire File.

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year of his commissioning, 1872, to his retirement in THE FIRST FLEET CHAPLAINS
1910. After spending about nine months at the Boston The rapid expansion of the United States Fleet
Yard, Tribou was ordered to the Naval Home in called for a corresponding increase of chaplains
Philadelphia where he soon firmly established himself assigned to fleet duty. The need was soon felt for an
in the affections of the three hundred occupants. experienced chaplain of mature years to serve some-
When orders were issued for his detachment in what as a bishop to oversee and correlate the activi-
March 1920, many letters of protest from the benefi- ties of all chaplains of the Fleet. The office of a Fleet
ciaries in the Home were received by Secretary Chaplain was authorized by Secretary Daniels on
Daniels and Chaplain Frazier. Ninety-eight percent 8 June 1918.57 Daniels in his Report for 1919 made
of the occupants of the Home signed a petition to the the following reference to the appointment of Fleet
Secretary of the Navy urging Tribou’s retention. One Chaplains:
of the beneficiaries wrote to Senator Pat Harrison on
16 March 1920 saying in part: In the assignment of chaplains to duty an effort has
been made to so distribute representatives of the various
Can you believe, dear Mr. Harrison, that for fifty denominations as to give to both Protestants and Catholics
years I had not attended any church! Today I feel the ministrations of clergymen of their own faith. That
differently in matters of religion, so much so that I have this plan might be carried out successfully, the Pacific
not missed once the Service on Sunday from the first and Atlantic Fleets have each been provided with a
week I entered this Home. Why? Because our Chaplain fleet chaplain who is on the staff of the commander-in-
teaches the Gospel. . . .56 chief and whose duties it is to direct the younger chap-
lains in their work, to give the benefit of advice and
As a result of these expressions of affection, Chap- council, arrange for frequent conferences and for inter-
lain Tribou was permitted to remain. Orders for change of chaplains so as to provide services for both
detachment from the Home were again issued for Protestants and Catholics.58
30 September 1921 and again a storm of protest was The first to be assigned to duty as a Fleet Chaplain
raised. Even though Tribou was then past his seventy- was Matthew C. Gleeson, who was ordered to the
third birthday, he was permitted to remain at the staff of the Commander in Chief of the Atlantic
Home until his death on 31 May 1922. He had then Fleet on 16 June 1918. He continued as such until
completed a total of forty-two years of active service, 11 July 1919.
a record never before or since equaled. In his annual report dated 14 February 1919,
During part of 1919, Chaplain Tribou served as written after assuming his new duties, Gleeson told
Chairman of a Victory Loan Drive in the Home. On of some of his achievements. “As I understood my
the night of 7-8 October while Tribou was on new duties,” he wrote, “I was to counsel with, and
temporary duty in Washington, the safe in his office give such help as was necessary to the various Chap-
in the Home was broken open and $2,667 in cash and lains of the Fleet, all of whom at this time were
comparatively new to the Service.” He arranged con-
bonds belonging to the beneficiaries were stolen.
ferences of chaplains and facilitated arrangements
Although held by an investigating board not to have
whereby the Protestant and the Catholic chaplains
been responsible, Chaplain Tribou repaid every dol- could keep in better touch with the men of their
lar out of his own savings. A bill was introduced into respective faiths. By shifting schedules and by send-
Congress providing restitution to Chaplain Tribou ing chaplains from one ship to another, more men
from Government funds. The House of Representa- were reached with a spiritual ministry. On several
tives approved the measure in March 1922, a little occasions, the Fleet Chaplain was able to intercede
more than two months before he died. However, the on behalf of individual chaplains who felt that too
bill was not passed by the Senate in that session of many collateral duties were being given them, thus
Congress. The proposal was reintroduced in 1924. making it impossible to give adequate time to their
The measure was then approved and restitution made religious duties.
to the estate of Chaplain Tribou. Gleeson observed that all the chaplains in the Fleet,
with the exception of himself and one other officer,
Older chaplains and others in the Navy still cherish
were lieutenants (junior grade). The other officer
the memory they have of one of the most beloved was a Reserve chaplain with the rank of lieutenant.
of all Navy chaplains. 57
58
Ibid., Sec. of Navy File.
56
Ibid., Tribou File. Op. cit., p. 388.

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The lack of rank sometimes put chaplains at a dis- have shown a friendly spirit of co-operation toward each
advantage. For instance, Chaplain Gleeson found other and a real pride in the Corps.
that some chaplains were handicapped because they Chaplain Scott’s kindly and efficient supervision re-
did not have a cabin or an office easily available to sulted in improved working conditions for a number
the enlisted men. Such accommodations were given of chaplains in the Fleet. He was instrumental in
other officers who outranked them. Regarding this securing clerical assistance for several and helped
problem Chaplain Gleeson recommended: others obtain more suitable space for the library and
It was the opinion of many Chaplains of the Fleet, reading rooms on board ship.
as well as my own, that it would be a wise provision Scott made interesting comments regarding the
to have a room on each ship near the men’s quarters, introduction of evening prayers, or hammocks, aboard
permanently assigned to the ship’s Chaplain, exclusive
of what rank he might hold. The Chaplain to have his
ships at sea. He reported that Secretary Daniels had
work efficient and appreciated by the men, must be at observed the revival of this old Navy custom on the
their service, not only during office hours, but’ at all Arkansas and was greatly impressed. Daniels saw
times, and if his cabin is so placed in the Wardroom Scott at Tacoma and inquired as to the possibility
country that the men will have to pass constantly through of making the custom uniform throughout the Fleet.
the officers’ quarters, he will find they will not readily
visit him under the circumstances.59 Regarding the practice aboard the Arkansas and the
attitude of the chaplains, Scott wrote:
Chaplain Gleeson further reported that the plan
of having three Protestant chaplains of various de- It was suggested by what he saw on the ARKANSAS.
It has been instituted there by the Commanding Officer,
nominations and one Catholic attached to each entirely without suggestion from Chaplain Shrum. We
division within the Fleet had been adopted with good had discussed it in conference and all were agreed that
results. He felt that every hospital ship should have at it was not the thing to do. After the suggestion I brought
least one chaplain and when two of these ships were it up in the last conference and we have all agreed “to
operating with the same Fleet, one of these chap- respectfully adhere to our former opinion.” From his
experience Chaplain Riddle was most insistent it would
lains should be a Catholic. “During the Influenza antagonize men rather than help them.61
Epidemic,” wrote Gleeson, “there being no Catholic
Chaplain. in the immediate vicinity of the U.S.S. The chaplains felt that any plan which involved
Mercy, I was obliged myself to look after the compulsory attendance at any religious service would
Catholics ill on board, and was so busy during the do more harm than good. Another factor had also
interval that I had neither time nor opportunity for arisen which brought complications-it was the
other work.”6o objections of Catholics to attend prayers conducted
On 30 June 1919, the Pacific Fleet was formed and by Protestant chaplains, and no doubt that of some
began its movement. to the West Coast on 17 July. Protestants to attend those conducted by Catholics.
Chaplain E. W. Scott was appointed Fleet Chaplain Conditions within the Navy had greatly changed from
on 19 July and held this position until 25 October those existing fifty years or more earlier when prac-
1921. He served aboard the Flagship New Mexico. tically the whole crew were Protestants.
On 21 September 1919, Chaplain Scott sent in a The institution of the office of Fleet Chaplain
long report of his work. The newly organized Pacific (sometimes referred to as Force Chaplain) proved
Fleet was given an enthusiastic welcome by coast so beneficial to the work of chaplains that it was con-
cities. Scott commented on the fine services rendered tinued in the Navy thereafter. The work of a Fleet
by such organizations as the YMCA, the Knights of Chaplain set the pattern for the later introduction
Columbus, and the Salvation Army in caring for the of District Chaplains. Article 1244 of the 1920 edition
entertainment of enlisted personnel on shore. He re- of Navy Regulations outlined the duties of the Fleet
ported that he had held a series of conferences for Chaplain as follows:
chaplains at such places as San Diego, Santa Barbara, (a) To inspect the work of the chaplains at frequent
San Francisco, Seattle, and Bremerton, He wrote: intervals.
I am sure you would be delighted in seeing the zeal (b) To advise, counsel, and offer suggestions to the
and the fine spirit shown by these Chaplains, and in chaplains of the fleet concerning their work.
hearing the good words spoken in their behalf by their (c) To arrange for services on board ships that do
officers. They are on the job and doing good work and not carry chaplains. Also for interchange of chaplains
59 of the different faiths so as to provide services for all.
60
CoC., Gleeson File, report of 14 Feb. 1918.
61
Ibid. CoC., Scott File.

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 (d) To call frequent meetings of chaplains of the This ruling uncovered an embarrassing situation
fleet for conference, discussion, and adjustment of the for the Bureau of Navigation for it was discovered
matters pertaining to their work.
that the provision of the law of 1914 calling for an
(e) At the end of each quarter he shall make a writ-
ten report to the Chief of Naval Personnel concerning examination of acting chaplains had not been ob-
the chaplains and their work. served. Chaplain Frazier in a letter to the Bureau of
Navigation dated 29 August 1918 declared :
PROMOTION Notwithstanding the fact that said law became effective
in 1914, it was not until March, 1918, that, in con-
Not one of the 130 acting and temporary acting formity to this law, at my request, chaplains due for
chaplains, who were appointed during World War I, promotion were required to appear before Examining
was promoted during the years 1917 to 19 19 inclu- Boards. Between the date of the passage; of the present
sive. On 16 October 1920 the Judge Advocate law governing the promotion of chaplains, and March,
1918, twelve chaplains were promoted, and, so far as I
General wrote to the Chief of the Bureau of Naviga- have been able to learn, no Board was ever assembled,
tion saying: “The Navy Register shows that not one and no officially constituted body examined their records
officer of the Chaplain Corps was given a temporary or investigated their efficiency as chaplains. The law
promotion to a higher rank or grade as specifically was simply ignored, the Chaplain’s efficiency being con-
authorized by act of 22 May 1917 as amended by sidered of so little importance that examination was
unnecessary even though required by law. No other
act of 1 July 1918; and that the Chaplains Corps is Corps could have possibly maintained its efficiency under
the only corps so discriminated against.”62 such practice.63
The failure of acting and temporary acting chap- The Judge Advocate General had suggested that
lains to receive promotion was due in part to the the provision of the Act of 1914 regarding the ex-
wording of the Act of 19 14 and possibly to a mis- amining Board of chaplains be amended to include
understanding on the part of the Bureau of Naviga- one chaplain “of the same denomination as that of
tion as to the intent of the Acts of 1917 and 1918 as the candidate” who was to be examined. The Judge
they applied to chaplains. As previously stated, the Advocate General claimed that this would eliminate
Act of 1914 required acting chaplains to serve a three the possibility of controversy arising over chaplains
year probationary period at sea with the rank, pay of one of more denominations sitting in judgment on
and allowances of a lieutenant (junior grade), and members of other churches. Chaplain Frazier, how-
then pass an examination before a Board of chap- ever, took exception to this point of view in his
lains and medical officers before being actually com- letter of 29 August. He wrote:
missioned. The law also stated that only seven acting
The Chaplains of the Navy are universal in their
chaplains could be commissioned in any fiscal year. approval of the present law. I know of no law relative
The statute further provided that an acting chaplain to the Chaplains’ Corps that has been passed within
spend seven years which included the probationary the period of my Naval Service of nearly twenty-four
period, in the rank or grade of lieutenant (junior years that has been given such hearty approval. It has
grade) and four years as lieutenant before being been the source of a great deal of disappointment and
much comment that the law as passed has not been
promoted to the next higher rank. carried out. We had hoped and believed that the pro-
On 22 May 1917, Congress passed an Act which visions of this law would enable us to procure and
abolished examinations for promotions in grade in retain the high type of Christian gentlemen to which
all staff corps. Early in 1918, Frazier raised the ques- the office is entitled, and which it must have if it is
to fulfill its mission.
tion as to whether or not the Act of 1917 abolished Chaplains are not examined on their denominational
examinations for acting chaplains who were eligible views or church doctrines, but on their efficiency as
for commissions. The Judge Advocate General wrote moral and religious teachers in the broadest sense of
on 11 February 1918 saying that “the change of status these terms, and on their personal conduct and life. The
from acting chaplain to chaplain, while a change Examining Board of Chaplains does not convene as
representatives of any particular denomination, but as
in grade, is not exactly a promotion in grade.” He advocates of universally accepted standards of morality
held, therefore, that acting chaplains should still be and Christian religion. There can be no conflict of
required to take the examination as prescribed in opinion in such matters between the various religious
the Act of 1914 before receiving a commission. denominations inasmuch as they are as one denomination,
all having the same high standards in matters pertaining
62
NRSO: 29226-7. Chaplain W. N. Thomas moved from to the vital principles of morality.
seventh place in his wardroom mess to fortieth because of
63
the promotion of officers who had been junior to him. NRSO: 2650-281.

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 In answer to another communication from the and several moved from lieutenant (junior grade) to
Bureau of Navigation the Judge Advocate General lieutenant.
wrote on 24 January 1918 that seven years combined The Act of 11 July 1919 which provided appropri-
service as acting chaplain and chaplain were still re- ations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending
quired “before eligibility for permanent promotion to 30 June 1920 included the following:
the rank of lieutenant.” It was this provision of the That officers of the permanent Navy who have served
Act of 1914 which prevented all appointed during satisfactorily during the war with the German Govern-
the war who came under that statute from being ment in a temporary grade or rank shall be eligible
promoted. The Act of 1 July 1918 authorized under the provision of existing law for selection for
temporary promotions without regard to length of promotion and for promotion to the same permanent
grade or rank until July 1, 1920, without regard to
previous service. Just why some chaplains were not statutory requirements other than professional and phys-
promoted between the passage of this Act and the ical examination. . . .64
signing of the armistice is not clear. According to
But since no chaplains, with the exception of a
the Judge Advocate General, the Chaplain Corps was
few Reserves, had received such temporary promo-
the only corps of the Navy which did not take
tions, none qualified.
advantage of the new provisions for promotion.
The fact that no acting or temporary acting chap-
The following table showing the number of chap- lains received a promotion during the years 1917-1919
lains in the (different ranks has been taken from the introduced some dissatisfaction among the younger
Navy Registers as of 1 January for the years indicated: chaplains as the following extract from the annual
1917 1918 1919 1920 report of Chaplain H. R. Davidson for 1918 would
Captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 10 14 13 indicate:
Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6 2 1
Lieutenant Commander . . . . . . .. .. 2 One other recommendation I would like to make has
Lieutenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 4 2 to do with the present law regarding permanent com-
Lieutenant (jg) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 6 11 missions. Since the present law allows only seven acting
chaplains to be fully commissioned in any one year and
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 22 26 29 since I stand 90 in the Corps it will be approximately
ten years before I come up for examination for perma-
Acting chaplains: nent appointment. If one has the professional qualifica-
Permanent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 56 101 50 tions required for the Corps he can hardly be satisfied
Temporary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 40 12 to remain in the service if he has to wait so long for
advance in rank and so in pay.65
18 57 141 62
Chaplain Park writing to Chaplain Frazier on 21
Net total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 79 167 91 December 1918 from France, after a vivid description
of his experiences in battle, included the following
These statistics do not include chaplains of Class paragraph:
2 and 4 of the Naval Reserve Force. The figures
In the midst of these experiences, I received a letter
show that promotions were discouragingly few even from you saying that we would not participate in the
among the Regular Navy chaplains. Chaplains temporary promotions. I can’t see any justice in that
Gleeson, Stone, Scott, and Evans all received their at all. Many a time in those days I wouldn’t have given
captaincy on the same day, 1 July 1918. Chaplains two cents for my chances of living through’ the day, and
Pearce and MacNair tarried but a day each in the now that it is all over, it seems like a wild dream to
me. . . . a am proud of what I have done, but it is
rank of lieutenant commander. Pearce was promoted hard to see everybody else getting promoted and to
on 8 Februray 1919 and the next day was promoted know that you must stand still.66
to commander. On 1 July 1920, he became a captain.
MacNair was made a lieutenant commander on 30 MORE UNIFORM CHANGES
June 1919. The next day he was promoted to com- The whole question of desired uniform changes for
mander and on 14 July 1920 became a captain. chaplains was brought into focus in January 1917,
Promotion among the Reserve chaplains was more when the Uniform Regulations of 1913 were being
liberal, mainly because they were not subject to the revised. On 16 January Chaplains Frazier, Gleeson,
laws which governed acting chaplains. Niver and
64
Brokenshire were both promoted to commander; 65
41 Stat. 140.
CoC., Davidson Annual Report File.
Day and Huske were made lieutenant commanders; 66
Ibid., Park File.

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and Evans addressed the following communication to now in use which, with all due deference to the origi-
Secretary Daniels: nator, is, in my humble opinion, a grotesque mon-
Subject: Change in Uniform. strosity.” Undoubtedly Thompson’s views accurately
reflected the attitude of the Corps.
1. It is recommended that the Corps of Chaplains
receive the same consideration in the matter of uniform On 26 June 1918, Josephus Daniels issued “Change
as do the other staff corps at present, and with that end in Uniform Regulations, No. 19” which granted
in view the following changes are suggested: chaplains the right to wear the gold braid on the
(1) That the cap, shoulder marks and sleeve braids sleeves with “lustrous black cloth” between the gold
in the service dress and overcoat be made to conform braid as the distinguishing mark of the Corps. On
to those worn by other Staff Corps.
(2) That the frock coat now worn be changed to
27 July, Frazier wrote to his friend Thompson saying:
conform in cut, style and trimmings to that worn by I have received a copy of the order authorizing the
the other Staff Corps. change in uniform and have been instructed to fit the
(3) That the coloring between the sleeve stripes new Chaplains out according to this change.
be black and that on the frock coat and evening dress ....
one-half inch above the upper stripe a Latin cross as
now worn be set perpendicularly.67 Cap to correspond in every particular with the cap of
other staff officers. Shoulder marks to correspond with
The recommendations were not adopted. The those of other staff officers except lustrous black cloth
revised Uniform Regulations of 1917 still prescribed between gold stripes. The stripes on the service dress
are changed to gold, with black between the stripes. I
the lustrous black mohair braid in lieu of the gold asked for change in the frock coat to correspond to that
braid worn by the other officers. The full-dress uni- of the other Corps, but was told by the Secretary that
form was authorized for “all commissioned officers, this would not be made until after the war as it would
except chaplains and chief warrant officers.” necessitate the use of cloth that might otherwise be used
for something else. 69
According to a story handed down by the older
chaplains whose memories go back to the days of On 17 March 1919, the Secretary permitted the
World War I, Chaplain Henry van Dyke was instru- chaplains to wear the same frock coat as that worn
mental in having the gold braid substituted for the by other officers. “I believe you were heartily in
black. The story is that Chaplain van Dyke declined favor of this,” wrote Frazier to Thompson on 23 May
an invitation to the Daniels’ home for dinner. When 1919. “I feel that we are making progress and that
pressed for a reason, he told the Secretary that he in time there will be no distinction between our
would not accept such an invitation until “he got Corps and others.”
out of mourning.” Change No. 25 to the Uniform Regulations, dated
On 7 February 1918 Chaplain Frank Thompson 16 November 1918, established a new insignia for
then Senior Chaplain at the Naval Training Station the Chaplain Corps. The revised applicable articles
in Chicago wrote to Chaplain Frazier: are quoted below:
I am writing to say that I have just learned a bit of Art. 79—The collar shall bear devices indicating rank
news that is most welcome to me and which I trust is and corps as follows:
true. It has reference to a proposed change in the Chap-
lains’ uniform, namely, the adoption of gold stripes on (k) Commissioned staff officers, . . . same as for
the sleeves in place of the black ones worn at present. line officers with whom they rank but the
. . . . appropriate corps devices, embroidered in
gold, surcharged upon the anchors.
In my mind it would be a most wise and advisable
one as then a Chaplain would be wearing a uniform Art. 119—Embroidered Corps Devices on Epaulets
more in conformity with those of other commissioned ( cancelled old articles 119- 125)
officers, and there would be less mistake and confusion (d) Chaplains: A Latin cross, inclined at an angle
as to his official position and rank.68 of 45 degrees, the top toward the stock of
the anchor, embroidered in gold. Chaplains
Thompson also expressed his hope that the pro- of the Jewish faith may substitute the shep-
posed changes would include the substitution of a herd’s crook for the cross.
gold chin strap on the cap instead of the black Art. 133—Shoulder marks. For all officers, for wear on
mohair and the permission to “obtain some sort of a the white service coat, mess jacket, and overcoat. The
frock coat more suitable than the single breasted one corps device will be the foul anchor, in the case of staff
67
offcers, surcharged with the appropriate corps device.
68
Nav.
Rec. Coll., Uniform File. 69
CoC., Thompson File. Ibid.

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 These revisions meant that chaplains, instead of insignia and the same dress coat as their brother
wearing only the cross behind the rank insignia on officers, they said little about the continuing dis-
the collar, now wore the cross superimposed on the crimination.
fouled anchor.
Change No. 27 to the Uniform Regulations ap- NEW REGULATIONS BEARING ON
peared 17 March 1919 and specified the present SOCIAL PROBLEMS
double-breasted service coat with the roll collar. The
insignia of rank and corps was by necessity shifted In keeping with the rising prohibition sentiment
from the collar of the service coat to the sleeves. The which was sweeping state after state in the years
old uniform could be worn until 1 July 1921. immediately preceding the First World War, Sec-
The provision calling for the corps devices sur- retary Josephus Daniels on 1 June 1914 issued his
charged upon the anchors lasted about a year. On 13 General Order 99.
November 1919 another change, No. 28, appeared in The use or introduction for drinking purposes of
Uniform Regulations which separated the corps alcoholic liquors on board any naval vessel, or within
device of staff officers from the anchor. The change any navy yard or station, is strictly prohibited, and
commanding officers will be held directly responsible for
affecting the chaplains is as follows: the enforcement of this order.
Chaplains shall wear a Latin cross, embroidered in
gold the long arm 1″ long, the short arm 9/16″ long, and
The law of 1862 which discontinued the serving of
each arm 3/16″ wide; to be set inclined toward the rear, grog and forbade the admittance on board vessels of
the longer arm, making an angle of 60° with the upper war of “spirituous liquors”, except under the control
stripe of lace. of the medical officers, was subsequently interpreted
The new regulations also stated that for the by the officers as not applying to wine. Therefore, the
shoulder marks “the rank and corps shall be indicated officers’ wine mess continued on board ships until the
by stripe of gold lace and corps devices as prescribed issuance of General Order 99.
for the sleeve of the frock coat.” In Our Navy at War Daniels confessed that the
The first chaplain known to have worn aiguillettes order “was not universally popular when. it was
was Chaplain E. W. Scott, the Pacific Fleet Chaplain. promulgated,” but added that after war broke out
In a letter to Chaplain Frazier dated 21 September “it was recognized that it had contributed to the fit-
1919, Chaplain Scott commented: ness of naval personnel.”71
Upon the declaration of war in April 1917, Con-
In the next place let me say that I am wearing gress faced the necessity of a draft law. The American
aiguiel[l]ettes. When I reported I had no intention of wear-
ing them but felt it would be better not to declare myself public was fearful of the effects military service would
until I had sized up the situation. After mixing with have on its young men. Many church leaders and
officers from other ships, strangers, and civilians, I soon organizations began agitating in favor of the estab-
came to see the advantage of wearing them, as they lishment of dry zones in the close proximity of Army
established your position at once and relieved you of and Navy installations which might be established
explaining it. I then referred the question to the Chief
of Staff and he said at once that as I was a member in states which did not have prohibition. As a re-
of the staff and wore the uniform in all other respects, sult, the Selective Draft Act of 18 May 1917 carried
I ought to wear them, irrespective of what Chaplain provisions requiring the President, as Commander in
Gleeson did. . . . I do not believe it has harmed in Chief of the Army, “to make such regulations govern-
in any way, but has helped me in many.70 ing the prohibition of alcoholic liquors in or near
Thus, about twenty years after chaplains were military camps and to the officers and enlisted men
denied the right to wear the full uniform and insignia of the Army as he may from time to time deem
worn by other officers in the Navy, they regained the necessary or advisable.”
privilege of wearing the official button, gold braid, This Act was amended by Congress on 6 October
and the frock coat. Only one discriminatory ruling 1917 to include the Navy. On 5 March 1918, Navy
remained and that was the regulation forbidding General Order 373 was issued in accordance with
chaplains to wear the complete full dress uniform. the law. The use of liquor except in private and for
However, the chaplains of 1919 were so pleased to medical or religious purposes was forbidden in the
be permitted to wear the same service uniform with dry zones which were established.
70 71
Co.C., Scott File. Op. cit., p. 344.

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 This General Order was superseded on 1 April and also within the five-mile zone around naval
1918 by General Order 380 which stated in part: establishments. Chaplains’ correspondence for the
war years indicates that intemperance among sailors
There is hereby established a zone five miles wide,
circumjacent to the boundaries of every place under was not nearly the problem it had been in the years
naval jurisdiction specified below. Alcoholic liquor, previous.
including beer, ale, and wine, either alone or with any An attempt was made to curb prostitution in the
other article, shall not, directly or indirectly, be sold, vicinity of naval establishments by General Order
bartered, given, served, or knowingly delivered by one 411 issued 3 August 1918.
person to another within any such zone, or sent, shipped,
transmitted, carried, or transported to any place within Ten miles from any place under naval jurisdiction is
any such zone: Provided, That this regulation shall not hereby designated as the distance determined to be
apply to the giving or serving in a private home to mem- needful to the efficiency and welfare of the Navy, within
bers of the family or bona fide guests, other than officers which it shall be unlawful to engage in prostitution or
or members of the naval forces, any of such liquor as to aid or abet prostitution or to procure or solicit for
may be on hand in such private home on the date of purposes of prostitution, or to keep or set up a house of
the taking effect of this regulation, namely, the second ill fame, brothel, or bawdy house, or to receive any
day of April, 1918, at four o’clock postmeridian. . . . person for purposes of lewdness, assignation, or prosti-
tution into any vehicle, conveyance, place, structure, or
In the spring and early summer of 1918 Chaplain building, or to permit any person to remain . . .
van Dyke made a tour of twenty-six naval installa-
tions from Massachusetts to California. Secretary SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WAR
Daniels, who placed great trust in van Dyke, re- After war was declared on Germany, Secretary
quested him to observe a wide range of conditions Daniels was concerned not only with the immediate
during his tour. Chaplain van Dyke in his report of increase of the Fleet and its personnel, but also with
15 July commented on the use of liquor at or near the social, moral, and morale problems which were
naval installations : bound to arise at the training bases and elsewhere.
I saw no cases of men in the service under the influ- A bill was introduced into the House of Representa-
ence of intoxicating liquor at any of the stations or in tives on 28 June 1917 calling for $2,000,000 to be
their vicinity. It is beyond question that drunkenness, if spent on chapels and recreational buildings and
not absolutely eradicated, has been reduced to the vanish- grounds at the several Navy Yards. This bill, how-
ing point by the regulations recently adopted in the
service.72 ever, never became law.
In order to care for the growing needs of men,
General Order 410 was issued on 2 August 1918 to Daniels turned to the only institution which could
counteract the growing evil of bootlegging. It read: help, the Army and Navy Branch of the International
During the present emergency, it is prohibited for any YMCA. Under date 26 July 1917, he issued General
person in the naval service to purchase or accept intoxicat- Order 313, the first section of which reads:
ing liquor from bootleggers within the proscribed zones, The Young Men’s Christian Association, in addition
or to have intoxicating liquor in his possession on board to its large service to enlisted men during times of peace,
any naval vessel, or at any naval station, or at any other has greatly increased its facilities and efforts during the
place under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Navy Depart- present need represented by the increased forces in the
ment, except as authorized for medical and religious Navy and Marine Corps and the calling of the Naval
purposes.
Reserve and Naval Militia. This organization is pre-
General Order 412 dated 16 August 1918 elim- pared by experience, approved methods, and assured
resources to serve our enlisted men. The results obtained
inated that section of Order 373 which stated in part: by this voluntary civilian organization are so beneficial
“Provided, That this regulation shall not apply to and bear such a direct relationship to efficiency, inasmuch
the giving or serving [of liquor] in a private home to as the association provision contributes to the happiness,
members of the family or bona fide guests.” Thus content, and morale of the personnel, that in order to
an effort was made to control the use of liquor by unify the civilian betterment activities in the Navy and
further the work of the organization that has demon-
so-called “bona fide guests” and even by members strated its ability to render a service desired by both
of the family in this restricted area. officers and men, cordial recognition is hereby given the
As far as the Navy was concerned, the various Young Men’s Christian Association as a valuable adjunct
orders issued by the Department made the use of and asset to the service.
liquor on board ships for drinking purposes illegal The second part of the Order called upon nava
72
CoC., van Dyke File. officers “to render the fullest practicable assistance

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and cooperation in the maintenance and extension of rendered valuable service to Navy personnel during
the association at the regular navy yards and stations, the war years. These included the Salvation Army,
and at such other stations as may be established on American Library Association, YWCA, and service
either a temporary or permanent basis.” Secretary organizations of most of the larger denominations.
Daniels then listed the following approved methods The Presbyterian Church, USA, claimed that it was
of cooperation: the first of the Protestant churches to organize a
National Service Commission.74 While the name
Authorization by commandants for the erection of
buildings at the various navy yards and stations in accord-
varied in the various denominations, the functions of
ance with instructions already issued, and the provisions each Commission were much the same. Like the
of heat and light for said buildings. Catholic Chaplain’s Aid Association, these denomina-
Cooperation in facilitating accredited representatives tional agencies furnished religious literature and altar
in their access to navy yards and stations and to ships supplies to their respective chaplains. Some churches,
and temporary camps. as the Presbyterian, gave at least $200 yearly to each
The granting of commissary privileges where prac- of its chaplains in the armed services to be spent as
ticable.
each saw fit. At some naval stations as at Great
Furnishing where practicable tentage for shelter when
in temporary camps. Lakes where the Lutherans had their own hut, some
Transportation on naval craft, when necessary, of of the denominations carried on extensive activities.
secretaries and supplies. After each of the larger welfare organizations had
conducted its own campaign for funds, it was realized
Within a week after the declaration of war on that in the future a united approach to the public
Germany, the Supreme Board of Directors of the would be much more fruitful. Plans were perfected
Knights of Columbus at a meeting held in Washing- in the summer and fall of 1918 for launching a drive
ton, pledged in behalf of its four hundred thousand during the week of 11 November under the sponsor-
members “their continued and unconditional support
ship of the “United War Work Campaign.” No one
of the President and the Congress” in the war effort.
then dreamed that the day set for the beginning of
On 24 June, the Directors, meeting in Detroit,
the drive should mark the end of the war. It was
authorized the raising of a million dollars to be agreed that the participating organizations should
known as the Knights of Columbus War Camp Fund share in the funds collected on the following pro
which was “to be expended for religious and recrea-
rata basis:
tional purposes for the benefit of all men in the
service.”73 National War Work Council of
the Yonng Men’s Christian
Other Catholic organizations soon sprang into Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000,000 58.65%
action to serve Catholic men in uniform. Among War Work Council of the
these was the Catholic Young Men’s Union and the National Board of the Young
Chaplain’s Aid Association. In order to coordinate Women’s Christian Associa-
these activities and to create a responsible central tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15,000,000 8.80%
National Catholic War Council
body to serve in a liaison capacity with the Govern- (Knights of Columbus) . . . . 30,000,000 17.60%
ment, the Catholic hierarchy at a meeting held in Jewish Welfare Board . . . . . . . 3,500,000 2.05%
Washington on 11-12 August 1917 set up the War Camp Community Service 15,000,000 8.80%
National Catholic War Council. This became the American Library
National Catholic Welfare Conference on 24 Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,500,000 2.05%
Salvation Army . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,500,000 2.05%
September 1919.
On 9 April 1917, the Jewish Welfare Board was $170,500,000 100.00%75
organized, which constituted the first united effort In spite of the temporary disruption of campaign
on the part of the Jewish bodies of the United States plans due to the frenzy of peace celebrations, the
to function in behalf of Jewish men in the Army or drive “went over the top.”
the Navy. This Board became the official agency for Although the YMCA was the first to receive
all Jewish welfare work with men in the armed official recognition from the Government to conduct
services. welfare work on military and naval establishments,
In addition to the three main service organizations such recognition was also accorded the Knights of
already mentioned, there were other agencies which 74
75
Minutes of the General Assembly, 1918, p. 71.
73 Williams, op. cit., p. 206.
Williams, American Catholics in the War, pp. 98-9.

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Columbus, the Jewish Welfare Board, and other Twenty-three of these huts were established at the
organizations as soon as they were ready to begin Great Lakes Station, one for each regimental area.78
work. Secretary Daniels, in his 1917 Report, com- One of the most successful projects in Bible study
mented on the fine contributions being rendered sponsored by the Y among naval personnel was at
naval personnel by the various welfare organizations. Great Lakes. There the Y secretaries, in August 1917,
Referring especially to the evils of drinking and working under the supervision of Chaplain Thomp-
promiscuity, Daniels wrote: son, introduced Sunday morning Bible classes in all
The Young Men’s Christian Association, the Knights regiments. Although some teachers came from the
of Columbus, the Young Men’s Hebrew Association, ranks of the sailors themselves, most of them were
and like organizations for the uplift of young men have business and professional men from Chicago, Mil-
helped to secure to the camps and training stations, waukee, and other near-by places. These classes con-
greater freedom from the evil of drunkenness and im- tinued for more than two years and approximately
morality than ever before where young men were under
training for military service. Much is yet to be done, 600 civilians gave their time and talent to serve as
but with the authority given to the chaplains, the teachers. As many as 200 of these volunteer workers
surgeons, and other officers of the Navy, and the cooper- were sometimes on duty on a single Sunday.
ation of men and women who see the need of driving The movement started with six classes and an
out evil by introducing wholesome athletics and diversions,
this good work will go on until the day will come
attendance of fifty-three. A year later there were 801
when these twin relics of bestiality will be anachronisms.76 classes with a total attendance of 41,448. A report
about these classes and other religious activities of
The years of the First World War were years of the Y follows:
material expansion for the YMCA. Several new
buildings were rented or erected to serve the needs At the present time, the total attendance has reached
the half-million mark. It is a fact worthy of record that,
of naval personnel. A five year lease was secured on although about one-half of the Station’s population on
a building at 226 Embarcadero, San Francisco, on any Sunday was unavailable, because on liberty or on
1 February 1917. An organization of the Navy Y was detail, yet, for an extended period, about twenty per cent
effected in Honolulu in March 1917 and a building of all men at the Great Lakes were regularly attending
these Bible classes. At the present, even a larger propor-
opened on 25 November of that year. A new build- tion is reached.
ing costing more than $225,000 was dedicated in Twice each week—on Sundays and Thursday in the
Charlestown, Massachusetts, on 25 May 1918. Per- evening—the Y. M. C. A. would hold religious meetings,
manent work of the Army and Navy YMCA was mostly addressed by visiting ministers and laymen,
established in San Diego in the latter part of 1919. although occasionally by the secretaries themselves. Con-
sidering that attendance at these meetings was purely
During the summer of 1918 the Y was operating voluntary, they were remarkably well attended. At the
thirty-eight buildings, not including the numerous second anniversary of the Y. M. C. A. work, in April,
huts erected on naval and military installations. The 1919, it was figured out there had been 3,850 meetings
Y followed, sometimes even preceded, the Navy to held, attended by 502,983 sailors!79
such distant places as the Canal Zone, the Bermudas, The Knights of Columbus adopted the motto,
and Guam. A Y was opened at Hankow, China, in “Everybody Welcome,” which was prominently dis-
1919 for the Navy personnel of the Yangtze Patrol.77 played in their huts and recreational centers. While
A tremendous service was rendered by this organ- their secretaries confined their religious ministry to
ization. For instance, between five and six thousand Catholics, in other activities their huts were open to
men a day used the Navy Y near the Brooklyn Navy all. This was a characteristic of the centers conducted
Yard in 1918. by all service organizations. There was a friendly
The Y carried its activities to the members of the interchange of facilities when need demanded. Many
Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. A Y building a Catholic priest or chaplain conducted Mass in
was opened at Quantico on 24 October 1917, and YMCA huts and often the Jewish Welfare Board
soon a second was erected. Two similar buildings were found offices for its activities in both the YMCA
built at Parris Island. Scores of temporary Y huts and the Knights of Columbus huts.
were erected at the various naval installations. 78
Harris, Service for Fighting Men, Vol. I, Chapter XXIV
entitled “The Navy and Marine Corps,” gives detailed infor-
76
Op. cit., p. 64. mation on this subject from which the above is taken. See
77 also Goldberg, Sky-Piloting the Great Lakes, p. 44.
Pond, “History of Army and Navy YMCA” contains full 79
information about each of these places. Goldberg, op. cit., p. 46.

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 It was the aim of the National Catholic War in the Navy during the war, religious activities for
Council to provide every Catholic soldier and sailor those of the Jewish faith had to be conducted. by
with a New Testament and a prayer book.80 Catholic qualified leaders from among service personnel’ and
chaplains in World War I did not have the facilities civilians. The Jewish Welfare Board was zealous in
to perform three Masses on Sunday as in World War the distribution of prayer books, Bibles, and other re-
II, but only the customary two. In the absence of ligious aids to members of the Jewish faith.82
chapels on most of the Army and Navy installations, In addition to the work conducted by the welfare
Catholic Divine Services were often held in the K of organizations at shore installations, much was done
C huts. aboard transports. Chaplain H. J. Fry commented
The Knights of Columbus summarize, in part, on his experience as follows:
their activities during the First World War as fol- The Government places aboard each transport a
lows: “morale unit,” composed of an army chaplain, and
representative of the Y. M. C. A., the K. of C., the
All told, the Knights maintained forty-four buildings J. W. B. and the Red Cross. These men come aboard
in naval and marine training camps, requiring a per- ship bringing with them bountiful supplies of all kinds
sonnel of approximately 100 secretaries. for the soldiers—knitted goods, comfort kits, chocolate
Activity inside the naval camps never flagged. Some and hard candy, “smokes,” fruit, games, athletic sup-
of these camps were as large as military cantonments. plies, writing materials, religious literature, books, maga-
The Naval Training Station at the Great Lakes was one zines and all that can possibly make happier the home-
of the largest commands. . . . Here the Knights of ward journey. Through his close relationship with the
Columbus had six buildings in constant operation—the ship’s authorities . . . the chaplain is in a position to
largest number they had in any Naval Camp. co-ordinate and unify the welfare work. . . 83
It was at Parris Island that one of the first educational The American Library Association was of out-
activities ever undertaken in any camp recreational
building, was inaugurated. Here in the Summer of 1918, standing help in its collecting and distributing of
the Knights of Columbus commenced a class in mathe- books. Transport chaplains could secure from the
matics, in order to encourage young enlisted men to try Association a dozen or more boxes of books for each
for commissions. The course was intensive, lasting eight trip to France. These books were distributed to the
weeks, and the classes numbered from ten to twenty-five. personnel aboard and at the end of the voyage were
In Europe the Knights of Columbus won a deserved collected, repacked in the boxes, and turned over
reputation for the zealous care they gave the men of the
navy. In the British Isles the Knights of Columbus to the Army.
clubs were largely patronized by sailors. The club at It is not possible adequately to portray the extent
Aberdeen, Scotland, was headquarters at one time or and value of the services rendered to naval person-
other, for almost all the men of the Atlantic Squadron.81 nel during the war by the welfare agencies. Both
The K of C also conducted several hospitality directly and indirectly they ministered to the re-
houses for naval personnel in Boston, New York, ligious life and morale of the sailors. Since the num-
Philadelphia, Detroit, and elsewhere at which many ber of Navy chaplains for shore stations was strictly
services were given to the men without charge as limited, the spiritual ministry provided by the civilian
beds, barber service, laundry, and tailoring. The groups at such places was indispensable.
house in Boston “provided nightly over 700 free beds
for men of the Army and Navy.” In all these activi- ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST
ties the K of C had the indefatigable cooperation of A new bugle call for church was gradually intro-
Catholic women in the vicinity of the service centers. duced into the Navy during the first and second
Because of building restrictions, the Jewish Wel- decades of the twentieth century. The first discovered
fare Board was unable to erect all of the buildings published music of this call is found in the 1902 edi-
needed until May 1918, when restrictions were re- tion of Trumpeters Hand Book and Instructor by
moved for this organization. This Board conducted William S. Littleton. By the time of the First World
activities at forty-four naval stations, at seven of War this call was in general use throughout the
which huts were erected. Special efforts were made Navy, yet now and then a bugler would be found
to reach all Jewish personnel at the Jewish High who knew only the old church call. (See page 69.)
Holy Days. Since there was but one Jewish chaplain
82
The Jewish Welfare Board, First Annual Report, 1919,
80
Williams, op. cit., p. 129. pp.8386 ff.
81
Egan and Kennedy, The Knights of Columbus, I:269-72. Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File.

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 According to directions in the Naval Manual for converted into a chapel and equipped with a frame
Buglers, this call is “sounded as a signal that divine steeple to give it “atmosphere.” It was called “All
service is about to be held. Aboard ship it is fol- Souls Chapel.” At first this chapel was used only
lowed by the tolling of the ship’s bell. It may also be by Roman Catholics. Stained glass windows, pews,
used to form a funeral escort.”84 and altar furnishings were donated by Catholic
Some chaplains on shore duty in the United States churches in Chicago.
were greatly handicapped in their work by the lack Chaplain T. P. Riddle was ordered to the Bureau
of suitable places to hold Divine Services. Chaplain of Navigation on 3 January 1919 where he remained
Curtis Dickins faced this problem at the Philadel- until 13 May. After a short tour of duty that sum-
phia Navy Yard where the number of recruits in- mer on the Presidential yacht, Mayflower, Riddle re-
creased to 25,000. Dickins appealed to Secretary turned to the Bureau and served until May 1923 as
Daniels for funds to erect a large recreational hall the chaplain representative to the Morale’ (known
which could be used for many purposes including also as the Sixth) Division under Captain Claude
Divine Services. When Daniels admitted that the B. Mayo. Riddle was in charge of the section en-
Government had allotted no funds for such purposes, titled “Religion, Education, and Libraries,” where he
Dickins turned to private sources. had a strategic opportunity to influence naval policies
He succeeded in raising enough money from dealing with these important subjects.
friends to purchase two large tents, each measuring During his connection with the Sixth Division,
125 by 40 feet. These were used through the summer great emphasis was placed on the preparation of
of 1917 and provided the shelter for Divine Services suitable educational courses for entlisted men who
as well as main recreational center for the Yard. wished to study for advancement. In 1916 Secretary
Anticipating the coming of cooler weather, Dickins Daniels through General Order 63 had introduced
raised approximately $40,000 from private sources compulsory education aboard Navy vessels. In time
and erected two temporary buildings, each 150 by 50 this system became cordially hated by the men, and
feet. One hall was made a recreational center with many officers were out of sympathy with the program.
bowling alleys and a canteen. The other was used for It was felt that a voluntary system would be much
assemblies, including Divine Services. In this build- more effective in that it would stimulate men to
ing a small chapel was arranged at one end called prepare themselves for higher ratings. Promotion was
“St. Paul’s Chapel” where weddings and other to be placed upon a basis of worth rather than
special religious services were conducted. Entertain- seniority or favoritism. Several welfare organizations
ments were held in this second building each week- as the YMCA, K of C, and Red Cross had turned
day night. At times as many as 1,500 were packed over a large sum of money to the Navy to be used
into the hall. (See page 227 for picture of tent- for morale building. These funds were at the dis-
chapel.) posal of the Sixth Division.
A chapel was secured at the Naval Operating Base Some of the first educational courses used in the
at Norfolk when the Navy took over the Jamestown Navy were bought outright from the International
Exhibition Grounds in October 1917. On the prop- Correspondence School. It was felt by the Morale
erty was a Presbyterian church which seated about Division, however, that courses written by. Navy men
100. This became the Protestant chapel and was used would be far more practical. Experts were found in
as such for the following twenty-five years. The the various fields, who prepared the courses. These
church was located almost exactly on the site of at first were distributed in mimeographed form. The
“The Parishe Church Situate at Mr. Sewells-Pointe,” work initiated under Captain Mayo’s direction grew
which was built in 1636 and which was the first from small beginnings to a navy-wide uniform
church building erected in the Colonies between system.
Hampton Roads and St. Augustine.85 Thus, the Those who sponsored this voluntary system of
chapel taken over by the Navy stood on historic study had to overcome the widespread prejudice in
ground. the Navy to the former compulsory system. Chaplain
In 1919 a building at the Naval Hospital, Great Riddle was permitted to continue with this work
Lakes, which was formerly a bayonet storehouse, was until “the system caught root and demonstrated its
3 4 value to the personnel of the Navy.” While Riddle
Op. cit., (1940) p. 37.
35
CoC., History File, No. 913. did not write any of the courses, he had the good

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fortune to be located in a strategic place where he The Adjusted Compensation Act which granted a
helped establish the new educational system. bonus to certain of those who served during the First
While Chaplain Riddle was with the Sixth Divi- World War became law in 1924. All who served in
sion, the general policy on libraries was also under the Regular Navy were excluded from the financial
consideration. Riddle wrote: benefits of this Act. Thus the temporary acting and
I worked under Captain Mayo and others to establish the Reserve Chaplains received the bonus while those
a well organized library system supervised by professional who were listed as acting chaplains did not, even
librarians. Miss Isabel Du Bois came to the Bureau at though the latter had accepted their commissions
that time as an assistant of Mr. Charles Brown, and with the intention of serving only for the duration of
(prior to obtaining legislation and civil service classifica- the war.
tion) received her salary first through funds administered
by Captain Mayo and later through funds which I
obtained from Mr. MacCarl of the Army and Navy DEMOBILIZATION OF CHAPLAINS
Y. M. C. A.86
The process of demobilization of the armed forces
In some respects the chaplains’ duty became more of the United States began within a few days after
important after the armistice than before. Chaplain the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918.
H. J. Fry described this situation in his historical Many chaplains were, naturally, eager to return to
summary: their former civilian duties as soon as possible and
Since the Armistice, the Navy has been facing a con- the civilian pastors who had helped at shore stations
dition of special discontentment among the men, many desired to return to their peace-time routine. Only
enlisted “for the duration of the war” and no longer
feel the urge of patriotic duty, even though the Navy is
three chaplains, Anderson, Schweitzer, and van Dyke,
still on a war footing—further they are constantly taking however, were released before the end of the year.
HOME the men of the Army, and they find many Navy This brought the total number of chaplains on duty
men who were on land duty being discharged—hence the on 31 December 1918 to 198.
spirit. of discontent.87
Chaplain Frazier writing to Chaplain Frank
In the various demobilization centers and on board Thompson, Senior Chaplain at Great Lakes, on 19
ships Navy chaplains were active in doing what they April 1919, presented his problem:
could to minister to the discharge men. Chaplains at
Since that time [Armistice day] twenty-three have been
Great Lakes Training Station sent a form letter to given their discharge and I now have fifty-five applica-
the pastors, priests, and rabbis of the returning serv- tions for discharge, not including the Naval Reserves who
ice men in an endeavor to help link up the returned will automatically go on inactive duty within six months
sailor with his home church. The letter reads: after the signing of Peace. Those who have applied for
discharge are very insistent and some of them have become
Reverend and Dear Sir: very much dissatisfied because I have not seen, fit to
I wish to advise you that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of your approve their requests. I feel sure that within the next
church has been released from active duty in the Navy four, or five months all these will have to be given their
and has returned to the following address; . . . . . . . . . . . . . discharge.88
We earnestly suggest that you and your lay people
make every effort possible to tie this man up close to A month later Frazier wrote to Thompson an-
the Church and to enlist in the service of religion and nouncing that he had “about seventy-five applica-
righteousness those qualities of service which he has tions for discharge from young Chaplains who have
exhibited here. served during the war.” Chaplain Frazier realized
You will not find him greatly changed, evangelized, that the failure of any chaplains, except a few regu-
transfigured spiritually. Neither, we think, will you find
him debased and deteriorated. He is just the same old lars and Reserves, to receive promotion during the
fellow, but he is particularly ready now, since every- war had contributed to their desire to get out of the
thing in his life is in a more or less fluid state, to, Navy. “I am sorry,” wrote Frazier, “that so many
respond to tactful and wise guidance religiously. We of them see fit to get out as they were a fine bunch
know that he will receive this from you.
of men and would have been a great help to us.”
Very sincerely yours,
During 1919, eighty-five chaplains returned to
GEO. C. MURDOCH, civil life and the following five died while in service:
By direction, Captain Frank Thompson,
John Calvin Ely, Jr., 13 February; William B. Ayers,
U. S. N., Corps of Chaplains.
8 April; William G. Cassard, 29 June; Isadore C.
86
CoC., Riddle File, letter of 12 Sep. 1945.
87 88
Nav. Rec. Coll., Chaplains’ File. CoC., Thompson File.

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Woodward, 25 July; and Edward B. Henry, 8 De- I have followed out the above precepts to the letter, but
without avail. No, I am wrong. I see my error now: I
cember. The following chart indicates the separations have asked and I have sought, but up to the time of the
by months. composition of these sermons I have not knocked. If
there are any who think that I have not done sufficient
knocking now that these homilies are in type, however,
3 4 9 8 7 7 7 5 15 14 6 5 90 I stand ready and eager to continue, according to gospel.
I wish to call your very earnest attention, my dear
The Navy Register for 1 January 1920 lists twenty- congregation, to the well known parable of the Impor-
nine commissioned USN chaplains and sixty-two act- tunate Widow, as it is found in St. Luke, the eighteenth
ing chaplains. In this latter group are the names of chapter:
two men who declined their commissions,89 thus “And he spake a parable unto them to the end that
leaving a total of eighty-nine in the Corps. In addi- they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There
tion seventeen Reserve chaplains were still on duty was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded
not man: and there was a widow in that city; and she
and one retired chaplain, making a total of 107 on came oft to him, saying, Do me justice. . . . And he
the active list when the year 1919 closed. would not for a while: but afterward he said within him-
Twenty-seven of those who were released in 1919 self, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because
kept up their connection with the Navy by entering this widow troubleth me, I will do her justice, lest she
wear me out by her continual coming.”
the Naval Reserve Force. The Reserve chaplains,
This parable repays the closest scrutiny, nay, it is a
many of whom were too old to transfer to the Regu- sermon in itself.
lar Navy, showed a tendency to remain on active “They ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Pass on,
duty as long as possible-only thirteen out of thirty- O Preacher; this have I written on the tablets of my
one who served during the War were released. from heart.
active duty in 1919. “He feared not God, and regarded not man.” Possibly
The eagerness of some of the Reserve chaplains- to this is putting it a bit strong, but we have no reason for
believing otherwise. He certainly regarded not some men.
be released is revealed in an incident involving
And how apt are the widow’s words: “Do me justice.”
Chaplain Douglas Horton. During the summer of Do me justice. Do me justice. I wonder where she had
19 19 each Navy chaplain was requested by Chaplain heard those words. She may have picked them up from
Frazier to submit three sermons, two of which were those who called on the BuNav in Jerusalem. Possibly
to be on topics or texts assigned by the Chaplains her own husband had died in a chaplaincy in the Jewish
Division.90 A third sermon was to be written on a Navy — of old age, as per regulation.
text chosen by the chaplain. It is reported that But here is the gist of the parable: we are permitted to
look into the very heart of the judge. He says to him-
Secretary Daniels and Chaplain Frazier were plan- self, “Because this widow troubleth me, I will do her
ning to issue a volume of sermons written by Navy justice.” These sweet words cannot be too often repeated.
chaplains to be used on ships and stations which It is an altogether holy and edifying exercise, my dear
were without chaplains. Chaplain Horton, who had congregation, to say this sentence over and over again
submitted several requests for release during the to oneself, especially when one fears that he is doing an
injustice. After this manner:
spring and summer of 1919, seized upon the idea of
Because - she - troubleth - me - I - will - do - her -
the sermon in order to plead his cause further. His justice - because - she - troubleth - me - I - will - do - her
third sermon, short and to the point, follows: justice - because - he- troubleth - me - I - will - do - him
justice - I - will - do - him - justice.
“THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW” Sufficient reiteration of these phrases has often been
known to produce an actual desire to do justice.
Text : Mt. 7 : 7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, “Lest she wear me out by her continual coming.” This
and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; is evidently the only way to do it. I can visualize the
for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh letters she must have written:
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
I am really beginning to doubt the efficacy of scripture. May:
“I request, etc. . . .”
89
They are A. Frank Smith and John MacWilliams. June:
SO Goldberg, Sky Piloting the Great Lakes, p. 64, states “I respectfully request, etc. . . .”
that the sermons were prepared “By direction of the Bureau
of Navigation . . . with a view to publication.” Goldberg July:
inserted in his book twelve sermons from Protestant, Cath- “I earnestly request . . .”
olic and Jewish chaplains, which he described as being “the August:
oddest collection of any that has yet appeared under one
binding!” “I urgently request . . .”

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 September: Carolina, regarding this incident, a telegram was re-
“I most urgently request . . .” ceived on 16 November 1945 which read in part:
And so on until the judge saw the light. I can not confirm the story about the sermon on the
O Judge, I most respectfully, earnestly, urgently, and importunate widow but if I had read the sermon I know
absolutely request that I be dismissed from the United I would have granted the chaplain’s request. I advise you
States Navy. to print the story. It has the ear marks of truth. It is too
And N. B. — the Lord commended the judge in the good to lose.
parable for granting the request of the Importunate Josephus Daniels
Widow.
IN SUMMARY
With each sermon the chaplain was to submit an
appropriate closing prayer. Chaplain Horton’s prayer, The Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy
emphatic and concise, and on a separate page, read: reached full maturity during the First World War.
The most important gain was the establishment of
O Lord, how long? Amen. a Chaplains Division in the Bureau of Navigation
Years later when Chaplain Salisbury was helping with a chaplain serving as Director or Chief. The
Chaplain Evans dispose of the piles of sermons in responsibility of assigning chaplains to duty was given
manuscript form which had remained in the Chief’s to this Division. A chaplain’s manual was issued.
office since the days of Frazier, he found this sermon Fleet Chaplains appeared. More attention was paid
of Horton’s. Attached to it was a telegram, evidently to Reserve chaplains. Most of the discriminations in
written by Chaplain Frazier, which said in effect: the matter of uniform were removed. Greater super-
“Were it not for the fact that I would be taking the vision was exercised not only in the procurement of
valuable time of high ranking officers, I would have chaplains but also in their activities. Never before
you court-martialed for insubordination. Resignation were the standards of the Corps so high.
accepted.” Dr. Horton stated in the fall of 1945 that The Chaplain Corps emerged from the war more
he never received such a telegram. Nevertheless this than twice as strong numerically as when it entered.
unrecommended and unprecedented procedure had But more than that, the Corps had won for itself
its desired effect. Horton’s resignation was accepted the good-will and respect of the officers and men of
on 11 October. the Navy. Never before had so much been expected
In answer to an inquiry sent to the former Secre- of the chaplains and never before had so much been
tary of the Navy at his home in Raleigh, North accomplished by them.

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 CHAPTER TWELVE

THE YEARS BETWEEN

1920-1939

The years 1920-1939 were theoretically years of tons including fifteen ships in commission and an-
peace but were used by some nations to prepare for other fifteen then being built or projected. The
another World War so extensive and so devastating United States scrapped more tonnage than any other
that the whole struggle of 1914-1918 appears as an nation.1 During the years 1919-1926, the United
opening skirmish. Even as historians lump together States within treaty limitations added five battleships,
the wars of 1618-1648 as the Thirty Years War, so two carriers, and ten light cruisers. Several of these
World War I and World War II may be treated as vessels were laid down before the conference was
one struggle with a twenty-year truce between the held.
great conflicts. Between the years 1927 and 1938, the United
The fortunes of the Chaplain Corps are naturally States added eighteen heavy cruisers, nine light
linked directly with the strength of the Navy itself. cruisers and three carriers. Thus in the interlude be-
It is impossible to appreciate the activities and re- tween the wars the United States commissioned five
sponsibilities of Navy chaplains without some knowl- battleships, five carriers, eighteen heavy cruisers, and
edge of the number of ships in commission rating nineteen light cruisers. Each of these vessels called
chaplains, the size of the naval establishment ashore for the services of at least one chaplain but the Navy
at home and abroad, and the number of naval per- Department would allow the assignment of but one
sonnel. Therefore a brief review of the national and chaplain to each cruiser division. Lest the impression
international developments for these years under re- be given that these additions marked a corresponding
view as they affect the United States Navy is in growth in United States naval tonnage, it should bc
order. pointed out that during these years approximately
The interlude between the wars began with it the same amount of obsolete naval vessels was decom-
hopeful and determined effort to reduce naval missioned or demilitarized.
armaments by international agreement. People were The strength of the United States Navy in ships
tired of war. The heavy financial burden of building and personnel remained fairly constant from 1923
and maintaining large fleets, added to the debt in- to 1938. In 1923 the tonnage figure stood at a little
curred during the war, was frightening. Even though more than 1,200,000. This fell to about 1,000,000
the United States did not enter the League of Na- tons during the years 1932-1938.2
tions, there was a wide-spread demand that this
A combination of at least two factors kept the
country take the lead in sponsoring international
naval strength even below treaty specifications. These
naval disarmament. The time was ripe for action.
were the strong peace sentiment which swept the
On 11 July 1921 the United States issued invita- country in the twenties and the early thirties and the
tions to Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan to financial depression which came in the thirties. There
meet at Washington and join in a Naval Disarma- were days when the Navy kept its vessels anchored
ment Conference. Other nations were included in a in harbors because there were no funds available to
subsequent invitation. The Conference opened on 12 cover the cost of manoeuvers.
November at which time Secretary of State Charles
Evans Hughes proposed that nearly 2,000,000 tons 1
Alden and Westcott, The United States Navy, p. 371.
of naval vessels be removed from the world’s chief Two subsequent naval conferences produced no tangible
navies. results.
2
E. J. King, Our Navy At War, from chart printed before
The United States agreed to scrap nearly 846,000 page 1.

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 International relations assumed a threatening as- May 1938 Congress accepted the recommendation
pect in the early thirties. In 1931 Japan took over of President Franklin D. Roosevelt for a twenty per-
Manchuria. Defying the Treaty of Versailles and the cent increase in the United States Navy exclusive of
League of Nations, Hitler began to rearm Germany. replacement. The terrible truth was beginning to be
In 1935 Italy marched into Ethiopia. The refusal of realized—another World War was inevitable.
Japan to agree to certain basic principles preparatorv During the summer of 1939, events in Europe
to the calling of another naval conference in 1934 rushed to the dreaded climax. Hitler was threaten-
was but the prelude to her subsequent announcement ing Poland. England and France warned that an
that she would drop the 1921 treaty in 1936. The attack on Poland meant war. On 1 September Ger-
two years’ notice required by the Washington Con- man troops invaded Poland. Two days later England
ference had been duly given and the door was left and France followed up their warning by a declara-
wide open for an unrestricted international race in tion of war. World War II had started.
naval rearmament. The stage was being set for
On 8 September 1939 President Roosevelt issued
World War II.
a proclamation which recognized the existence of a
The impotence of the League of Nations to solve state of national emergency. This date has been ar-
the international problems was manifest in the con- bitrarily taken as the closing date of this first volume
tinued and ever more brazen acts of aggression on of the History of the Chaplain Corps of the Navy.
the part of Japan, Italy, and Germany. All alterna- After 8 September 1939 the United States had a
tives to armed conflict, like the last fleeting patches little more than two years to prepare for its role in
of sunshine on the landscape before a coming storm, World War II. The years of peace had ended. The
were blacked out by the threatening, billowing interlude was over,
clouds of war.
By 1938 it had become apparent in the United
THE STRENGTH OF THE CORPS,
States that the old ideal of an effective treaty limi-
APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS
tation to naval armaments was but an empty dream.
Even though millions of United States citizens still The number of chaplains on active duty remained
believed that it was possible to remain neutral in the relatively constant during the years between the
conflict that was just beginning in Europe, there wars. Six Reserve chaplains resigned in 1920 and
were others who saw the inevitable involvement. At 1921 while eleven transferred to the Regular Navy.
first the European conflict was viewed as a separate The process of demobilization of World War I chap-
and distinct struggle from the one taking place on the lains was completed by 1 July 1921. A total of 195
other side of the globe in Asia. But the time came different chaplains were on active duty during 1920-
when these two became one. The vast geographical 1939, of these 101 resigned, died, or were retired,
distances which separated the two did not divide leaving a balance of ninety-four on 8 September
them ideologically. Back of the material conquests 1939. A further breakdown of the figures shows:
of the aggressor nations lay a basic philosophy, called Separa- On duty
by different names in the various countries, but tions 8 Sep. 1939
fundamentally the same. Dimly, reluctantly, and On duty 1 Jan. 1920.. 107 70 37
sometimes in uncomprehending resentiment, the
Accessions 1920-1939. . . 88 31 57
peace-loving people of the United States began to
realize that the will to peace was not enough. In Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 101 94

The following chart shows accessions and separations in the Chaplains Corps by the years indicated:

Accessions . . . . . . . . 12 4 7 6 5 2 2 7 7 2 1 4 6 10 6 7 88
Separations . . . . . . 20 13 5 4 5 4 6 5 5 4 5 1 1 7 1 2 2 5 3 3 101
Net Total . . . . . . . . 99 90 85 81 83 85 84 81 78 81 83 84 84 81 80 78 82 87 90 94

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 In addition to the thirty-seven veterans of the year that the “number of chaplains now in the serv-
Corps of World War I who remained on duty ice is not sufficient to meet the demand.”5 The fol-
throughout this period was Alfred deG. Vogler, who lowing year Secretary Denby said:
resigned in 1919 but reentered the Corps in 1921.
There seems to be little desire on the part of the
Thus thirty-eight World War I chaplains were on clergy to enter this field. The life and work are such as to
duty at the time President Roosevelt declared the require men of a particular temperament and equipment.
existence of a state of national emergency. This An appeal has been made to all the leading theological
small group of experienced men formed the nucleus seminaries of the country, requesting that tthe attention
of the vastly expanded Corps of World War II. of their student bodies be directed to the vacancies exist-
ing in the Navy. . . .6
During these years three World War I chaplains,
J. M. Hester, P. L. Mitchell, and J. IX. Putnam, en- On 8 September 1939 the total naval personnel,
tered and left the Corps. including Marine Corps and Coast Guard was 146,-
198.7 Again, if the ratio for chaplains had been main-
Several new appointees to the Chaplain Corps for
tained, there would have been 117 chaplains instead
the years 1920-1939 were former Army chaplains
of ninety-four.
who saw service during the First World War. They
were: Walter L. Thompson, appointed in 1920; By Act of Congress dated 4 June 1920 officers
Stanton W. Salisbury, 1921; and Joseph E. Mc- holding temporarv commissions were eligible for
Nanamy, 1924. Chaplain Salisbury served with the transfer to the Regular Navy if found otherwise
327 Infantry, 82nd Division, in the St. Mihiel and qualified. The Act stipulated that no chaplain over
Meuse-Argonne campaigns. His regiment claims to forty-three could transfer to the Chaplain Corps of
have been longer under fire, in the Argonne battle, the Regular Navy. All temporary appointees were
than any other regiment in the United States Army. permitted to continue in their respective grades or
The following veterans who became Navy chap- ranks until 31 December 1921. Temporary acting
chaplains when transferring to the Regular Navy
lains during these years served in other than a chap-
lain’s capacity in World War I: were given precedence immediately following acting
chaplains. This involved a loss of precedence by
Army (7) Navy (9) chaplains who entered the Corps as temporary act-
H. R. Sanborn, 1921 3 O. A. Eure, 1924 ing chaplains to others who entered later but came
E. M. Criger, 1924 C. H. Mansfield, 1925 in as acting chaplains.
W. H. Rafferty, 1924 E. J. Robbins, 1925 The Act of 1920 also provided :
V. H. Morgan, 1928 A. E. Koch, 1926
E. R. LeBaron, 1929 That, until June 30, 1923, officers of the permanent
E. O’Neill, 1927 Navy who have served satisfactorily during the war with
C. M. Moses, 1930 J. Doyle, 1928 the German Government in a temporary grade or rank
F. W. Meehling, 1933 J. F. Hugues, 1930 shall be eligible for promotion or for promotion to the
D. L. Quinn, 1931 same permanent grade or rank without regard to statutory
R. R. Marken, 1933 requirements other than age and professional and physical
examination.
Marine Corps As applied to the Chaplain Corps, the law elim-
G. L. Markle, 1926 W. W. Pierce, 1929 inated for those acting and temporary acting chap-
lains who transferred to the Regular Navy the three
Never during the years 1920-1939 did the actual
years’ sea duty that had previously been required
number of chaplains on duty meet the authorized before promotion to lieutenant. The provision re-
ratio. In 1920 there should have been 108 chaplains quiring chaplains to spend four years in the grade
for the 134,956 personnel in the Navy and Marine of “chaplain,” which was equivalent to the rank of
Corps.4 Secretary Daniels himself claimed for this lieutenant (junior grade), after completing the pro-
3 bationary period of three years, was also waived.
Sanborn served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
1915-17 and transferred to the AEF in 1917. He rose to the There were sixty-two acting chaplains, including
rank of major. twelve with temporary appointments, on 1 January
4
Report of Secretary of Navy, 1920, p. 121. Secretary
Daniels stated : “The Corps now contains 65 fewer chap- 5
lains that we are authorized to appoint.” However, neither Report of Secretary of Navy, 1920, p. 121.
6
the Navy nor the Marine Corps was then up to authorized Ibid., 1921, p. 33.
7
strength. King, op. cit., p. 13.

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1920.8 By the following year thirty-six of these were ship in order to become eligible for commissions as chap-
lieutenants and the balance who were still in service lains, and which restrict the number of acting chaplains
who may be commissioned as chaplains each year, are
were commissioned lieutenant (junior grade).9 With hereby repealed, and hereafter all acting chaplains shall
the exception of chaplains who entered the service be commissioned as chaplains when advanced in accord-
before the war, and who had completed their proba- ance with the provisions contained in this Act to the
tionary period and were thus moved to the grade rank of lieutenant.
of lieutenant (junior grade), these promotions were Thus it was no longer necessary for acting chap-
the first that the chaplains who entered the Corps lains to spend all of their first three years at sea.
after 1 January 1915 received. This section eliminated for Regular Navy chaplains
In 1924 and 1925 wholesale promotions came to the grade of lieutenant (junior grade) after 1926.
the Chaplain Corps. The number of captains was Special legislation was needed to correct certain
raised to fifteen, or ten percent of the authorized legal difficulties which barred the advancement of
strength. Of these fifteen, only three—Scott, Thomp- Chaplain A. E. Stone. Because he was temporarily
son, and Workman—were still on active duty on 8 unable to meet physical requirements for advance-
September 1939. No chaplain, during the period un- ment, Chaplain Stone passed the age limit for a
der review, was promoted to this rank after Chaplain permanent appointment to the grade of chaplain.
E. A. Duff was made captain on 11 September 1925. At the request of Secretary of the Navy Curtis D.
Thirty chaplains who had made lieutenant in 1920 Wilbur, Congress on 12 June 1926 passed the neces-
were promoted to lieutenant commander in 1924,10 sary legislation.13
and twenty-seven more were promoted in 1925.11 Clarification of the age requirement for acting
After these wholesale promotions, the relative pro- chaplains at the time of their appointment was made
portion within the various ranks remained fairly con- by Congress in 1929, in a law which provided that
stant with the exception of the increasing number of they should not be less than twenty-one nor more
commanders and the decreasing number of captains. than thirty-five years of age.14 This meant that the
Another important Act of Congress which greatly probationary period need not be served before the
affected the fortunes of the Chaplains Corps was chaplain became thirty-five. However, it became the
the Staff Equalization Bill of 1926. Previously some policy of the Bureau of Navigation some time about
staff officers had been assigned line officer running 1934 to set the upper age limit at thirty-four at the
mates; now all were assigned running mates. The time of appointment so as to permit the appointee
provision regarding chaplains read: “to complete, thirty years of service prior to attaining
the statutory retirement age of sixty-four years.”15
All other officers on the active list in the Corps of
Chaplains on June 10, 1926, and all officers thereafter The law of 16 Januarv 1936 provided that those
appointed thereto shall be advanced in rank, up to and Navy and Marine Corps officers retired (or there-
including the rank of lieutenant commander, with the after retired) for physical disability who had “been
officer of the line with whom or next after whom they commended for their performance of duty in actual
take precedence, provided they are found qualified in
accordance with law for such advancement.12 combat with the enemy during the World War” be
promoted to the next higher grade with no increase
The assignment of running mates not only guar- in pay. Under this act Chaplains J. D. MacNair and
anteed a proper balance in the various ranks but J. J. Brady, both retired as captains, were promoted
also insured equality in promotions between staff and to rear admiral and Chaplain A. N. Park was ad-
line. vanced from commander to captain.
Of interest also to the chaplains was section 19 of Leaving the active service during 1920-1939, be-
the Act: cause of death, resignation, or retirement, were a
The provisions of existing law which require acting
number of veteran chaplains who had given many
chaplains to serve for a period of three years on board years of faithful service. Among these were Frank
Thompson, Carroll Q. Wright, W. G. Isaacs, J. B.
8
Navy Register, 1920. Frazier, and Curtis H. Dickens, all of whom were
9
Ibid., 1921.
10 13
Ibid., 1925. 44 Stat. 740.
11 14
Ibid., 1926. R.S. 1396.
12 15
34 U. S. C., 348 r. CoC., File “Chaplain Corps-Requirements, 1942.”

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commissioned before 1900. The following, who en- the Navy Edwin Denby in September 1921 invited
tered the Corps during the first decade of the nine- chaplains in Classes 2 and 4 to transfer to Class 6
teenth century, were retired: E. E. McDonald, in order to retain their status in the Reserve. All Re-
B. R. Patrick, A. W. Stone, M. C. Gleeson, G. L. serve chaplains who did not transfer by 30 September
Bayard, G. E. T. Stevenson, S. K. Evans, H. M. T. of that year were automatically disenrolled. By 2 1
Pearce, and J. D. MacNair. C. M. Charlton resigned. March 1922 twenty-four chaplains were listed in
The Navy Register for 1 July 1939 carried the record Class 6 of the Reserve which suggests that only about
retired list of twenty-one chaplains and three acting fifty percent of the chaplains in Class 2 showed suf-
chaplains. Among these were two rear admirals, ficient interest to transfer.17 The commissions of
eleven captains, two commanders, two lieutenant chaplains who entered the Reserve Force on the
commanders, and four lieutenants. prescribed four-year term were dated back to the
beginning of their Class 2 service.
THE RESERVE CHAPLAINS By 1924, the number of Reserve chaplains had
dropped to sixteen. “There has been little oppor-
Reserve chaplains under forty-three years who did tunity to seek additional chaplains in the reserve
not choose to transfer to the Regular Navy, as pro- force,” explained the Secretary, “because of stress on
vided by the Act of 30 June 1921, were permitted securing men for the Navy, but it is hoped that
to remain on duty until 30 June 1922. The following more attention may be given to this during the
nine chaplains transferred to the Regular Navy: coming year.”18
B. F. Huske, H. E. Rountree, W. P. Williams, J. S.
Day, F. L. Janeway, F. E. Moyer, A. E. Parker, An Act of Congress on 28 February 1925 changed
P. J. Hammersley, and W. L. Steiner. the designation of the Naval Reserve Force to the
Naval Reserve and instituted a complete reorganiza-
Chaplains leaving. the service following World War tion. The purpose of this Act was “to create, or-
I were invited to join the Reserve Force. Secretary ganize, and train a naval reserve sufficient to provide
Daniels in his 1920 Report stated: “Out of the total
the supplementary personnel necessary to mobilize
number of chaplains ( 104) resigning from the serv- the fleet and all its auxiliaries.”
ice since the signing of the armistice, 45 have been
enrolled in the United States Naval Reserve Force.”16 According to the Secretary of the Navy’s Report
for 1925, there were only thirteen chaplains in the
The Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Naval Reserve Force at the time the old organiza-
Officers of the United States Naval Reserve Force, tion was merged into the new.19 In the list of chap-
published under date of 1 January 1921, listed forty- lains were two lieutenant commanders, two lieuten-
eight chaplains in Class 2, ranking as follows: com- ants, and nine lieutenants (junior grade), but the
manders—3; lieutenant commanders—3; lieutenants names of these charter members of the Chaplain
—9; lieutenant (junior grade) —33. There was one Corps of the new United States Naval Reserve did
chaplain in Class 6—John Nicol Mark. All had seen not appear. The following list of twelve, lacking one
service in World War I. lieutenant commander, has been compiled from serv-
Even though the experience of World War I had ice records (* indicates service as a Navy chaplain in
demonstrated the value of a strong Naval Reserve, 1917, and ** indicates such service in 1918):
nevertheless, Congress, in the years immediately after
17
the war, neglected to appropriate the necessary CoC., “Reserves” File. Two Reserve chaplain,, J. J.
Brokenshire and E. B. Niver, were made the subjects of
funds for its support. In September 1921 the Navy special legislation. Brokenshire was fifty-eight in 1920 and
Department, finding it impossible to carry on the Niver fifty-seven. The latter had been in the Naval Militia
and in the later Reserve organizations since 1901, On 1 July
full Naval Reserve Force under existing laws and 1922 Congress approved the recommendation of the Navy
under the limited appropriations for 1922, abolished Department that Chaplains Brokenshire and Niver be per-
mitted to transfer to the Regular Navy, but stipulated that
all Classes except 1 and 6. Class I included ex- neither would be “in the line of promotion and not eligible
officers of the Regular Navy who enrolled for four- for retirement.” Since both chaplains had been promoted to
commander during the summer of 1920, each was permitted
year periods. Class 6 was composed of officers and to retain that rank after transferring. Brokenshire had gone
men who stood by for an emergency and who served on inactive duty on 2 July 1921 and did not serve again
after his transfer. Niver was on duty until July 1927 when
in the Reserve without retainer pay, Secretary of he retired, without pay.
18
Report of Secretary of Navy, 1924, p. 167.
16 19
Op. cit., p. 560. Op. cit., pp. 28, 168.

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 Denomi-
Name nation Date of Commission Rank Date of Separation
**Dufrane, Leo J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RC 30 Sep. 1921 Lt. (jg) (G) 9 Oct. 1926
Hartwig, Theodore J. . . . . . . . . . . Luth 31 Oct. 1921 Lt. (jg) (G) 17 May 1939
Claypool, J. V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Meth 16 Nov. 1923 Lt. (jg) (G)
Rasmussen-Taxdal, H. . . . . . . . . . PE 24 Jan. 1924 Lt. (jg) (S)
Lambdin, C. Howard . . . . . . . . . . Meth 24 Mar. 1924 Lt. (jg) (G)
Johnson, Frank M. . . . . . . . . . . . .PE 3 May 1924 Lt. (jg) (G) 5 Aug. 1929
*Larned., Albert C. . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE 12 Jan. 1925 Lt. (G) 28 Jan. 1937
*Putnam, John H. S.. . . . . . . . . . . . PE 19 Feb. 1925 Lt. Comdr. (G) 20 Oct. 1933
Holt, William T.20 . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 27 May 1925 Lt. (G)
Williamson, Thorn J. . . . . . . . . . . PE 1 July 1925 Lt. (jg) (S) 15 Jan. 1930
Wallace, Edward A.21 . . . . . . . . . . RC 29 July 1925 Lt. (jg) (G)
*Goldberg, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jewish 17 Dec. 1925 Lt.(jg) (G)
20
Holt served as a USN Chaplain 1920-4.
21
Chaplain Wallace (U. S. Army) was badly gassed on 12 October 1918 in the battle of the Argonne Forest. He was
erroneously reported to have died. Memorial services were held for him in his regiment and Masses were read for the
repose of his soul in his. home diocese in Brooklyn. A monument, still standing at 92nd Street and 4th Ave., Brooklyn,
erected to the memory of the men of that community who paid the supreme sacrifice, included Chaplain Wallace’s name.
For years many of his friends believed that he was dead.

As far as available records indicate, Chaplain J. V. Claypool was the oldest senior Reserve chaplain in
point of continuous service on 8 September 1939. Chaplain Rasmussen-Taxdal had the longest continuous
record with the Reserve of any chaplain on the active list in 1939 since his record went back to 6 June 1918.
The growth of the Chaplain Reserve under the various Chiefs of Chaplains to 8 September 1939 may
be observed in the following list. The names are listed chronologically according to the date of commission
Chief of Chaplains, Curtis H. Dickins
1926
Denomi- Date of
Name nation Commission Rank Date of Separation
Hughes, E. H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meth 17 Jan. Lt. (jg) 6 Jan. 1931
Barkman, F. T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bap 26 Jan. Lt. (jg) (S)
Pennington, E. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P E 15 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G)
Carson, H. R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P E 28 Apr. Lt. (jg) (S) 1 Jan. 1934
Montgomery, C. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UBreth 9 Nov. Lt. (jg) (G) 17 May 1931
Humphreys, F. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P E 10 Dec. Lt. Comdr. (S) 22 Oct. 1931
1927
Seagle, N. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 19 Jan. Lt. Comdr. (S) 1 Jan. 1933
Rifenbark, M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 27 Jan. Lt. (S)
Rosa, M. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 28 Mar. Lt. (S) 1 Sep. 1930
Hodgkins, H. B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 14 June Lt. (jg) (G)
Keith, G. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RC 28 July Lt. (jg) (G)
Gerhart, L. F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luth 14 Nov. Lt. (jg) (G)
*Darlington, G. S. B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 27 Dec. L t.. ( G ) 2 Mar. 1932
1928
Morgan, J. H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 10 Feb. Lt. (jg) (G) 31 Mar. 1931
Lever, C. M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 20 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G) 29 June 1932
**Burke, T. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RC 23 May Lt. Comdr. (G)
**Callender, S. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meth 1 July Lt. (G)
Chief of Chaplains, Sydney K. Evans
1930
*Huske, B. F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 8 Sep. Lt. (S)
Pcnrson, H. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 12 May Lt. (jg) (S)
Miller, H. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 26 June Lt. Comdr. (S) 23 Oct. 1935

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 1931
Denomi- Date of
Name nation Commission Rank Date of Separation
Bentley, C. E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 2 Feb. Lt. (S)
Parkman, H. C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE 6 Mar. Lt. Comdr. (S) 1 Sep. 1936
Kroll, L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 5 June Lt. (S) 13 Jan. 1937
Lockhart, M. W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 28 Oct. Lt. (S)
Straus, H. C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jewish 15 Dec. Lt. (G)

1932
Shultz, P. T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 17 Mar. Lt. (jg) (G) 10 Mar. 1933
Shearer, L. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 22 Mar. Lt. (jg) (G)
Doty, W. P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 25 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G) 16 Mar. 1938
Kopf, C. H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cong 3 Aug. Lt. (jg) (S)
Branch, J. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bap 3 Sep. Lt. (S) 16 Mar. 1934

1933
deForest, W. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 13 Mar. Lt. (S)
Zimmerman, J. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 25 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G)
Martin, A. O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meth 21 Sep. Lt. (JG) (G)
Drury, C. M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presby 11 Dec. Lt. (S)

1934
Carson, K. B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presby 19 Jan. Lt. (jg) (S)
Jackson, R. W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 21 Jan. Lt. (jg) (S)
White, R. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RC 16 Mar. Lt. Comdr. (S)
Hults, C. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 17 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G)
Ockenga, H. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presby 15 June Lt. (jg) (G)
Parker, C. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 13 Aug. Lt. (jg) (G)
Kennedy, W. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Presby 22 Nov. Lt. (jg) (G)
Hanson, H. F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luth 12 Dec. (Lt. (S)
1935
Phillips, Z. B. T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 12 Jan. Lt. Comdr. (S) 1 June 1939
Jones, E. R. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE 23 Jan. Lt. (jg) (s)
Tucker, A. C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 11 Feb. Lt. (S)
Zinn, W. R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disc 8 June Lt. (S)
McCartney, A. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presby 27 June Lt. Comrd. (S)

Chief of Chaplains, Edward A. Duff

Peterson, A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unit 10 July Lt.(jg) (S)

Haylor, W. L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 5 Aug. Lt. (jg) (S)
Vollmer, M. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE 30 Aug. Lt. (jg) (G)
Armstrong, J. G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 20 Dec. Lt. (S)

1936
Lever, C. M. (1928). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PE 12 Mar. Lt. (jg) (S)
Parker, J. T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bap 27 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G)
Gill, E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bap 19 Oct. Lt. (S)
Wagener, J. P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 26 Oct. Lt. (jg) (S)
Bloomquist, R. T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 14 Dec. Lt. (jg) (G)
Tennyson, M. G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 28 Dec. Lt. (S)

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 1937
Denomi- Date of
Name nation Commission Rank Date of Separation
Olton, R. M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 12 Jan. Lt. (jg) (G.)
Carney, T. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RC 5 Apr. Lt. Comdr. (S)
Craft, L. B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meth 27 Apr. Lt. (jg) (G.)
Chief of Chaplains, Robert D. Workman
Buchholz, G. W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 16 July Lt. (jg) (G)
Nelson, C. W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 13 Sep. Lt. (S)
Clyne, F. B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 27 Sep. Lt. Comdr. (S)
Collins, W. E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 1 Dec. Lt. (S)
1938
Sheehy, M. S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 26 Mar. Lt. (S)
Williams, F. R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presby 1 July Lt. (jg) (G)
Nee, P. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 1 July Lt. (jg) (G)
Thomas, L. O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PE 9 Aug. Lt. (jg) (S)
Camerman, J. E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 13 Sep. Lt. Comdr. (S)
Witwer, A. M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meth 14 Dec. Lt. (S)
Cook,O.B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC 27 Dec. Lt. (jg) (S)
1939
McColgan, G. P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RC 12 Apr. Lt. (S)
Winter, W. W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Presby 5 Aug. Lt. (jg) (G)
An analysis of the accessions and separations by years follows:
’25 ’26 ’27 ’28 ’29 ’30 ’31 ’32 ’33 ’34 ’35 ’36 ’37 ’38 ’39 Total
Accessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 6 7 5 3 5 5 4 8 9 6 7 7 2 86
Separations . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 4 2 4 2 1 1 2 1 2 23
Net Total . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 17 24 29 28 29 30 33 33 39 47 52 57 63 63 63

Thus sixty-three Reserve chaplains were available Lt. Comdr. Lt. Lt. (jg) Total
for duty when the state of national emergency was Wash. D. C. . . . 3 1 1 5
declared on 8 September 1939. The following chart 1st N. D. . . . . . . 2 3 3 8
shows the religious affiliations of the Reserve chap- 3rd N. D. . . . . . . 1 5 3 9
lains: 4th N. D. . . . . . . 2 4 6
Sepafated Available 5th N. D. . . . . . . 2 2
before on 8 Sep. 6th N. D. . . . . . . 1 1 2
Denominations 8 Sep. 1939 1939 Total
Baptist . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 10 7th N. D. . . . . . . 2
Catholic . . . . . . . . . 2 7 9 8th N. D. . . . . . . 1 5
Congregational . . . 1 1 9th N. D. . . . . . . 1 10
Disciples . . . . . . . . . 1 1 11th N. D . . . . . . . 4
Jewish . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2
3 12th N. D. . . . . . . 3 7
Lutheran . . . . . . . . 1 2
Methodist . . . . . . . . 1 6 7 13th N. D. . . . . . . 1 1
Prot. Episcopal. . . . 17 27 44 14th N. D. . . . . . . 1 1
Presbyterian . . . . . . 7 7 15th N. D . . . . . . . 1
Unitarian . . . . . . . . 1 1
United Brethren . . 1 1 13 27 23 63
23 63 86 A number of men who had served in either the
It is to be noted that a disproportionately high Army or the Navy during the First World War, in
percentage of Reserve chaplains came from the some capacity other than that of a Navy chaplain,
Episcopal church. Reserve chaplains were fairly well entered the Reserve Chaplain Corps during these
distributed through the various naval districts. The years. Among them were the following five who
following charts shows this distribution and also the served as Army chaplains: E. A. Wallace, H. R. Car-
classification by rank on 8 September 1939: son, C. M. Lever, J. E. Camerman and F. B. Clyne.

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Others who had seen service included: SUGGESTED ESTABLISHMENT OF A
Army (8) Navy (10) CHAPLAINS’ BUREAU
J. G. Armstrong H. F. Hanson
W. J. deForest H. B. Hodgkins In his 1920 Report Secretary Daniels strongly
C. M. Drury C. H. Lambdin urged the establishment of a Chaplains’ Bureau in
L. F. Gerhart C. V. Montgomery the Navy Department. The Chaplains’ Division, of
M. W. Lockhart E. L. Pennington which Chaplain Frazier was the first Director, was
A. O. Martin H. Rasmussen-Taxdal a part of the old Bureau of Navigation and later be-
C. W. Nelson M. G. Tennyson
A. C. Tucker R. J. White came a part of the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
T. J. Williamson Secretary Daniels pointed out that the valued services
W. R. Zinn of chaplains in the World War demanded fuller
Marine Corps recognition. “We accord appropriate rank to our
J. V. Claypool military and naval leaders,” wrote Daniels, “and we
can not consistently deny this to spiritual and moral
Including the eight ex-Navy and the five ex-Army. leadership.”
chaplains, a total of thirty-two veterans of the First After more than seven years as Secretary of the
World War entered the Reserve. The fact that more Navy and out of his intimate knowledge of the work
than one-third of the Reserve Chaplains were ex- of the chaplains, Josephus Daniels submitted the fol-
servicemen is significant. It may be presumed that lowing recommendation:
their interest in the chaplaincy can be traced to an
For this reason I urge the creation of a chaplains’
appreciation of the spiritual needs of servicemen bureau in the Navy, to be headed by a chief chaplain,
gained through personal experience. who, while exercising the duties of that office, shall have
In his annual report as Chief of Chaplains, S. K. the rank of a rear admiral of the lower half. This would
Evans on 10 July 1934, made the following comment give the chaplain corps the standing that it deserves and
would enable us to put this entire department on a perma-
on the work of some Reserve chaplains: nent basis, which would greatly increase its effectiveness,
The Peace-time value of the Chaplains of the Naval evidencing our appreciation of the invaluable work being
Reserve is witnessed in Haiti where during interregnums done by the faithful chaplains who for many years have
between Chaplains (due to shortage in numbers) twice devoted their lives to the Navy and are a part of it, and
had the local Reserve Chaplains carried on the work tem- attracting to the service more ministers of higher type,
porarily with great credit. In the Canal Zone, for some who would find here even broader opportunities for use-
months, there being no Chaplain available for detail at fulness than they now have in civil life.22
Coco Solo, the Reverend Robert W. Jackson, Lieutenant
(jg) ChC-V(S), USNR has not only conducted Divine The General Committee on Army and Navy Chap-
Services regularly on Sundays but has been active daily in lains of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ
the interest of the Navy personnel. in America was much interested in the proposed
Reserve chaplains were encouraged to take cor- Chaplains’ Bureau. Writing to Secretary Daniels on
respondence courses in Navy Regulations, naval his- 11 October 1920, Bishop W. F. McDowell stated:
tory, and kindred subjects. A few were able to take I write now to give my unreserved endorsement of the
two to four weeks training duty a year sometimes two bills and the statement of reasons. In addition, will
without pay. Reserve chaplains were sometimes in- you let me say, as representing the Churches, that it is
my firm conviction that it is but a fair representation of
vited to go on summer cruises, and when appropria- the Churches that this office should have as their represen-
tions were not available, paid their own mess and tative the dignity of the added rank of a Rear-Admiral
travel expenses to and from the port of embarkation. of the Navy of the lower half. The Churches, in view of
No allowances were made for uniform. In some of their experience during the war, have acquired an interest
in the welfare of the Navy as of the Army that did not
the larger naval districts, meetings of Reserve officers exist five years ago. There has come to the Churches a
were held once or twice a month at which lectures new consciousness of the Navy and the Army and we are
on aspects of naval affairs were usually given. Re- exceedingly anxious to meet the responsibility of which
serve chaplains in the vicinity were expected to we have become aware. In order to be able to do that, it
attend such meetings. In some naval districts no is our judgment that such legislation as is here proposed
is really necessary.23
Reserve chaplain was recommended for promotion
who had not completed the prescribed reading and/or The Senate Naval Affairs Committee, acting upon
who had not shown interest in the Naval Reserve by 22
Op.cit., p. 120.
attending the meetings in his district. 23
CoC., Research File.

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Secretary Daniels’ recommendation, drew up a bill to all references to creation of a Chaplains’ Bureau. He
create a Chaplains’ Bureau and sent it to the Secre- wrote:
tary for approval. On 22 January 1921 Daniels re- A bill creating a Bureau to be known as the Chaplains’
turned the bill to the Chairman of the Committee Bureau is inadvisable for the following reasons: First, it
with a few changes. The suggested law then read as will be the cause of considerable additional expense to
follows: the Government, made necessary by more officers per-
forming shore duty and the employment of additional
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- clerical force; all of which will be without adequate
tives of the United States of America in Congress return. Second, it will create and establish another bureau
assembled. That hereafter there shall be in the Depart- dealing with personnel matters, which can only result in
ment of the Navy a separate, bureau, to be known as the duplication of work.26
Chaplains’ Bureau, which under the authority of the It was also pointed out that since the Chief
Secretary of the Navy shall direct and supervise the work
of the Chaplains’ Corps, and shall perform such business Chaplain of the Army held only the rank of colonel,
of the Department of the Navy as the Secretary of the it would not be fitting to give the Chief Chaplain of
Navy shall judge to be expedient and proper: Provided, the Navy the rank of rear admiral.
That the chief of the Chaplains’ Bureau in the Depart- Members of the General Committee on Army and
ment of the Navy shall be appointed by the President by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate from the
Navy Chaplains waited on Secretary Denby in behalf
list of officers of the Chaplains’ Corps of the Navy not of the proposed legislation. On 10 June 1921 Denby
below the rank of commander on the active list.24 explained his position in a letter to the Committee:
Separate bills calling for the establishment of the My dear Dr. Watson:
Chaplains’ Bureau were introduced in Congress, When visited the other day by Bishop Harding, Bishop
McDowell, and Dr. Radcliffe and yourself, I promised to
House Bill 2494 and Senate Bill 152. Each bore the write you my opinion regarding the proposed establish-
title: “To establish in the Department of the Navy a ment of a Chaplains’ Bureau in the Navy Department. I
bureau to be known as the Chaplains’ Bureau, and then explained to you my views on this subject and I am
for other purposes.” The bills also called for a re- happy to place those views in writing for transmittal to
distribution of the ranks of chaplains as follows: the organizations, you represent.
captains, 6; commanders, 12; and the balance in the . . . .
The chaplain service is now administered by a division
lower ranks. of the Bureau of Navigation and a chaplain is specially
After the bills had been introduced into both detailed as the head of this division. This organization
Houses of Congress, the General Committee on Army has in the past proved satisfactory. The present head of
and Navy Chaplains issued a folder over the name of this organization is the Reverend J. B. Frazier who has
served nearly four years in that position, SO that he is
Dr. E. O. Watson, its secretary, which listed ten now due for assignment to other duty with the Fleet or
reasons why the proposed legislation should be sup- elsewhere and he will shortly be so detailed and another
ported. It was pointed out that since the Army had chaplain assigned as head of the chaplain division. There
created such a department, the Navy should do like- is no reason to believe that the administration of the
wise. The Committee felt that the creation of such a service will in the future be in any way less satisfactory
than it has been in the past.27
Bureau would promote the efficiency of the Corps by
giving greater recognition to the work of the chap- The proposed legislation failed to pass. However,
lains. “The proposed legislation,” wrote Dr. Watson, many chaplains and many of their friends in respon-
“will give the Corps the recognition already given sible positions in denominational circles believed that
other staff corps and afford it all the advantages the efficiency of the Chaplain Corps would be in-
realized by these from such establishment.”25 creased if a separate Chaplains’ Bureau were estab-
When the administration changed in 1921, Edwin lished such as was done for Navy doctors when the
Denby relieved Josephus Daniels as Secretary of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery was created.
Navy. Without the friendly interest and powerful in-
fluence of Secretary Daniels, the proposed legislation THE SUCCESSION OF CHIEFS
was doomed to failure. On 31 May 1921 Admiral Six chaplains, all of whom entered the service be-
Thomas Washington, Chief of the Bureau of Naviga- fore 1917, served as Director or Chief of the Chap-
tion, writing to the Judge Advocate General recom- lains Division during the years reviewed in this
mended the deletion from the proposed legislation of chapter. They were:
24 26
NRSO: 15721. NRSO: 15721.
25 27
CoC., Research File. HRSO: 26255-671:1.

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 J. B. Frazier, Meth., 5 Nov. 1917-29 Nov. 1921 No other Chief during this period under review
E. W. Scott, Cong., 21 Nov. 1921-14 July 1926 left as deep an impress upon the Corps as did John
C. H. Dickins, Episc., 1 June 1926-24 July 1929
S. K. Evans, Brown Frazier. As the first Chief, he set precedents
Episc., 15 July 1929-22 July 1935
E. A. Duff, Cath., 19 July 1935- 1 June 1937 and established traditions. He cast the administrative
R. D. Workman, Presby., 18 June 1937- functions of that office into a mold which guided his
The Navy Department had no fast rule regarding successors. His greatest bequest to the Corps was the
the length of service of a Chief of Chaplains. With Corps itself. Largely through his efforts, the Corps
the appointment of a new Secretary of the Navy in was lifted to its unprecedented high standard of ed-
March 1921, it was to be expected that there would ucational training, of spiritual power, and of native
follow a change in the Chief of Navy Chaplains. ability. When Frazier turned over the responsibilities
Denby, in a letter of 10 June 1921, wrote that such of his office to Chaplain Scott, approximately sixty
a change “is now due.” 28 In November of that year percent of the total Corps were men of his choosing.
Chaplain Frazier was relieved by Evan Walter Scott. Chaplain Frazier returned to Norfolk where he
28 served at the Naval Training Station until 1 June
Ibid.

SIX CHIEFS OF NAVY CHAPLAINS

Dates indicate length of duty as chief

John Brown Frazier, 1917-1921 Evan Walter Scott, 1921-1926 Curtis Hoyt Dickins, 1926-1929
(By Harris and Ewing)

Sydney Key Evans, 1929-1935 Edward Aloysius Duff, 1935-1937 Robert DuBois Workman, 1937-1945

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 1925. He retired in September of that year after office the same capacity for achieving results that had
thirty years’ service and settled on a farm, which characterized his earlier tours of duty. After serving
he called the Anchorage, near Keswick, Virginia. three years as Chief, he retired on 24 July 1929.
There he spent the intervening years until his death The fourth Chief was Sydney Key Evans who had
on 11 November 1939. served twelve years at the Naval Academy, including
The second Chief of Chaplains was E. W. Scott two tours of duty, the first in 1915-1920 and the sec-
who had just completed a two-year tour of duty as ond in 1921-1929. In an article for the April 1931
Fleet Chaplain of the Pacific Fleet. Scott’s term of issue of the Army Chaplain; Chaplain Evans com-
almost five years was during a period of readjustment mented on the vitality of the religious life of the mid-
for the Navy. The Staff Equalization Bill, which shipmen at Annapolis:
meant so much to the Chaplain Corps, became a After. more than twelve years of duty as Chaplain of
law during the closing months of his responsibilities the Naval Academy, he believes that there is no other
as Chief. place in America where Christianity—as distinguished
Scott was followed by Curtis H. Dickins in the from a sectarian Christianity—is more in evidence in the
things which. count. In the closing years of his duty there,
summer of 1926. Chaplain Dickins was the only one the writer regularly welcomed more than seven hundred
of the six Chiefs who was at the same time the senior Mid-shipmen at the voluntary Communion service held in
chaplain on active duty. Dickins attracted the atten- the Chapel at 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday. In addition, hun-
tion of Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur by his dreds of others went to Mass and other Communion
fine record as senior chaplain of the Philadelphia services in the city of Annapolis the same morning.29
Navy Yard during two tours of duty. Dickins first The statement reflects credit on the effectiveness of
served at the Yard for about five and a half years Chaplain Evans’ work at the academy. After serving
beginning in February 1916. After serving as Fleet six years as Chief, he was retired 1 October 1935.
Chaplain aboard the New Mexico and California in His successor was Chaplain Edward A. Duff who took
1921-1923, he returned to Philadelphia. Chaplain over the responsibilities as Chief in July of that year.
J. D. MacNair carried on the fine work at the can- Chaplain Duff was on board the Olympia which
teen and recreational center during the two years brought the body of the Unknown Soldier from
Dickins was absent. France to the United States. The body was buried
The financial success of the canteen, which was with fitting ceremonies in Arlington. Cemetery on
conducted under the supervision of Chaplains 11 November 1921, the third anniversary of the
Dickins, MacNair, and Dickins in turn, was so signing of the armistice. Chaplain J. B. Frazier, then
phenomonal that a new modern brick recreational Chief of Chaplains, had a part in the services. Chap-
building was erected with the accumulated profits lain Duff wrote a lecture on the “Unknown Soldier”
of the years. This new building with equipment cost which he delivered in many parts of the country. It is
about $228,000 and was donated to the Government estimated that approximately 300,000 people heard
in March 1926. The commercial aspect of this proj- this lecture. After serving as Chief for about two
ect, begun by Chaplain Dickins during World War I years, Duff requested sea duty and was assigned to
as a service to enlisted personnel, had grown to such the California as Fleet Chaplain of the Pacific Fleet.
proportions that the Chaplain was relieved of the The sixth Chief was Robert D. Workman who
responsibility of its management after the opening took over the office on 18 June 1937. He had served
of the new building. However, the Recreational as an enlisted man in the Marine Corps for four
Center at Philadelphia Navy Yard remains as a years beginning in February 1905. After his discharge
splendid tribute to the initiative and business acumen as a sergeant, he began his education for the
of two chaplains, Dickins and MacNair. Christian ministry. Having been commissioned a
When the new building was dedicated on 24 May, chaplain in 1915, Workman had already served
Secretary Wilbur was present. During the festivities, twenty-two years in Corps when he was called to its
Wilbur called Chaplain Dickins aside and informed highest office. His two years and more service before
him that he was to be transferred to new duty. the declaration of a state of national emergency were
Dickins expostulated: “But, Mr. Secretary, this years of training for World War II, a duty which
building is just opened. I want to stay here.” Then proved to be the most exacting ever laid upon any
the Secretary explained that the new duty was to be Navy Chaplain.
Chief of Navy Chaplains. Dickins carried to his new 29
Op. cit., p. 6.

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 The duties of the Chief of Chaplains have never Yard but also additional duty orders as assistant to
been officially defined. In 1938 Chaplain C. A. the Chief of Chaplains.
Neyman drew up a “Provisional Outline of a Manual There were responsibilities which belonged to the
for Chaplains of the United States Navy” in which Chief’s office other than those outlined by Chaplain
he submitted the following: Neyman. These included speaking engagements and
Par. 113 official appearances which were expected of the Chief
The duties of the Chief of Chaplains have not been out- of Chaplains by the Navy Department and the public.
lined or specified by law. But orders issued from time to He served as chaplain to the entire Navy Depart-
time, combined with established procedure and custom, ment and often conducted naval funerals in Arling-
have made the following a part of the routine of his ton National Cemetery in Washington. These burials
office : gradually increased during the years under review.
(1). To interview and correspond with prospective In his annual report for 30 June 1938, Chaplain
candidates for appointment as acting chaplains; and to
recommend to the Secretary of the Navy the examination R. D. Workman stated that a chaplain’s ministry
of those candidates considered qualified when vacancies had been provided through his office for 207 Navy
are to be filled. funerals. The chaplain at the Navy Yard conducted
(2). To serve as President of the Examining Board many of these services. The Chief usually officiated
which is appointed to conduct the mental and profes- at the funerals of the higher ranking deceased officers.
sional examination of candidates.
(3). To recommend to the Chief of the Bureau of On 8 September 1939 the Chaplains Division, on
Navigation the assignment of chaplains to particular ships the eve of the greatest expansion in its history, had
and stations. the benefit of the accumulated experience of six
(4). To receive and examine the monthly and annual Chiefs over a period of twenty-two years.
reports made by chaplains of the duties performed by
them; and to report to the Secretary of the Navy, annually
or as required, the work done by members of the Chap- DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE CORPS
lain Corps.
Several developments which added to the efficiency
(5). To maintain contact, by personal interview or cor-
respondence, with the members of the Chaplain Corps; of both the individual chaplain and the Corps as a
and to advise, counsel, and guide them in the performance whole took place during these years. Since the num-
of their duties. ber of chaplains on duty after the war was approxi-
(6). TO assist in the examination of chaplains selected mately twice that before the war, conferences of
for promotion; and to participate in that selection. chaplains where ideas could be exchanged and con-
(7). To assist in the selection, enrollment, instruction, structive criticism offered became advisable. Secretary
and supervision of Naval Reserve chaplains.
Daniels reported in 1920: “A conference to which all
(8). To advise the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
and the Secretary of the Navy, as required, in all matters the chaplains on duty on the east coast were ordered
pertaining to the policies and details of the employment was held in Washington May 12, 13, and 14, 1920.”31
of chaplains in the United States Navy.30 This was the first regional conference called by the
Chief of Chaplains. Writing to Chaplain Frank
During these years under review, the office of the Thompson on 24 March 1923, Chaplain E. W. Scott
Chief of Chaplains was in the Navy Building on said:
Constitution Avenue. While the office force usually
consisted of only one clerk, nevertheless, the Chief, I am sure you will be interested to know that Chaplain
Dickins arranged for a conference of all the Chaplains in
in carrying out his duties, had the assistance of the the combined fleets, for two days, March 9th and 10th.
chaplain on duty at the Washington Navy Yard and, Twenty-two Chaplains were present, and three personal
for a period, the chaplain on duty in the Sixth Divi- letters have come in, speaking very enthusiastically of the
sion of the Bureau of Navigation. For example, conference. It is a wonderful thing to have so many Chap-
Chaplain R. W. Shrum, who was assigned to the lains get together. . . .32
Yard and the Mayflower, the President’s yacht, spent Regional conferences of chaplains of the Fleet and
a good portion of his time with the Chief of Chap- chaplains on shore who were stationed in the vicinity
lains Dickins. On 2 August 1939, when the inter- of the Fleet anchorage were often held. Such a con-
national situation became more clouded, Chaplain ference took place at Rancho Sante Fe, near Long
W. H. Rafferty received orders not only to the Navy
31
30
Report of Secretary of Navy, 1920, p. 561.
32
Neyman, “Manual.” CoC., Thompson File.

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Beach California, 25 and 26 November 1935*. The shore was not mentioned. His duties, however, were
series of papers which were presented at this meeting outlined in some district regulations.
were edited and published by Force Chaplain T. P. For several years during the twenties the Navy
Riddle in a book entitled Religion and Welfare in the Department gave a few chaplains the opportunity to
United States Navy. A similar conference was held take postgraduate work on a duty status at institu-
at Long Beach on 9-11 February 1937. Such gather- tions of higher learning. The chaplains were per-
ings proved of great value in helping chaplains mitted within certain limitations to choose their own
become acquainted with one another. Even so, the schools. Each was given only one such opportunity
Corps had grown to such an extent and the chaplains and this was usually sandwiched in between tours of
were so scattered that it became impossible for each duty. Some took a short refresher course of three
chaplain on active duty to know all the others. Chap- months while others remained for a full academic
lains Kirkpatrick and Albert, who had both entered year. Of this plan Secretary Denby observed in 1924:
the service during the First World War and had both
attained the rank of commander before this period During the year the policy of assigning chaplains to
postgraduate work at universities has been continued and
under review closed, met but once and then inci- four have been so assigned and have completed their
dentally during these years. work, one receiving degree of master of arts. It is con-
The normal tour of duty for chaplains during these templated continuing this policy, both for benefit to the
corps and the chaplains themselves, and for its effect
years was as follows: through chaplains bringing students and churchmen into
(a) Acting chaplains and chaplains with the ranks of more intimate knowledge of the chaplains’ work in the
lieutenant and lieutenant commander: Three years at sea, Navy.35
alternating with two years on shore. The 1920 edition of Navy Regulations, the first to
(b) Chaplains with the ranks of commander and cap- appear after 19 13, carried the following new para-
tain: two years at sea, alternating with three years on
shore. graphs under article 1245, “Duties of Chaplains”:
(11) Before the ship reaches port, he shall ascertain
There were exceptions to this general policy. Some- the names of the men on board whose families reside in
times captains remained on shore for periods longer the immediate neighborhood of said port, and, after con-
than three years. Chaplains, regardless of rank, served ference with the men, if they so desire, he shall pay an
eighteen months in Samoa and two years on the official call on their homes, with the object of establish-
Asiatic station.33 ing a feeling of good will between the ship and the home.
(12) He shall report to the commanding officer the
The title of District Chaplain appears for the first names of the families visited.
time during these years. Although the district
organization of the Navy dates back to 1903, it took This ruling placed a heavy responsibility upon
the First World War to clarify and enlarge the chaplains, especially when their ships called at such
administrative functions within the prescribed areas. ports as San Diego where many enlisted men had
The original vague boundaries of these twelve dis- their homes. The Regulations were revised again in
tricts were expanded to include the whole of the April 1939. Paragraph eleven was revised to read:
United States. The Second Naval District was (11) He shall, in case of sickness, death, or other
abolished in 1919, its territory being incorporated emergency, call on the homes of men whose families
into the First and Third Districts. The senior chap- reside in the vicinity of the ship. In addition to
emergency calls, he shall, when occasion offers, make
lain at district headquarters became recognized as such calls on families as he may deem desirable for the
District Chaplain, a term that occurs as early as 1923 development of a sense of interest by the ship in the
and by 1930 was in general use.34 welfare of the men and of their families.
The District Chaplain became to chaplains on The twelfth paragraph in the 1920 edition was
shore what the Fleet Chaplain was to chaplains at omitted in the revision of 1939 and the following
sea; in general the duties of the latter foreshadowed substituted:
those of the District Chaplain. During this period the 12) Report to the Bureau of Naval Personnel all
duties of the Fleet Chaplain appeared for the first marriages, funerals, and baptisms at which he officiates,
time in Navy Regulations, but this counterpart on giving names, dates, and places.
33
Neyrnan, “Manual,” Paragraph 118. This record of marriages, funerals, and baptisms,
34
CoC., L. N. Taylor File, letter of 1 Feb. 1923.
35
*See picture on page 239. Report of Secretary of Navy, 1924, p. 167.

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kept in the Chaplains Division, has grown in im- chaplaincy. The influential Christian Century, one
portance and value with the passing years.36 of the most widely read Protestant religious publica-
tions, became a leading advocate of the pacifist posi-
PACIFISTS ATTACK THE CHAPLAINCY tion. A number of incidents occurred beginning in
War was a new experience for the vast majority of 1924 which focused criticism on the chaplaincy in
the citizens of the United States when the course of general and on Navy chaplains in particular.
events swept this country into the European struggle. The first of these, typical of others, involved Chap-
The short episode of the Spanish-American War was lain A. N. Park, Jr. When Chaplain Park attended
just a skirmish; only a few old veterans remembered the University of Chicago as a graduate student on
the bloody fighting of the Civil War. Hence the a duty status in 1923-1924, a Quadrennial Student
people were unsophisticated about war and were Volunteer Convention was scheduled to meet in
subject to waves of emotion. Frequently prejudices Indianapolis during the Christmas vacation. Park had
and hatreds of everything German, including the been a Student Volunteer in his undergraduate days
music and language, were fanned into mob violence. and had taught in a’ mission school in Egypt. Upon
On the other hand many youths of the country en- his request, the Navy Department granted him per-
listed in the armed forces with high idealism. This mission to attend the Indianapolis Convention at his
was a war to end war. This was a war to make the own expense. The Registrar of the Convention was
world forever safe for democracy. advised of this action and expressed his pleasure. “I
Then came the aftermath. Several propaganda feel,” he wrote, “that there are a great many points
stories used to inflame public opinion were debunked. of common interest and common service between
There was a reaction against certain provisions of chaplains of the navy and missionaries of the foreign
the Versailles Treaty. Many began to feel that the field.”37
war guilt did not rest exclusively upon Germany, but The Convention attracted about six thousand
that most nations involved had some share in it. The delegates. Under the sponsorship of the Fellowship
high hopes of the League of Nations seemed blighted of Reconciliation, a pacifist organization, several side-
when the United States refused to join. Young men meetings were held on the subject of war. Park at-
who left for the front with bands playing drifted tended whenever he could. He entered into the dis-
back shaken by the dreadful realities of modern war. cussions, frankly taking issue with the pacifists. At one
A spirit of disillusionment revealed itself in the press, of these meetings he heard a “wild-eyed Hindus”
over the radio, and was found even in the pulpit. student refer to the American flag as “a piece of rag.”
Old slogans which meant so much during the war This statement aroused Park, as well as other dele-
were ridiculed and derided. A great conviction gates, and resulted in “many men leaving the room.”
seemed to grip the country: “Never again.” The presence of a Navy chaplain was somewhat
The reaction to this common conviction was not disconcerting to the pacifists as was reflected in a
always the same. Some individuals worked more. news report of the Convention which appeared in the
earnestly for international cooperation, while others 10 January 1924 issue of The Christian Century. In
advocated complete isolationism. In this period of the following week’s issue an editorial appeared under
reaction there developed in many Protestant church the heading: “Why This Continued Espionage.” The
circles, in the name of a more devout acceptance of editor stated: “Reports of the recent Student Volun-
the teachings of Christ, the philosophy of pacificism. teer Convention emphasize the presence of police
There were many shades of this doctrine. The ex- and naval officer” in the meetings where pacificism
tremists maintained that it was never right to use was discussed. The editor questioned: “Who sent
force even to defend one’s own home against a these men to these meetings?” On 26 January Chap-
criminally-minded intruder. Pacificism was frequently lam E. W. Scott, then Chief of Chaplains, wrote to
preached with evangelistic fervor especially to young the editor of The Christian Century giving the facts
people in the colleges. Many in deep sincerity made as presented above. His letter appeared in the issue
solemn pledges that under no condition would they of 6 February.
engage in war. A second incident involved an ex-Navy chaplain.
The fundamental ideas of the pacifists naturally The 6 November issue of the same publication car-
clashed with the basic ideas of the Army and Navy ried an article entitled “The Making of a Pacifist”
36
Letters are frequently received in the Chaplains Division 37
from interested parties requesting information from this file. CoC., Research File.

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by J. W. Decker, then a missionary under the is high time,” said the editor, “for the church to
American Baptist Foreign Mission Society at Ningpo, quit standing sponsor for Army chaplains.” It may be
China. Decker had served as an acting chaplain in assumed that he referred to Navy chaplains as well.
the Navy during World War I. He made twelve “Ever since the organization of the Federal Council
trips to France on a transport. Writing in retrospect of Churches of Christ in America,” he wrote, “this
of his experience, Decker declared: “My whole heart business of feeding Christian ministers to the war
and soul espoused the cause” The “loyalty that I then system has been one of its chief and proudest func-
gave to the cause of the allies was complete,” he said, tions.” He added: “We believe this entire activity
and there was never “a flicker of doubt till long after of the Federal Council is pagan business and not
I had taken off my naval uniform.” In all earnestness Christian.” The editor claimed that the endorsement
he had considered the World War as “a holy cause.” of chaplains for the armed services was tantamount
During the following five years, a transformation to tying “the church to the chariot of Mars.” He did
had taken place. Of this he wrote: “The holy grail, not mean that men in the armed services should be
which seemed almost in our hands, vanished. During denied a spiritual ministry, but insisted that chaplains
these years of disillusionment, I have slowly come to go “as Christian ministers not as army officers.” The
an avowed pacifist position.” He traced the reasons editor did not know about, or did not mention in his
for the change of attitude. War was “ a depraved editorial, the Navy’s unsuccessful experiment with
and cruel deceiver.?’ “It is the destroyer of every- such civilian ministers on board ship during the years
thing man deems worthwhile.” He would have 1913-1917.
nothing more to do with it. “I have therefore regis- A third incident involving a Navy chaplain in a
tered a solemn vow,” he declared, “that I will never clash with pacifists occurred in May 1926 when
take part in, or support in any way, the prosecution Chaplain J. W. Moore was sent to present the oppor-
of another war.” He added: “When the next tunities of the naval chaplaincy to the students at
epidemic of flag waving, patriotic lying and enemy Yale Divinity School. A letter signed by Oliver M.
hating begins I trust I shall have gained sufficient Zendt appeared in the 27 May issue of The Chris-
immunity to protect me against the contagion.”38 tian Century asserting that “a navy chaplain from
Two weeks after Decker’s article appeared, The the war department spoke in the divinity school
Christian Century carried an editorial entitled “Get chapel for the purpose of enlisting men as navy
the Churches out of the Chaplaincy Business.” “It chaplains.” The fact that Zendt confused the War
38 Department with the Navy Department is immaterial
There is a sequel to this story. Dr. Decker, later Foreign
Secretary of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society He claimed that sixty-five students in the Divinity
(Northern Baptist) and now ( 1946) one of the Secretaries School had signed a resolution which included the
of the International Missionary Council, in the light of
international developments and experience and of more following: “We . . . believe that religion should not
mature consideration, abandoned his pacifist position. Writ- be subject to political dictation.” And “we believe
ing to the author on 25 Oct. 1945, Dr.. Decker explained
that his former position was based “on the fundamental that they [chaplains] should not wear a military uni-
thesis that war represented the ultimate in evils, and there- form, be paid by the federal government, be under
fore must be unqualifiedly rejected. by the Christian.” He
then added: “I began to doubt my basic thesis in connection military control, or in any way be a part of the fight-
with my experience in China from 1931 on. During the ing machine.”
months and years following the Moukden incident of Sep-
tember 18, 1931, I saw China the victim of an unprovoked The strength of pacificism in many of the larger
and utterly ruthless and cruel aggression. China appealed to seminaries made it increasingly difficult to recruit
existing treaties and to the League of Nations; that is, to the
legal machinery which had been set up to make such inter- strong men for the Navy chaplaincy. While the think-
national crimes impossible. Her appeals were in vain, and it ing of the pacifists was not always consistent nor uni-
was only as she resisted the invaders, in defense of her
homes and firesides, that hope appeared both in her own form throughout the country, yet their influence be-
national situation and in the regard and attention won from came so strong in the decade 1925-1935 that Army
other nations. With the Chinese young people I had to
consider the question of what a Christian ought to do in and Navy chaplains were often on the defensive.
the face of such an attack, and I was compelled to conclude Variously worded resolutions were introduced in de-
that a Christian would be right in resisting.” (CoC., Decker
File.) nominational and interdenominational assemblies
Many of the pacifists who were in China and witnessed which were designed to call chaplains out of uniform
the rape of Nanking in 1937 were among the first to change
their views. and to divorce the church completely and absolutely
When World War II came, Dr. Decker sanctioned mili- from any connection with the chaplaincy in the
tary service for two of his sons who became officers in the
Navy. armed services.

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 In the 16 January 1935 issue of The Christian The article was naturally disturbing to Chaplain
Century the editor returned to his theme, “The Chap- Ellis who sent it with a copy of the prayer used on
laincy Question.” He admitted that he had been dis- the occasion of the launching to Chaplain E. A. Duff,
cussing the chaplaincy in his publication “for more then Chief of Chaplains. When the reporter of the
than a decade.” “We look with shame,” he wrote, Times in confused terminology referred to the ship
“upon the blind servility with which the Christian as being “blessed,” he was referring to the prayer
church gave itself to the government of the United offered at the launching. The prayer is free from any
States in 1917 and 1918.” And he declared: “ The blatant militarism implied by pacifist critics. Indeed
churches are steadily making up their minds not to it can be given as a model suitable for such occasions.
act that way again.” The fact that within ten years The complete prayer follows:
the churches of the United States sent into the armed Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, the Giver of
services the unprecedented number of more than every good and perfect gift, we thank Thee for the
12,000 of its finest clergymen would appear to con- material and spiritual blessings of life, and for the
tradict the editorial claim. wondrous way Thou hast led us as a nation during
In this editorial, the position was taken that all the past—through shadow and sunshine Thou hast been
our refuge and strength.
discussion as to whether or not a chaplain should
We remember with a deep sense of gratitude the
wear a uniform or receive his pay from the govern- sturdy characters who, through toil and sacrifice, founded
ment was “sophomoric.” The real issue, in the this great Republic—“the land of the free, and the home
editor’s opinion, was “whether the Christian church of the brave”—and we pray for Thy continued favor and
expresses the mind of Christ when it recruits its guidance in all the affairs of our beloved country.
ministers for the military status of the chaplaincy.” In the exercises of the hour, which will send forth this
vessel from the ways, destined to join our First Line
The editor advocated the discontinuance of ecclesias- of Defense, we would humbly seek Thy approval, lest
tical endorsement by the General Commission on our efforts come to naught. God grant that she may
Army and Navy Chaplains or any of its affiliated be a champion of justice and righteousness—a living
denominations. Thus he would have thrown over- exponent of the principles near and dear to our hearts—
board that for which Navy chaplains had prayed and and if the occasion should arise, may she strike terror in
the hearts of all who dare to molest or disturb our
labored for decades. God-given freedom.
Another example of the pacifist attitude is found Let Thy blessings rest upon the President of these
in an incident involving Chaplain Charles Ellis, who United States, the members of his cabinet, the members
was called upon to offer the prayer at the launching of the Legislative and Judicial departments, and all
of the carrier Yorktown. The New York Times of those charged with the responsibility of leadership. May
5 April 1936 carried a news story of the event which they lead us in the paths of righteousness and peace!
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour we ask
contained the following sentence : “Christened and these favors, Amen.
baptized by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and blessed
by Navy Chaplain Charles V. Ellis . . .” The occasion came, much sooner than many, who
An article entitled “Blessed by Chaplain Ellis” witnessed the launching of the Yorktown, expected,
appeared in the 6 May issue of The Christian Century when she stood in that thin “First Line of Defense”
over the name of Alfred Schmalz. In mock serious- and struck terror in the ranks of the enemy. In the
ness the author asked: “Do all warships get ‘blessed’? Battle of the Coral Sea the men and planes of the
Is that part of the navy Chaplain’s regular religious Yorktown helped turn the tide of battle. In that epic
duties?” The author continued: “The national guard fight, the gallant ship was damaged by a bomb which
or the R. O. T. C. may even ask me in some time to left a gaping hole in her deck and forty-four dead.
bless a gun or two, and I would not know in my Even though partly disabled, the Yorktown left one
ignorance where to turn for the proper ritual.” In battle and speeded 5,000 miles in less than a month
simulated earnestness, Schmalz requested : “I hope to play her supreme role in the decisive Battle of
you will help me out, Mr. Ellis . . . I am awfully Midway. There she was sunk on 6 June 1942. Ac-
stupid about this sort of event.” The author con- cording to Admiral Nimitz the Battle of Midway
cluded with the following exhortation: was the turning point of the war.
Religious publications other than The Christian
But never mind, Mr. Ellis. We mustn’t let our senti-
ments turn us from the stem call of duty. Bless US Century also joined in the criticism of the chaplaincy.
another airplane carrier, will you? The Catholic and Episcopal churches were for the
Yours in Christ. most part unaffected by the pacifist doctrines. The

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 Chart by Anne Bird

Disciples of Christ, at its International Convention Christianity and patriotism when the latter involved
held in October 1936, voted to send no more of its serving in the armed forces.
ministers into the Army or Navy as chaplains and
requested the Federal Council to “sever its official FEDERAL COUNCIL’S REPORT
connection with the war system by dissolving the ON CHAPLAINCY
chaplaincy commission.” It was not until May 1941 In January 1937, the Department of Research and
that this denomination took action to restore its re- Education of the Federal Council of Churches of
lationships with the military chaplaincy. The move- Christ in America submitted a report on its study on
ment was strongest in the Disciples, Methodist the Army and Navy chaplaincy. The report went
(North), Presbyterian (USA), Congregational-Chris- back to the Quadrennial Meeting of the Council in
tian, and Baptist (North) denominations. A greater 1924 when a resolution was adopted which called for
ratio of the clergy accepted the pacificist than did the a study to be made of the advisability “of taking such
laity. steps as may be necessary and effective to place the
Chaplains were concerned about the injurious re- service of ministers of religion to the men of both
sults of pacifist propaganda as it affected not only Army and Navy upon a non-military basis.” The
their own status as chaplains but also the youth of committee appointed to investigate made a report in
the land. The pacifists seemed to have a spiritual December 1925 recommending that denominational
superiority complex. The implication was given in committees and churches “make clear to the Chap-
many circles that they had more conscience than non- lains their mind as to their attitude on this
pacifists Young men raised in the Christian tradition
who joined the Navy were sometimes shocked to find There the matter rested for several years. In the
the reality of their Christian faith was doubted by thirties several denominations took action. In 1934,
some civilians simply because they wore the uniform. 39
CoC., Federal Council File. Additional material in this
A definite line of cleavage had been drawn between section is taken from the same source.

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the Newark Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Replies: Wholly Fairly Unsatisfactory
Church requested its bishops to refrain from appoint- Army . . . . .57 41% 76 54.7% 1 .7%
Navy . . . . . 20 38% 25 48% 1 1.9%
ing any of its members to the chaplaincy, and the
(Objections not on ethical grounds)
New England Conference in the same year requested
the Federal Council to perfect a plan whereby a 2. Is the wearing of the military uniform very impor-
tant in relation to the chaplain’s status?
Protestant chaplaincy for the armed forces could be Yes ( ) No ( ) Please state why.
“supervised” through a board or a department of the
Replies : Yes No
Federal Council.
Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 95.6% 3 2%
In 1936, the General Synod of the Evangelical and Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 82.7% 6 11.5%
Reformed Church refused to continue its participa- 3. Is the possession of military rank important to
tin in the work of the General Committee on Army chaplains—
and Navy Chaplains. In May of the same year, the a. in relations with the Commanding Officer?
Methodist Episcopal Church passed a resolution re- b. in relations with other officers?
questing the Federal Council “to seek and find a c. in relations with the men?
method by which the spiritual ministry of the Where the answer is “yes”, please indicate in what
churches to the armed forces of the United States of way.
America may be performed by ministers appointed Replies : Yes No
and supported by and amenable to the churches.” In a. in relations
with Com-
October, the International Convention of the Disci- manding
ples of Christ also adopted a resolution which called Officer . . . . . . . Army: 120 86% 14 10%
for the withdrawal of “official representation from Navy: 35 67% 13 25%
the Chaplaincy Commission of the Federal Council b. in relations
of Churches,” from “future participation therein,” with other
officers . . . . . . Army: 127 91% 8 5.7%
and Navy: 38 73% 7 13%
that we request the Federal Council to sever its official c. in relations
connection with the war system by dissolving its chap- with the men . Army: 126 90.6% 9 6%
laincy commission and Navy: 38 73% 8 15%
that the Federal Council be requested to provide a Summarizing its findings, the committee reported:
non-military ministry of religion to men in the armed
services at the churches’ own expense and under their He [the chaplain] is very much a part of the military
own authority, without involving the church of Christ or naval establishment. He has, it is true, a strong sense
in any alliance whatsoever with the state or the military of religious vocation. One cannot read the statements of
system. these men about their calling without being impressed
with the authentic pastoral consciousness which they
Such actions by several denominations prompted reveal. But the chaplain has quite as definite a sense
the Department of Research and Education to in- of “belonging” to the service and he believes that the
wearing of a uniform is essential to his efficiency. He
vestigate the attitude of Protestant chaplains in the believes that as a civilian he would be an outsider and
Army and Navy on some of the issues then being de- could not command the same measure of respect. This
bated. Questionnaires were mailed to the following: is due in part to the fact that the “service” consciousness
in the Army and Navy is very strong and only the wearer
In service Reserve Retired Total of the uniform is regarded as measuring up to
Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 128 49 265 requirements.
Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 30 15 111 Further, and probably more significant, there is the
intangible influence of rank throughout the services. They
376 are built on rank. It is argued that without rank the
Replies were received from 139 Army or about chaplain would have little influence with the command
fifty-two percent, and from fifty-two Navy or about and especially with the other officers, and could not
forty-seven percent. The answers to some of the ques- effectually represent the men in getting attention for their
needs. This intangible factor is evident at every point.
tions asked are given below: The chaplains unconsciously reflect it in their character-
1. Is the present chaplaincy system as a whole ization of their own office. They become assimilated
to the establishment of which they are a part and they
(check one) a. wholly satisfactory?
take the regimen as a matter of course. They are in
b. fairly satisfactory? and of the service; they believe in it profoundly and are
c. unsatisfactory? happy in their belief.

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CHANGING NATURE OF NAVAL PERSONNEL Sometimes the wife worked; sometimes she lived with
There was a noticeable change in the type of men her parents. Often there were financial problems
entering the service during the twenties and thirties. which in turn affected the morale of the husband
This was summarized by Chaplain T. P. Riddle in aboard ship. The situation grew until it attracted the
1939. attention of high ranking naval officials. Difficulties
sometimes arose in regard to allotments. In 1933, the
We have attracted a class of men who look at the
Navy as a lifetime vocation, rather than as an adventure, Bureau of Navigation published a pamphlet which
as did the youngster 20 years ago. The devil-may-care set forth a guide for allotments to families when the
lad who joined the service for a cruise of adventure question of support was in dispute. If a sailor were
gave little thought to a man’s life. . . . The modem married, he was supposed to allot at least a third of
Navy man . . . joins the Navy to learn a vocation,
and to make a career for himself. As he looks at his his gross pay to his wife, and more if there were
career, he naturally considers marriage as part of his children.42
scheme of life.40 The Navy Relief was called upon increasingly,
In a speech delivered before the National Council during these years, to assist in family difficulties. This
of the YMCA at Detroit, Michigan, 20 October 1939, involved a chaplain, for in many districts, he served
Chaplain Workman presented the following statistics: as executive secretary or in a similar capacity of the
Of the 110,196 [men] in the naval service on June 30th local Navy Relief auxiliary. The relief load with its
[1939], 106,743 were native born. The ages of our enlisted consequent need for investigation was particularly
men run as follows: heavy in the Long Beach area where, according to
Under 20 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,377 Chaplain Riddle, some 9,000 families of enlisted men
20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,903 were living in 1936.43
21-24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,320
25-29 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,724 Chaplain George S. Rentz in 1935 commented on
30-34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,317 the work of Navy Relief handled by his office. He
35-39 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,942 stated:
Let us see the change in the character of this 1921 lad Last year there were more than 200 cases handled
in the light of 1929 and 1939 by the Chaplain that were outside the bounds of Long
1921 1929 1939 Beach and San Pedro. The total number of cases involv-
Bad conduct discharges . . . . . . . . 4,000 2,193 965 ing loans from the Navy Relief Society in 1934 was 959.
Dishonorable discharges . . . . . . . . 6,000 632 106 There were also many cases handled by the Chaplain
Undesirable discharges. . . . . . . . . 566 275 that did not involve loans.44
Desertions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,000 2,055 338
Reenlistments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,590 17,980 Rentz added that the work of the chaplain in this
Men who had received office was “almost wholly with the personnel of the
good conduct medals . . . . . . . . 9,149 39,590 Fleet and their families.”
In 1929 high school graduates 18%; in 1939 high At the chaplains’ conference held in November
school graduates 42%; high school work 85%; some col-
lege work 3%. In 1929 intelligence quotient was 85; 1935 at Rancho Santa Fe, Mrs. T. P. Riddle, wife
in 1939 intelligence quotient 103. With the help of the of Chaplain Riddle, presented a paper on “Personal
Navy Department 61 men prepared themselves and Contacts with our Men’s Families.” This appeared
entered the Naval Academy to become officers.41 as a chapter in the book, edited by her husband,
The lean years of the depression in the thirties entitled Religion and Welfare in the United States
were partly responsible for this change. The Navy, Navy, and had sound words of counsel for chaplains:
having more applications for enlistment than could About 50% of our men are married. Our appeal,
accepted, was able to select older and more mature spiritual or otherwise, can no longer be made to that
men. 50%, as bachelors. It must be made to them as married
Another very significant change was the increase in men, or else we automatically eliminate them from the
sphere of our influence. The greatest human appeal to
the number of married men. Even men in the lower the married man is through the wife and little ones.45
ratings were getting married and having children.
Obviously, they could not support a family on their To combat the loneliness that many young Navy
incomes without additional financial assistances. wives felt when their husbands were at sea, a Navy
Wives’ Club was organized in Long Beach which met
40
Riddle, “Enlisted Men’s Families,” Naval Institute Pro- 42
ceedings, Jan. 1939, p. 83. Directive, Nav. 5-K-Service, 28 April 1933.
41 43
CoC., History of Naval Chaplains File. It should be 44
Riddle, op. cit., p. 83.
remembered that the number of naval personnel remained 45
CoC., Rentz File, letter of 25 Apr.
fairly constant through the years 1920-39. Op. cit., p. 68.

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at the local YWCA. Similar clubs became fairly com- The first reference to statistical summaries of
mon in port cities and often a chaplain and his wife attendance at Divine Services conducted by Navy
sponsored them. Some of the clubs were named in chaplains was made by Secretary Daniels in 1920. He
honor of the wives of Navy chaplains, as were the wrote that “there has been an average monthly
Elizabeth Riddle Club of Long Beach and the June attendance on the various religious services as con-
Glunt Club at Norfolk. Articles of Incorporation for ducted on board ships and at shore stations of
the Navy Wives’ Clubs of America were filed 3 June 60,602.”47 At that rate, the total for the year was
1936 in the state of California. 727,224, or an average of five or six times a year for
A similar organization, the Navy Mothers’ Club, each person in the Navy and Marine Corps.
secured its national charter in 1933. The first of these In 1925, attendance improved. “The statistics
was organized at McAllen, Texas, in 1930. Navy gathered from ships and stations,” wrote the Secre-
chaplains and their wives have often served as tary of the Navy, “indicate that the church attend-
sponsors for such organizations. ance of officers and enlisted men has reached approxi-
The 1920 edition of Navy Regulations encouraged mately 1,000,000 during the year, an average of nine
pastoral calls, and required chaplains, in cases of per person per year.”48 The same average held for
home emergencies, to visit enlisted men’s families in 1926.49 On this latter year, the Secretary elaborated:
the vicinity of ports of call, greatly broadened the “In addition to their other duties the chaplains have
chaplains’ ministry. Navy chaplains no longer were continued to stress the religious phase of their activi-
restricted in their duties to men in uniform; more ties as paramount, particularly during the lenten and
and more they became chaplains to the families of other religious festivals.”
naval personnel. The picture in 1927 was even more favorable.
DIVINE SERVICES AND OTHER Although attendance at these services is purely volun-
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES tary, the records of the several ships and stations indi-
cate that the church attendance of officers and enlisted
The very heart of every Navy chaplain’s ministry is men for the year was approximately 1,027,000, an average
found in his Divine Services. Even though he wears attendance of nine and one-half times per person
the uniform of a naval officer, the chaplain is first throughout the year. This is a high tribute to the effi-
and foremost a minister, priest, or rabbi. While his ciency and drawing power of the individual chaplains
as well as an indication of the religious sentiment pre-
duties often include many activities of a welfare or valent in the naval personnel.50
social nature, these activities never overshadow the
special duties which only a properly trained and duly Affecting this ratio of attendance were these facts:
ordained clergyman performs. many men were on watch during the hour for Divine
On Sunday morning a regular routine is followed Service, some were on leave or liberty, and others
aboard ship which has been described by Chaplain attended civilian churches.
E. W. Scott as follows: An even higher percentage of naval personnel at-
The decks being washed down and put in order tended Divine Services in 1928. The Secretary re-
during the early morning hours, breakfast served, and the ported a total of 1,222,000 present for the services
crew mustered and dismissed, preparations for worship held during the year by Navy chaplains, “an average
are initiated by the Officer-of-the-Deck, who gives the attendance of 10.8 per person.”51 He added : “Also
order, “Rig Church.” If the weather is fair and mild, the attendance at communion services indicates the
the service may be held out on the open deck under
the awning, with canvas spread on the weather side for religious interest of the personnel of the Navy, 3,101
protection against the wind and spray. However, one. of communion services having been held with a total
the crew’s living spaces is generally used, the walls being attendance of 44,670.” By 1929, the average attend-
covered and festooned with pennants and flags, which ance per person per year had increased to 11.5.
hide all trace of the fact that this compartment is
utilized by the men for messing, sleeping, gun-drills and The annual report of Chief-of-Chaplains Sydney
routine work. A movable desk is set up, the piano K. Evans, dated 10 July 1934, included a description
brought in, and backless benches and the available chairs of “Fleet Sunday” held in New York on 3 June of
serve as pews. “Church is rigged” by one of the divisions, that year. Evans stated that “more than 5,500 officers
the Chaplain putting on the finishing touches to suit
his own fancy as to proper arrangement and to make 4 7 Report of Secretary of Navy, 1920, p. 122.
the space serve to most advantage.46 48
49
Ibid., 1925, p. 168.
46 50
Ibid., 1926, p. 140.
CoC., Scott File, The Century Church Bulletin, Mar. 51
Ibid., 1927, p. 157.
1923. Ibid., 1928, p. 172.

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and men attended Divine Service in St. Patrick’s The Sunday Schools mentioned in the statistical
Cathedral and in the Cathedral of St. John the summary refer to the Schools often conducted by
Divine.” Cardinal Hayes spoke at the former and Navy chaplains at shore installations for the children
Bishop Manning at the latter service. The attendant of naval personnel. In addition to their contacts with
publicity, not only in the press of New York City, naval personnel, chaplains have many opportunities
but, throughout the nation, did much to emphasize to appear before civilian churches, service clubs, and
the place the Navy was giving to religion. other groups. According to Chaplain Duff, Navy
In his annual report to the Chief of the Bureau of chaplains in 1935 addressed more than 320,000
Naval Personnel, the Chief of Chaplains includes a people in these civilian gatherings.
summary of the statistical reports of individual chap- To judge the effectiveness of a Navy chaplain’s
lains. Such summaries are a tangible index of the ministry by the same norm used to evaluate a civilian
variety and extent of the chaplains’ activities. In an minister’s does not give the full story. Navy life is not
address delivered before the officers of the Bureau of conducive to the organization of a church on board
Navigation on 28 February 1936, Chief-of-Chaplains ship or at a shore base. Whenever a bluejacket be-
Edward A. Duff explained the nature of these re- came vitally interested in religion, he was encouraged
ports:52 by his chaplain to join the church of his choice in
the nearest port or at his home community if not
Chaplains of the Navy made a monthly and annual already a member. There are no statistics of such
report of all their activities, and through a careful check-
ing of these reports, we are in position at all times, to results. Moreover, many other ‘factors peculiar to
give an accounting of the work of all chaplains. For Navy life, already pointed out, enter into the picture.
example, the following statistics of the work for the A delightful and illuminating article on the work
year 1935, will give a pretty accurate idea of the manner of a Navy chaplain entitled “My Parish”, by Chap-
of keeping check on the activities of the Corps.
lain C. A. Neyman, appeared in the 15 April 1922
Number of Divine Services held . . . . . . . . . . 5,433
issue of The Baptist. Neyman compared the civilian
Attendance at Divine Services . . . . . . . . . . . 990,174
parish he once had with the one on board the Ten-
Number of Communion Services or Masses . 2,782
Number making their Communion . . . . . . 34,773 nessee. His former congregation was made up “of
Number of Military Services other than ship people ranging in size (and likewise in age) about
or station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632 as do the strings of a harp, but with a perceptible in-
Attendance at Military Services clination to the feminine gender.” These people lived
other than ship or station . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,435 apart and some were not seen by the pastor from
Week-day religious activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,290 Sunday to Sunday. On the other hand the parish on
Attendance at week-day activities . . . . . . . . 67,883 shipboard was compact.
Total attendance at all services, as above . . 1,168,245 But here, there are never less than 1,000 of us and
SECULAR: Lectures, Song Fests, etc. . . . . . . . . . . 545 we count each others’ noses every morning at a given
Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,661 hour; and in a day’s work not one of the 1,000 goes
Number of Sunday School Sessions much farther than 400 feet from the chaplain’s desk,
or Bible Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 937 and not a one but may be called to his elbow, if he
Attendance at Sunday School Sessions wish, on five minutes’ notice.
or Bible Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,975 ....
Baptisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 Associations between a chaplain and officers and men
Men Joining Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 in the Navy . . . are or may be delightfully direct.
Marriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426 The propinquity is astounding. Instead of having to build
Funerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686 up contacts, one finds them tumbling upon him, in ple-
Number of Civilian Services and Addresses . . . . . . 1,185 thora, willy-nilly. This is not a matter of standing behind
Attendance at Civilian Services and Addresses . . . 320,861 a pulpit armed by cloistered preparation, or of going
School Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,754 out, guided by a list, to pull at door bells and sit on
School Sessions, Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57,014 parlor chairs. Here one’s parishioners surprise him in
Letters Written, Re: Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,645 his bath, or call him out of his bunk, or take him at
Number of books issued from libraries . . . . . . . . 746,448 mess, or at play, or walk in upon his meditation and
Number of sight-seeing parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 study.
Number of men in sight-seeing parties . . . . . . . . . 16,200
Hospital or Sick Bay Visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,129 Chaplain Neyman had some pertinent remarks to
Prison or Brig Visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,442 make regarding the kind of preaching the sailor
52
CoC., Duff File. wanted.

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 Furthermore, they will listen to his preaching, these the President in the absence of a chaplain, stood on the
sailors. One never realizes what a scattering salvo he quarter-deck of the Nourmahal and read the service from
delivers at an audience which includes young and old the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The officers and
of both sexes, nor how nearly impossible it is to minister men of the U.S.S. Ellis were present. The flag of the
adequately to the bill-peddler and the jurist at the same President flew from the yacht.54
time, nor how near a miracle he attempts in breaking
spiritual bread for both the mother, whose long-tried A number of printed aids appeared during these
faith has a distinct pre-millenarian twist, and the high- years to aid chaplains conducting Divine Services.
school superintendent, who does not shudder at mention The first edition of The Army and Navy Hymnal
of higher criticism. One never realizes these things, I appeared in 1920 under the joint sponsorship of the
say-at least not completely-until he stands regularly
before an audience of sailors who are much of an age Chief of Navy Chaplains, J. B. Frazier, and Chief
and experience and who are never given to critically of Army Chaplains, J. E. Yates. The book was copy-
splitting doctrinal hairs. The discovery bobs up suddenly; righted by the Century Company. The first two para-
and then one most likely flounders around for a while in graphs of the introduction tell how the book was
an effort to deliver himself of some special message compiled.
peculiarly adapted to these men. Yet, it dawns on him
later that what is needed, yes, what is wanted, is a For a long time it has been felt that for the use of
straightforward, unmincing “gospel” message. No frills, the Army and Navy, a hymnal should be published that
no tricks. But, for Heaven’s sake, no shooting over heads, would meet the demands of every occasion and of all
and no talking “down.” Red-blooded presentation of red- the Chaplains. From time to time civilian organizations
blooded Christian principles. have attempted this work, and have produced books of
merit. The fact remains, however, that the Chaplains
Chaplain Neyman bore witness to a fact frequently should know, and do know, more about what the men
observed by Navy chaplains. The men aboard ship want and what is appropriate for divine service as con-
love to sing. ducted in the Army and Navy, than those who have seen
the situation only from the outside.
In a small town once we could fill our church on With a view of getting what we want in this book,
Sunday evenings by announcing a song service, but city representatives of the Chaplain Corps of the Army and
people turned up their noses at such garden-variety Navy selected a number of popular hymns which were
worship. The sailors, however, will fill a compartment on submitted to each Chaplain of both branches of the
Sunday evenings and call for hymn after hymn—and services, with the request that he suggest eliminations
sing them lustily—until the pianist is about to drop or material to be added; also that suggestions be made
exhausted from the stool. They clamor, all at once after as to Orders of Service, Selections for responsive read-
each last chorus, for their favorites, and he who leads ing, et cetera.
the service must have a delicately-adjusted ear to select
out of the bedlam’s shout the number of the next song. This volume was divided into several sections.
The first contained 242 hymns familiar to Pro-
In his concluding paragraph Chaplain Neyman testants. Then came a section entitled “Orders of
drew the following contrasts: Worship” which was prepared by H. Augustine
My institutional church is a battleship. My parsonage Smith, A.M., and had been copyrighted by The Cen-
and my pulpit are on the same deck. Almost everything tury Company in 1919. This was followed by a series
is here that I wanted back there, and numberless things of “Responsive Readings” selected and arranged by
beside. Certainly, more contacts than ever the clubs and Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick. A Roman Catholic sec-
gymnasiums would have secured. Better still than having
the church stand on a strategic comer and invite the tion of twenty-seven hymns and a few prayers came
passer-by, is to have the whole institution, from keel to next. The last section contained eleven- popular
truck, move majestically out to sea and take its crew songs under the heading “Home and Patriotic Sec-
(my parishioners) bodily into new cities and far lands tion.” The book was supplied at Government expense
where there are great lessons to be learned and sights that and made available to chaplains. Both band and
inspire.53
orchestra arrangements were separately published.
Presidents of the United States have been known While the hymnal met a long-felt need, neverthe-
to conduct Divine services aboard United States less, Navy chaplains found that the pitch of most
naval vessels. Lovette in his Naval Customs makes of the hymns was too high for male voices. Many
the following claim: Army chaplains had mixed audiences and so were
The first commander in chief of the Army and Navy not faced with this problem. Consequently, a revised
to hold divine service for Navy personnel was President edition was brought out in 1925, sponsored by Chap-
Franklin D. Roosevelt. On Easter Sunday, 1 April, 1934, lain Evan W. Scott of the Navy and Chaplain J. E.
53 54
CoC., Neyman File. Op. cit., pp. 289-90.

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Yates of the Army. The fact that the two editions lain Riddle issued, in June 1935, an attractive four-
differed somewhat in pagination and choice of teen page brochure entitled Preparing for Divine
hymns, presented a difficulty when both were used in Services on Board Ships of the United States Navy.
the same service. The pitch of many hymns was The pamphlet contained illustrations of altar furni-
lowered in the new volume. In addition, four hymns, ture and of congregations at worship in well ar-
the words of which were written by Chaplain Henry ranged compartments, and a set of six drawings of
van Dyke, were included in the revised edition as altar pieces that could easily be made by a ship’s
was a short Jewish section. There was no revision of carpenter. With the illustrations were short articles
the band and orchestra arrangement. On the whole, on such subjects as: “The Church Compartment,”
the second edition of the hymnal was preferred by “Rigging Church,” and “A Setting Which Uses the
Navy chaplains. A compact Hymn Edition of the Communion Table.” The pamphlet, published on the
Hymnal was issued in 1925 which contained the California and delivered throughout the Fleet, was
words but no music. an aid to chaplains who wished to improve and
In June 1934, Chaplain T. P. Riddle relieved dignify their Divine Services.
Chaplain J. J. Brady as Battle Force Chaplain. In 1935, Chaplain Riddle published his Protestant
Being an Episcopalian, Chaplain Riddle was much Ritual, Adapted to Service Needs. This was an
interested in the forms of Divine Worship used by eighty-four page booklet which contained the com-
Protestant chaplains in the Fleet and the type of munion ritual of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
altar furnishings and fixtures used by all chaplains. Methodist churches, abbreviated somewhat for use
In order to aid in beautifying Divine Services, Chap- at Navy Divine Services. Prayers and outlines of

Tent Chapel secured for the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1927 by Chaplain C. H. Dickins.
The contrast between that which the Government provided for chaplains in the First World War and that of the Second IS
brought into sharp relief by comparing this picture with some of the chapels erected at naval bases during World War II.
(See page 199.)
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services suitable for funerals, baptisms, marriages, donated by civilians made the building of a chapel or
and special services of interest to the Navy were also the purchase of a suitable building possible.
included. On 17 February 1934, the Right Reverend Following the First World War, the Red Cross
Monsignor George J. Waring of the Military Or- building at the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk was
dinariate wrote to the Chief of Chaplains requesting: changed into a Catholic chapel, another building at
Inasmuch as Catholic Chaplains are not available at the Base being already used as a Protestant chapel.
all ships and stations, may I suggest that you send an In 1919, an armory at the Great Lakes Naval Train-
official message to all ships and stations, notifying them ing Station was converted into a chapel with a seat-
that “the Catholic Church grants a dispensation from
abstinence from the use of flesh meat to all its members ing capacity of 110. A frame steeple was added to the
in the naval service and their families, on all days of building to give it “atmosphere.” At first, the chapel
the year, except the day before Christmas, Ash Wed- was used by the Roman Catholics but in 1925 it was
nesday, Good Friday and the morning of Holy Saturday.” declared by the Commanding Officer a “Chapel for
It is requested that all supply officers, commissary all Faiths.” Later, it again was used exclusively by
stewards and mess officers, carefully note these four days the Catholics.
in order to prepare suitable menus. Good Friday, this
year, occurs the 30th of March. 55 During Chaplain T. P. Riddle’s tour of duty at
A circular containing this quotation from Bishop the Naval Air Station at Newport, (May 1930-
Waring’s letter was sent to all ships and stations by December 1933) . the second deck of the gymnasium,
the Bureau. A similar circular was distributed in large enough to seat 500, was converted into a
1935. permanent chapel. Writing in retrospect, Riddle sum-
marized the extent of the renovations made and the
CHAPELS SECURED nature of the gifts received:
The old praecennium arch was removed and a chancel
More and more attention was being paid by created. The authentic constellations with the north star
chaplains, during these years under review, to the above the Altar were charted by Lieutenant Commander
necessity of having suitable and attractive places for Holton and reproduced in gold on a dark blue back-
Divine Services. In some localities, facilities were re- ground as the ceiling of the chancel. The Altar, as well
modelled for religious services. In other places, funds as the red brocade Altar hangings and Altar brasses were
gifts from Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster. The Reverend
55
CoC., Military Ordinariate File. Charles E. Peck, vicar of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston,

Interior and Exterior views of chapel, Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N. J.

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arranged for the donation of two Chancel chairs and popular subscription.58 The chapel was dedicated on
kneeling benches formerly used by Bishop Brooks. 26 October 1947.
During this period, a certain amount of publicity was In 1931, Chaplain M. H. Petzold arranged for the
given to the creation of this Chapel. This resulted in ‘the
Reverend Karl Reiland, Rector of St. George’s Church, renovation of the building used as a chapel at the
New York, donating an excellent used Aeolian pipe Marine Barracks at Parris Island, South Carolina.
organ, a gift from the late J. Pierpont Morgan. The A special appropriation made possible such improve-
pews came from Appleton Chapel at Harvard, due to ments as a new ceiling, interior walls, deck, wiring,
the interest of the late Bishop Lawrence of Massachusetts,
and of his son Appleton, now Bishop of Western Massa-
electrical fixtures, and radiators, and the painting of
chusetts. The hand wrought lighting fixtures and stained the building throughout. On 4 May 1931, Petzold
glass windows at the entrance of the Chapel were donated wrote: “Our new chapel was completed and re-
by Father Hutchinson, the rector of St. John’s Church, opened on Easter Sunday and it is certainly a pleas-
Newport. I understand that some twenty stained glass ure to conduct services there now.”59 In the same
windows were installed due to the efforts of Chaplain
Reuben Shrum while he was senior chaplain of the letter he stated: “One hundred and twenty-two per-
Newport Naval Training Station. During his time, a sons have been baptized and two hundred and
new facade was created for the building presenting a thirteen have been received into the church.” Here
dignified and churchly appearance.56 again is evidence of the importance of suitable
Late in 1928, the American Legion Department of physical equipment for an effective spiritual minis-
New Jersey inaugurated the plan to construct a non- try. The chapel, including the balcony, was large
sectarian chapel at the Naval Air Station at Lake- enough to seat approximately 500.
hurst, “The Cathedral of the Air,” as a tribute to During Chaplain E. L. Ackiss’ tour of duty at the
the self-sacrifice and devoted service of flyers. The Naval Training Station at San Diego (June 1930-
Act enabling construction was signed by Calvin July 1934), two new mess halls at Camp Ingram
Coolidge on 2 March 1929, one of his last official (later known as the South Unit) were converted into
acts as President of the United States. An American Protestant and Catholic chapels. One-half of the
Legion Memorial Chapel Association was incor- building which contained the Catholic chapel was
porated and funds were solicited. Leadership in the used as a library and recreational room for the in-
project devolved mainly upon the Honorable Herbert coming recruits. The alterations were made by the
H. Blizzard of Audubon, Dr. Samuel A. Loveman of station, and the equipment—a suitable altar, com-
Toms River, and Chaplain W. W. Edel, then on munion rail, and pews—was purchased with station
duty at the Lakehurst Air Station. The main finan- funds. Imitation stained glass windows were placed
cial campaign during which more than $71,000 in in both chapels to contribute a church-like “atmos-
cash was raised, began in February 1930. Chaplain phere.”
Edel was indefatigable in promoting the project, When Chaplain R. L. Lewis reported for duty at
travelling in 1930 thousands of miles and gave more the Marine Base at Quantico in the spring of 1934,
than 200 addresses in behalf of the financial cam- the Marines were using as a chapel a World War I
paign.57 barracks, which had “suffered” some repairs. One
Construction of the stone chapel on a modified end of the building was rigged with an altar; a small
Gothic plan on Government property was begun in Catholic chapel occupied the other. During his tour
the spring of 1932. The building, large enough to of duty there, the building was moved to a new loca-
seat 300, was finished that year- but no funds were tion and enlarged by the addition of a wing at one
available to purchase interior equipment. For this end. This permitted an arrangement of two chapels,
reason, the chapel was not used regularly until 16 one for the Protestants and one for the Catholics,
February 1941, when, the Government having con- each seating from 150 to 200 people. By means of
tributed $7,000 for furnishings, the Cathedral of the folding doors, each chapel was able to accommodate
Air was opened for Divine Services. The station overflow audiences.
chaplain at the time was J. V. Claypool. The When Chaplains Stanton Salisbury and John Rob-
Cathedral of the Air has the distinction of being the inson were on duty at Quantico in 1936-1937, they
only chapel constructed at a naval installation by found it necessary to make certain changes in the
56
CoC.,Riddle File, letter of 2 Feb. 1946. chapel to permit the maximum use of facilities. A
57
CoC., Edel File, letter of H. H. Blizzard, 25 Feb. 1931. 58
Chaplain Edel was transferred to new duty in May 1931 59
CoC.,Edel File, letter 9 Jan. 1946.
before work on the new building was started. CoC., Petzold File.

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revolving platform was designed which, by turning disfavor upon the Navy custom of hoisting the
halfway around, brought into place either a Pro- church pennant over the national emblem as a
testant or a Catholic altar fully rigged. Thus, both signal that Divine Services were in progress. This
chaplains were able to use the same auditorium and disapproval of an old Navy custom was also found
quickly rig for church when one service immediately among members of Congress. On 28 January 1924,
followed another. This was the first of a number of Commander J. H. Sypher, Superintendent of Naval
revolving altars used in Navy chapels. Records and Library, wrote to the Chief of Naval
Chaplain T. P. Riddle was instrumental in Operations on the subject. 60
securing the erection of a beautiful small chapel at
the Navy Yard at Bremerton in 1938. The new
chapel was built from the salvaged material of an
old barracks. Several Navy chaplains contributed to
the cost of an exquisite window, made of antique
cathedral glass and depicting the crucifixion, which
was placed over the altar. Officers, attached to the
Yard, {donated a pipe organ, and a baptismal font
was given by the enlisted men stationed in the Yard
and aboard the Patterson and Jarvis.
Another pioneer chapel appeared during these
years at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Vir-
ginia. After the new transportation building was
completed in 1939, the fire-fighting equipment was
transferred to it from the old fire house. One day
Chaplain W. W. Elder, then on duty there, called
on Admiral M. H. Simons, the Commandant, and
asked if the empty fire house could be used as a
chapel. Admiral Simons looking from his window
noted the steeple on the building and said: “We
already have a steeple on it. We can put a bell in The church pennant in use.
the steeple and have a good start toward a chapel.
Go ahead and see what you can do.” The recent National Convention held in this city on
There were no available appropriations to make Flag Day to draw up rules for the uniform observance
of prayer flag etiquette throughout the country, made a
the necessary alterations, but Chaplain Elder found rule that no flag or pennant should be hoisted above the
whole-hearted interest and cooperation from officers National Ensign. I am informed that this rule was aimed
and men. The Navy Yard Public Works put in floor- particularly at the Navy custom of half-masting the
ing and lighting. The Navy Yard Civilian Coopera- colors and hoisting a pennant over them whenever the
crew is at church.
tive Association donated $1,000 to pay for an altar,
Some years ago, this matter was taken up in Congress
pulpit, the window back of the altar, and other ac- and the following resolution was passed by the United
cessories. The Navy Yard Automobile Tag Fund States Senate:
gave $1,500 for pews and, later, enough additional “That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby,
funds to purchase a Hammond organ. One of the directed to inform the Senate whether or not at any
contracting companies in Portsmouth gave the time or under any circumstances any flag, emblem or
cement for the floor of the vestibule and the en- banner is raised above the Stars and Stripes on any
vessel, building, or ground under the jurisdiction of the
trance. Thus, another chapel became available. Navy Department of the United States.”
Dedication services were held on 27 October 1939. In the discussion of this subject, the Senator from
Idaho stated that his object in speaking was that the
THE CHURCH PENNANT Senate might know that, “It is claimed to be the prac-
tice of the United States Navy to raise a flag above
A conference was held in Washington in May the Stars and Stripes. I do not believe that any con-
1923, sponsored by several patriotic bodies for the siderable portion of the people understand that this is
purpose of codifying rules for the proper display of the practice in the Navy of the United States, but I do
the national emblem. This conference looked with 60
Nav. Rec. Coll., Church Pennant File.

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speak with confidence when I say that no senator will the question of insignia was raised. Since the most
approve of any such act. No flag, church or state, has recent uniform regulations (1922) specified only the
a right to be placed above the Stars and Stripes. We do
not recognize the precedence or prominence of the flag
cross for chaplains, it was natural that he should
of any church above the Stars and Stripes.” raise the question as to appropriate insignia. Straus
was notified that action would be taken to approve
Commander Sypher recommended that in view of
suitable Jewish insignia as a substitute for the Latin
the “dislike of this practice both in the Navy and
cross.
throughout the country, as is indicated in the last
Chief-of-Chaplains Evans, on 25 January 1932,
Flag Convention . . . the Navy practice be modified
wrote to Admiral T. J. Senn, Commandant of the
so that it may show honor to God without at the
Eleventh Naval District where Straus resided, as
same time degrading our National Emblem.” There
follows: “The present Regulations make no provision
is, however, little evidence to indicate that there was
whatever for any Chaplain’s uniform which does not
much “dislike” of the custom within the Navy. The
carry the Cross on it.”61 Chaplain Evans recom-
old tradition continued to be followed both on ships
mended that Rabbi Straus submit an official request
and at many shore installations during these years.
for permission to wear the shepherd’s crook in lieu
UNIFORM CHANGES of the Latin cross.
On 1 February 1932, Straus submitted his request
Not many changes in the chaplain’s uniform oc- for permission to wear the suggested Jewish insignia.
curred during these years. By 1 July 1921, the old On 8 February, the Bureau of Navigation added its
type blue uniform with the high collar had been re- endorsement in sending on the request to the Secre-
placed by the present double-breasted service coat tary of the Navy. The endorsement included the fol-
with the roll collar. The 1922 edition of Uniform lowing sentence which indicates that Chaplain David
Regulations (pp. 16, 19) authorized slightly different Goldberg had been completely forgotten: “He is the
dimensions for the chaplain’s cross worn on the only representative of the Jewish faith in the Chap-
sleeve. The new regulation read in part: lain Corps of the Navy or Naval Reserve.” The
In addition to the insignia of rank [sleeve stripes] . . . Secretary of the Navy, C. F. Adams, approved the
officers of the several corps and warrant officers shall request.
wear ¼ inch above the sleeve stripes, except on overcoats,
the following insignia of corps, all to be embroidered The 1922 edition of Uniform Regulations con-
and of a size to be inscribed in a circle of 1¼ inches in tained the old restriction “except the Chaplain”
diameter. when referring to the full dress uniform. It should be
Chaplains —A Latin cross, embroidered in gold, the noted, however, that dress and evening dress uni-
long arm 1 inch long, the short arm 9/16 inch long, and forms which had been authorized for chaplains dif-
each arm 3/16 inch wide; to be set inclined toward the fered from full dress only in the accouterments and
rear, the longer arm making an angle of 60° with the
upper stripe of lace. the hat.
The full-dress belt shall be worn by all commissioned Before World War II began, the President of the
officers, except chaplains and chief warrant officers. . . . United States held an annual reception at the White
Although the shepherd’s crook had been author- House for the ranking Army and Navy officers of
ized for chaplains of the Jewish faith in 1918, never- Washington On one such occasion, Chaplain R. D.
theless, this provision did not appear in the 1922 Workman, as Chief of the Chaplains’ Division, at-
edition of Uniform Regulations. This omission was, tended. The fact that he could not wear the full dress
no doubt, due to the fact that there were no Jewish hat or trousers and that his coat had no epaulets
chaplains on active duty at that time. Chaplain made him conspicuous. The next day, a report ap-
David Goldberg, the only chaplain to wear the peared in a Washington paper which called attention
shepherd’s crook, resigned from the Regular Navy in to the fact that one of the officers had carelessly
1919 and immediately joined the Reserve. While he forgotten to dress properly for the occasion.
remained in the Reserve, until 1941, he was never On 14 April 1938, Chaplain Workman officially
again on active duty. However, it may be assumed requested that the Uniform Regulations be modified
that he would have worn the shepherd’s crook if so that uniforms for chaplains conform to uniforms
he had been. specified for other naval officers in every respect
When H. Cerf Straus, of the Jewish faith, was “except that Chaplains be not required to wear
sworn in as a Reserve chaplain in December 1931, 61
CoC., Straus File.

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swords.” This proposal was submitted to high rank- the mother of each new man” Out of this grew a
ing naval officers for their reaction. The majority correspondance that lasted many years.
was opposed to this change so nothing was done.62 Chaplain James S. Day, in his annual report for
1929, told of his activities as a transport chaplain
“ALL MANNER OF THINGS THEREUNTO on the Chaumont which had made three round trips
BELONGING” that year between San Francisco, Guam, and Manila.
Approximately, 4,000 men had been transported,
When William Balch received his commission, many of whom were recruits going on their first
dated 30 October 1799, making him a chaplain in tour of duty. Day comments in his letter:
the United States Navy, he read thereon the follow-
ing description of his new responsibilities: “He is It has been my constant endeavor to emphasize “keep
therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the ing in touch with the home folks,” and it has been my
duty of a Chaplain by doing and performing all custom to send a circular letter to the parents of these
new men telling them something of the new life their
manner of Things thereunto belonging.”63 These boys are entering. The response received from these
words, which appear also on other naval officers’ circular letters has been very gratifying.65
commissions suggest particularly the limitless pos-
sibilities of a chaplain’s collateral duties. Chaplain C. A. Neyman, serving aboard the In-
A good description of the expanding duties of dianapolis, made a study of the books bluejackets
chaplains during the period may be found in their borrowed ‘from his library for the period 15 Novem-
annual reports. Here are human interest stories ber 1932 to 30 June 1934. Of the 1,323 books
which reveal the length, breadth, and depth of the catalogued, 690 were classified as non-fiction and 633
influence of chaplains. In the annual report sub- as fiction. The total loans during the period studied
mitted by Chaplain Duff for 1935 is the item: were 3,012 non-fiction and 14,476 fiction. In the first
“Letters Written, Re: Men . . . 36,645.” All the classification, history was most popular with 1,057
emotions that can stir the human heart are involved books drawn out. Forty-three books on religion were
in those letters. Men worried about domestic difficul- borrowed. The most popular fiction authors were
ties such as sickness, debt, and marital trouble; some Zane Grey, Peter B. Kyne, William MacLeod Raine,
were maladjusted to naval service; boys were often and Clarence E. Mulford. Gray’s book, Arizona
homesick. These and many other problems were pre- Ames, was loaned sixty times in one year. The list
sented to the chaplain. Chaplain W. P. Williams, in of the fifty most popular books did not include one
his paper “Personal Contacts with My-Men,” which sea story. The favorites were those that dealt with
he read before the Chaplains’ Conference of Novem- the great open spaces of the West with accounts of
ber 1935, declared: Indian fighters, western pioneers, and cattle thieves.66
A consideration of the number of books loaned
A chaplain must be sympathetic. There is an old by the libraries under chaplains’ care during 1935
“gag” about “sympathy chits.” Yet the persistence of will suggest the importance of this phase of their
that time-worn joke is indicative of the interest our men
have in the subject. Lack of sincerity is the Navy’s unfor- activity. They totaled 746,448! Only those who have
givable sin. A chaplain who is not sympathetic is not a spent many leisure hours at sea can appreciate the
sincere clergyman.64 importance of this work to morale.
Out of the chaplains’ conferences with bluejackets “All manner of things thereunto belonging” in-
poured a stream of letters which cleared away a cluded greater solicitude for the financial welfare of
multitude of difficulties and contributed to their con- the families of naval personnel. Chaplain H. S. Dyer
tentment and efficiency. The wise chaplain often reported, in December 1935, that during the sixteen
discerned a spiritual problem at the basis of the preceding months, 6,920 government life insurance
difficulty. policies had been issued in his San Diego Training
While Chaplain M. M. Witherspoon served at the Station office for a total of $16,495,500. He added:
Naval Training Station in San Francisco during “The possibility of relieving human distress simply
1920-1922, he not only gave a series of five lectures staggers the imagination!”67
65
to the new recruits, he also “sent a personal letter to Unless listed to the contrary, the quotations from chap-
lains in this section come from their annual reports for the
62
63
Ibid.,
Uniform File. years
66
indicated. These are on file in CoC.
Italics
the author’s. 67
From Chaplain Neyman’s private notes.
64
Riddle, Religion and Welfare, p. 6. Riddle, Religion and Welfare, p. 59.

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 Chaplain L. N. Taylor, reporting his 1926 actvi- Commandant, Admiral Yancey Williams, and
ties wrote: secured such talent as Mary Pickford, Max Baer,
and the original cast of “The Drunkard,” then
From 1 January 1926 to 21 September 1926, I served
as District Chaplain of the Eleventh Naval District. My playing in San Francisco, for his project. Wither-
chief duties in that District were those of Secretary and spoon, in his “Naval Autobiography” wrote:
Treasurer of the San Diego Naval Aid Society and Publicity for the carnival reached gigantic proportions;
Chairman of the Investigating Committee of the Navy we spent over 6 weeks on the ground work. But triumph
Relief Society. In these connections, I handled an aver- was ours; 6000 people the first evening, 7500 the second
age of ten cases per day at the office and was frequently and 8500 the third—the largest crowd Mare Island ever
called upon to visit homes and places of business in ascer- had. And the amount cleared—$14,500.68
taining the details of the cases of those requesting aid
from these Societies. In addition to the distinctively religious festivals
The Navy Relief Society referred to was incor- as Christmas and Easter, chaplains were paying in-
porated early in the century. It was a semi-official creasing attention to such special days as Mother’s
organization with headquarters in Washington and Day, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day. Christmas
was officered largely by active and retired naval parties for children from orphanages or under-
officers and members of their families. Funds were privileged homes became events long to be remem-
derived from Navy and Marine Corps personnel bered by the children as well as the sailors them-
contributions. Arrangements were later made where- selves.
by the recipients of loans could repay them by Chaplains cooperated with clergymen and with
monthly allotments from their pay. chaplains of faiths other than their own. Chaplain
M. A. Hally’s comment, on 3 January 1934, exem-
The Society operated through local auxiliaries in
plifies this spirit. “In connection with Jewish feast
which chaplains often served as executive secretaries.
days, I have always been ready to assist Jewish men
Emergency loans without interest to tide over periods
of the Service to be present at rites of their belief.”
of sickness, to provide funds when pay or allotments
Chaplains continued to spend much time in such
were delayed, and even to furnish educational
collateral activities as arranging smokers, dances,
scholarships were available to Navy and Marine
athletic events, and moving picture programs ; con-
Corps personnel and to their dependents. In excep-
ducting sightseeing parties; coaching men for the
tional cases, gratuities were granted. Extending
Naval Academy examinations; editing the ship’s
financial aid, however, was often the least of the
services rendered. Chaplains calling at the homes of paper; serving as wardroom mess treasurer; and
carrying on Navy Relief work. Chaplain W. W. Edel
families in financial distress offered advice and as-
trained a choir of thirty-five voices on the Wright.
sistance. The Eleventh Naval District, for example,
For two years, 1927-1929, M. M. Wither-spoon
found that its Navy Relief work was expanding in
served as chaplain for the Marines at Quantico.
the years following the First World War because so
Describing one aspect of his work, Witherspoon in
many families of enlisted men settled in San Diego
his “Autobiography” wrote :
and Long Beach.
Sometimes situations arose which called for finan- For the first time, I undertook educational work, serv-
ing as superintendent of the post school. Believing that
cial assistance beyond that which the usual relief the pupils should have attractive teachers, I went to the
agencies could handle. Chaplain F. L. Albert, in his State Teachers College at Harrisonburg and hand picked
annual report of 1921, tells of sponsoring a relief six girls who had, not only high scholastic standing, but,
fund for the destitute widow and child of a chief charm and good looks. When I returned with them, the
boatswain’s mate. The liberal hearted bluejackets, officers were astounded with their pulchritude and accused
me of selecting them for their beauty, not their brains.
out of their modest pay, responded with $2,124.79. But, time proved they had both; the school reached a
“With this sum,” wrote Albert, “a modest home was new high and, eventually, the teachers all married Marine
purchased, and, in other practical ways, the bereaved officers and are now lending prestige to the Corps.69
family was assisted in its readjustment.” Chaplains were given special responsibility for ed-
Often chaplains assisted in raising Navy Relief ucational work in Navy prisons. The following sec-
funds. Chaplain M. M. Witherspoon, who was re- tions are from the Manual for the Government of
sponsible for most of the relief work at Mare Island United States Naval Prisons:
during 1933 and 1934, planned a pretentious carni- 68
Op. cit., p. 55.
val to procure funds. He had the approval of the 69
Op. cit., p. 34.

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 77. (b) The chaplain shall be the educational officer Navy chaplains, foreign residents of Chefoo, and
of the prison. Under the direction of the commanding certain leading Chinese citizens. Much more was
officer, he shall exercise general supervision over all needed, however. In an attempt to counteract the
educational instructions. He shall recommend to the
commanding officer, from among the prisoners, competent bad conditions, chaplains instituted an active pro-
instructors to give instructions to prisoners in elementary gram to occupy the leisure hours of the men of the
and special subjects. Fleet. In this, they had the full cooperation of their
78. The chaplain shall have charge of the library and ranking officers and the officials of the local branch
shall see that no improper books, periodicals, etc., are of the YMCA.
placed in the possession of the prisoners. He shall also be
charged with the custody of all textbooks which are issued An important part of the Fleet was the destroyer
for the use of prisoners. unit with its 2,400 men. It was difficult to reach
these men with Divine Services because they were
An unusual type of duty came to chaplains who
were assigned to the Sixth Division of the Bureau scattered. Writing to Chaplain Scott, then Chief of
of Navigation, later called the Morale or Training Navy Chaplains, on 12 September 1924, Chaplain
Riddle summarized what was done.
Division. This duty, which was inaugurated in 1919,
entailed the editing and publishing of training or I was convinced from the start that church should be
rating courses for enlisted personnel. The actual held ashore for all hands, provided I could get the
writing of these publications was done by line officers cooperation of the Commander in Chief, Y. M. C. A., and
and chief petty officers, experts in various fields, who Catholics. Everybody cooperated. . . . The “Y” gave me
everything I wanted turning their godown [ie., warehouse]
were ordered to the Bureau for this purpose. J. F. B. into a dignified church in the morning and their boxing
Carruthers was the first chaplain detailed to this ring into a Billy Sunday set up in the evening. The
duty and E. L. Ackiss, who was detached from this Catholic Bishop did his bit by having one of his English
assignment in 1927, was the last. During Ackiss’ tour speaking priests celebrate at a special Naval Mass each
of duty, the four Navy manuals—Bluejacket’s Man- Sunday at ten.
ual, Landing Force Manual, Ship and Gunnery The plan proved successful. Attendance at the
Drills, and Boat Book were revised, enlarged, and re- morning services, including some civilians, averaged
printed. between four and five hundred; the evening meet-
On the whole, Navy chaplains accepted their col- ings averaged seven hundred. Each Protestant chap-
lateral duties in good spirit, believing that the faith- lain took his turn speaking. Y secretaries also had a
ful performance of them increased their effectiveness part in the services.
as religious leaders. Friendships that arise out of the From such gatherings came the term Fleet Church
personal contacts of chaplains with the men in ac- used to describe Divine Services for all Protestants
tivities that are not strictly religious often lead to a of the Fleet. The term occurs increasingly through-
deeper religious experience for the individuals. out 1925 and 1926. Chaplain T. L. Kirkpatrick re-
lieved Riddle as Fleet Chaplain in September 1925
CHAPLAINS AT WORK OVERSEAS
and carried on the work. The service held for all
Navy chaplains on duty with the United States Catholics was referred to as Fleet Mass.
Asiatic Fleet were deeply concerned over the de- Kirkpatrick, in a letter to Chaplain Dickins, writ-
parable moral conditions in such places as Chefoo ten from Chefoo on 7 July 1926, declared that
and Shanghai, where the Fleet was seasonally based.
Writing to Chaplain E. W. Scott from Chefoo, on Chefoo is a moral cesspool in spite of all. Officers are
15 July 1924, Chaplain T. P. Riddle, then Fleet well off here, with plenty of tennis courts, a good club
with bowling alleys and all conveniences, and plenty of
Chaplain, described conditions: good beach available. Enlisted men have only the
I found out that Chefoo had been opened as wide as a Y.M.C.A. as a wholesome recreation center. Five tennis
Western mining camp to all the undesirables who wished courts are available, and an outdoor basketball court.71
to come in from any of the nearby ports or even Russia;
(over fifty new “joints” had opened up-some fairly re- The enlisted men also had two baseball diamonds..
spectable and others with narcotics, gambling and prosti- No beach was available because of the lack of public
tutes of a low order).70 bath houses. Chaplain Kirkpatrick complained that
Some remedial measures were taken by the Tao so little entertainment was available for liberty
Yin (Chinese Mayor), as the result of pressure from parties which sometimes numbered almost 2,000 men,
70 71
CoC., Riddle File. Ibid., Kirkpatrick File.

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“So you see,” wrote Kirkpatrick, “it’s a great fight the history of the Chaplain Corps of the Navy. Prior
we have here.” to the time Hall reported for duty, Divine Services
When Chaplain W. A. Maguire, a Catholic, was for the Fourth Marines were held in mess halls and
assigned in August 1929 to the Black Hawk, mother barracks. Men were scattered in a dozen billets, some
ship of the destroyers based at Chefoo, he had to more than a mile from headquarters, a situation
take over the responsibilities of the Fleet Church for which made it extremely difficult to assemble them
Protestants. Maguire, in his book, Rig For Church, for Divine Services. After trying the experiment of
tells how a committee of Protestant missionaries met holding several services every Sunday morning, Hall
with him before the Fleet went north in the summer secured the use of the Embassy Theater on Bubbling
of 1930 and besought him to carry on the fine work Well Road. Colonel F. D. Kilgore, Commanding
that had been started in the Fleet Church. Regard- Officer of the Fourth Marines, arranged for the
ing this experience, Maguire wrote: Marine Band to give a concert preceding Divine
Chefoo, that summer and the summer following, ex- Service. Civilians were invited to join with service
perienced the unusual. Protestants of various denomina- personnel. The first service was held on 9 September
tions listened week in and week out to Catholic sermons 1928 and attracted an audience of more than 600.
on the Gospel of the day. They listened to the same words Many tourists, consular officials, and Chinese at-
that were spoken each Sunday from the altar of St.
Mary’s.
tended the services. Noted clergymen, passing
The experience was a trying one but I believe, for me, through Shanghai, were often invited to speak. The
it was highly beneficial. Never have I worked so hard. on happy combination of location, type of service, and
my sermons. It was encouraging to have the congregation leadership soon make the Fourth Marines Church an
come to me after the services and say, ‘I so enjoyed your outstanding unit in the religious life of the great
message.’72 oriental city.73
Letters from chaplains stationed in Asiatic waters In February 1930, Chaplain R. W. Truitt re-
show their continued concern over the moral con- lieved Chaplain Hall and was installed with appro-
ditions in the Chinese port cities. Again and again, priate ceremonies as pastor of the Church. Shortly
because of some chaplain’s intercession, remedial after taking over, Chaplain Truitt found it neces-
measures were taken to reduce the venereal disease sary to change its location to the Italian Gardens of
rate or to provide wholesome recreational activities the Majestic Hotel. Since this was four blocks closer
to offset the downward drag of shore conditions. to the Marines’ billets, the move proved advan-
In the early part of 1927, the Fourth and Sixth tageous. In October, the Church moved again, this
Regiments of United States Marines, with Chaplains time to the Carlton Theater where services were held
H. M. Peterson and W. W. Edel, respectively at- during two winters. In the summer of 1931, however,
tached, were sent to Shanghai to share in the de- the Church returned to the Italian Gardens which
fense of American lives and property threatened by afforded more comfortable out-of-door arrangements.
the unrest then developing in China. Chaplain Peter- Chaplain Truitt was relieved by Chaplain J. H.
son remained with the Fourth Regiment until Octo- Brooks in April 1932. In June, the services were
ber when he was sent to Guam. Chaplain Edel ac- transferred to the Cathay Theater, which had re-
companied his Marines when they were transferred cently installed air conditioning, thus making it an
to Tientsin in the summer of 1927. In May Chap- ideal meeting place, even during the hot summer
lains Kirkpatrick, Edel, and Peterson, with Mr. months. The following extracts from Chaplain
Arthur Clark of the Navy Y in Shanghai, met in the Brooks’ book Distinguished Service give further de-
Y and organized “the Asiatic Fleet Church” with tails about the activities of this church:
three components, the USS Pittsburg Church, the On July 3rd, the first service in the Cathay Theatre was
Sixth Regiment Church, and the Fourth Regiment held. Both the church program and the band concert
Church. were commemorative of the anniversary of American
Chaplain W. R. Hall reported for duty with the Independence.
This service was remarkable also because it marked the
Marines in Shanghai in May 1928 and soon there- entry of the Fourth Marines Church into another field
after revived the Fourth Marines Church. There has of usefulness. Mr. Jimmy James, owner of Radio Station
been nothing comparable to this unique church in RUOK, offered to broadcast the church service and band
72 73
Op. cit., p. 205. Chaplain Maguire in his book relates An account of this unique church down to 1933 is found
many experiences as a naval chaplain from his entry into in the first chapter of the book Distinguished Service by
the Corps in 1917 to Pearl Harbor. Chaplain Joseph H. Brooks.

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concert from his Station, paying the expenses of the Theatre, which, I believe, seats about two thousand
broadcast himself. This kind offer was accepted, and on people, and the theatre is actually full. . . . Numerous
July 3rd, radio listeners were surprised to hear a new Chinese, especially of the younger generation, are to be
Sunday morning greeting : “You are listening to Radio found there. While the music of the band and soloists is,
Station RUOK broadcasting by remote control, the pro- undoubtedly, an attraction, there is always a stimulating
gram of the Fourth Marines Church in the Cathay Thea- message given by the Chaplain himself.
tre, Shanghai”. The broadcast has continued every Sunday
since that time except for occasional interruptions due to Writing to Chaplain Dickins from Tientsin on 18
technical difficulties. July 1927, Chaplain Edel enthusiastically commented
. . . . on the success of the Regimental Church plan. Edel
The services held in the Fourth Marines Church have wrote:
been reported in all of Shanghai’s morning English
language newspapers. In two of the papers, the sermons It proved to be exactly the thing that was needed in my
have been printed in full. During the year ending July lst, outfit at least, and the Regimental Church of the Sixth
1933, a total of 3,350 column inches of space was given Regiment at once became the focus for all the interests of
to the activities of the Church. the Chaplain and of men who were at all inclined to live
. . . . the Christian life. It formed a definite organization to
On Christmas Day, 1932, the Fourth Marines Church which men could give their loyalty and for which men
remembered the children in the Russian Refugee School were willing to work, and in two weeks there were nearly
and in the China Christian Day Nursery. More than one sixty men in the Sixth Regiment who had signed up for
thousand presents were brought to the church by Marines the Regimental Church.
and their friends. Two Christmas trees stood in the lobby The unique “Membership Covenant” which pro-
of the Cathay Theatre, aglow with lights and resplendent vided dual membership was signed by all who wished
with toys, dolls and vari-colored decorations. Around the
trees were placed the presents as they came in. After the to be considered active members in the Regimental
church service two trucks, provided by Mr. Honigsberg, Church. It follows:
were loaded with trees and presents and sent to the
schoo1s.74 I believe in Jesus Christ; and pledge my loyalty to
Him as He is made known to me thru prayerful study of
Writing to Chaplain Workman on 28 July 1933, the New Testament, and to the manner of life He taught
Brooks stated: men as it is found in the same pages. It is understood
that this membership is not intended to take the place of
Our attendance is holding up very well. It averages 400 membership in any other church organization, or to
to 600 a Sunday and on special occasions we have more. invalidate such membership, but, is to supplement such
On Mother’s Day, the attendance was over 1200. . . . I membership while I am in the military service.76
think the Fourth Marines Church fills a real need in
Shanghai. It is attended regularly by many English speak- On 9 September 1927, a memorandum was issued
ing Chinese teachers, students, business men, and by a by General Smedley Butler, from Third Brigade
large number of Americans and British. While we have no Headquarters in Tientsin, which further defined the
membership roll, we have two or three hundred civilians organization of the church. It read:
who attend as regularly as if their names were on a
Church roster.75 1. The Third Brigade Church is hereby organized,
effective this date.
During Chaplain M. M. Witherspoon’s tour of 2. The Third Brigade Church will for the present be
duty in Shanghai, December 1934 to October 1936, affiliated with the Asiatic Fleet Church, and will elect
the attendance at the Regimental Church continued representatives to the Asiatic Fleet Church Council.
to grow. In a letter to Chaplain E. A. Duff, then 3. The Third Brigade Church will consist of the follow-
Chief of Chaplains, Bishop Herbert Welch of the ing units:
Methodist Church writing from Shanghai on 17 (a) Brigade Special Troops Church
(b) Fourth Regiment Church
December 1935 commented on the effective service (c) Sixth Regiment Church
Chaplain Witherspoon was rendering: (d) Tenth Regiment Church
(e) Provisional Regiment Church.
For some years, a church service has been conducted
for the Marines which has been attended by a certain 4. The Chaplains in charge of the Third Brigade
number of people from the community. But, under Church will be as follows:
Chaplain Witherspoon’s vigorous efforts, this service has Commander William W. Edel, ChC., U. S. Navy
been built up until it has become a notable contribution Lieutenant-Commander H. M. Peterson, ChC.,
to our American life and to the community at large. It is U. S. Navy
held at 10 o’clock on Sunday mornings in the Grand 5. The Third Brigade Church is Inter-Denominational
74
and all officers and men who are Church Members at
75
Op. cit., pp. 3-5.
76
CoC., Brooks File. CoC., Edel File.

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home are urged to become members of the Third Brigade of the progress of the investigation and his Chief
Church. Such membership does not invalidate member- wrote back words of encouragement. “I am a firm
ship in any other church and no letter of transfer is
necessary from another church. On transfer to the United believer in the final triumph of the Golden Rule,”
States, if not a member of another church, a transfer of wrote Frazier on 23 March 1920. “Now that you
church membership will be issued on request.77 have the Commanding Officer back of you, I feel
Experience proved that the idea was practical and that you will find it much pleasanter, and that his
helpful. On 19 September, Edel noted that the position will influence the attitude of others.78
Brigade Church, exclusive of the Fourth Regiment in Dumstrey was the first chaplain to be appointed
Shanghai, had 492 members and was still growing. Superintendent of Education of the Island Govern-
“The Sixth Regiment Church has 25% of the entire ment. His appointment in February 1921 marked
complement in it,” wrote Edel, “and the Tenth the beginning of the notable services chaplains have
Regiment Church has nearly 40%. . . .” Chaplain rendered the natives of Samoa in the field of educa-
Edel organized an auxiliary group of the strongest tion. Chaplain Edel was engaged in similar activity
Christians and called it the “Century of Cornelius.” at Pago Pago and on 5 August 1924 reported that he
Membership in September numbered fifty-six. By the had twenty schools to inspect each quarter. Great
use of initiations, rituals, and insignia, the men were difficulty was being experienced in securing a suf-
bound together in a close Christian fellowship. Chap- ficient number of trained teachers. In December,
lain Edel reported: “It is a tower of strength to the Edel reported that a Teachers’ Institute was being
Chaplain, and its members can be called upon at any conducted, and that the School budget for 1925 was
time to do any service that may be needed.” By 11 set for $17,918. In August 1925, Edel stated that the
November, the membership of the Brigade Church First Annual School Field and Track Meet for
passed the 1,000 mark. It was then holding its American Samoa was scheduled for Labor Day.
meetings in the Empire Theater in Tientsin. Chap- Poyer High School then had an enrollment of 248,
lain Edel’s fine work with the Marines at Tientsin an increase of 100 percent during Edel’s administra-
was terminated in December 1927 when he received tion.
orders to return to the States. Writing on 25 March 1927, Chaplain James M.
Navy chaplains on duty in the Virgin Islands were Hester, then stationed at Samoa, reported that the
included on the staff of the Governor as Aid for Pub- work for the Department of Education required
lic Welfare. They administered the “Poor List” and practically all of his time. He also stated that ninety
also served as Assistant Federal Prohibition Director percent of his evening congregations. was composed
and Prohibition Commissioner for the Virgin Islands. by Samoans and half-castes. The work continued to
When Chaplain E. L. Ackiss was stationed there, grow in importance with the passing of the years.
June 1923 to June 1925, he organized and became Chaplain J. W. Moore added his testimony to that
Director of the Department of Agriculture, Com- of his predecessors when he wrote to Chaplain Evans
merce and Labor. on 28 March 1933.
Chaplain Herbert Dumstrey reported for duty in The position of the Chaplain here is one of unusual
Samoa in the spring of 1919. During the previous power and prestige. He enjoys said prestige among the
Samoans, primarily because he is a Christian Minister.
three years, there had been no chaplain on duty and For over one hundred years, Christian Missions have been
a missionary from the Church of England had con- at work in Samoa and now seem to be more influential
ducted Divine Services once a month for naval per- than the Government itself. The Chaplain, moreover, is
sonnel. Chaplain Dumstrey stepped into a difficult clothed by the Government with great dignity as the
moral situation at Samoa which was characterized by head of the Department of Education. This dignity,
incidentally has been enhanced recently in my being
excessive drinking and immorality. His written pro- appointed “President of the Board of Education”, an
tests led to an official investigation in which he was office until March 6, 1933, held by the Chief Justice of
able to substantiate his charges. As a result the the Government of American Samoa. The duties in Edu-
Governor took a firm stand and the abuses were cor- cation are no sinecure; and, at present are of more impor-
rected. This in turn made Dumstrey unpopular with tance than ever. . . .
a certain element of the naval personnel. These in- The educational activities of chaplains stationed
dividuals, however, eventually received orders to on Guam was analogous to those on Samoa. The
other duty. Dumstrey kept Chaplain Frazier informed 78
CoC:, Dumstrey File. Unless otherwise noted, additional
77
information in this section has been taken from the file of
Ibid. the chaplain concerned.

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problems faced by chaplains on these islands were $730.16, and opened to the weaving classes on October
27, 1930. A companion building, to house the Sewing
quite similar. There was a lack of trained teachers School, was completed on November 17, 1930, at a cost
and an ever expanding program. of $658.07. Three new “Singer” machines, costing $225.00,
Chaplain Stanton W. Salisbury, in his annual re- have been added to the equipment of the Sewing
port submitted to the Governor of Guam on 14 July School. . . . Plans are underway for the erection of a new
Cooking School, to be located just beyond the Sewing
1925, reported that there were then twenty-three School, and to be of corresponding design. It is intended
schools under the Department of Education; that a that these four schools shall take care of the industrial
staff of ninety-eight, including seventy-nine native training of boys and girls from all the Agana schools, from
teachers, was employed and that the “curriculum is the fourth to the ninth grades inclusive.
that of the State of California and the high standard . . . .
of that State was rigidly enforced through frequent The United States Department of Agriculture gave the
supervision and constant checking.” “Every child in Department of Education, through the Island Govern-
ment, enough blooded live-stock to start an Agricultural
the schools of Guam,” wrote Salisbury, “receives in- School Farm in Guam. The United States Navy Depart-
dustrial training.” An evening High School was ment furnished transportation from the States to Guam
begun in January 1925 for the special benefit of via the U.S.S. NITRO, arriving on 22 February. The
native teachers who wished to continue their educa- animals, consisting of two pure-bred Ayrshire bulls and
tion. The expenditures for the year amounted to $36,- one pure-bred, dual-purpose shorthorn bull, one registered
Duroc Jersey boar and two Duroc Jersey sows; ten
242.41. A total of 2,720 students were registered in Rhode Island Red hens and two cocks, nine White
the schools with an average daily attendance of 89.8 Leghorn hens and two cocks; came through in excellent
percent. condition.
During the years 1920-1931, Governor Willis W. Naturally, chaplains during their tours of duty in
Bradley, Jr., inaugurated a school-naming program Samoa and Guam, carried on the unique activities
which resulted in designating the public school at referred to in this section in addition to the cus-
Sinajana the Chaplain Stanton W. Salisbury School tomary duties associated with the chaplain’s work.
in honor of the chaplain who headed the Department During the years in between the two great World
of Education with such distinction during the years Wars, chaplains aboard ships often conducted sight-
1924-1926. Another chaplain so honored was Harry
seeing parties for members of the ship’s company
M. Peterson. The first industrial school on the Island
while visiting foreign ports. These were frequently of
was named after him in appreciation of his leader-
ship in practical education during his duty in Guam great educational value to the men as they visited
in 1927-1929. When Chaplain Francis L. Albert the historical shrines, temples, churches, muesums,
completed his tour of duty in December 1932, he was and art galleries in such great cities as Rome, Paris,
also honored by the appreciative natives of Guam. Cairo, Peking, Shanghai, and London. Occasionally,
On request of the Guam Teachers’ Association and pilgrimages were even arranged to the Holy Land.
with the unanimous approval of the joint Houses of In the spring of 1929, Chaplain W. N. Thomas
the Guam Congress, Governor Edmund S. Root pub- sponsored a series of such tours in several European
lished an order naming the public park adjacent to cities. He took a party of fifty-four from the Raleigh
the Seaton Schroeder High School in Agana the to see Paris. Accommodations for the entire party
Chaplain Albert Plaza.
were secured in Lafayette Hotel. One evening,
Chaplain Albert laid great emphasis upon voca- shortly after the arrival of the party, the manager of
tional education during his service as Head of the
the hotel approached the Chaplain and in his char-
Department of Education in Guam. The following
extracts from his report for 1930-1931 tell their own acteristic excitable manner said that he had no maids
story: to clean the rooms and make the beds and carry on
the other duties of the hotel.
There is a growing conviction in Guam that, while “Well,” replied Chaplain Thomas, “where are
academic education should not be neglected, there should
be increasing emphasis placed upon practical vocational your maids? You had them here this morning.”
guidance. To carry out this program, an industrial group “Ah, M’sieu,” the manager explained, “but ze
has been built on the edge of the Government House sailors ‘ave taken all ze maid to ze theatre!”
grounds facing San Ramon Street. In addition to the
School Carpentry Shop, there is now a new Weaving “In that case,” said the Chaplain, “let the men
School, of frame construction, completed at a cost of clean their own rooms!”

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 Navy Sightseeing Party, Cairo, Egypt, about 1924.

WELFARE AGENCIES BETWEEN WARS “Do you remember me?” a sailor might ask after
being away for five or even ten years.
From their surpluses at the close of the war, many
“Talk,” Mrs. Hokenstadt would say as she turned
welfare agencies granted ex-servicemen educational
her gaze from his face. “I must hear your voice.”
scholarships. The YMCA expended $5,250,688 in
And then as he talked, her face would light up with
this way, reaching 106,946 individuals, and the recognition. “I remember. You are . . .,” and she
K of C distributed $1,250,000 for the same purpose. 79
would mention his name.
During these years, between the two great World The years 1920-1929 were years of rapid expansion
Wars, every Catholic chaplain who entered the serv- for the Y both in the United States and in its over-
ice received from the Chaplain’s Aid Association of seas activities. Likewise, Y work for service personnel,
the Catholic Church a Mass kit, vestments, altar in particular naval personnel, broadened tremendously
linens, altar wines, and other ecclesiastical items. All in scope.
Catholic chaplains in service were also supplied The following is a list of the larger building ac-
with rosaries, religious literature, and other religious quired in the United States during the period under
items needed in their work. review with the approximate cost and year of dedica-
The Luthern Service Center in Bremerton, Wash- tion: $200,000 annex, Norolk, 1923; $275,000 main
inton, was one of the few service men’s centers to building, Bremerton, Washington, 1924; $800,000
carry on in the years between the wars. There the building, San Diego, 1924; $900,000 building on the
Reverend and Mrs. Theodore Hokenstadt endeared Embarcadero in San Francisco, 1926; $750,000
themselves to thousands of bluejackets. Motherly center at San Pedro, 1926; $850,000 building,
Mrs. Hokenstadt has a phenomenal memory for Philadelphia, 1929; $35,000 annex, Vallejo, 1931;
voices and often recognized bluejackets by this means $260,000 building, Seattle, 1931; $12,500 annex for
long after the face had been forgotten. San Pedro, 1933; and a $70,000 building at Long
79
Beach, 1936.80
NRSO: 28234-25. Letter dated 21 Mar. 1923, from 80
George R. Landis of the YMCA to Secretary of the Navy See Pond, MS. “History of Army and Navy YMCA.”
Edwin Denby; Egan and Kennedy, The Knights Of Colum- The building in Seattle was a general building with a sec-
bus, p. 400. tion set apart for Navy use.
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 Two new buildings were opened in the Canal was opened on North Szechuan Road in Shanghai
Zone, one at Cristobal in December 1923 and the in 1923. This had the usual provisions of a dormitory,
other at Balboa a year later. A commodious new cafe, gymnasium, swimming pool, reading and writing
building was erected in Manila at a cost of $325,000 rooms, canteen, and other facilities. An cstcnsion of
which was dedicated 19 June 1926. An $830,000 the Shanghai work was conducted at Chefoo where
center was dedicated in Honolulu, 16 March 1928. the Fleet spent much of the year. Here property
The work in China was especially noteworthy worth about $100,030 which included “three tennis
because the Y there filled such a desperate need. courts, a basketball court, and a boxing pavilion in
Moral conditions in the large port cities in the Orient addition to nine substantial buildings of various sizes
visited by the Fleet were such as to give grave con- had been acquired by 1934. 81 The Y, “farthest from
cern, not only to chaplains, but, to line officers as home,” was located at Hankow far in the interior of
well. Naval personnel from time to time had shore China to serve the men on the Yangtze patrol. Here
liberty in strange cities where temptations abounded. a building was first rented in 1924 for Y activities.
The Y work which had been started in Shanghai Six years later property was purchased. The Y re-
in 1912 was greatly expanded to keep pace with sumed work at Peking in 1922 for the Marines
the increased number of United States bluejackets on assigned to the Legation Guard. Other work in
duty in Far Eastern waters. China was located at Tientsin and Hong Kong.
A fine new Y building costing more than $330,000 81
Ibid, p. 140.

Navy Sightseeing Party, Soochow, China, June 1922.

—239—
-240-
 The Y not only provided a clean wholesome place- books for the Seder services and unleavened bread to men.
for bluejackets to spend their leisure hours, but was of the Jewish Faith for the eight days of Passover; and
Commanding Officers are directed to arrange for distribu-
also active in promoting recreational and social tion to men of Jewish Faith under their command.
events. Many sailor boys astride diminutive donkeys
participated in Y sightseeing tours to old temples A similar directive appeared each year up to and
and pagodas. including 1938. Beginning with 1925 and continuing.
A typical Sunday at the Shanghai Y started with a through 1938, another series of directives granted
“Java Club” meeting around the breakfast table with similar privileges for the Jewish High Holy Days. The.
an open forum on some religious subject. Church following directive which appeared on 16 July 1925,
parties were sponsored for the usual Sunday morning is typical:
services held in Community Church (American) or Subject: Jewish High Holy Days.
in one of the English churches. In the evening, the Y In order to permit observance of the High Holy Days,.
gave a sukiyaki dinner in the gymnasim for sailors including the New Year (Rosh Hashana) and the Day
of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Commanding Officers will
and for families from Community Church. Here, per- grant leave, when the exigencies of the Service permit, to
haps for the only time in months, American sailor men of the Jewish Faith from noon of September 17th.
boys had the opportunity of fellowship with civilians until noon of September 22nd, and from noon of Sep-
of their own country and especially with American tember 26th until noon of September 30th, 1925.
girls. Following the dinner, the low tables and mats Thus, consideration was given to a minority re-
were removed, folding chairs unstacked and put into ligious group to observe their religious festivals in the
position, and the gymnasium converted into a church. traditional manner.
The evening service was usually informal, with the For years, the American Seamen’s Friend Society
emphasis on singing. had presented Bibles to the members of the gradu-
Thomas A. Rymer, Senior Secretary of the Army ating class at the Naval Academy. In 1933, this proj-
and Navy Department of the National Council, pre- ect was taken over by the Maryland Bible Society, a
sented a summary of the activities of the Y before branch of the American Bible Society, and has been
a meeting of chaplains near Long Beach in Novem- continued without interruption. In appropriate serve
ber 1935. He stated: ices at each graduation, the Maryland Society has
Today there are 34 Army and Navy Associations, 24 of presented to each graduate a beautiful bound copy
them in continental United States, 2 in Canal Zone, 2 in of the New Testament and Psalms with the Naval.
Hawaii, 2 in the Philippine Islands and 4 in China. They
have property and endowments amounting to approxi- Academy seal stamped in gold on the cover.
mately $10,000,000. These Associations spend for the
men of the Service in excess of a million dollars a year.82 RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AT THE
Thousands upon thousands of American boys of NAVAL ACADEMY
all creeds at home and abroad have benefitted by the The four Chaplains who saw duty at the Naval
facilities provided and services rendered by this insti- Academy during these years under review were:
tution. In all this, the Y has had the cooperation and Bower R. Patrick, 26 Dec. 1919-5 July 1921.
assistance of Navy chaplains. Sydney K. Evans, 5 July 1921-10 June 1929.
In the absence of Jewish chaplains on active duty,
Frank H. Lash, 1 June 1929-3 June 1933.
the Jewish Welfare Board continued to provide for
William N. Thomas, 3 June 1933-.
the religious needs of men of that faith to the best of
In addition, there were assistant chaplains, each of
its ability. The Bureau of Navigation issued annual
whom usually stayed approximately two years.
directives after 1921 which made it easier for Jewish
Various customs and traditions pertaining to reli-
personnel to obtain special leave to attend the Pass-
gious life of midshipmen were carried on and added
over rites. The following was issued on 16 February
to by the chaplains on duty at the Academy during
1921 to all ships and stations:
these years. The Naval Academy Christian Associa-
Subject: Jewish Holiday. tion, an independent organization which grew out of
1. Commanding Officers are authorized to grant leave
at discretion to men of Jewish Faith from noon Friday, the YMCA of earlier years, continued. to meet each
22 April, until midnight, 24 April, 1921, with such addi- Sunday evening. In his annual report for 1925, Chap-
tional travel time as may be practicable. lain Evans wrote: “This is a voluntary meeting con-
2. The Jewish Welfare Board will furnish special prayer ducted by the midshipmen themselves, the attendance
82
Riddle, Religion and Welfare, p. 55. varying from 300 to 1,000, and on special occasions

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 Present Chapel at Naval Academy, 1940-

it is higher.” Morning prayers continued to be offered and country. This striking window, so original in de-
in the mess hall after breakfast each week-day morn- sign, has attracted much attention.
ing for the whole Regiment. A Sunday School was In 1934, the Regiment had so increased that two
conducted for the children of the officers and civilian Sunday morning services became necessary in order
instructors on duty at the Academy. to accommodate all who wished to attend. One service
The Naval Academy Chapel contains many inter- was held at 0900 and the other at 1030. Chaplain
esting treasures and memorials. A Communion Rail Thomas, then on duty, made the first service more
was placed in the Chapel and dedicated to the informal than the second and gave a different
memory of Chaplain Henry Howard Clark on Sun- sermon. Thomas further enriched the services by
day, 22 February 1925. Among the memorials is the introducing prayers written especially for the mild-
$7,500 window, “The Commission Invisible,” pre- shipmen and for the Navy. He wrote “The Mid-
sented by the class of 1927. This stained glass picture, shipman’s Prayer” in 1938. All plebes at the
the idea of which was suggested by Chaplain Evans, Academy are urged to memorize this prayer, which
portrays a graduate in the white ensign’s uniform is repeated in unison every Sunday morning at
holding his commission. The young man appears just Divine Service. It has been printed on the last page
to have finished reading his commission and has be- of the 1942 edition of Song and Service Book for
come consicious of another and co-extensive call. The Ship and Field. This prayer, widely known through-
figure of Christ appears in the sky at the right out the Navy, reads:
pointing with one hand in benediction towards the Almighty Father, whose way is in the sea and whose
American flag and with the other towards the young paths are in the great waters, whose command is over all
officer. Thus, the Annapolis graduate standing at the and whose love never faileth: Let me be aware of Thy
presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my
beginning of his professional career is reminded of best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and in
his double duty, in no wise contradictory, to God deed, and helping me so to live that I can stand un-

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ashamed and unafraid before my shipmates, my loved In January 1939, alterations to lengthen the nave
ones, and Thee. Protect those in whose love I live. Give were initiated which were to cost $400,000 or ap-
me the will to do the work of a man and to accept my
share of responsibilities with a strong heart and a cheerful proximately the original cost of the Chapel. It was
mind. Make me considerate of those intrusted to my possible to hold services in the main part of the
leadership and faithful to the duties my country has Chapel during most of the reconstruction. When
intrusted to me. Let my uniform remind me daily of the completed, the alterations permitted a seating ca-
traditions of the Service of which I am a part. If I am pacity of 2,500. Upon Chaplain Thomas’ suggestion,
inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make
me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me the naval guns which formerly decorated the main
courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth approach to the Chapel were removed and two large
and keep before me the life of Him by whose example old-fashioned anchors, made for the Navy’s first
and help I trust to obtain the answer to my prayer, armored cruiser New York, were substituted as being
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. more symbolic of the Christian tradition. The en-
The October 1945 issue of Naval Institute Proceed- larged Chapel was rededicated on 28 April 1940.
ings contains an interesting article by Sarah Corbin
Robert on “The Naval Academy Chapel-Cathedral OF GENERAL INTEREST
of the Navy” in which she makes the following com-
ment on the form of service used at the Academy: On 5 October 1920, the Federal Council of the
It is true that the Prayer Book of the Protestant
Churches of Christ in America, through its Com-
Episcopal Church is used. This practice came about in mittee. on Army and Navy Chaplains, presented to
this way. On ships of the Navy which have no chaplain, Secretary Daniels and Chaplain Frazier handsome
the captain, or other officer, conducts religious worship. war medals for each Navy Protestant chaplain who
The psalms, lessons, and prayers for all occasions con- served in World War I. The members of the pres-
tained within this one volume made it easy for a captain
unaccustomed to such duty to conduct a dignified service.
entation committee “expressed their high appreci-
The Chapel uses this Prayer Book, but it has gradually ation of the devoted services rendered by those who
worked out its own order of worship for a service little in the time that tried men’s souls ministered to the
longer. than an hour. The special prayers are “For the moral and spiritual needs of those who faced danger
Navy,” “For All in the Armed Forces,” including prisoners and death for their country on the seas.” The Presi-
of war, “For the Naval Academy,” and “The Prayer of a
Midshipman.” dent of the United States and the Secretaries of War
Captains of ships who have known the Chapel service and of the Navy were also recipients of one of these
write back for the order of worship, and chaplains un- medals “given in recognition of their deep interest in
familiar with this service often write, when the Captain the more important work of the chaplains.”83
asks that the prayers which became meaningful to him
at the Naval Academy be used aboard his ship. As in the
Following World War I, several of the larger de-
past when the churches looked to the Cathedral for the nominations continued their interest in the work of
liturgy, so the Navy Academy Chapel is setting the pattern their representatives in the Navy chaplaincy by grant-
for religious services throughout the Navy. ing small annual subsidies of $25 to $100 to be used
Increasingly, the chaplain at the Academy was by the chaplain in his work. However, by 1930, prac-
called upon to perform marriages for the graduates, tically all such subsidies had been discontinued.
to baptise their children, and to officiate at funerals. In June 1921, an effort was made to guarantee the
The following records, taken from the Chapel log, publication of the history of the Chaplain Corps
during Chaplain Thomas’ first six and a half years which had been prepared by Chaplain Hoes. As early
of duty there, is indicative of the ever-expanding as 1908, Chaplain Hoes was at work on his manu-
importance of the chaplain’s ministry at the script. Writing to Chaplain Helms on 10 October of
Academy: that year he said:
Baptisms Weddings Funerals
I am now engaged upon its final revision, preparatory
1933 ............. 9 8 1 to sending my manuscript to the publisher, by whom it
1934 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 17 14 will be issued in sumptuous form—probably in two vol-
1935 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 23 16 umes, with portrait pictures of all the Chaplains except-
1936 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 26 27 ing a very few of the earlier ones whose pictures either
1937 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 23 18
1938 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 9 11 83
1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 22 16 Report of Secretary of Navy, 1920, p. 122. The mem-
bers of the presentation committee included Bishop W. F.
McDowell, Mr. W. K. Cooper, and the following ministers:
309 128 103 E. O. Watson, A. R. Bird, and C. F. Steck.

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do not exist or I have not been able to discover. I have War II as the best available brief history of the
succeeded, however, in obtaining most of the early Corps. Chaplain Edel has also published a number
ones.84
of articles on various aspects of the history of the
To Chaplain Hoes goes the credit of collecting Corps in several periodicals and has used interesting
and preserving invaluable data relating to the history biographical material about Navy chaplains on his
of the Corps. From his collection of photographs and unique Christmas greetings.
copies of paintings of the earlier chaplains came most The Manual which Chaplain Frazier issued during
of the pictures which are today in the office of the the First World War was not inclusive enough to
Chief of Chaplains. For some reason, Chaplain Hoes meet all conditions faced in the’ thirties. The wide-
was never able to get his history published. Perhaps, spread need for some adequate guide was met by a
it was because he never completed writing his notes manual issued by Chaplain J. J. Brady when he was
in presentable form for a publisher. In May 1921, serving as Battle Force Chaplain of the Pacific Fleet.
when Hoes was in his seventy-second year, he met During his tour of duty, which began in March 1930,
with an accident which sent him to the Kaval he compiled a Manual for the benefit of the chap-
Hospital in Washington. lains under his jurisdiction. This loose-leaf compila-
Chaplain Frazier, appreciating the value of Hoes’s tion consisted of printed and mimeographed material.
researches, took the lead in persuading him to turn Included were an outline for a burial service at sea,
over all his notes and materials to Chaplain Edel. suggestions for conducting the annual Christmas
On 9 June 1921, Chaplain Frazier sent out letters parties for children, and ideas for conducting sight-
to other chaplains requesting five dollar contributions seeing excursions. This Manual served a very useful
to subsidize the publication of a book. Chaplain purpose.
Frazier explained: The second Christian Scientist to serve as chaplain
Chaplain Hoes has been collecting for a great many in the Navy was Joel H. Benson who was appointed
years, data and photographs concerning all men who have acting chaplain on 10 March 1920. Chaplain Richard
served as Chaplains in the Navy since we first had a J. Davis, the first to serve from this denomination, re-
Navy. This data is extremely interesting and instructive signed on 31 January 1920. Since the Christian
and should be put in permanent shape. Chaplain Hoes has Science Church had secured recognition by having
refused, up to the last week, to let this matter get out of
his own hands. He is an old man, however, and has just one of its number included in the Corps, the effort
had an accident that will make him an invalid for the was made to have a successor to Davis appointed as
rest of his life. At the earnest solicitation of Chaplains soon as possible. Chaplain Frazier, knowing the diffi-
Tribou, Wright, and myself he has agreed to turn this culties he had in placing Chaplain Davis, objected to
matter over to us on condition that we prepare it for the appointment of others from this church. These
publication in book form. Chaplain Edel, who had just
written a long thesis for his degree at Boston University objections were overruled, however. Benson had en-
. . . has agreed to undertake with us the writing of this rolled in the Naval Reserve Force, Class 4, on 13
history.85 December 1918 in the grade of assistant paymaster
with the rank of ensign. After he resigned this com-
The financial response to the appeal was disap- mission in the Naval Reserve, he was appointed chap-
pointing. Edel’s interest in the history of the Corps lain in the Regular Navy.
antedates the receipt of the material from Hoes. Edel
Chaplain Benson was sent first to the Naval Train-
had completed a 175 typewritten page thesis on the
history of the Corps in 1921 from notes gathered by ing Station at Newport and then attached to the
Bridgeport. His presence as chaplain aboard that ship
Chaplain Tribou and from assistance rendered by
soon raised difficult problems both for his Com-
other veteran chaplains as Frazier, Clark, Gill, and
manding Officer and for Chaplain Frazier. Chaplain
Dickins. Edel found that Hoes had so much addi-
Benson was a layman who, although an acceptable
tional material it became necessary for him to rewrite
religious leader in his own faith, had never received
his manuscript. In 1942, Edel prepared the twenty-
the seminary training other chaplains had taken.
seven page mimeographed pamphlet entitled “Navy
While competent as officer-in-charge of recreation,
Chaplains from 1775 to 1917” which has been
athletics, and moving pictures, he was unable to
widely circulated among Navy chaplains in World
serve acceptably as the leader of the religious life of
84 the ship. According to a letter written by the Com-
Edel Coll., Hoes File.
85
CoC., Tribou File.
manding Officer dated 9 May 1922, Chaplain Benson

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was the only member of the Christian Science Church annoyed by the incessant requests of ,the ship’s chap-
aboard. lain for special boat trips. The artist depicted a cross-
Chaplain Benson was transferred to the Denebola section of the ship, labeling compartments with
on 13 June 1922 where he remained until 16 May subtle humor: a Baptist Immersion Chamber, a Pork
1924. For several months this ship was in Near Hole in the Rabbi’s Galley, a Fish Locker. The car-
Eastern waters where Chaplain Benson, provided with toon has acquired additional embellishments during
funds from his church, carried on extensive relief the intervening years. The illustration on page 246
work with refugees in Constantinople. For these out- incorporates the most recent additions to the car-
standing services Chaplain Benson received the Croix toon, which include the “bright and shining light”
de Chevalier de l’Ordre de Sauveur from the Greek on the steeple.
Government. He returned to the States in January An example of the concern that many chaplains
1924 and was ordered in May to the Navy Yard felt for the physical welfare of naval personnel is
Charleston, South Carolina, where he remained for illustrated in the gift of a commodious swimming
more than two years. Here the same difficulties arose pool to the Naval Base at Cavite, Philippine Islands,
as to his ability to minister acceptably to the re- by Chaplain Truman P. Riddle. This pool, costing
ligious needs of other Protestant personnel. The Com- approximately $5,000 was constructed during Riddle’s
mandant of the Yard wrote to Chaplain Scott, then tour of duty there from July 1927 to February 1930,
Chief of Chaplains, on 22 September 1925, pointing and has been much used and greatly appreciated by
out some of the problems involved. Clergymen had to all hands.
be called in from Charleston to conduct funerals and The United States Coast Guard, originally known
weddings. Protestant parents in the Yard and in the as the Revenue Marine, was created by Act of Con-
immediate vicinity objected to sending their children gress on 4 August 1790 and was placed under the
to a Sunday School conducted by a Christian Scien- Treasury Department. The Act of 2 March 1799
tist. The Commandant mentioned another problem: provided that this service “shall, whenever the
Paragraph 1245 (6). U. S. Navy Regulations, provides President of the United States shall so direct, co-
that one of the duties of a Chaplain shall be to “visit the operate with the Navy of the United States.”87
sick . . .” It is not clear what benefit or comfort a sick The Coast Guard has no Chaplain Corps. During
person could derive from the visits of a Chaplain of a
faith which denies the existence of disease. the First World War, when the Coast Guard came
under the jurisdiction of the Navy, its personnel auto-
Since no family attached to the station belonged matically fell within the scope of the Navy chaplains’
to the Christian Science church, a change of chap- responsibilities. The ministry of naval chaplains to
lains was requested. the Coast Guard began in 1932 with the opening of
It was Chaplain Scott’s opinion, which he stated the new Coast Guard Academy at New London,
was free of prejudice against either Chaplain Benson Connecticut. The chaplain assigned to the Submarine
or the Christian Science Church, that the Chaplain Base at New London had additional duty orders to
was not professionally qualified to perform the work the Academy. The first to serve in this two-fold
naturally expected of a naval chaplain. Chaplain capacity was Chaplain Roy L. Lewis. In 1932, he
G. H. Dickins, the third Chief of Chaplains, was of wrote to the Chief of Chaplains Evans describing
the same opinion as his two predecessors. his extra duties:
Chaplain Benson resigned on 15 September 1926. I have arranged to conduct morning prayers at the
The Christian Science Church, notified of this action, Academy during the period of. Lent; also to conduct a
did not request the appointment of a successor. No Bible study class during this season. I am convinced that
other Christian Science chaplain was appointed be- the value of these services is worth all the extra effort
fore World War II.86 it costs me.88
Salt water humor has always been strong in the As early as 14 January of that year, Admiral F. C.
Navy. During the twenties a clever cartoon entitled Billard, Commandant of the Coast Guard, officially
“Spiritual Overhaul Ship SOS No. 1,” which lam- requested the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation to
pooned chaplains, appeared in Navy circles. It is said assign a full time Navy chaplain to the Academy.
that it was drawn by the first lieutenant of a ship The Admiral asserted that the detail of Chaplain
stationed in the Philippines who was thoroughly 87
Lovette, Naval Customs, p. 297.
86 88
CoC., Benson File. CoC., Lewis File, letter of 18 Feb.

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Page 246

EXPLANATION
Since repair ships carry, various special mechanics and hospital ships carry assorted brands of Medical Officers, it is suggested that the spiritual activities of
the service be concentrated in one ship, specially designed for the purpose. The above plan was conceived for the benefit of the Chaplain Corps and the proposed
name of this vessel is U.S.S. PADRE (S. O. S. NO. 1)
It is to be permanently moored for the convenience of the chaplains going ashore. The Special boats are shown hoisted for the purposes of illustration only,
for naturally they will be in the water at all times ready to make trips for chaplains five minutes after the regular boat has shoved off.
When force commanders consider that the moral tone of one of their ships is low, or at any rate, lower than usual, they will order her along side the U.S.S.
PADRE for spiritual overhaul. The Commanding Officer will submit a work list of all souls needing, and warranting repair. The chaplains will then proceed to do
their stuff.
(Cartoonist and author of explanation unknown)
Lewis to such duty would be most agreeable to the A B
Superintendent of the Academy and to him. Baptist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 13
Catholic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 20
While budgetary technicalities prevented the Navy Christian Science . . . . . . . . . . 1
Department from acceding to this request, neverthe- Congregational . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4
less similar addltional duty orders were issued to Cong.-Christian . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1
Lewis’s successors .89 Chaplains after Lewis who min- Disciples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5
istered to the Coast Guard Academy while serving Lutheran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9
Methodist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 18
at the Submarine Base were: R. W. Shrum, Septem- Presbyterian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 17
ber 1932 to 1934; G. L. Markle until 1936; and Prot. Episcopal . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 5
J. W. Moore,. still on duty when the period under Reformed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2
review closed. United Brethren . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Three Naval Reserve chaplains served with the 88 94
Civilian Conservation Corps in the thirties. Chaplain
A. O. Martin reported for duty at Fort Sheridan, IN RETROSPECT
Illinois, on 3 June 1935 and was sent to Fort Brady,
Michigan, where he served the CCC camps in that Tremendous changes had taken place in the life
vicinity. On 24 January 1936, Martin began duty at and organization of the Navy since 1778 when
Trout Lake, Michigan. He continued this type of Benjamin Balch, the first known chaplain to serve
duty until June 1940. in the Continental Navy, walked the decks of the
Chaplain H. F. Hanson served with the CCC small frigate Boston. One hundred and sixty-one
from October 1935 to April 1946 with headquarters years later, or on 8 September 1939, there were
at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Chaplain C. M. Lever ninety-two chaplains on duty with the mighty ships
began duty in a group of camps near Superior, of the modern fleet as well as on shore at home and
Wisconsin, in May 1936. Writing to Chaplain abroad. During these years, a total of 471, counting
Workman on 2 February 1940, Lever stated: the sixty who served in the early days of the Navy
without warrant or commission, were listed as
For three years and eight months, I have had the same chaplains.
CCC Camps as Chaplain most of that time as a Naval
Reserve Officer on Active Duty. I have averaged about At first, the Continental Navy was copied after the
28 services per month during that period, travelling about British Navy. As in other matters, the Colonies bor-
300 miles per week in all kinds of weather and I have rowed freely of the customs and traditions of the
enjoyed all of it.90 Mother Country. Gradually, through the years fol-
Army officers were in command of these camps. lowing the official establishment of the Navy Depart-
The Naval Reserve Officers who served under them ment in 1798, the United States Navy developed its
wore naval uniforms. Several Army Reserves who own regulations, customs, and traditions, which, while
served as CCC chaplains later entered either the indebted to the British for basic ideas, were yet
Regular or the Naval Reserve. Among those entering indigenous to America.
the Regular Navy --- were chaplains E. P. Wuebbens, No Corps of the Navy developed under such
W. G. Irwin, and Otto D. F. Herrmann. handicaps and difficulties as did the Chaplain Corps.
The number of chaplains on sea and shore duty For decades, Navy chaplains were the poorest paid
overseas fluctuated between fifty-two percent and officers in the Navy. For about twenty years, their
fifty-eight percent of the Corps. number was limited to nine, and then for seventy-
During the twenties the Catholics, Methodists, and two years the total on duty could not exceed twenty-
Presbyterians each had about seventeen chaplains in four. During most of the Navy’s history, chaplains
the Corps. During the years 1929-1932, the Presby- labored under discriminatory regulations regarding
terians had nineteen. An analysis of the denomina- status, uniform, and rank. These in the main had
tional affiliations of chaplains who entered the Corps been rectified by the eve of the First World War.
during the years 1920-1939 is shown in Column A. This great world struggle brought the Chaplain
The affiliations of chaplains who were on duty 8 Corps of the United States Navy into its own. The
September 1939 is indicated in column B. office of the Chief of Chaplains, established under
89 the pressure of war conditions, demonstrated its value
90
Ibid., Coast Guard Academy File.
Ibid., Lever File in the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the

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Corps. With the ever rising educational and profes- naval officers sometimes find their education inter-
sional standards required of new appointees to the rupted, yet through their extensive travels, often
Corps, the chaplains won increasingly the respect abroad, they secure a broader education than other
and confidence of both enlisted men and officers. By young people of their age usually receive. They ob-
1939, the chaplains’ place in the life and organiza- tain a knowledge and experience of life which does
tion of the Navy was accepted and secured. not come from school books. A chaplain and his
Chaplains share with other naval officers all the family soon discover that the Navy has given them
difficulties and compensations of seafaring life. an opportunity to make a host of friends all over the
Normal home relationships are disrupted. When a world. Navy chaplains are at home everywhere; there
Navy man is away on an extended tour of sea or is nothing of the provincial about them.
foreign duty, extra burdens are laid upon the In an article entitled “Sea-Going Clergymen,”
shoulders of the wife and mother. If a chaplain is which appeared in the Christmas 1942 issue of The
married, he faces the problem of finding suitable Trident, Chaplain William N. Thomas, then chap-
living quarters for his family in the vicinity of the lain at the Naval Academy, gave the following testi-
home port of his ship. With a change of duty every mony which sums up the convictions of his col-
few years, chaplains are unable to enjoy the accumu- leagues in the naval chaplaincy:
lative benefits which come from long residence in
Out of a quarter of a century of service, the writer of
the same locality. It is difficult to move one’s library these lines can say, without reservations, that no clergy-
and possessions from one place to another. These are man could ask for a happier environment and more pleas-
some of the disadvantages in a naval chaplain’s life. ant associates than those furnished by the officers and
men of the Navy. It is a great privilege to be a “padre”
On the other hand, the compensations which come in the American Navy.91
with long service in the Navy have a way of balanc-
ing these difficulties. Even though the children of 91
Op. cit., p. 45.

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 APPENDIX I
UNITED STATES NAVY CHAPLAINS, 1778-19391
Arranged alphabetically by years
Figures in parentheses indicate total for year.
* Indicates non-commissioned chaplain chosen by the commanding officer from the ship’s company to
serve for the duration of the cruise. Such names do not appear as chaplains in Navy Registers.
A year date after a name indicates first year of previous service.

ABBREVIATIONS
Bap (N) Baptist (Northern) PE Protestant Episcopal
(S) (Southern) Presby (USA) Presbyterian (Northern)
Breth Brethren, Church of (US) (Southern)
Chris Christian Church RC Roman Catholic
Cong Congregational Ref Reformed Church of America
Cong-Chris Congregational-Christian UBreth United Brethren
Disc Disciples of Christ Unit Unitarian
Luth Lutheran Univ Universalist
Meth (N) Methodist (Northern) UPresby United Presbyterian
(S) (Southern)
Where no denomination is indicated, none is known.
1778 *Cruize, Lawrence
*Balch, Benjamin Cong *Lyde, Nathaniel
1782 *Ormsby, Robert
*Geagan, Timothy *Ravara, Joseph
1798 1807
*Austin, William *Fairchild, Lewis
1799 Petty, William
Balch, William Cong 1808
1800 (5) *Turner, Edward W.
Chandler, Samuel PE (?) 1809 (6)
*Flannery, Matthew Barry, Garrett
Morris, Noadiah Briscoe, William H.
Thompson, Robert Moore, Andrew L.
Vallette, Elie *Morris, Lemuel
1802 Robinson, William
McFarlan, Alexander PE *Shaw, Charles
1803 1810
Leonard, Peter *Denison, Henry
1804 1811
Dennison, Robert Adams, David Phineas
*Schnetter, John Hunter, Andrew Presby
1805 (6) *Smith, Nathaniel R.
*Budd, Charles A. 1812 (7)
*Cerdona, Batta *Anderson, Samuel T.
1
*Carlton, John
Totalling 477, including six names which appear twice. Cook, John PE
The biographical and service-record sketches of these 471 *Kelso, James
chaplains were included in volume III of this history issued
by the Government Printing Office in 1948. *Morris, George N.

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*Waine, Thomas Ridgely, G. W. PE
*West, David Stewart, Charles Samuel Presby
1813 (7) 1829
*Bancroft, Henry Harrison, Timothy J. Presby
*Breese, Thomas Ryland, William Meth
*Davis, George 1830
*Livermore, Samuel Colton, Walter Cong
*Penny, Francis H. 1833
*Sands, Richard A. Jones, George
*Sands, William M. PE
Wiltbank, James PE
1814 1834
*Gatewood, Richard Lambert, Thomas R.
Humphreys, A. Y. PE
*Lloyd, Richard 1836
Rockwell, Charles Cong
1815 (9)
Cooper, Colden 1838
Felch, Cheever PE Clark, Peter G. PE
*Handy, Charles O. Elliott, Jared L. Presby
*Hanlon, Alexander I. 1839
*Morse, E. B. *Girard, John F.
Norton, Richard C. Lewis, Rodman Meth
*Thomas, Gardner Wilmer, Joseph P. B. PE
Watson, Joseph 1841 (11)
*Whitney, A. G. Alden, Charles H. PE
1816 Bartow, Theodore B. PE
Andrew, Nathaniel PE Chase, Moses B. 1819 PE
Folsom, Charles Unit Gillett, Samuel T. Meth
Ireland, John PE Harris, Thompson S. Presby
1817 Jackson, William G. PE
*Burrows, Thomas McKenney, William Meth
Chase, Philander, Jr. Newell, Chester PE
PE Stockbridge, Joseph
*Laughton, William Bap
Talbot, Mortimer R. PE
1818 Taylor, Fitch W.
Brooks, James PE
PE 1842
Everett, James PE
Wilson, Azariah Fisk, Photius Kavasales Unit
1819 2843
Chase, Moses Bayley Lathrop, John P. Cong
PE
Hambleton, John N. Robb, John Meth
1820 1844
Searle, Addison PE Frost, Nathaniel Bap
Grigg, John PE
1823 Newton, Joel W.
Allison, Burgess Cong
Bap Swann, George W.
*Bates, John A. Presby
Jones, Cave PE 1845
1824 Fletcher, N. C. Univ
Grier, John W. Latham, George W. Bap
Presby
McCarty, John PE 1847
1825 Blake, John PE
Addison, John Bap Eaton, Edwin Bap
Ogilvie, James G. Presby Lenhart, John L. Meth
Stanley, Thomas Coke Meth (S)
1826
McLaughlin, Edward Presby 1850
1827 Bittinger, Edmund C. Presby
*Campbell, A. H. 1851
Hayes, Hervey H. Cong Dewey, Orville Unit
*Soter, Eskridge, Vernon Meth
1828 1853
Fenner, John P. PE Noble, Mason Presby
*May, Charles Thomas, Charles W. Meth (S)

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 1855 1881
Given, Robert Meth Morrison, William PE
Watson, John L. PE Royce, Alfred L. PE
1856 Thompson, Frank PE
Wood, Henry Presby 1882
1857 Hoes, Roswell Randall Presby (USA)
Davis, Charles A. Meth (S) 1885
1859 Wright, Carroll Quinn Disc
Junkin, Davis X. Presby 1888
1860 Isaacs, Walter Gilbert Meth (S)
Dorrance, George W. Bap Parks, Charles H. RC
1861 1889
Salter, Thomas G. PE McIntire, Joseph Prince Meth
1862 1890
Coleman, James A. Meth Hensley, Alexander C. PE
Hitchcock, William A. PE 1892
1863 (5) Reaney, William Henry I. RC
Hale, Charles R. PE Sherman, Fredericks F. PE
McLaren, Donald Presby 1894
Stewart, William H. Bap Edmonson, William Elam Meth (S)
Wallace, John S. PE Goodwin, Montgomery M. PE
Winslow, Ezra D. Meth 1895
1864 Chidwick, John P. S. RC
Beugless, John D. Bap Frazier, John Brown Meth (S)
Henderson, George D. PE 1896
Hibben, Henry B. Meth Jones, Harry W. PE
Smith, George Williamson PE
1897
1868 Cassard, William Gilbert Meth
Holway, Wesley O. Meth Freeman, Thaddeus S. K. Disc
Kane, James Johnson Bap Sykes, Arthur O. Meth/PE
1869 1898
Brittain, M. Cookman Meth Brown, Frederic C. Unit
Cobb, William R. Meth (S) Dickins, Curtis Hoyt Univ/PE
Lewis, John Kerfoot PE Helms, William T. Meth
Matthews, John R. PE Steele, Robert E. Presby (US)
1870 1900
Crawford, George Artemas Meth Rennolds, Louis P. RC
Rose, Frank B. Bap
1901
1871 Brennan, Edward J. RC
Rawson, Edward K. Cong Charlton, Charles M. Meth (N)
Van Meter, John B. Meth MacGrail, Joseph F. RC
1872 1902 (5)
Tribou, David Howard Meth (N) Bayard, George L. PE
1873 Bellows, Johnson McC. PE
Clark, Henry Howard Meth (N) Fleming, John Frank Bap (N)
Hagar, Elijah W. PE McDonald, Eugene E. RC
McAlister, Adam A. PE Patrick, Bower Reynolds Bap (N)
1874 1903
Brown, James H. H. P E Gleeson, Matthew Carlin RC
Gill, Thomas Augustus Bap Stone, Arthur William PE
Hudson, Robert PE 1904
1875 Scott, Evan Walter Cong
Boorom, Sylvester D. PE 1905
1876 McGinty, Joseph F. RC
Hayward, Richard PE 1907
1880 Evans, Sydney Key PE
*Kramer, Samuel Meth Stevenson, George E. T. Bap (N)

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 1909 Bouffard, Irenne J. RC
MacNair, James Duncan Meth (N) Burke, Eugene Sebastian RC
Pearce, Hugh M. T. PE Duff, Edward Aloysius RC
Dumstrey, Herbert Ref
1910 Ellis, Charles Vinton Bap (S)
Brodmann, Edmund A. RC Hayes, Allison John Meth (N)
Taylor, LeRoy Nelson Meth (N) Kranz; George Boniface RC
1913 Workman, Robert DuBois Presby (USA)
Thompson, Thomas B. Presby (USA) 1916 (7)
1914 Elder, William Wytche Cong
Brady, John Joseph RC Hastings, Charles Henry Meth (N)
Lewis, Roy Leslie Meth (N)
1915 (11) Park, Albert Newton, Jr. Presby (USA)
Alexander, Milton O’H. Bap (S) Riddle, Truman Post PE
Anderson, William Earl Disc Seidler, Paul Edward Luth
Behrens, Oscar Presby (USA) Short, Joseph C. RC

FIRST WORLD WAR

War with Germany was declared 6 April 1917. The Chaplains’ Division, Bureau of Navigation, with
Chaplain John B. Frazier as the First Chief or Director, was established 5 November.
The abbreviations used after the names indicate the following:
NNV or USNRF—indicates chaplains called to active duty from the National Naval Volunteers or
from the United States Naval Reserve Force. The inclusion of the name in chronological order
is according to the date when the Reserve chaplain reported for active duty and not according
to the date of his commission.
USN—Reserve chaplains who transferred to the Regular Navy.
1917 (55) Maguire, William A. RC
Alexander, John Lee Presby (USA) Mark, John Nicol, USNRF Univ/Unit
Ayers, William B., USNRF Cong Mark, Thomas M., USNRF Univ/Unit
Beckley, Quitman F. RC McClelland, Stewart W. Presby (USA)
Bloomhardt, Paul F. Luth McFadden, Francis Leo RC
Brokenshire, John J., NNV, USN Cong Miller, Robert Edwin Meth (N)
Casey, Joseph T. RC Mitchell, Perry Louis Bap (S)
Clausen, Bernard C. Bap (N) Moore, Charles W., NNV Meth (N)
Darche, Harris A. RC Moore, John Warner Presby (USA)
Darlington, G. S. B. PE Murphy, Garrett F. X. RC
Day, James Samuel, NNV, USN Bap (S) Neff, Josiah Luther Meth (N)
Dyer, Harold Stras Meth (S) Niver, Edwin Barnes, NNV, USN PE
Edel, William Wilcox Meth (N) Paugh, Ernest LeRoy, NNV PE
Foley, George W. RC Petzold, Milton H. Meth (N)
Gatlin, Henry Grady Meth (S) Putnam, John Henry S. Ref/PE
Gay, Arthur Royall Bap (S) Regan, Thomas Francis RC
Goldberg, David Jewish Rentz, George Snavely Presby (USA)
Gould, Romeo, NNV PE Rountree, Hersey E., USNRF, USN Christian
Groth, Emil Hartwig Luth Savageau, Edmund E. RC
Haines, Alfred James Meth (N) Stephens, Bart Donnelly Meth (S)
Hall, Wilford Raymond Bap (N) Torrance, Arthur F. Meth (N)
Hammersley, Patrick J., USNRF, USN RC Underwood, Joseph F. RC
Huske, Bartholomew F., NNV, USN PE Whitmore, George Merle Presby (USA)
James, Sidney Thomas, NNV PE Williams, William P., NNV, USN PE
Kerns, George L. Presby (US) Yates, John Henry PE
Larned, Albert Cecil, NNV PE
Lash, Frank Harry Disc/PE 1918 (107)
Leduc, Paul J. A. RC Ackiss, Ernest Lee Bap (S)
Lenski, Gerald E. Luth Albert, Francis Lee Bap (S)
Leonard, Morris Mills Bap (N) Averyt, Albert Norris Meth (S)
Lippincott, Haines H. Meth (N) Bare, Charles Brenton Meth (N)

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Bate, Francis Howard Cong McCann, Christopher B. RC
Becker, Carl William Bap (N) McCarthy, John Anthony RC
Bennett, Vincent LeRoy PE McGrath, Thomas S., USNRF RC
Blackard, William F. Meth (S) Meadows, Roscoe McK. Bap (S)
Blackshear, Robert H. Meth (S) Merrill, Boynton Cong
Blain, Cary Randolph, USNRF Presby (US) Miller, Leslie Meth (N)
Borders, Karl Disc Miller, Wm. McC. Presby (USA)
Boynton, Edward C. Cong Monaghan, Daniel F. RC
Boynton, Morris Russell Cong Moyer, Frank Edward, USNRF, USN Luth
Brinckerhoff, James H., USNRF Ref Neyman, Clinton Andrew Bap (N)
Burke, Thomas Joseph RC Nichols, Wm. Albert, USNRF PE
Burns, Daniel Robert RC Norton, Powell Holcroft Bap (N)
Burt, Paul Meth (N) O’Rourke, Simon Anthony RC
Byrne, Edwin Vincent RC Parker, Albert R., USNRF, USN PE
Callender, Stephen J. Meth (N) Perkins, Joseph Andrew RC
Carhart, Edmund H., Jr. PE Peterson, Harry M. Presby (USA)
Carpenter, Guy O. Meth (N) Preston, Paul Gordon, USNRF Disc
Carruthers, John, F. B. Presby (USA) Quinn, John M. J. RC
Conroy, John B., USNRF RC Reagor, William Paul Disc
Costello, Edward P. RC Riddle, Truman Post, 1916 PE
Dandeneau, Arthur J. RC Robinson, Daniel Sommer Cong
Davidson, Hugh Roswell Disc Russeli, Robert McWatty Presby (USA)
Davis, Edgar William Meth (S) Schweitzer, Frederick Presby (USA)
Davis, Richard Joseph Christian Shrum, Reuben Welty Presby (US)
Science PE
Decker, John William Bap (S) Spotts, Milton A., USNRF Presby (USA)
Donahue, Philip Edward RC Steiner, Walter L., USNRF Presby (USA)
Duffy, Edward P., USNRF RC Stone, Albert Edward Bap (N)
Dufrane, Leo John R C Sullivan, Mortimer A. RC
Durrett, William Yancy Presby Terrell, William Sole Bap (N)
(Cumb) Thomas, William N. Meth (S)
Earnest, Joseph B., Jr. Disc Tibbetts, Norris Lowell Bap (N)
Ellenwood, James Lee Meth Tomerlin, Joseph A. RC
Ely, John Calvin, Jr. Presby (USA) Truitt, Razzie W. Meth (S)
Ericson, Gustav Rudolph Meth (N) Twinem, Leonard L. PE
Fedders, John Frederick Luth Van Dyke, Henry, USNRF Presby (USA)
Ferris, Frank Holliday Cong Vogler, Alfred deG. Moravian/
Finn, John Henry RC Presby
Foster, Earle Ware Bap (S) (USA)
Fry, Henry Jacob Luth Ward, Chester Franklin Presby (USA)
Hagen, John F. Presby (USA) Wheeler, Creasv Clement Bap (S)
Harris, Leonard Clement Meth, (N) Whimsett, Grover C. UBreth
Harrison, William E., Jr. Meth (N) Wilkie, Henry Frederic Presby (USA)
Heckel, Paul Frederick Luth Wilson, William H., USNRF Presby (USA)
Henry, Edward Bedford, USNRF RC Witherspoon, Maurice M. Presby (USA)
Hester, James M. Bap (S) Woodward, Isadore C. Bap (S)
Hildebrandt, Ludwig Luth Wylie, David Roswell Presby (USA)
Hindman, Ralph Blake Presby (USA)
Presby (US) 1919
Hopkins, Walter Alves
Horton, Douglas Cong Wood, Tipton Lee Presby/PE
Hurney, Francis Joseph RC 1920 (12)
Janeway, Frank L., USNRF Presby (USA) Benson, Joel Harry Christian
Jones, Edward A. P., USNRF Meth (N) Science
King, Philip Coates Cong Gottschall, Louis D. UBreth/PE
Kirkpatrick, Thomas L. Presby (USA) Holt, William Therrel PE
Krauss, Paul Hartzell Luth Hyde, John Hutchinson Cong
Laherty, John J., USNRF RC Hester, James M., 1918 Bap (S)
Ledwig, Francis J. RC Miller, Thornton C. Disc
Leyfield, Claude Hill Meth (N) Mitchell, Perry L., 1917 Bap (S)
Lloyd, Starr Hanford Presby (USA) Murdock, Geo. Gregory RC
Maxwell, Samuel LaVerne Meth (N) Peil, Roman Michael RC

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Putnam, John Henry, 1917 Ref/PE 1930 (7)
Tedford, Randolph E. Bap (N) Cuthriell, Warren Franklin Bap (N)
Thompson, Walter Lee Disc Gorski, Vincent James RC
Hally, Michael Ambrose RC
1921 Hugues, John Francis RC
Brooks, Joseph Howard Meth (S) Pritchett, Lester C. Cong
Salisbury, Stanton W. Presby (USA) Sitler, Carl Moses Luth
Sanbom, Henry R. PE Tunner, John William RC
Vogler, Alfred deG. 1918 Moravian/ 1931
Presby Hamilton, Frank Roosevelt Cong
(USA) Quinn, David Long PE
1924 (7) 1932
Brame, Julius D. Bap (S) Knox, Thomas Joseph RC
Criger, Earl Mack Cong 1933
Eure, Otho A. Bap (S) Johnson, Lon Portivant PE
Forsander, John Philip Bap (N) Linaweaver, Paul Glenwood PE
Johnson, John Edward Presby (USA) Marken, Roy Rockwell Disc
McNanamy, Joseph E. RC Meehling, Frederick Wm. RC
Rafferty, Wm. Henry Bap (N) 1936 (6)
Andrews, Edgar Clessie Bap (S)
1925 (6) Bishop, Roy Edward Meth (S)
Dittmar, Charles A. UPresby Boslet, John Raymond RC
Glunt, Homer G. Presby (USA) McManus, Francis Joseph RC
Hangen, Emerson G. Presby (USA) Robinson, John Frederick RC
Jastroch, Andrew C. RC Wuebbens, Everett Peter Luth
Mansfield, Colonel H. Presby (USA) 1937 (10)
Robbins, Edward J. Meth (N) Bauer, Edwin Theodore Meth (N)
Dickman, Paul Wm. Joseph Luth
1926 (5) Dreith, Joseph Floyd Luth
Burke, Charles. Patrick RC Faulk, Roland William Meth (S)
Drinan, Raymond B. RC Hacherl, Charles John RC
Koch, Arthur E. PE Herrmann, Otto David Fred. Luth
Long, Christopher S. PE Redman, Emil Frederick Luth
Markle, Geo. LaClede Presby (USA) Rosso, George Aloysius RC
Schwyhart, Robert Marion Bap (N)
1927 Twitchell, Martell Herman Meth (S)
Hermann, Herman L. RC 1938 (6)
O’Neill, Emmet RC Bennett, Samuel Beecher Meth (S)
Burke, Francis Andrew RC
1928 Ferris, Thomas RC
Doyle, John PE Howe, Harris Winchester Bap (N)
Morgan, Victor H. PE/Cong Johnson, Thomas Edward Meth (S)
Volbeda, Frederick Presby (US)
1929 (7)
1939 to 8 September (7)
Doty, Walter Pettit PE
Irwin, William Grover Meth (S)
Douglas, Charles Harold PE Bap (S)
Maddox, Otis Pendleton, Jr.
Harp, Edward Blaine, Jr. Ref Mahler, Walter Albert RC
Hohl, August F. RC Mannion, Joseph Patrick RC
LeBaron, Earle R. RC Murphy, John Patrick RC
Pierce, Walter W. Presby (USA) Schmitt, Aloysius Herman RC
Trump, Herbert Ray Luth Wood, Harry Clinton Presby (USA)

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 APPENDIX II

A CHART SHOWING RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS OF UNITED STATES NAVY1 CHAPLAINS

FROM 1778 TO 8 SEPTEMBER 1939

Including the following six duplications: M. B. Chase, 1819 & 1841; T. P. Riddle, 1916 & 1918;
J. H. S. Putnam, 1917 & 1920; A. deG. Vogler, 1918. & 1921; P. L. Mitchell, 1917 & 1920; and J. M. Hester,
1918 & 1920.

BAPTIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — 2 — 4 1 4 1 — — 3 2 6 14 7 5 49
CATHOLIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — 1 3 6 6 12 23 10 17 78
CHRISTIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 — — — 1
CHR-SCIENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 1 — 2
CONGREGATIONAL . . . . . . 1 1 — 2 1 2 — — 1 — — 1 1 2 8 2 2 24
DISCIPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — 1 1 — 1 1 5 2 1 12
JEWISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 — — — 1
LUTHERAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 3 6 1 6 17
METHODIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — 1 1 5 4 7 4 2 5 3 3 11 17 2 7 72
MORAVIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 — — 1
PRESBYTERIAN . . . . . . . . . . — — 1 5 1 3 3 1 — 1 1 — 4 6 23 10 2 61
PROTESTANT-EPISCOPAL — 2 9 4 5 9 1 8 6 4 3 5 1 9 7 8 8 4
REFORMED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 1 1 2 — 5
UNITED BRETHREN . . . . . — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 1 — 2
UNITARIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — 1 — — 1 1 — — — 1 — — — — — — 4
UNIVERSALIST . . . . . . . . . . — — — — — 1 — — — — 1 — — 2 — — — 4
UNKNOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 24 30 4 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — 60
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 27 41 18 9 25 10 20 12 9 15 18 20 55 107 46 43
Grand total . . . . . . . . . 29 70 88 97 122 132 152 164 173 188 206 226 281 388 434 477 477
1
Including the Continental Navy.

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Letters from Officers.
Letters to Officers, Ships of War.
Logs of: the Congress; the Constitution; the Cumberland; the President; the Vincennes.
Miscellaneous Letters.
Muster Rolls of: the Boston; the Constitution; the United States.
Navy Register, 1864.
Original Plans of the Frigate United States.
Preble, George H., “History of the Boston Navy Yard in Charlestown, Mass., from 1797 to 1875.”

—260—
 “Report of the Operation of First Provisional Regiment of U. S. Marines in Nicaragua,” Register No. 2677.
Signal Book, 1813.
Uniform File.
New York Historical Society, New York
Chauncey Correspondence.
Original Hull Letter Book.
“Medical and Surgical Journal” of the frigate Java for 1816.
Navy Collection.
Pitts (Pitty?), James, “Journal.”
Porter Correspondence.
The United States Naval Academy, Annapolis.
Chaplains Office, Clark File.
Army and Navy Department, YMCA, New York
Pond, B. C., “History of the Army and Navy Young Men’s Christian Associations.”

P ERIODICALS
American Catholic Historical Researches.
The Army and Navy Chaplain (formerly The Army Chaplain).
Evans, Sydney Key, “Notes by a Navy Chaplain,” April 1931.
King, Terence, S. J., “The First Priest in the U. S. Navy,” April-May 1942.
Army and Navy Chronicle.
The Baptist.
Neyman, C. A., “My Parish,” 15 April 1922.
The Century Church Bulletin.
Christian Advocate.
Edel, W. W., 27 June 1918.
The Christian Century.
Decker, J. W., “The Making of a Pacifist,” 6 November 1924.
Schmalz, Alfred, “Blessed by Chaplain Ellis,” 6 May 1936.
“The Chaplaincy Question,” 16 January 1935.
“Get the Churches out of the Chaplaincy Business,” 20 November 1924.
“Why This Continued Espionage?”, 17 January 1924.
The Churchman
Stockton, C. H., “Religious Forces in the Naval Service,” 20 July 1912.
The Colonization Herald.
The Friend of Temperance and Seamen, Honolulu.
“History of the Bethel Flag,” 1 June 1846.
Journal of the Association of Military Surgeons.
Bradley, G. P., “Sketch of History of Medical Corps, Navy,” May 1902.
The Leatherneck.
Drury, C. M., “First Marine Burial in Japan,” July 1945.
The Lord’s Day Leader.
Naval Magazine.
Pacific Northwest Quarterly.
Drury, C. M., “Early American Contacts with the Japanese,” October 1945.
Polynesian.
Sailor’s Magazine.
Shipmate.
“The Heart of the Academy,” June 1942.

—261—
Southern Literary Messenger.
The Trident.
Thomas, W. N., “Sea-Going Clergymen,” Christmas 1942.
United States Naval Institute Proceedings.
Alden, Carroll S., “Officers and Gentlemen in the Making,” October 1935.
Drury, C. M., “Famous Chaplain Teachers of Midshipmen,” May 1946.
Edel, W. W., “The Angel of the Church that is at Annapolis,” August 1942.
Hunt, Livingston, “A Forgotten Commode—Thomas Macdonough,” November 1931.
Kearney, Thomas A., “St. Peter’s Chapel, Navy Yard, Mare Island,” July 1932.
Lute, S. B., “Commodore Biddle’s Visit to Japan in 1846,” September 1905.
McCracken, A. R., “The Church Pennant,” August 1930.
Morris, Charles, “The Autobiography of Commodore Charles Morris, U.S.N.,” January 1880.
Riddle, T. P., “Enlisted Men’s Families,” January 1939.
Robert, S. C., “Extracurricula,” April 1945.
Robert, S. C., “The Naval Academy Chapel,” October 1945.
Skerrett, Robert G., “The Baptism of Ships,” August 1909.
Sturdy, H. F., “The Founding of the Naval Academy,” October 1935.

—262—
 INDEX OF CHAPLAINS

A ckiss, Ernest L., 69, 167, 184, 228, 233, 236 Carlton, John, 26
Adams, David P., 28, 49 Carney, T. A., 210
Addison, John, 45 Carruthers, John F. B., 165, 233
Albert, Francis L., 167, 232, 237 Carson, H. R., 208, 210
Alden, Charles H., 74 Carson, K. B., 209
Allison, Burgess, 33, 61 Casey, Joseph T., 166
Andrews, Nathaniel, 25 Cassard, William G., 116, 132. 135, 138, 149, 200
Armstrong, Joseph G., 209, 211 Cerdona, Batla, 17
Austin, William, 9, 12, 13 Chandler, Samuel, 13, 16
Ayers, Williams B., 164, 188, 200 Charlton, A. R., 180
Charlton, Charles M., 185, 207
Balch, William, 8, 12, 13, 15, 18, 111, 231 Chase, Moses B., 24, 49, 62, 94
Balch, Benjamin, 4, 5, 8 Chase, Philander, 24, 26
Barkman, Floy T., 208 Chidwick, John P. S., 118, 129, 132, 138
Bartow, Theodore B., 62, 70, 72, 104, 108 Clark, Henry H., 114, 119, 124, 128, 133, 147, 161,
Bates, John A., 43 242
Bayard, George L., 139, 144, 145, 184, 207 Clausen, Bernard C., 176
Beckley, Quitman F., 166, 185 Claypool, James V., 208, 211
Benson, Joel H., 245 Clyne, F. B., 210
Bentley, Cyril E., 209 Cobb, William R., 113
Beugless, John D., 105, 111 Collins, William E., 210
Bittinger, Edmund C., 67, 74, 78, 100, 104 Colton, Walter, 34, 46, 61, 63, 67, 81
Blain, Cary R., 188 Cook, John, 24
Blake, John, 104, 106 Cook, Ozias B., 210
Bloomhardt, Paul F., 188 Craft, Luther B., 210
Blomquist, Reuben T., 209 Crawford, George A., 103, 111, 118
Boorom, Sylvester D., 106, 119, 148 Criger, Earl M., 205
Hoynton, Edward C., 167 Cruize, Laurence, 17
Boynton, Morrison R., 187
Brady, John J., 142, 150, 184, 186, 188, 206, 226, 244 Darche, Harris A., 184
Braun, Clayton E., iv Darlington, Gilbert S. B., 208
Breese, Thomas, 26 Davidson, Hugh R., 165, 184, 192
Briscoe, William H., 18, 22 Davis, Edgar W., 165, 167
Brodmann, Edmond A., 184 Davis, Richard J., 167, 171, 188, 245
Brokenshire, John J., 163, 207 Day, Howard M., 152
Brooks, James. 26, 45, 46, 234 Day, James S., 162, 163, 207, 231
Brown, James Hutchings H., 130. Decker, John W., 218
Buchholz, Gustavus W., 210 deForest, William J., 209, 211
Budd, Allen C., 17 Denison, Henry, 22 .
Burke, Thomas J., 208 Dennison, Robert, 17
Burrows, Thomas, 25 Dewey, Orville, 64
Dickins, Curtis H., 116, 149, 150, 199, 206, 208, 213,
Callender, Stephen J., 208 214
Camerman, Joseph E., 210 Dickins, John Brown, 138
Carlton, C. M., 154 Dorrance, George W., 100

—263—
Doty, Walter P., 209 Hambleton, John N., 27
Drury, Clifford M., xi, 209, 211 Hammersley, Patrick J., 164, 207
Duff, Edward A., 188, 206, 209, 213, 214, 252 Hanson, Hjalmar F., 209, 211, 247
Dufrane, Leo J., 208 Harrison, Timothy J., 48, 94
Dumstrey, Herbert, 142, 147, 236 Hartwig, Theodore J., 208
Dyer, Harrill S., 167, 187, 231 Hayes, Hervey H., 44, 51
Haylor, W. L., 209
E del, William W., iv, 148, 167, 228, 232, 234,244 Hayward, Richard, 106, 130
Edmonson, William E., 116, 172 Henry, Edward B., 201
Elder, William W., 147, 187, 229 Herrmann, Otto D. F., 247
Elliott, Jared L., 77, 81 Hester, James M., 205, 236
Ellis, Charles V., 142, 147, 219 Hodgkins, Henry B., 208, 211
Ely, John C., 200 Hoes, Roswell R., iv, 116, 119, 127, 130, 132, 138, 148
Eskridge, Vernon, 75 Hott, William T., 208
Eure, Otho A., 205 Holway, Wesley O., 104, 111, 118, 138
Evans, Sydney K., 1, 144, 179, 207, 208, 211, 214, Hughes, E. H., 208
223, 241 Hugues, John F., 205
Everett, James, 26, 38, 39, 45, 51 Hull, Isaac, 43
Hults, Chester L., 209
Fedders, John F., 181 Humphreys, F. L., 208
Felch, Cheever, 30 Hunter, Andrew, 33, 47
Fenver, John P., 45 Huske, Bartholomew F., 152, 163, 182, 207, 208
Finn, John H., 166
Fisk, Photius, 104 Ireland, John, 33, 45
Flannery, Matthew, 12, 13 Irwin, William G., 247
Fleming, John F., 154, 155 Isaacs, Walter G., 116, 138
Fletcher, Francis, 2
Fletcher, N. C., 78 Jackson, Robert W., 209
Folsom, Charles, 29 James, Sidney T., 152, 163
Foster, Earl W., 181, 188 Janeway, Frank L., 207
Frazier, John B., v, 116, 164, 173, 191, 212, 225, 244 Johnson, Frank M., 208
Frost, Nathaniel, 104, Jones, Cave, 30, 33, 44, 47
Fry, Henry J., 198, 200 Jones, Enoch R. L., 209
Jones, George, 33, 40, 49, 61, 63, 72, 78
Gatlin, Henry G., 167 Jones, Harry W., 128, 132, 138
Geagan, James, 5
Gerhart, Luther F., 208, 211
Gill, Thomas A., 113, 119, 131, 138, 145 Kane, James J., 113, 145
Gillett, Samuel T., 62 Keith, G. A., 208
Girard, John F., 43 Kennedy, Wallace L., 209
Given, Hobert, 104 Kerns, George L., 187
Gleeson, Matthew C., 143, 149, 189, 209 Kirkpatrick, Thomas L., 167, 188, 233
Goldberg, David, 168, 208, 230 Koch, Arthur E., 205
Gould, Romeo, 163 Kopf, C. H., 209
Grier, John W., 60 Kramer, Samuel, 113
Groth, Emil H., 167 Kranz, George B., 185
Kroll, L., 209
Hagar, Elijah W., 114
Haines, Alfred J., 167 Lambdin, Charles H., 208, 211
Hale, Charles R., 95, 101, 114 Lambert, Thomas R., 50, 56, 59
Hall, Wilford R., 234 Lamed, Albert C., 163, 185, 208
Hally, Michael A., 232 Lash, Frank H., 167, 241

—264—
LeBaron, E. R., 205 Newell, Chester, 95, 99, 104
Leonard, Morris M., 167 Newton, Joel W., 78
Leonard, Peter, 16 Neyman, Clinton A., iv, 167, 215, 224, 231
Lever, C. M., 208, 209, 246 Niver, Edwin B., 152, 163, 188,207
Lewis, Rodman, 74, 104 Noble, Mason, 64
Lewis, Roy L., 147, 188, 228, 245
Lippencott, Haines H., 57 Ockenga, H. J., 209
Livermore, Samuel, 26 Ogilvie, James G., 34
Lockhart, Malcolm W., 209, 211 O’Hern, Louis J., 144
Lyde, Nathaniel, 168 Olton, Robert M., 210
O’Neill, E., 205
Maguire, William A., 166, 188, 234 Ormsby, Robert, 17
Mansfield, Colonel H., 205 O’Rourke, Simon A, 173
Mark, Thomas M., 164, 178
Marker, Roy R., 205 P ark, Albert N., 184, 206, 217
Markle, George L., 205, 247 Parker, Albert R., 164
Martin, Alvo O., 209, 211 Parker, Charles L., 209
Matthews, J. M. R., 111 Parker, John T., 209
May, Charles, 43 Parkman, H. C., 209
McAlister, Adam A., 119, 127 Patrick, Bower R., 149, 155, 188, 207, 241
McCartney, Albert T., 209 Paugh, Ernest L., 163
McColgan, G. P., 210 Pearson, H. J., 208
McDonald, Eugene E., 188, 207 Pearce, Hugh M. T., 144, 177, 207
McFadden, Francis L., 166, 188 Pennington, Edgar L., 208, 211
McFarlan, Alexander, 16, 18 Penny, Francis H., 27
McGinty, Joseph F., 137 Peterson, A., 209
McIntire, Joseph P., 132 Peterson, Harry M., 167, 178, 187, 234, 237
McLaren, Donald, 119, 145 Petty, William, 18
McLaughlin, Edward, 34, 45, 46, 54 Petzold, M. H., 167, 181, 228
McNair, J. D., 144, 150, 184, 206, 214 Phillips, Z. B. T., 209
McNanamy, Joseph E., 205 Pierce, W. W., 205
Meehling, Frederick W., 205 Putnam, John H. S., 205, 208
Miller, H. J., 208
Miller, Leslie, 181 Q uinn, David L., 205
Miller, Robert E., 167, 185 Quinn, John M., 167
Miller, William McC., 187
Mitchell, Perry L., 180, 188, 205 R afferty, William H., 205
Montgomery, C. L., 208, 211 Rasmussen Taxdal, H. 208, 211
Moore, Andrew L., 18, 22 Ravara, Joseph, 17
Moore, Charles W., 163 Rawson, Edward K., 111, 114, 127
Moore, John W., 176, 218, 236, 247 Reaney, William H. I., 118
Morgan, Victor H., 205, 208 Regan, Thomas F., 166
Morris, Charles, 58 Rennolds, Louis P., 118
Morris, Lemuel, 22 Rentz, George S., 163, 167, 184
Morris, Noadiah, 13, 15 Riddle, Truman P., 172, 199, 216, 233, 245
Morrision, William F., 124, 129, 138 Rifenbark, M., 208
Moses, C. M., 205 Robb, John, 67
Moyer, Frank E., 207 Robbins, Daniel, 175, 176, 180, 184
Murphy, Garrett F. X., 185 Robinson, John F., 228
Ribinson, William, 18
N ee, Paul A., 210 Rockwell, Charles, 34, 38, 55
Nelson, Charles W., 210 Rosa, M. J., 208

—265—
Rose, Frank B., 145 Thompson, Robert, 12, 15, 18, 72
Ross, A. H., 152 Thompson, Thomas B., 147, 188
Rountree, Hersey E., 164, 207 Thompson, Walter L., 205
Royce, Alfred L., 113, 117, 132 Tomerlin, Joseph. A., 188
Ryland, William, 45 Tribou, David H., iv, 114, 119, 126, 138, 172, 188,
245
S alisbury, Stanton W., 205, 228, 237 Truitt, Razzie W., 167, 187, 234
Sanborn, Henry R., 205 Tucker, A. C., 209, 211
Schnetter, John, 17 Turner, Edward W., 18
Scott, Evan W., 141, 147, 188, 190, 194, 213, 215, 223
Seagle, N. A., 208 U nderwood, James F., 166
Searle, Addison, 24, 45, 48, 63
Shearer, Leon A., 209 V allette, Eli, 12
Sheehy, Maurice S., 210 VanDyke, Henry, 136, 167, 175, 193
Sherman, Frederick F., 128 VanMeter, John B., 104
Short, Joseph C., 185 Vogler, Alfred deG., 167, 205
Shrum, Reuben W., 167, 215, 228, 236 Vollmer, M. A., 209
Shultz, P. T., 209
Smith, George W., 113, 136
Smith, Nathaniel, R., 25
Wagener, John P., 209
Wallace, Edward A., 95, 208, 210
Smith, Robert, 19
Wallace, John S., 118
Spotts, Milton A., 177
Watson, John L., 94
Steele, Robert E., 138
Whimsett, Grover C, 188
Steiner, Walter L., 207
White, Robert J., 209, 211
Stephens, Bart D., 167
Williams, Frank R., 210
Stevenson, George E. T., 188, 207
Williams, William P., 163, 167, 207, 231
Stewart, Charles S., 36, 54, 61, 63, 94
Williamson, Thomas J., 208, 211
Stewart, William H., 108, 111, 119, 145
Wilson, William H., 177, 183
Stockbridge, Joseph, 62, 96, 105
Winter, William W., 210
Straus, Herbert C., 209, 230
Witherspoon, Maurice M., 167, 231, 235
Stone, Albert E., 167,206
Witwer, Albert M., 210
Stone, Arthur W., 172, 188, 206
Wood, Henry, 78, 94
Talbot, Mortimer R., 62, 74, 104 Wood, Tipton L., 173
Taylor, Fitch W., 41, 63, 74, 104 Woodward, Isadore C., 200
Taylor, Leroy N., 232 Workman, Robert D., iv, xi, 147, 166, 188, 210, 230,
Tennyson, Merrill G., 209, 211 246
Thomas, Louis O., 210 Wright, Carroll Q., 117, 138, 148, 206
Thomas, William N., iv, 98, 167, 237, 241, 247
Thompson, Frank, 116, 138, 148, 168, 193, 200, 206 Zimmerman, John D., 209
Thompson, Hugh M., 148 Zinn, Willen R., 209, 211

—266—
 GENERAL INDEX

Abstinence pledge, 50 Bethel, 58

Academy chapel, 73 flag, 58
“Acting Chaplain”, 13, 147, 191 union, 58
Act of 1800, 11 Bibles, 59, 183
Act of 1852, 66 distribution of, 88
Adams, C. F., 230 Bittinger, E. C., 106
Adams Memorial Chapel, 29 Blizzard, Herbert H., 228
African Squadron, 33 Bluejacket’s Manual, 233
Age Board of Chaplains, 143, 153
average, of chaplains, 142 Bon Homme Richard, 4
chaplains, regulations 1893, 122 Books, Sunday School, 74
limit, for appointment as chaplain, 63 Boston, 15
requirement for acting chaplains, 206 Boston Navy Yard, 74
Agitation for reform, chaplain quota, 141 Bowlby, H. L., 175
Aiguillettes, 194 Boys on ships, 51
Alcoholic liquors, 194 Braid
Algerian pirates, 6 black, 146
Alliance, 4 gold, 146
Allotments, family, 222 mohair, 193
American Bible Society, 83, 109, 159, 183, 188 Brandywine, 36
American Library Association, 196, 198 British and Foreign Seamen’s Friend Society, 158
American missionaries, 61 British Navy, 57
American sailor, characteristics, 34 regulations of, 17
American Seaman’s Friend Society, 128 Bugle call, 198
American Tract Society, 83,. 85 hammocks, 108
“Anchors Aweigh”, 161 Bunce, F. M., 120
Annapolis Naval Academy, 36 Burial at sea, 42
Annual reports, 66, 75, 108, 224 Butler, Smedley, General, 235
Appointment of chaplains, 42, 63, 65, 143 Buttons, Navy, 59, 145
Arlington National Cemetery, 215 regulation, 98
Army and Navy Chronicle, 33, 153, 225
Army chaplains, 170 Cabins aboard ships, 75, 105
Army Christian Commission, 120 Carrol, H. K., Dr., 144
Asiatic fleet, 157 Casualty notices, 132
Asylum, Naval, 81 Catholic personnel, 100
Philadelphia, 49 Catholic Young Men’s Union, 196
Autobiography, Fillmore, 64 Cavite, 157
Chapels, 74, 195
Badger, George E., 62 in World War I, 177
Rainbridge, William, 22 Naval Academy, 113, 160, 242
Bancroft, George, 63 Chaplaincy, United States Naval, beginnings, 6
Baptism, 178, 243 Chaplain’s Aid Assocation, 196
Barbary War, chaplains in, 15 Chaplains
Barron, captain, 9, 13, 31 advisability of rank, 137
Barry, John, 4 appointment, 63

—267—
 Army, 170 Coca Solo, Submarine Base, 188
as schoolmasters, 15, 30 Coffee, 90
assignment of, 166 Collection, at Divine Services, 109
as teachers, 18 Collection, naval records, v
at work, 152 Columbia, 41
bureau, 143 Commissioning of chaplains, 11, 141
Corps, history of, xi Commissioning of vessels, 1
decorated, 149, 187, 245 Communion, chaplains, first, 9
discrimination against, 135 Compulsory attendance at prayers, 47
duties, 17, 47, 168, 173 Compulsory attendance, church, 71
duty, with Marines, France, 168 Compulsory education, 199
educational duties, 24 Confederacy, 4
ideal, 35 Congress, 8
in Continental Navy, 3 Congress, Continental, 5
indoctrinating, new, 40 Congressional Act of 1789, 6
legislation affecting, 23 Constellation, 6, 38
office, 131 Constitution, 6, 13, 21, 26, 36
on transports, 188 Continental Congress, 5
origin of term, 2 Continental Navy, 5, 21
outstanding, 118 chaplains, in, 3
pay, 66 Counselling, 174, 179
pennant, 57 Counsellor, chaplain as, 75
qualification for appointment, 143 Cumberland, 63, 94.
quota, 62, 147 Customs aboard ship, 86
special war service, 188 Cranston, Earl, Bishop, 144
temporary, 163 Criticism of Chaplaincy, 64, 125
temporary acting, 163 Croix de Chevalier de l’Ordre de Sauveur, 245
unordained men as, 11, 16 Croix de Guerre, 187
with Marines, 184 Crowninshield, A. S., Captain, 120, 129, 135
without commission, 17
without warrant, 17 Dale, Richard, Commodore, 15
Chauncey, Isaac, 30 Dallas, Captain, 53
Chefoo, 233 Daniels, Josephus, 140, 146, 164, 194, 202
Chesapeake, 19, 26 Decatur, Stephen,. 18, 29, 31
Chevalier of the Legion of Honor of France, 187 Deceased chaplains, 201
Chief of chaplains, 66, 143 Demaree, A. L., USNR, iv
agitation for, 111 Demobilization centers, 200
division, 147 Demobilization of chaplains, 200
first, 164 Denby, Edwin, 207
Denominational affiliations of personnel, 178
Christian Century, 217
Denominational quota, 144, 173
Christian religion, in Navy Regulations, 94
Dewey, George, Admiral, 161
Christian Science, first chaplain, 171
Directives governing chaplains, 66
Christmas Island, 154
Disciples of- Christ, 145, 220
Christmas parties, 181 Distinguished Service Cross, 187
Choir, aboard Naval vessel, 40 Divine Services, 3, 11, 22, 56
Chronicle, Army and Navy, 1 at shore installations, 177
Civil War, 93 Compulsory attendance, 131
Civil War chaplains, 94 Melville description, 70
Clark, Arthur, 234 on Constellation, 38
Coast Guard, 162 regulations governing, 4, 100
Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., 245 without chaplains, 50

—268—
Doyle, Alexander P., 144 Franklin, 25
Drake, Francis, 2 Franklin, S. R., 89
DuBois, Isabel, 200 Frelinghuysen, Theodore, 52
Dueling, 31 Frigate, chaplain’s life aboard, 36
Duties, chaplains, 17, 47, 49, 2 16 Frock coat, 194
Full dress uniform, 194, 230
Eagle button, authorization, 67 Funerals, 102, 2 15, 243
Ecclesiastical endorsement, 64 influenza epidemic, 178
Educational courses, 199
Educational duties of chaplains, 24 Gambling, 102
Elliott, J. D., 56 Gathering historical material, iv
Emery, Mrs. Thomas J., 156 General commission on Army and Navy chaplains,
Entertainment on board ship, 131 145, 211
Episcopal prayer-book, 68 General Regulations, 63
Essex, 22, 28 “General Service”, 177
Evangelical church, 221 Gibbons, James Cardinal, 117
Evans, Robley D., 96 Goldborough, Louis M., 101
Evening prayers, 71, 153, 190 Gold braid, 125, 193
Examining boards, 191 Gould, Helen, 156
Exploring expeditions, 77 Gown, black silk, 67
Grog, 90
Family allotments, 222 Guam, 154, 237
Farley, John Cardinal, 184 Guam, Teachers’ Association, 237
Farragut, David, 28, 29 Guerriere, 36
“Father John” Mehegan, 4
Federal Council, 167 Hale, Edward Everett, 136
Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, Hall, Colton, 85
142, 171, 220 Hamilton, Paul, 24
Fellowship of Reconciliation, 217 Hammocks, 48
Fifth Marine Regiment, 184 Hampton Roads, 29
Fillmore, Millard, 64 Harding, Alfred, 138
Finch, Captain, in Hawaii, 37 Hartford, 107
First history of the chaplaincy, 65 Hayes, Patrick J., 166
First World War, 162 Hibben, Henry B., 95
Fleet Chaplains, first, 189 Hitler, 204
Fleet mass, 233 Historical material, gathering, iv
Fleet Sunday, 223 Hokenstadt, Theodore, Mrs., 238
Fletcher, Francis, 2 Hokkaido, 79
“Floating Chapels”, 58 House Naval Affairs Committee, 141
Floating Society of Christian Endeavor, 141 Hughes, Charles E., 203
Flogging, 21, 35, 50, 54 Hull, Isaac, Mrs., 21
end of, 88 Humphreys, Joshua, 6
history, 31 Hymnals, 153
Food aboard ship, 87 Hymn books, 149, 179
Force chaplain, 190
Foreign missions, 38 Immorality aboard ships, 52
Fort Severn, 73 Importunate widow, 201
Fosdick, Harry E., 225 Influenza epidemic, 182, 190
Fourth Marine Church, 234 Insignia of rank, 125
Fourth Marine Regiment, 155 Inspection, Sunday morning, 153
Fox, Gustavus V., 91 Insurance, 182
France, war with, 15 Intemperance, 50, 195

—269—
Interdenominational cooperation, 197 Madison administration, 23
Intoxicating liquors, 50, 126 Madison, James, 22
Maine, 131
Jackson, Andrew, 45 Mahan, Alfred T., 128
“Jackets”, chaplains, 69 Manual, 245
Jamestown Exhibition Grounds, 199 Mare Island Navy Yard, 63, 148, 157
Japan, 204 Marine Expeditionary Force, 155
first Protestant service, 80 Marines, first chaplains assigned to, 154
Jefferson administration, 23 Marshall, Adam, 54, 60
Jewish Marine burial, Yokahoma, 79
chaplains, 122, 163 Marine Corps, 162
high holy days, 198 Maryland Bible Society, 241
holiday, 241 Mason, J. G., 68
insignia, 169, 230 Mathematics, professors of, 49
personnel, 170, 178 Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 60
welfare board, 169, 196, 198, 241 Mayo, Claude B., 199
Jones, George, 90 McDowell, W. F., 175, 211
Jones, John Paul, 4, 161 McLaughlin Edward, 66
Johnson, Lorenzo Dow, 65, 76 McNeill, Daniel, Captain, 15
Johnson, P. C., 70 Mediterranean Squadron; 33, 54
in 1836 and 1837, 56
K earney, Thomas A., 160 Melville, Herman, 89
Knights of Columbus, 190, 196, 197 Merrimack, 93
Kulka, Louise, W (C) USNR, iv Midshipmen, 51
schools, for, 49
Lake Champlain, battle, 27 training schools, 30
Lambert diary, 56 Midway, battle of, 219
Larkin, Thomas O., 84 Military Ordinariate,. 144, 166
Latin cross, 99 Military rank, chaplain, 221
Launching of ships, 75 Mines, Flavel S., 103
Laurence, 27 Missionaries, American, 61
Laurence, James, 26 Missions, foreign, 38
Lenhart Oratory, 95 Mississippi, 79
Levy, Uriah P., 90 Modem picture machine, 149
Liberality of seamen, 71 Moral conditions, 21, 49
Library, 35, 180 in Orient, 240
on Franklin, 108 Morning prayers, 71
ship’s, 83, 126 Morrison, Robert, 58
travelling, 155 Moving picture machines, 174
Life, chaplain’s, 128 Murrell, William M., 41, 88
Life insurance policies, 231 Music, 176
Liturgy, 68
Long, J. D., 156, 121 N ational Catholic War Council, 198
Lord’s Day Alliance, 175 National Catholic Welfare Conference, 196
Lord Nelson, 70 National cemeteries, 103
Lutheran General Council, 145 National emergency, state of, xi, 204
Lutheran Service Center, Bremerton, Washington, National Naval volunteers, 152
238 Naval Academy, Annapolis, 63
Naval Academy Christian Association, 241
MacDonald, Ranald, 79 Naval appropriations Act, 15 July 1870, 109
Macdonough, Thomas, 27 Naval chaplaincy, qualification of applicants, 113
Mackenzie, Alexander Slidell, 70 Naval disarmament conference, 203

—270—
Naval Home, Philadelphia, 189 Pennant, church, 229
Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, 199 Pensions, widows’, 47
Naval Magazine, 59 Pepys, Samuel, 2
Naval militia, 152 Perry, Matthew G., 78
Naval officers, procurement procedure, 16 Perry, O. H., 27
Naval records collection, v Pensacola, Florida, 177
Naval Reserve Force, 152 Personnel Bill of 1899, 136
Navy, Continental, 5 Personnel
Navy cross, 187, 188 nature of, 222
Navy Hymn, 97 Navy, 162
Navy Mothers’ Club, 223 Philadelphia, 12, 21
Navy Regulations, 1893, 122 Philadelphia Navy Yards, 53, 199
Navy Regulations, 2 Jan. 1909, 17, 144 Physical drill, 118
Navy Relief Society, 232 Pirates, algerian, 6
Navy Wives’ Club, 222 Pity, James, 11
Navy Y, 120 Pocket Testament League, 183
Navy Yards, first, 8 Poland, 204
Navy Yard, Pensacola, Florida, 46 “poop deck”, origin of name, 1
New Orleans Seamen’s Friend Society, 120 Porter, David, Lt., 21, 25, 90, 113
Newport, Rhode Island, Naval Training Station, 128 Potomac, 38, 50
Nicaragua, 155 Prayer meeting, 83
Nineteenth century, 15 Prayers, 11
North Carolina, 54 at evening hammocks, 153
at launching, 75
Okinawa, 81 on board, 36
Olongapo, 157 required, 35
Ordained chaplains, 26 Preble, G. H., 107
Ordained clergymen as chaplains, 43 Presbyterian Church, 196
Orders, among Catholics, 166 President, 15
Order of Leopold, 188 Preston, William Ballard, 89
Orders of worship, 149 Prisoners, Naval, 118
Organ, 153 Prison, Naval, Portsmouth, 118
Organ music, 113 Prisons, Navy, 232
Orientation course, 149 Privateers, 23
Overseas duty, 154 Prize money, 11
Procurement of chaplains, 166
Pacific Fleet, 190 Procurement procedure, for Naval officers, 16
Pacificism, 217 Profanity, 3
Pacific Squadron, 33, 84 Promotion of chaplains, 143, 191
“Padre”, origin of term, 63 Prostitution, 195
Pago Pago, 236
Parish, chaplains, 224 Quota of chaplains, 62, 116
Paulding, James K., 62 Quasi War, 8
Pay
chaplain, 24, 34, 43, 137 Ranger, 4
inadequate, 46 Ranks, of chaplains, 45, 66, 104, 137
inequality in, 134 Reader, G. A., 140
reform, 1835, 47 Recreation centers, 177
newspaper campaign for, 135 Recreational center, Philadelphia Navy Yard, 214
Peace Establishment Act, 15 Recreation hall, 199
Peacock, 77 Recruit training, 149
Pendleton, Colonel, 155 Red Cross, 199

—271—
Regimental Church plan, 235 Ship’s categories, 6
Regulations governing Divine Service, 4 Ship’s without chaplains, 61
Religion and the sea, 1 Sick bay, 48
Religious literature Sick bay, visiting, 76
distribution, 156, 183 Sick, visiting, 66
on ships, 48 Sightseeing parties, 129, 237
Religious tracts, 36 Signal Book, 57, 70
Reserve chaplains, 207 Silent League, 183
Retirement, age of, 137 Sinclair, A., Captain, 47
Revolutionary War, 5 Sixth Marine Regiment, 184
Riddle, T. P., Mrs., 222 Sleeve ornaments, 125, 145
Rigging church, 176 Sloat, John D., 82
Roberts, W. H., Dr., 144 Smith, Augustine, 225
Rockefeller, John D., 156 Smith, C. O., 143
Rodgers, John, 54 Smoking, 123
Roman Catholic chaplains, first, 117 Social conditions, 21, 49
Roman Catholic priest, first, 60 Social problems, 194
Roosevelt, Franklin D., President, xi, 225 Somers, 70
Roosevelt, Theodore, 134, 144, 149, 156 Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, 242
administration, 138 Song services, 176, 225
Root, Edmund S., 237 South Atlantic Squadron, 33
Royce Chapel, 95 Southard, Samuel, L., 35, 43
Running mates, 206 Spanish American War, 116, 131
Rymer, Thomas A., 241 Spencer, Philip, 70
Spirit ration, 91
S ailing ships, living conditions, 31 Squadron, West Indies, 48
Sailing vessel, chaplain’s life aboard, 86 State of national emergency, xi
Sailor’s Magazine, 48, 58 State room controversy, 130
Saint Martin of Tours, 2 Staff Equalization Bill of 1926, 206
St. Peter’s Chapel, Mare Island, 148, 157 Statistics of chaplain corps, 207
Salvation Army, 190, 196 Stereopticon lantern, 129
Samoa, 154, 236 Stevenson, E. T., 137
Sandwich Islands, 36 Stewart, Charles, Commodore, 25
Santo Domingo, 155 Stewart, G. S., 155
Saratoga, 27 Stockton, Charles H., 139
Scapa Flow, 162, 188 Stockton, R. F., 82
Schmalz, Alfred, 219 Strobridge, G. E., 134
Schools of Midshipmen, 49 Stoddard, Benjamin, 8
Schoolmasters, 12 Sunday observance, 123
Seamen’s Bethel, 61 regulations, 101
Seamen’s Friend Society, 38, 58 Sunday school, 40, 224
Seasickness, 87 “Son of a Gun”, origin of term, 22
Selection of chaplains, 42 Swords, 59
Selective Draft Act of 18 May 1917, 194 Sypher, J. H., 229
Semple, Robert, 84
Senn, T. J., 230 Talbot, E., Bishop, 145
Services, Divine, 71 Talbot, Silas, Captain, 9
Service organizations, 195 Temperance, 91, 119
Shanghai, 233 Temperance League, 156
Shepherd’s crook, 170 Temporary acting chaplains, 205
Ship’s band, 40 Texas, 132
Ship’s bell, 70 Third Brigade Church, 235

—272—
Tienstsin, China, 78 Weddings, 243
Tippy Worth M., Dr., 167, 171 Welch, Herbert, Bishop, 235
Toncey, Isaac, 68 Welfare funds, 181
Training Station, Welfare secretaries aboard ship, 140
Great Lakes, 168 Welles, Gideon, 93, 103
St. Helena White Jacket, 70
Norfolk, Va., 178 West Indies Squadron, 48
Transport chaplain, 231 White Squadron, 125
Triangle Service League, 157 Widows’ pensions, 147
Tripoli, 6 Wilbur, Curtis, 214
war with, 16 Wilkes, Charles, 77
Triptych window, St. Peter’s chape1, 159 Williams, Wells, 80
Troops, convoying, 162 Williams, Yancey, Adm., 232
Truxtun, Thomas, Captain, 13 Wilmer, Joseph P. B., 94
Tunis, 6 Wilson, Woodrow, 140
Typewriters, 153 Wind and current charts, 60
Wines, E. C., 38, 54, 88
Uniform
Women aboard ship, 21
changes, 145, 192, 230
Women’s Army and Navy League, 153
chaplain, 67, 98, 124
Women yeomen, 163
full dress, 230
Woodbury, Levi, 52
regulations, 59
Woodrow Wilson, President, 175
regulations, addenda to 1897 Work of Chaplains, improving, 110
Uniform Regulations of 1853, 69 World War I, Statistics of Chaplains Corps, 172
United States, 6, 13 Worship, Divine, 71
United States Coast Guard, 246
Unknown Soldier, 214 Yale Divinity School, 218
Unordained chaplains, 12, 16, 24 Yates, J. E., 225
Upshur, Abel P., 62, 81 Yenoske, 79
YMCA
Venereal disease, 31, 180 aboard ships, 140
lectures on, 174 Brooklyn, 131
Vera Cruz, 155 buildings, 238
Verdun, battle of, 185 buildings, overseas, 240
Vessels Charlestown, Mass., 197
commissioning, 1 International, 196
launching, 1 Manila, 157
Veterans of the First World War, 211 Newport, 156
Vestments, 99, 141, 159 Norfolk, 156
Vincennes, 36, 77 overseas, 157, 197
Virginia Assembly, 5 Philadelphia, 156
Virgin Islands, 236 Puget Sound, 156
Visiting the sick, 66 Quantico, 197
Wabash, 118 San Francisco, 156, 197
Waring, George J., 227 Shanghai, 157
War of 1812, 23 work of, 155
War Commission, Episcopal Church, 178 Yoku-hama, 79
Washington, 29 Yorktown, 219
Washington Committee on Army and Navy Chap- Youth aboard ship, evil influences on, 51
lains, 144 Zendt, Oliver M., 218
Washington Navy Yard, 18, 130, 139, 215 Zimmerman, Charles A., 161
Watson, E. O., Dr., 212 Zodiacal light, 80

—273—
Assignment Questions

Information: The text pages that you are to study are

provided at the beginning of the assignment questions.
 Assignment 1

Religion and the Sea; Chaplains in the Continental Navy, 1775-1785; The Beginnings of the United
States Naval Chaplaincy, 1789-1800; The First Decade of the Nineteenth Century, 1801-1810; A
Colorful Decade, 1811-1820; "Limited to Nine," 1821-1840

Textbook Assignment: Chapters 1 - 6, Pages 33-40

1-1. The sea and those who follow the sea have 1-8. In the 1790's, ships considered large
been closely associated with religion from enough to warrant chaplains were
the earliest days. 1. sloops
2. frigates
1-2. The first Protestant service conducted in 3. line-of-battle ships
the English language in what is now the 4. all of the above
United States was held by a naval chaplain
in 1579. 1-9. The Continental Navy played a major role
in the Revolutionary War.
1-3. The custom of appointing chaplains to serve
on the larger vessels of the English navy 1-10. Although there is some probability that
had been established by the time of several more chaplains served with the
1. Queen Elizabeth Continental Navy, the number of those
2. James I actually known to have served is
3. Charles I 1. 2
4. Cromwell 2. 6
3. 12
1-4. The history of the chaplaincy of the United 4. 25
States Navy parallels most closely the his-
tory of the 1-11. Which of the following was the major con-
1. Protestant church in the United States tribution of the Continental Congress to
2. chaplains who have made up the Corps the Chaplain Corps?
3. Navy itself 1. The incorporation of the principle of
4. United States itself freedom of worship into Navy regulations
2. The inauguration of regular religious
1-5. In its regulations for the government of the services aboard ship
Continental Navy, the Continental Congress 3. The widespread use of chaplains through-
provided for the assignment of chaplains out the Continental Navy
to the larger vessels primarily because 4. The adoption of regulations which pro-
1. organized Protestant churches recommended vided a place for chaplains in the Navy
that this be done
2. this was the only way to win popular 1-12. Since there was no American navy during
support for the Navy the period, there were no Navy chaplains
3. the regulations were modeled after those from
of the British navy 1. 1780 to 1785
4. the Congress itself was largely composed 2. 1785 to 1798
of deeply religious men 3. 1798 to 1801
4. 1820 to 1824
1-6. What was the Navy chaplain's base pay per
month in 1776? 1-13. The sudden Nation-wide interest in a navy
1. $10 in the late 1790's was an outgrowth of
2. $20 1. the superiority of foreign shipping
3. $25 2. the superior ship designs available
4. $30 3. French piracy of American shipping
4. United States treaties with Morocco
1-7. The history of the Continental Navy is and Algiers
replete with references to the work of the
early chaplains.
4
1-14. Chaplains served on most of the frigates 1-27. The duties of the chaplain as prescribed
of the early United States Navy. by the naval regulations of 1802 included
all of the following except
1-15. What was the monthly base pay received by 1. reading prayers
William Austin, the first chaplain aboard 2. preaching
the CONSTITUTION? 3. performing funeral services
1. $15 4. teaching
2. $20
3. $40 1-28. The moat significant contribution which
4. $50 chaplains made to the Navy during the
first decade of the nineteenth century
1-16. The Act of 1794 authorized the employment was the
of one chaplain for each ship carrying as 1. exclusive employment of ordained
many as 44 guns. clergymen as chaplains
2. introduction of careful methods of
1-17. Although probably not an ordained clergy- selection for midshipmen
man, the first chaplain known to have 3. introduction of a regular curriculum
served in the United States Navy was for training midshipmen at sea
1. James Sever 4. inauguration of Chaplain Thompson's
2. Benjamin Balch academy for midshipmen
3. William Austin
4. John Mushainey 1-29. Chaplain Thompson's successor as teacher
of midshipmen at the Washington Navy Yard
1-18. The earliest reference to a divine service was Andrew Hunter.
held on any United States ship-of-war
appeared in the log of the CONSTELLATION. 1-30. Which of the following caused the greatest
concern to chaplains who served the Navy
1-19. During the early days of the United States during the first decade of the nineteenth
Navy, many chaplains were not ordained century?
clergymen. 1. Drinking and permitting women aboard
ship
1-20. In the early days of the United States Navy, 2. Flogging and permitting women aboard
prize money was an approved source of in- ship
come not only for sailors but also for the 3. Drinking and gambling
chaplains who served with them. 4. Flogging and drinking

1-21. By 1800, naval regulations concerning the 1-31. Prior to 1818, women were occasionally
conduct of divine service aboard ship permitted to go to sea on Navy vessels,
provided for optional attendance by
religious minorities. 1-32. The report of divine services held aboard
the CONSTITUTION under Chaplain Henry
1-22. Prior to 1800 it was not uncommon for an Denison in 1809 and 1810 includes a
applicant for a position on a United States description of the music used during the
frigate to be appointed as a chaplain if service.
there was no opening for him as purser or
clerk. 1-33. At the start of the War of 1812, the number
of serviceable ships in the United States
1-23. Prior to 31 December 1800, the number of Navy was twenty-five.
chaplains known to have served with the
United States Navy totaled seven. 1-34. After 1814 the United States Navy was
engaged in all of the following activities
1-24. A chaplain was assigned to each of the six except
vessels authorized by the Peace Establish- 1. suppressing piracy
ment Act of 1801. 2. protecting commerce
3. defeating the British navy
1-25. The 1802 edition of naval regulations 4. checking the slave trade
limited the chaplain's duties to "reading
of prayers at stated periods," performing 1-35. Chaplains assigned to the new 74-gun ships
funeral services, and teaching. of the line after 1813 were relieved of one
of their former duties by a Congressional
1-26. The first school for midshipmen was located Act which established aboard ship, the
at the Navy yard in Boston. position of
1. surgeon
2. navigator
3. schoolmaster
4. recorder
5
In items 1-36 through 1-38, match each name in column A by selecting from column B the historical
fact associated with that name.
A B

1-36. Philander Chase, Jr. 1. The chaplain who served under Thomas Mac-
donough during the battle of Lake Champlain
1-37. Samuel Livermore 2. One of the chaplains who was not ordained at
the time he became a chaplain in the Navy
1-38. David P. Adams 3. The only naval chaplain known to have had
command of U. S. Navy warships
4. The first chaplain in the U. S. Navy to be
wounded in combat

1-39. During the early nineteenth century it was 1-46. The Naval War of 1812 was written by
just as likely that a schoolmaster would Theodore Roosevelt.
perform additional duties as a naval chap-
lain, as that a chaplain would serve also 1-47. Chaplain Adams, the distinguished naval
as schoolmaster. mathematician of the second decade of the
nineteenth century, was unordained.
1-40. Following the War of 1812 the practice of
appointing the chaplain from among the 1-48. David Porter is the only naval chaplain
ship’s company became increasingly rare. who is known ever to have been in command
of a war vessel flying the United States
1-41. Which one of the following qualifications flag.
was met by most chaplains who were appointed
to the naval service after 1818? 1-49. Which one of the following chaplains made
1. They had experience as schoolmasters. the first surveys and charts of coastal
2. They were ordained prior to appointment. waters (Chesapeake Bay) ?
3. They were commissioned prior to appoint- 1. Samuel Livermore
ment. 2. Francis H. Penny
4. They had Congressional recommendation. 3. David Phineas Adams
4. Thomas Breese
1-42. Chaplain Samuel Livermore served with
Captain James Lawrence in 1813 and came to 1-50. Chaplain Folsom exerted a significant
his defense when the CHESAPEAKE was boarded educational and spiritual influence on
by the British. young David Farragut who later became the
first admiral of the United States Navy.
1-43. The first chaplain known to have been
wounded and captured in battle served 1-51. Prior to the establishment of the Naval
during the Academy (then known as the Naval School)
1. Revolutionary War at Annapolis in 1845, the chief burden of
2. War of 1812 preparing junior officers for their future
3. Quasi War with the French duties rested with the chaplains.
4. Civil War
1-52. The school for midshipmen established at
1-44. The naval officer, in his capacity as the Washington Navy yard by Chaplain Thomp-
captain of his ship during the War of 1812, son was the only such school prior to the
who was distinguished among other things establishment of the Naval Academy in 1845.
for the reading of prayers with his
assembled officers both before and after 1-53. Although flogging was legal during the
battle was early nineteenth century, only officers
1. Thomas Breese were permitted to perform the act of
2. Thomas Macdonough flogging.
3. John Carlton
4. Samuel Livermore 1-54. The popular naval officer who lost his life
as the result of a duel in 1820 was
1-45. The chaplain who served with Commodore Perry 1. Macdonough
on the LAWRENCE during the Battle of Lake 2. Decatur
Erie in 1813 was Thomas Breese. 3. Porter
4. Farragut
6
1-55. Following the death of Stephen Decatur, 1-62. Chaplain Charles Samuel Stewart distin-
aroused public sentiment finally resulted guished himself and the Chaplain Corps in
in the addition to naval regulations of all but which one of the following respects?
a prohibition against 1. As a teacher of the Hawaiian language
1. dueling 2. As a real spiritual leader for the men
2. permitting women aboard ship with whom he served
3. the daily issuance of grog 3. As an instructor in mathematics
4. flogging 4. As the first naval chaplain to circle
the globe
1-56. Most of the ordained clergymen who received
appointments as chaplains in the naval 1-63. In their writings of their experiences
service from 1810 to 1820 belonged to aboard ship, Chaplain Stewart and School-
which of the following denominations? master Wines agree that
1. Presbyterian 1. the men who manned their ships were
2. Catholic incorrigible drunkards and gamblers
3. Episcopal 2. divine services at sea were most satis-
4. Unitarian factory when attendance was compulsory
3. their ships' crews were respectful and
1-57. In the early days of the Navy there were attentive, and responded well to divine
instances in which as many as 300 lashes services at sea
were authorized as punishment for an 4. at best, divine services at sea were
offense. only a poor replica of church services
ashore
1-58. During the War of 1812 the most common
cause for flogging was 1-64 The first known reference to the use of a
1. mutiny choir in divine services aboard a United
2. seditious language States naval vessel is Rockwell's descrip-
3. desertion tion of his experiences aboard the
4. theft 1. COLUMBIA
2. DELAWARE
1-59. Sketches of Naval Life, a book which 3. CONSTELLATION
appeared in 1829, was written by 4. POTOMAC
1. Samuel L. Southard
2. Edward McLaughlin 1-65 According to the records, band music was
3. George Jones first used in connection with divine
4. James G. Ogilvie services aboard the CONSTITUTION during the
1830's.
1-60. The first ship's library was set up aboard
a United States Navy vessel in the year 1-66. One of the most significant innovations
1821. recommended by Chaplain Charles Rockwell
was the
1-61. During the nineteenth century, what chap- 1. establishment of a library on every
lain served the Navy for almost fifty years? Navy vessel
1. Andrew Hunter 2. use of the ship’s band for divine ser-
2. James Ogilvie vices
3. Edward McLaughlin 3. use of a ship's choir for divine servi-
4. George Jones ces
4. holding of regular Sunday services

7
 Assignment 2

“Limited to Nine,” 1821-1840; “Limited to Twenty-four,” 1841-1860

Textbook Assignment: Chapters 6, Pages 40 through 61, 7, Pages 62-77

2-1. When was a school for naval chaplains first 2-8. The 1835 law entitled “An Act to Regulate
established at Norfolk? the Pay of the Navy of the United States”
1. In 1812 raised the salaries of chaplains to the
2. In 1825 same level as the salaries of comparable
3. During the Civil War officers.
4. During World War II
2-9. As a result of a rule dated 28 November
2-2. Which one of the following chaplains could 1833, attendance at Sunday prayers was
not have been present at what was probably made compulsory for all naval personnel
the first meeting of chaplains, held aboard attached to navy yards.
the POTOMAC in the 1830's?
1. Jones 2-10. Although the practice of serving grog was
2. Rockwell discontinued aboard many merchant ships
3. Everett during the early part of the nineteenth
4. Taylor century, the United States Navy continued
this practice for some time thereafter.
2-3. Divine services aboard some Navy vessels
during the nineteenth century were held on 2-11. Chaplain Hervey H. Hayes, in a letter to
the quarter-deck. his friend, Arthur Tappan of New York City,
described immorality aboard Navy ships
2-4. In Murrell’s description of a divine service in the Mediterranean during the period
held aboard the COLUMBIA, where did the from 1827 to 1830.
commodore take his station?
1. Abaft the mizzenmast 2-12. The Navy Department order of 1831 which
2. On the weather side of the chaplain permitted seamen to draw a commutation in
3. At the fore part of the mainmast lieu of grog brought about a marked
4. On the weather side of the deck increase in temperance in the Navy within
a year.
2-5. Which one of the following authors gives a
rather detailed description of a burial at 2-13. Prior to 1842, boys between the ages of
sea during the 1830’s? 10 and 18 who served with the United
1. Jones States Navy were entitled to their daily
2. Taylor ration of grog along with the men.
3. Murrell
4. Rockwell 2-14. The earliest known extant diary of a
Navy chaplain, covering visits to the
2-6. Samuel Southard was the Secretary of the Mediterranean during 1836 and 1837,
Navy who issued the directive that all Navy was kept by
chaplains be ordained ministers. 1. Charles Rockwell
2. E. C. Wines
2-7. Two chaplains famous for their efforts to 3. James Everett
increase the pay of chaplains were 4. Thomas R. Lambert
1. Andrews and Colton
2. Hayes and Hunter
3. Colton and Hayes
4. Hunter and Allison

8
In items 2-15 through 2-17, match each name in column A by selecting from column B the historical
fact associated with that name.
A B
2 -15. Edward McLaughlin 1. The chaplain who preferred formal charges
against his commanding officer for immoral
2-16. Hervey H. Hayes conditions aboard United States naval vessels
in the Mediterranean
2-17. Thomas R. Lambert 2. The chaplain who conducted the first school
for midshipmen
3. The chaplain who testified at the court-
martial of Commodore Elliott
4. The chaplain who raised one of the earliest
protests against flogging in the Navy.

2-18. It has long been Navy custom to fly the 2-28. Which one of the following is not considered
church pennant above the national ensign. among the great Navy chaplains in the his-
tory of the Corps?
2-19. There is evidence that the church pennant 1. George Jones
has been used aboard United States Navy 2. Walter Colton
vessels ever since the Navy itself was 3. Charles Samuel Stewart
established. 4. Adam Marshall
2-20. The church pennant flying from a naval 2-29. The general policy of the Navy from 1821
vessel signifies that to 1830 was to limit the number of chaplains
1. a chaplain is on board on duty at any one time to
2. a truce or state of peace exists 1. three
3. no chaplain is on board 2. five
4. the ship’s company is at prayers 3. seven
4. nine
2-21. Chaplain Thomas R. Lambert testified to
the discredit of Commodore J. D. Elliott 2-30. In 1842, legislative action limited the
at the latter’s court-martial. number of Navy chaplains to
1. 16
2-22. At the request of the Secretary of the 2. 20
Navy, the American Bible Society distrib- 3. 24
uted Bibles to all seamen and petty 4. 28
officers in 1820 and 1821.
2-31. In 1842, the complement of chaplains was
2-23. During 1836 and 1837, the Naval Magazine, fixed by law to twenty-four. This quota
a bimonthly publication, was edited by remained constant until
Chaplain Charles S. Stewart. 1. 1861
2. 1898
2-24. A uniform for Navy chaplains was pre- 3. 1914
scribed as early as 1815. 4. 1918

2-25. The first Roman Catholic priest known to 2-32. The law passed in 1842 limiting the number
have served in the Navy served as a school- of Navy chaplains also required that chap-
master. lains be appointed by the
1. Secretary of the Navy
2-26. Matthew Fontaine Maury felt that there 2. Senate
was a definite conflict between science 3. Chaplain Corps
and the Bible. 4. President

2-27. From the period of 1821 to 1840, the 2-33. Chaplain Fitch Waterman Taylor’s book
greatest number of chaplains to serve about the Mexican War deals mainly with
with the Navy at any one time was twenty. his many activities during actual conflict.

9
2-34. The Broad Pennant, a book about a chaplain's 2-42. Of the several constructive suggestions
experiences in the Mexican War, was written for improving the chaplaincy which were
by advanced by Lorenzo Dow Johnson in his
1. Walter Colton pamphlet, the one which found its way into
2. Fitch Waterman Taylor the naval regulations of 1860 was
3. Charles Samuel Stewart 1. the requirement that all chaplains have
4. George Jones a fair share of sea duty
2. the appointment of a Board of Commis-
2-35. Addison Searle was the first chaplain to sioners composed of the representative
complete 30 years of continuous service denominations to pass on the qualifica-
in the Navy. tions of chaplain applicants
3. the requirement that all chaplains make
2-36. The earliest known reference in which the an annual report of their activities
term "padre" was applied to a naval chap- 4. the increase in the number of Navy
lain appears in the writings of Chaplain chaplains permitted by law
Fitch Waterman Taylor.
2-43. An act of 1860 placed chaplains in the
2-37. The practice of appointing chaplains in same pay status as
their forties during the period from 1841 1. ensigns
to 1860 was in accordance with naval 2. lieutenants
regulations. 3. lieutenant commanders
4. commanders
2-38. In 1860, Congress raised the age limit
for the appointment of chaplains from 2-44. As a result of an act of 1860 a chaplain
thirty to thirty-five. who had completed 9 years of sea service
would draw pay amounting to
2-39. During the 1840's the citizens of several 1. $1,500 per year
States recommended to Congress that the 2. $1,700 per year
chaplaincy in the Army and Navy be abol- 3. $1,900 per year
ished, primarily because they believed that 4. $2,100 per year
1. maintenance of the chaplaincy was an
unnecessary financial burden 2-45. For almost a century after the Navy Depart-
2. the chaplaincy represented an uncon- ment was established, chaplains were the
stitutional union of church and state most poorly paid officers of the Navy.
3. no serviceman should be subjected to
denominational beliefs other than his 2-46. The first law granting "fogies", a military
own term signifying an increase in pay due to
4. the chaplaincy was used for political longevity, was passed by Congress in 1841.
appointments
2-47. In the 1830's, naval regulations provided
2-40. What was the name of the Washington minis- chaplains with the choice of wearing
ter who came to the defense of government either breeches or pantaloons.
chaplains during the movement to abolish
the chaplaincy in the 1850's? 2-48. The official eagle button was authorized
1. John C. Spencer for the chaplain's uniform in
2. Lorenzo Dow Johnson 1. 1841
3. Abel Upshur 2. 1842
4. Mason Noble 3. 1843
4. 1844
2-41. What was the purpose of the pamphlet which
appeared in 1856 under the title of Chap- 2-49 The significant change in the chaplain's
lains of the General Government? uniform which was introduced in 1841
1. To persuade Congress to abolish the authorized chaplains to wear
chaplaincy 1. swords like other officers
2. To prove that very few chaplains were 2. the black silk clerical gown
ordained ministers 3. double-breasted coats of dark blue
3. To argue for the continuance of the cloth
chaplaincy 4. uniforms very similar to those of other
4. To provide new chaplains with a history naval officers
of the chaplaincy

10
2-50. Actual facts were on the side of those 2-60. When Chaplain George Jones was first
critics who maintained that the Navy was appointed to the Naval School at Annapolis,
not appointing proportionate numbers of his chief assignment was as
chaplains from various denominations during 1. curator of the museum
the 1850’s. 2. chief librarian
3. chaplain of the Academy
2-51. In response to the criticism and fear that 4. head of the Department of English
the Navy was giving its sanction to the Studies
liturgy of one denomination in preference
to others, the regulation concerning the 2-61. The Naval School was reorganized in 1850
regular reading of prayers was officially and was thereafter known as the Naval
construed in 1859 to mean that Navy chap- Academy.
lains were required to “offer” prayers.
2-62. Ever since its establishment, a chaplain
2-52. It is probable that the bugle was used has always been assigned to the Naval
years before the ship’s bell as a call to Academy at Annapolis.
church on Navy vessels.
2-63. When the Naval Academy was established,
2-53. To the present day, the divine service the regulations prescribed compulsory
used in the Navy is a prescribed service attendance at divine services for every
which all chaplains follow, regardless person attached to the Academy.
of faith.
2-64. The early custom of holding morning prayers
2-54. During the 1850’s, considerable concern before breakfast at Annapolis has continued
arose over the fact that the chaplaincy to the present day. The principal change
contained a disproportionate number of in this custom has been that prayers
1. Presbyterian chaplains 1. have been considerably shortened
2. Catholic chaplains 2. are now left entirely to the conscience
3. Methodist chaplains of the individual
4. Episcopal chaplains 3. have been transferred from the chapel
to the barracks
2-55. Which military service first used the 4. have been transferred from the chapel
bugle call to announce a church service? to the mess hall
1. Army
2. Coast Guard 2-65. During the middle period of the nineteenth
3. Navy century, religious services at shore sta-
4. Marine Corps tions were most often held in makeshift
quarters.
2-56. The first reference to the flying of a
church pennant above the national ensign 2-66. It was customary for the chaplains in the
is contained in the record of the Navy during the 1840’s to write directly to
1. Somers for 1842 the Secretary for supplies or reassignment.
2. United States for 1843
3. Congress for 1845 2-67. Prior to 1860, chaplains were responsible
4. Cumberland for 1846 only to their commanding officers.
2-57. The custom of flying the church pennant 2-68. The requirement that chaplains submit annual
during divine worship was restricted to reports of their official activities to the
those vessels which had a chaplain aboard. Secretary of the Navy first appeared in
1860 as a
2-58. The ship’s bell is often tolled aboard ship 1. circular letter to all chaplains
during or immediately after the bugle call 2. Navy regulation
for church. This custom is said to have 3. separate act of Congress
been taken over from the 4. rider to an appropriation bill
1. Dutch
2. French 2-69. Several chaplains who served during the
3. British 1840's have written about their services
4. Russians as personal counselors and spiritual
advisors to the men on their ships.
2-59. During the period described in Melville’s
writings, attendance at divine services
was compulsory on board Navy ships.

11
2-70. The first known record of a prayer at the 2-72. Reports written by chaplains during the
launching of a Navy war vessel indicates 1840's indicate that they were still strug-
that a civilian clergyman officiated. gling with their commanding officers in
an effort to establish their right to visit
2-71. During pre-Civil War days, most sailors the sick.
in the United States Navy were United States
citizens.

12
 Assignment 3
“Limited to Twenty-four,” 1841-1860; The Civil War and Afterwards, 1861-1880

Textbook Assignment: Chapters 7, Pages 78 through 92, 8, Pages 93-109

3-1. The earliest known printed sermon by a 3-7. Which of the following was not among the
Navy chaplain appeared in 1840 in a period- accomplishments credited to Walter Colton?
ical published in Honolulu. 1. He established the first American press
in California.
3-2. The first Protestant chaplain to enter 2. He wrote numerous books of his
Peking, the forbidden city of China, was observations.
named 3. He succeeded in getting the Navy Depart-
1. Henry Wood ment to provide an organ for the Naval
2. W. A. P. Martin Asylum.
3. Edmund C. Bittinger 4. He built the first Protestant church
4. George Jones in California.

3-3. During the 1840’s Chaplain George Jones 3-8. Although chaplains on the old sailing
expected to find the Japanese hostile to vessels worked under trying circumstances,
all Christians principally because the they were usually assured of an adequate
Japanese supply of wholesome food.
1. had been so oppressed by missionaries
in 1636 3-9. In 1841, men on Navy ships had to purchase
2. resented the treatment of shipwrecked their own Bibles,
Japanese in Oregon in 1834
3. resented the violation of their regula- 3-10. Which of the following was not among the
tions by a Navy chaplain writers who, through their accounts of
4. suspected that all missionaries were flogging, played a major role in bringing
foreign agents about its abolition?
1. E. C. Wines
3-4. The chaplain who traveled to Japan with 2. Richard Dana
Commodore Perry and wrote several reports 3. Walter Colton
on the expedition was named 4. Herman Melville
1. Henry Wood
2. Edmund C. Bittinger 3-11. Although chaplains who served with the
3. George Jones Navy can claim credit for having aided in
4. N.C. Fletcher bringing about many improvements, they had
little influence in the outlawing of flog-
3-5. "The Island of the Great Lew Chew,” a ging.
report by Chaplain George Jones, is the
story of an island which attained great 3-12. For years it was only the Navy chaplains
military importance in World War II. The who campaigned against the spirits ration,
name of that island is Okinawa. and it is to them that chief credit should
go for its final abolition.
3-6. The Protestant chaplain who ruled as
Alcalde at Monterey, California, from 1846 3-13. During the course of the Civil War, the
to 1849 was named strength of the Navy increased until it was
1. Walter Colton 1. three times as great as before the war
2. Jared Elliott 2. five times as great as before the war
3. Thomas Shaw 3. seven times as great as before the war
4. R. F. Stockton 4. ten times as great as before the war

13
3-14. Which of the following statements describes 3-24. There were 24 chaplains serving with the
the strength of the Navy during the period United States Navy at the beginning of the
between the close of the Civil War and 1880? Civil War. How did this number compare
1. It acquired nearly 700 additional with the number of chaplains serving during
vessels. the war and immediately thereafter?
2. It maintained its wartime strength. 1. It was halved by losses to the Confed-
3. It dropped to twelfth place in world erate Navy.
navy strength. 2. It remained the general average.
4. It suffered only a slight decrease 3. It was considerably increased with each
from its wartime strength. year.
4. It was not equaled during or immediately
3-15. Seven articles governing the work of chap- following the war.
lains were contained in the Confederate
Navy regulations. 3-25. Which of the following chaplains served
with the Navy during the Civil War, and at
3-16. Confederate regulations provided for volun- the Naval Hospital in Norfolk following
tary church attendance on Sunday. the war?
1. Chester Newell
3-17. Of the Confederate Navy regulations con- 2. John L. Lenhart
cerning chaplains, the one which represented 3. Joseph Stockbridge
a departure from early United States regu- 4. Henry Wood
lations required chaplains to
1. perform divine and funeral services 3-26. The United States Christian Commission,
2. attend all sick persons who desired sponsored by the YMCA in 1861, was the
their attention forerunner of the modern
3. supervise instruction in elementary 1. United Services Organization
branches of education 2. Salvation Army
4. provide instruction in the principles 3. Red Cross
of the Christian religion 4. Bible Society
3-18. Regulations governing the activities of 3-27. The words of the widely used hymn "Eternal
chaplains in the Confederate Navy were Father, Strong to Save" were written in
required because of the large number of 1860 by an Englishman,
chaplains employed. 1. William Whiting
2. William Monk
3-19. Among the ex-naval chaplains who supported 3. John Dykes
the southern cause during the Civil War was 4. Charles Train
1. George Jones
2. Joseph Wilmer 3-28. When the hymn "Eternal Father" is sung in
3. John Lenhart Navy services today, only the last stanza
4. John Watson is used.
3-20. A law passed in 1861 made Navy officers 3-29. Among his compositions, the tunes for the
who had attained the age of 62 eligible well known hymns, "Holy, Holy, Holy,"
for retirement. "Lead Kindly Light," and "Jesus the Very
Thought of Thee," distinguished the
3-21. A law passed in 1861 provided that any Navy Englishman, John Bacchus Dykes, as one of
officer whose name had been borne on the the great church composers of modern times.
Navy Register for forty-five years or who
had attained the age of sixty-two was 3-30. The chaplain who wrote to the Navy Depart-
eligible for retirement. ment during the 1860's recommending changes
in the chaplain's uniform, and who helped
3-22. The Navy chaplain who lost his life in bring about those changes was
the Civil War was 1. Joseph Stockbridge
1. Bartow 2. Charles Train
2. Stewart 3. William Thomas
3. Lenhart 4. George Duryea
4. Davis
3-31. The cross became the authorized insignia
3-23. The time for holding divine services in for the chaplain's uniform in
the Confederate Navy was determined by 1. 1861
1. custom 2. 1863
2. the "Secretary of the Confederate Navy 3. 1865
3. the chaplain 4. none of the above
4. the commanding officer
14
3-32. After 1863, when chaplains in the Navy were 3-41. President Lincoln’s General Order on the
given relative rank, a chaplain who had importance of observing Sunday aboard
less than twelve years service wore the vessels and at shore stations contained a
insignia of a lieutenant commander and those quotation from President Thomas Jefferson.
with twelve years or more that of commander.
3-42. Prior to 1876, punishments on board ship
3-33. The regulations of the 1860’s permitted the were inflicted on Sundays.
chaplain to wear either the vestments of
his church or the prescribed Navy uniform 3-43. During which war was the first Jewish
while conducting divine service. chaplain commissioned in the Navy?
1. War of 1812
3-34. Many of the present regulations bearing on 2. Civil War
funeral ceremonies may be traced to the 3. Spanish-American War
editions of naval regulations issued during 4. World War I
the 1860’s and 1870’s.
3-44. Under the naval regulations of 1870, what
3-35. During the first half of the nineteenth place was prescribed for chaplains in the
century, attendance at divine service was order of appearance of staff officers in
compulsory at sea and voluntary on shore. the Navy Register?
1. Fifth
3-36. The regulation of 1862 which made attend- 2. Sixth
ance at divine service on Navy ships a 3. Tenth
completely voluntary matter marks a signifi 4. Twelfth
cant turning-point in the history of the
chaplaincy. 3-45. As prescribed by the naval regulations of
1870, which of the following staff officers
3-37. The significance of the law passed in 1862 appeared last in the Navy Register?
governing the conduct of divine services 1. Paymasters
aboard ship lies in the fact that 2. Surgeons
1. attendance was made compulsory for 3. Engineers
everyone aboard ship 4. Chaplains
2. sole responsibility for attendance was
left to the chaplain 3-46. A special section called Cahplain’s Hill
3. attendance was made compulsory for has been set aside in Arlington National
enlisted personnel only Cemetery for Army and Navy chaplains.
4. commanders were ordered to hold services
every Sunday 3-47. After 1862 all officers, including chap-
lains, were required to pass a medical
3-38. Navy chaplains were unanimous in reporting examination prior to receiving a commission.
poor attendance at divine service in the
period immediately following the issuance 3-48. Prior to 1862 many clergymen sought appoint-
of the regulation making attendance ments as Navy chaplains because their
voluntary. health did not permit them to continue
their parish duties.
3-39. President Lincoln’s General Order of 15
November 1862 was concerned largely with 3-49. Under the naval regulations of 1865, a
the importance of chaplain was not required to
1. the commanding officer in spiritual 1. be a regularly ordained minister
guidance 2. pass a professional examination
2. establishing high moral ideals among the 3. pass a physical examination
armed forces 4. be of unimpeachable character
3. observing the Sabbath by members of the
armed forces 3-50. A chaplain who ranked with a commander
4. establishing a chaplain corps in the after 1863 was one who had accumulated at
military services least ten years of Navy service.
3-40. President Lincoln’s Declaration on 15 3-51. The primary function of the relative rank
November 1862, that Sunday labor in the established for naval officers during the
Army and Navy be reduced to the measure of Civil War was to
strict necessity was a 1. determine the rank of officers
1. proclamation 2. clarify the insignia of line officers
2. general order 3. determine the pay of officers
3. military rule 4. fix precedence at official and social
4. legislative action functions

15
3-52. The naval regulations of 1865 exempted 3-60. The earliest known order to display the
Navy chaplains from taking physical church pennant on a United States Navy
examinations. vessel was issued by Admiral Farragut in
the year 1862.
3-53. All editions of naval regulations sub-
sequent to that of 1865 listed chaplains 3-61. Official directions for the display of the
by rank. church pennant first appeared in the United
States Navy Signal Code in the year 1842.
3-54. The highest relative rank attained by any
chaplain during the nineteenth century 3-62. A book by Captain G. H. Preble, published
was that of in 1872, entitled "Our Flag," contained a
1. lieutenant description of the church pennant and its
2. commander usage.
3. captain
4. commodore 3-63. The problem of relative rank is still an
issue with naval chaplains.
3-55. The chaplain who wrote to the Secretary of
the Navy opposing the introduction of 3-64. According to the reports made by Chaplain
relative rank for the chaplaincy was George Williamson Smith, the library on
1. Crawford the FRANKLIN was financed by
2. Van Meter 1. the officers
3. Stockbridge 2. a special foundation
4. Holway 3. the Seaman’s Library League
4. the men on the ship
3-56. Which of the following was Van Meter’s
major objection to relative rank for 3-65. During the 1860’s, chaplains made frequent
chaplains? mention in their annual reports of their
1. Rank created a barrier between the distribution of copies of the Scriptures
chaplain and the men. to naval personnel.
2. Rank had been used as a political tool.
3. Van Meter had been demoted in rank. 3-66. Chaplain George Williamson Smith reported
4. Chaplains were overpaid. the number of Naval Academy midshipmen
who were members of a Christian church in
3-57. During the 1870’s, a difference of opinion 1864. In terms of percentage, how does
existed as to whether the chaplain should this number compare with national church
occupy the fourth or fifth cabin on the membership at that time?
port side off the wardroom. 1. Slightly lower
2. Considerably lower
3-58. Although a trivial matter in itself, the 3. Somewhat higher
difference of opinion during the 1870’s, 4. The same
concerning the particular cabin to be
assigned to a chaplain, involved the pres-
tige of the chaplain aboard ship.
3-59. The colors of the church pznnant of the
Confederate Navy were
1. blue on white
2. red on white
3. blue on red
4. white on blue

16
 Assignment 4

The Civil War and Afterwards; The New Navy Steams Forth, 1881-1900

Textbook Assignment: Chapters 8, Pages 109 through 115, 9

4-1. How many pay increases did chaplains 4-7. In the years following the Civil War,
receive during the period between 1861 and appointments of naval chaplains who had
1880? acquired military or naval experience
1. None during the war reached a total of
2. One 1. 6
3. Two 2. 8
4. Three 3. 10
4. 12
4-2. If a chaplain and a surgeon each with 12
years of service were assigned to sea duty 4-8. Enforced attendance at divine service was
in 1871, how would their annual salaries the Navy rule until the turn of the
have compared? twentieth century.
1. They would have been the same.
2. They would have been $2,500 and $2,800 4-9. Which of the following advances was not
respectively. made by the naval chaplaincy during the
3. They would have been $2,800 and $3,500 period from 1861 to 1880?
respectively. 1. A Chief of Chaplains was appointed.
4. They would have differed by $400. 2. The position of the church pennant
during divine service was officially
4-3. The naval appropriation act of 1870 granted recognized.
chaplains the same pay as other officers 3. Chaplains were given relative rank.
with similar assignments and lengths of 4. The cross was added to the chaplain's
service. uniform.
4-4. Chaplain W. O. Holway's recommendations 4-10. How many armored cruisers were added to the
for improving the Chaplain Corps emphasized Navy during the period from 1887 to 1893?
particularly the need for 1. 1
1. a greater number of chaplains in the Navy 2. 3
2. a chaplain as head of the Chaplain Corps 3. 13
3. private consultation space for the chap- 4. 36
lain aboard ship
4. increased pay for chaplains 4-11. The MAINE and the NEW YORK first listed
as heavy cruisers, were later classified
4-5. The full quota of twenty-four Navy chaplains as battleships.
was carried on the rolls in which of each
of the following years? 4-12. How many Navy chaplains were on duty in
1. 1863 and 1865 1881?
2. 1861 and 1865 1. 9
3. 1861 and 1875 2. 12
4. 1863 and 1875 3. 23
4. 24
4-6. In which of the following categories were
chaplains listed in the Navy Register of 4-13. During the period from 1881 to 1900, the
1862? number of men and officers in the Marine
1. At sea or ashore Corps increased at the same rate as did the
2. Commanders, active and inactive number in the Navy.
3. Active and inactive
4. Active and retired

17
4-14. In 1900 the ratio of chaplains to naval 4-23. In filling vacancies in the chaplaincy,
personnel was the Navy Department has pursued a policy
1. 1 to 487 of fixing quotas for the various denomina-
2. 1 to 997 tions.
3. 1 to 1,075
4. 1 to 1,225 4-24. Chaplain William Henry "Ironsides" Reaney,
a Catholic chaplain, distinguished himself
4-15. During the period from 1881 to 1900, the in which of the following fields?
number of officers and men in the Navy 1. Philosophy
1. remained constant 2. Athletics
2. doubled 3. Navigation
3. tripled 4. History
4. quadrupled
4-25. During the first decade of the twentieth
4-16. How many new chaplains were commissioned century, a third of the alloted quota of
in the Navy during the period from 1881 chaplains were Roman Catholics.
to 1900?
1. 9 4-26. Chaplains were among the first to
2. 15 recognize that good morals contribute
3. 24 to good morale.
4. 32
4-27. The chaplain who is remembered for intro-
4-17. Frank Thompson served as a Navy chaplain ducing physical drill into the Navy was
for approximately thirty-nine years. 1. Crawford
2. Holway
4-18. Of the chaplains who entered the service 3. Reaney
between 1891 and 1900, the one who remained 4. Wallace
in the Navy longest was
1. Cassard 4-28. One of the first Navy chaplains who was
2. Isaacs distinguished for his kindness to naval
3. D ickins prisoners was
4. Edmonson 1. Crawford
2. Reaney
4-19. During the period from 1881 to 1900, 3. Wallace
vacancies in the Chaplain Corps were filled 4. Holway
by nomination by the
1. head of the Chaplain Corps 4-29. Who was the first Navy chaplain to begin
2. President collecting data on the history of Navy
3. Secretary of the Navy chaplains?
4. candidate's ecclesiastical superior 1. Hoes
2. Stewart
4-20. The first Roman Catholic priest to become 3. Tribou
a chaplain in the United States Navy was 4. Clark
1. Elijah W. Hager
2. Charles Henry Parks 4-30. What is the name of the chaplain who
3. Alfred L, Royce played a major role in organizing the first
4. Louis Paul Reynolds Navy YMCA?
1. Williams
4-21. Approximately what percent of the Navy 2. Steele
chaplains who served prior to 1881 were 3. Clark
not ordained? 4. Gill
1. 15
2. 25 4-31. The first Navy YMCA was organized in
3. 35 Washington in 1898.
4. 45
4-32. One of the significant additions contained
4-22. Prior to 1881, which of the following in the naval regulations of 1893 was the
religious denominations had the largest article instructing chaplains to make pro-
representation in the naval chaplaincy? vision for religious services for those
1. Episcopal crew members whose faith differed from
2. Methodist that of the chaplains.
3. Unitarian
4. Baptist

18
4-33. The provision which authorized the chaplain 4-48. According to the report of Chaplain David
“to instruct in the principles of the H. Tribou for 1883, approximately what
Christian religion” appeared for the last percent of the men on his ship usually
time in the 1893 edition of naval regula- attended shipboard services on Sunday?
tions. 1. 20
2. 40
4-34. One of the new articles in the 1893 edition 3. 60
of Navy Regulations described the chaplain’s 4. 80
duty in battle as that of being of aid to
the wounded. 4-49. Which of the following chaplains can be
credited with introducing the stereopticon
4-35. An article which appeared in the 1896 edi- lantern for training purposes in the Navy?
tion of naval regulations and is still in 1. Sherman
force today reads “Chaplains shall report 2. Jones
annually to the Secretary of the Navy the 3. Holway
official services performed by them.” 4. Rawson
4-36. All staff officers, including chaplains, 4-50. What Navy chaplain survived the sinking
were given actual rank in 1899. of the battleship MAINE in 1898?
1. Chidwick
4-37. Although actual rank was given to chaplains 2. Gill
in 1899, their maximum pay was still limit- 3. Tribou
ed to that of lieutenant commander. 4. Sigsbee
4-38. The naval regulations of 1876 forbade the 4-51. What Navy chaplain wrote a travel guide
firing or return of salutes on holidays entitled Notes on New York and Brooklyn?
which occurred on Sundays. 1. Holway
2. Chidwick
4-39. The naval regulations of 1876 included a 3. Morrison
section which stated that Saturday after- 4. Wright
noon “shall in general be regarded on
board ships as a half holiday.” 4-52. Letters from chaplains who served the Navy
toward the close of the nineteenth century
4-40. The naval regulations of 1893 prohibited indicate that chaplains frequently had to
women from living on or taking passage in purchase their own equipment.
naval vessels.
4-53. The chaplain who wrote the first Navy
4-41. The naval regulations of 1893 forbade chaplain's manual was
smoking during divine service. 1. Hoes
2. Hayward
4-42. The expression “The smoking lamp is out" 3. Frazier
means that divine services are being held. 4. Brown
4-43. The library on a Navy vessel usually 4-54. The chaplain who was known for conducting
remains open while divine services are sightseeing parties of sailors ashore
being held. during the 1890’s was
1. Chidwick
4-44. It was customary on some ships and stations 2. Morrison
to have the boatswain’s mate sing out “The 3. Wright
smoking lamp is lighted.” When this 4. Holway
occurred, the ship’s company knew that
activities which had been suspended during 4-55. The recommendations sent to the Secretary
the church hour might be resumed. of the Navy by a chaplains’ committee in
1881 covered which of the following qualifi-
4-45. As late as 1898 chaplains were forbidden cations for chaplains?
to wear the full dress uniform authorized 1. Health and professional competence
for other naval officers. 2. Professional competence only
3. Health only
4-46. Reports similar to those of Chaplain Tribou 4. None of the above
indicate that a chaplain’s unofficial
duties give him the greatest opportunity 4-56. Which of the following Navy chaplains
for work with the men. suggested a savings plan for sailors?
1. Brown
4-47. Midshipmen at Annapolis are permitted to 2. Hoes
attend services at churches of their own 3. Hayward
choice. 4. McAlister
19
4-57. The only Navy chaplain known to have been 4-62. The chaplain who served with Admiral
injured during the Spanish-American War Dewey was
was Chaplain T. A. Gill. 1. Reaney
2. Frazier
4-58. In describing his experiences during the 3. Parks
Spanish-American War, Chaplain Harry W. 4. Isaacs
Jones reported that the men were more
attentive to divine services just prior 4-63. The number of chaplains who served with
to an expected engagement. the Navy during the Spanish-American War
exceeded the allotted quota of twenty-four.
4-59. One of the duties undertaken by chaplains
during the Spanish-American War was to 4-64. Of the following activities in which Navy
notify next of kin of battle casualties. chaplains were engaged in 1900, which one
was not one of the chaplains' regular
4-60. Which of the following Navy chaplains duties?
wrote a book entitled “The Battleship 1. Establishing and maintaining libraries
Indiana and her part in the Spanish- 2. Ministering to the imprisoned
American War”? 3. Conducting sightseeing tours ashore
1. Jones 4. Supervising the educational program of
2. Chidwick the crew
3. Colton
4. Cassard
4-61. The two chapels at the Seneca Lake Naval
Training Station are named for chaplains
who served their country during
1. the Revolutionary War
2. the Spanish-American War
3. the Civil War
4. World War I

20
 Assignment 5

Prelude to World War I, 1901-1916

Textbook Assignment: Chapter 10

5-1. Following the Spanish-American War, the 5-9. In general, chaplains serving with United
United States Navy experience a sharp States naval vessels favored the activities
decline in personnel strength. of the Floating Society of Christian
Endeavor.
5-2. The Reverend G. E. Strobridge, who wrote
several pamphlets during the early 5-10. An act passed in 1914 not only fixed the
twentieth century which focused public ratio of chaplains to naval personnel, but
attention on conditions in the naval also set a ratio for chaplains holding
chaplaincy, held the rank of naval com- various ranks.
mander.
5-11. A hearing on the Naval Personnel Bill held
5-3. The churches of the United States began by the House Naval Affairs Committee in
to take an interest in the naval chap- January 1914 had representation from the
laincy in circa Federal Council, the Protestant Episcopal
1. 1812 Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. All
2. 1860 clergymen present agreed on
3. 1910 1. an increase of chaplains in the Navy so
4. 1916 that there should be one chaplain to
every 1,000 of the force
5-4. It was not until approximately 1910 that 2. establishment of the grade of acting
the churches of the United States first chaplain
took an active interest in chaplains 3. removal of discrimination against chap-
serving with the Army and the Navy. lains in the matter of salary
4. all of the above
5-5. Prior to World War I, the Navy authorized
the assignment of YMCA secretaries to all 5-12. A law enacted in 1914 provided for the
naval vessels not carrying a chaplain. probationary appointment of acting chap-
lains for which of the following number
5-6. Josephus Daniels, as Secretary of the Navy, of years?
instituted many desirable changes for the 1. Two
chaplains of the Navy. 2. Three
3. Four
5-7. Secretary Josephus Daniels approved the 4. Five
appointment of YMCA secretaries to Navy
vessels primarily because 5-13. Under the law passed in 1914, an acting
1. they were less expensive to the Navy chaplain received the rank, pay, and
than chaplains allowances of
2. he believed they should supplant chap- 1. an ensign
lains in the service 2. a lieutenant (junior grade)
3. it was not necessary that they be 3. a lieutenant
ordained 4. a lieutenant commander
4. they proved to be enthusiastic young
leaders for religious, athletic, and 5-14. The establishment of the grade of acting
recreational activities chaplain resulted in the
1. appointment of younger chaplains
5-8. Secretary Daniels' views concerning wel- 2. increased use of welfare workers aboard
fare secretaries were shared by the chap- naval vessels
laincy and the civilian ministry. 3. immediate removal of welfare workers
from naval vessels
4. appointment of older chaplains
21
5-15. What was the name of the clergyman who 5-21. Under Section 2541-c of the Act of 1914,
was first appointed as an acting chaplain not more than seven acting chaplains
in 1915 and later became the sixth Chief shall be commissioned in any one year.
of Chaplains?
1. Dumstrey 5-22. The first chaplain to attain the rank of
2. Workman rear admiral was
3. Bouffard 1. Charlton
4. Ellis 2. Gill
3. Patrick
5-16. On the eve of the United States entry into 4. Bayard
the First World War, the total number of
chaplains serving with the Navy was fifty- 5-23. It was not until the act of 1914 was
three. passed that any chaplain attained the
rank of rear admiral.
5-17. A Board of Chaplains to pass on the fitness
of all applicants for the chaplaincy was 5-24. The Act of 1914 which fixed the ratio of
established by naval regulations in the one chaplain for every 1,250 naval person-
year 1909. nel also set a ratio of which of the
following?
5-18. The first candidate to come before the 1. 10 pct. captains
Board of Chaplains for examination prior 2. 20 pct. commanders
to being commissioned was 3. 20 pct. lieutenant commanders
1. O'Hern 4. All of the above
2. Doyle
3. Pearce 5-25. What was the name of the chaplain who
4. Evans served at Annapolis for many years and
was known as "the Angel of the Church
5-19. In the decade prior to 1900 the denomina- that is at Annapolis"?
tions to which Navy chaplains belonged 1. Clark
began to take a real interest in the work 2. Tribou
of the chaplaincy. 3. Edel
4. Holway
5-20. Under the provisions of an act passed in
1914, a chaplain commissioned as a lieu-
tenant (jg) might rise to the rank of lieu
tenant commander in a minimum of
1. 4 years
2. 8 years
3. 12 years
4. 16 years

In items 5-26 through 5-30, match the title of the publication in column A by selecting the chaplain-
author from column B.
A B

5-26. Order of Divine Service and Collection of 1. Cassard

Hymns 2. Clark
3. Dickins
5-27. A Divine Service for the United States 4. Edel
Navy
5-28. The Sword of the Nation
5-29. Naval Chaplains from 1775 to 1917
5-30. Naval Cadet

22
5-31. The Silent League was founded by Chaplain 5-42. The significance of the Naval Reserve for
1. Wright the Chaplain Corps lies in the fact that it
2. Edel provides
3. Hoes 1. the machinery for enlisting recruits
4. Thompson into the regular Navy
2. the machinery necessary to enlist chap-
5-32. The major purpose of the Silent League was lains in a national emergency
to discourage obscenity and profanity. 3. an organization for retired naval
officers
5-33. What chaplain wrote Instructions for 4. an organization through which retired
Recruits? chaplains can keep in touch with one
1. Dickins another
2. Patrick
3. Cassard 5-43. On the eve of the first World War, the
4. Wright complement of chaplains in the Naval
Militia totaled
5-34. The first chaplain to use a modern picture 1. 9
machine aboard ship was B. R. Patrick on 2. 10
the YANKEE in 1903. 3. 11
4. 12
5-35. The first chaplain appointed as officer in
charge of the Naval Academy Preparatory 5-44. In 1902 the Navy approved the purchase of
Class was hymnals for all stations and ships which
1. J. J. Brady required them.
2. J. D. MacNair
3. C. H. Dickens 5-45. The first joint Army and Navy Hymnal was
4. M. C. Gleeson published in the year 1920.
5-36. In 1914, when Congress authorized the 5-46. On some ships the chaplain reads a brief
Secretary of the Navy to make appointments prayer over the ship’s public address
to the Naval Academy from the ranks of system after the bugle call to hammocks.
enlisted men, candidates turned to the This custom is the last vestige of the
chaplains for help in preparing for the regular evening prayers which were once
competitive examinations for selection. conducted.
5-37. Chaplain C. H. Dickens first replaced the 5-47. Navy customs have usually moved from shore
old, hand-laundry system with modern to sea.
machinery aboard the RANGER.
5-48. The custom of flying the church pennant at
5-38. The military organization which was the United States naval installations to
forerunner of the Naval Reserve was known indicate that divine services are in
as the Naval Militia. progress was established by the time of
the Spanish-American War.
5-39. In what war did the Naval Militia first
prove its value to the country as a whole? 5-49. In 1903 the Navy chaplain who was attached
1. Revolutionary War to the CONSTELLATION was also responsible
2. Civil War for supervising the education of approxi-
3. Spanish-American War mate ly
4. World War I 1. 100 boys
2. 500 boys
5-40. Chaplains were not accepted as members of 3. 1,000 boys
the Naval Militia until 1916. 4. 1,500 boys
5-41. Which of the following was not one of the 5-50. The earliest date at which Navy chaplains
Reserve organizations which Navy chaplains were assigned overseas shore duty was
joined during the 2-year period from 1916 1. 1812
to 1918? 2. 1860
1. Naval Militia 3. 1889
2. Naval Reserve Militia 4. 1903
3. National Naval Volunteers
4. Naval Reserve Force

23
5-51. The first of a long line of Navy Chaplains 5-58. Shipboard chapters of the YMCA were
to see duty in the Philippines was organized in 1901 and still function
1. W. K. Riddle aboard some Navy vessels.
2. B. R. Patrick
3. C. M. Charlton 5-59. Which of the following statements is not
4. J. B. Frazier true of St. Peter's Chapel?
1. It is the oldest Navy chapel in the
5-52. During the first decade of the twentieth United States.
century, chaplains who were assigned to 2. It is the largest chapel at a Navy
shore stations overseas were not permitted shore station.
to take their families with them. 3. It has unusually beautiful furniahings
and stained-glass windows.
5-53. Which one of the following shore stations 4. It was erected with Federal funds for
was not among those to which the first worship by both Protestant and Catholic
three naval chaplains given overseas duty military personnel.
were assigned?
1. Solomons 5-60. The oldest naval chapel in the United
2. Guam States is located at Mare Island, Califor-
3. Philippines nia.
4. Samoa
5-61. The same chapel was used for both Protes-
5-54. The first assignment of a Navy chaplain to tant and Catholic services at Soldiers
exclusive duty with the Marines was made Home, Washington, D. C., as early as 1877.
in the year
1. 1865 5-62. The Gothic church built at the Naval
2. 1898 Academy in 1869 is still in use.
3. 1912
4. 1940 5-63. Dedication services were held at the
newly constructed chapel of the Naval
5-55. The Marines were first served by Navy Academy in June 1904 with Chaplain
chaplains about the year H. H. Clark in charge.
1. 1810
2. 1830 5-64. The present chapel at Annapolis has seating
3. 1860 accommodations for
4. 1900 1. 200
2. 600
5-56. During which of the following wars was the 3. 850
Army and Navy YMCA organized? 4. 1,250
1. Civil War
2. Spanish-American War 5-65. Where do the remains of John Paul Jones
3. World War I lie?
4. World War II 1. In a crypt at Annapolis
2. In Paris
5-57. Of the following, the major contribution 3. In Arlington Cemetery
of the Navy YMCA has been in providing 4. At sea
Navy men with
1. opportunities for desirable social
contacts
2. opportunities for educational advance-
ment
3. library facilities ashore
4. wholesome leisure-time activities

24
 Assignment 6

The First World War, 1917-1919

Textbook Assignment: Chapter 11, Pages 162-187

6-1. On 22 May 1917, Congress passed "An Act 6-10. What is the significance of the year 1871
to temporarily increase the commissioned in connection with the appointment of the
and warrant and enlisted strength of the first head of the Chaplain Corps?
Navy and Marine Corps." 1. Chaplains first urged the Navy to
establish such an office.
6-2. In 1917, the number of chaplains appointed 2. The first head of the Chaplain Corps
as temporary acting chaplains totaled was appointed.
1. one 3. The first Chief of the Chaplain Corps
2. two was appointed.
3. three 4. None of the above.
4. four
6-11. Of the following possible reasons for
6-3. Most of the chaplains who entered the Navy Frazier’s appointment as the first head
during the period from April to October of the Chaplain Corps, the one which
1918 were appointed as acting chaplains. undoubtedly played no part in his selec-
tion was his
6-4. During World War I the Chaplain Corps 1. executive and administrative abilities
increased in proportion to the personnel 2. reputation among civilian clergy
of the Navy. 3. seniority in the Corps
4. keen judgement of human nature
6-5. When the United States declared war on
Germany on 6 April 1917 there were forty 6-12. To what denomination did both Chaplain
chaplains on active duty in the Navy. Frazier and Josephus Daniels belong?
1. Southern Baptist
6-6. Who was the first Reserve chaplain to be 2. Episcopal
commissioned as a lieutenant (jg) in 1917? 3. Southern Methodist
1. William B. Ayers 4. Presbyterian
2. Hersey E. Rountree
3. Henry van Dyke 6-13. The title “Chief of Chaplains” was first
4. Thomas M. Mark used during World War II after the office
of Chief of Naval Chaplains was established
6-7. Dr. Henry Van Dyke, educator, author, by law.
clergyman, and diplomat, accepted the
rank of lieutenant in the Navy on 4 6-14. In 1871, chaplains first requested the
January 1918. Department of the Navy to appoint one of
their number to represent their interests
6-8. The office of the Chief of Naval Chaplains in Washington. Chaplain John B. Frazier,
was officially created by law in first head of the Chaplain Corps, was not
1. 1865 appointed, however, until
2. 1900 1. 1911
3. 1923 2. 1913
4. 1944 3. 1915
4. 1917
6-9. The appointment of the head of the Chap-
lain Corps was made absolutely necessary 6-15. Who was the first assistant to the Chief
by the exigencies of war in November 1917. of Chaplains?
He was 1. Neyman
1. John B. Frazier 2. Carruthers
2. Patrick J. Hammersley 3. Edel
3. Hersey E. Rountree 4. Davidson
4. William B. Ayers
25
6-16. The first Catholic Chaplain Bishop 6-26. The General Committee on Army and Navy
appointed in the United States was the Chaplains had the responsibility for
Most Reverend Patrick J. Hayes. approving the applications of both Reserve
and regular chaplains.
6-17. Chaplain Robert D. Workman officiated at
the burial services for Chaplain Frazier. 6-27. The number of Protestant chaplains who
entered the service in 1917-1918 and
6-18. The number of accessions to the Chaplain remained in the Navy to serve in World
Corps in 1918 exceeded the number in 1917. War II was
1. 16
6-19. The purpose of the Military Ordinariate was 2. 20
to endorse to the Secretary of the Navy all 3. 24
of the Catholic chaplains who entered the 4. 28
service during 1917 and 1918.
6-28. Both Catholic and Protestant churches
6-20. Of the thirty-five Catholic chaplains who cooperated with Chaplain Frazier in his
entered the service in 1917-1918, how many efforts to procure chaplains during World
remained with the Navy to serve in World War I.
War II?
1. Four 6-29. Although some exceptions were allowed, what
2. Six maximum age limit was set by the Chaplains’
3. Eight Division for temporary and temporary acting
4. Nine chaplains entering the service during World
War I?
6-21. Who was the first member of a Catholic 1. 22 years 6 months
order to receive a commission as a Navy 2. 27 years
chaplain? 3. 31 years 6 months
1. Beckley 4. 38 years
2. Regan
3. Maguire 6-30. The average age for acting and temporary
4. Casey acting chaplains in 1917-1918 was thirty-
two.
6-22. Exclaustration during peacetime was
advanced to chaplain 6-31. A great aid in procurement of chaplains
1. R. D. Workman in World War I wae a circular written by
2. E. W. Davis Chaplain Frazier,
3. J. H. Finn
4. P. J. Hayer 6-32. Most of the Navy chaplains on duty during
World War I were assigned to
6-23. In which of the following ways did the 1. battleships, cruisers, and transports
General Committee on Army and Navy Chap- 2. shore establishments in the United
lains differ from the Washington Committee States
on Army and Navy Chaplains? 3. the Marines in France
1. The number of members increased from 4. hospital units in France
6 to 32.
2. The number of denominations represented 6-33. The first Jewish chaplain was commissioned
increased from 3 to 6. in the United States Navy in 1917.
3. The number of representatives from each
denomination increaeed from 1 to 2. 6-34. When Chaplain Goldberg, the first Jewish
4. None of the above. chaplain joined the service, who insisted
that he be given the same duties as those
6-24. Who was the first secretary of the Washing- given any other chaplain?
ton Committee on Army and Navy Chaplains? 1. Secretary Daniels
1. Haines 2. Chaplain Frazier
2. Carroll 3. Chaplain Goldberg
3. Tippy 4. Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
4. Finn
6-35. The first Jewish chaplain wore the Latin
6-25. Prior to World War I, which one of the cross, the insignia of the Chaplain Corps,
following denominations was not represented on his uniform.
by members on the Washington Committee on
Army and Navy Chaplains? 6-36. The first Christian Science chaplain ap-
1. Methodist pointed to the United States Navy in 1918
2. Presbyterian was an ordained minister.
3. Episcopal
4. Catholic
26
6-37. The ratio of one chaplain for every 1,250 6-46. The first Navy chaplain's manual set forth
naval personnel was constantly maintained a systematic detailed statement of the
throughout World War I. chaplain‘s duties and responsibilities.
6-38. The number of Navy chaplains on duty during 6-47. Chaplain Frazier suggested that a good
the peak of World War I was equal to the chaplain would heed the old saying that
full quota of chaplains permitted. the "best way to get along in the world
is to attend strictly to your own business."
6-39. Approximately twice as many chaplains
entered the Corps during 1918 as during 6-48. Chaplain Frazier recommended that chaplains
the previous year. leave all matters of social hygiene to the
surgeons.
6-40. What was the reason given by Chaplain
Riddle when he resigned his commission in 6-49. Which of the following quotations from his
1918 to enlist as an apprentice seaman? manual did Chaplain Frazier feel consti-
1. To be with people he liked tuted the best advice to chaplains?
2. To learn the enlisted man's point of 1. "To leave the field of personal counsel-
view ing uncultivated is to fail as a chap-
3. To acquire the skills he had no time lain"
to learn as a chaplain 2. "The faithful performance of unprescribed
4. To get away from the chaplaincy duties"
3. "A chaplain's duties consist of any-
6-41. During World War I, which of the following thing and everything"
churches had the largest percentage of 4. "To know most of the crew by name"
representation among Navy chaplains?
1. Congregational 6-50. What method of bolstering troop morale was
2. Methodist used most effectively by Chaplain Edel
3. Baptist aboard the World War I transport, the
4. Catholic ST. LOUIS?
1. He held several divine services on
6-42. During the year 1919 the number of chap- Sunday mornings.
lains appointed to the Navy totaled 2. He corresponded with the parents of
1. one the men on the transport.
2. three 3. He organized a choir of thirty voices.
3. five 4. He arranged for the showing of the
4. seven latest films.
6-43. The first Navy chaplain's manual was 6-51. During World War I it was customary for
published in the year the chaplain to utilize the ship's band
1. 1914 in connection with divine services held
2. 1918 aboard naval vessels.
3. 1922
4. 1926 6-52. In what war did the term "General Service"
appear?
6-44. Who wrote the introduction to The Navy 1. Revolutionary War
Chaplain's Manual? 2. Civil War
1. van Dyke 3. World War I
2. Wood 4. World War II
3. Riddle
4. Frazier 6-53. The 1918 religious census taken at the
Naval Training Station, St. Helena, Norfolk,
6-45. Which of the following was not covered in Virginia, revealed that the largest number
The Navy Chaplain's Manual written by of naval personnel were members of which
Chaplain Frazier? of the following denominations?
1. A detailed statement of the chaplain's 1. Presbyterian
duties and responsibilities 2. Methodist
2. Advice from an experienced chaplain to 3. Baptist
newly appointed chaplains 4. Catholic
3. A discussion of the relationship between
chaplains and their superior officers 6-54. During World War I, chaplains were unable
4. Recommendations on the length of to obtain from the Navy such material aids
sermons for divine services as altar pieces, organs,
and hymn books.

27
6-55. The most reliable way for a chaplain to 6-62. When the United States entered the war
obtain information about the religious against Germany, only one chaplain, E. A.
denomination of his men is from the Brodmann, was serving with the Marines.
1. men’s close friends
2. superior officers 6-63. Each Marine regiment in France during
3. personnel jackets World War I had one Catholic chaplain and
4. health records one Protestant chaplain.
6-56. The chaplain who first used an airplane as 6-64. During World War I several chaplains were
a means of transportation between posts in given duty on the decoding watch.
order to conduct divine services was then
serving with the 6-65. The chaplains who served with the Marines
1. Navy in France in 1917 were under the military
2. Air Force jurisdiction of the
3. Marine Corps 1. Air Force
4. Army 2. Marine Corps
3. Navy
6-57. In what year was the Navy Relief Society 4. Amy
incorporated?
1. 1900 6-66. Which of the following best describes the
2. 1904 experiences of the chaplains who served
3. 1910 with the Marines in France during World
4. 1917 War I?
1. A relatively sheltered though hectic
6-58. During World War I, some of the services period
provided by Navy chaplains on ships and 2. A period of suffering, danger, and
shore stations were 8 train
1. issuing daily new bulletins 3. A period of actual combat made necessary
2. renting moving pictures by the emergency
3. sponsoring sightseeing parties while in 4. None of the above
port
4. all of the above 6-67. Chaplain Albert Park served in France in
every major engagement in which the Marines
6-59. Of the following collateral duties assigned participated.
to chaplains during World War I, the one
to which Secretary Daniels most strongly 6-68. Four Navy chaplains who were with the
objected was the assignment of chaplains to Marines during the heaviest fighting
1. submarine lookout watches received the Navy Cross and these were the
2. decoding watch first chaplains in the history of the
3. court-martial boards Corps to be so honored.
4. messenger duty ashore
6-69. What is the last name of the Navy chaplain
6-60. What was the approximate number of Bibles who received the Distinguished Service
distributed by the American Bible Society Cross for his work with the Marines in
to members of the armed forces during France in World War I?
World War I? 1. Park
1. 4,000,000 2. MacNair
2. 7,000,000 3. Darche
3. 10,000,000 4. Brady
4. 13,000,000
6-61. During World War I, Navy chaplains aboard
transports assisted influenza-stricken
sailors in making out insurance papers.

28
 Assignment 7

The First World War, 1917-1919; The Years Between, 1920-1939

Textbook Assignment: Chapters 11, Pages 187 through 202, 12, 203 through 220

7-1. Three Navy chaplains who served with the 7-9. The first to be assigned to duty as a Fleet
Marines in France during World War I were Chaplain was ordered to the staff of the
given the Croix de Guerre. Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet
on 16 June 1918. He was
7-2. What chaplain received the most decorations 1. David Tribou
in World War I? 2. Elsworth Scott
1. Darche 3. Albert Stone
2. Park 4. Matthew Gleeson
3. MacNair
4. Brady 7-10. Which of the following plans did Chaplain
Gleeson recommend for use in assigning
7-3. Less than twenty Navy chaplains served chaplains to the fleet?
with Marines in overseas assignments 1. One Protestant and three Catholics
during World War I. 2. Two Protestants and two Catholics
3. Three Protestants and one Catholic
7-4. The total number of Navy chaplains who 4. None of the above
served with the Marines for varying
periods during World War I was 7-11. The duties of the Fleet Chaplain as out-
1. 8 lined in the 1920 edition of Navy Regula-
2. 13 tions did not require him to
3. 21 1. serve as a ship's chaplain on any Navy
4. 26 vessel of the fleet
2. inspect the work of the chaplains at
7-5. Chaplains who served with Marines in combat frequent intervals
during World War I wore uniforms of their 3. advise chaplains of the fleet concerning
own choice and design. their work
4. call frequent meetings of chaplains of
7-6. Which of the following Navy chaplains the fleet to discuss matters pertaining
received decorations from the King of Bel- to their work
gium for their work during World War I?
1. Bloomhardt and Scott 7-12. The Chaplain Corps was the only branch of
2. Thompson and Workman the Navy in which no officers received
3. Evans and Ellis temporary promotions during World War I,
4. Tribou and Maguire
7-13. Regulations permitting chaplains to replace
7-7. What is the name of the chaplain whose the black braid on their uniforms with gold
services with the Navy extended over a braid became effective’ in the year
greater period of time than that of any 1. 1917
other chaplain? 2. 1918
1. David Tribou 3. 1919
2. Matthew C. Gleeaon 4. 1920
3. Sidney Key Evans
4. Charles V. Ellis 7-14. In 1919, regulations still prevented the
chaplains from wearing the
7-8. The office of Fleet Chaplain was authorized 1. official Navy button
by the Secretary of the Navy in the year 2. complete full dress uniform
1. 1812 3. gold braid worn by other officers
2. 1873 4. frock coat
3. 1918
4. 1942
29
7-15. In 1914 the use of alcoholic liquor for 7-24. Some of the first educational courses used
drinking purposes was prohibited aboard in the Navy were bought outright from the
any Navy ship or station as a result of International Correspondence School.
1. an act of Congress
2. a proclamation issued by the President 7-25. The Navy chaplain who helped to establish
3. a vote of Navy personnel a voluntary educational system for the
4. an order issued by the Secretary of the men of the Navy was T. P. Riddle.
Navy
7-26. More than one-third of the chaplains on
7-16. In 1918, naval personnel were prohibited active duty left the service during 1919.
from using liquor for drinking purposes
within a radius of how many miles from 7-27. Approximately how many chaplains were on
naval establishments? the active list at the beginning of 1920?
1. Two 1. 75
2. Five 2. 90
3. six 3. 110
4. Ten 4. 125
7-17. An order issued in 1918 prohibited prosti- 7-28. What may generally be considered to have
tution within a radius of how many miles been the most important single gain made
from naval establishments? by the Chaplain Corps during World War I?
1. Two 1. The establishment of a Chaplain's
2. Five Division in the Bureau of Navigation
3. six 2. The issuance of a chaplain's manual
4. Ten 3. The removal of most discriminatory
features of the regulations concerning
7-18. Which one of the following welfare organi- uniforms
zations was the first to receive official 4. The introduction of the position of
government sanction to conduct welfare Fleet Chaplain
work at military and naval establishments?
1. National Catholic War Council 7-29. After World War I, how did the numerical
2. Jewish Welfare Board strength of the Chaplain Corps compare
3. Young Men's Christian Association with its prewar strength?
4. Salvation Army 1. It was about half as large.
2. It was about the same.
7-19. The welfare agencies of the various denomi- 3. It was about twice as large.
nations which served at naval establish- 4. It was about three times as large.
ments during World War I opened their
recreational activities to Navy men of all 7-30. During the period between World Wars I and
faiths. II, the number of chaplains on active duty
remained relatively constant.
7-20. The American Library Association furnished
each transport chaplain with a supply of 7-31. At the time that President Franklin D.
books for each trip to France during World Roosevelt declared the existence of a
War I. state of national emergency the number of
WWI chaplains on duty with the Navy was
7-21. The government paid for the chapels at 1. 19
naval installations during World War I. 2. 23
3. 38
7-22. How were the buildings obtained which 4. 41
served as a recreation hall and a chapel at
the Philadelphia Navy Yard during World 7-32. The number of Navy chaplains during the
War I? period from 1920 to 1939 closely approxi-
1. They were given to the yard by the Navy mated the authorized ratio of chaplains
Department. permitted the Navy.
2. They were furnished by the local navy
yard. 7-33. Which of the following requirements for
3. They were converted storehouses. promotion to lieutenant in the Chaplain
4. They were built with money raised Corps was waived by a law enacted in 1920?
through the efforts of Chaplain Dickins. 1. Satisfactory completion of physical
examinations
7-23. In 1916 Secretary Daniels introduced com- 2. Three years' sea duty
pulsory education for naval personnel 3. Satisfactory completion of professional
aboard Navy vessels. examinations
4. Minimum age requirement
30
7-34. Chaplains were assigned officer running 7-43. Approximately what percent of chaplains
mates for purposes of promotion in the year in the Naval Reserve during the years
of 1926. following World War I were ex-servicemen?
1. 100
7-35. The Act of Congress known as the Staff 2. 80
Equalization Bill of 1926 provided 3. 50
1. that it was no longer necessary for 4. 30
acting chaplains to spend all of their
first three years at sea 7-44. The Chaplains' Division was originally
2. that chaplains should not be less than part of the
twenty-one nor more than thirty-five 1. Bureau of Navigation
years of age at the time of their 2. Bureau of Ships
appointment 3. Bureau of Naval Personnel
3. that chaplains retired for physical dis- 4. Office of the Secretary
ability be promoted to the next higher
grade with no increase in pay 7-45. The first Chief of Chaplains was placed
4. all of the above in charge of a bureau.
7-36. What was the approximate number of chap- 7-46. Due partially to the lack of support of
lains in the Naval Reserve in 1921? Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby, proposed
1. 50 legislation to create a Chaplain’s Bureau
2. 100 in the Navy in 1921 resulted in failure.
3. 150
4. 200 7-47. No Catholic chaplain was appointed as
Chief of Chaplains prior to 1939.
7-37. The Naval Reserve Force was changed to the
Naval Reserve by an Act of Congress dated 7-48. Of the six Chiefs of Chaplains who served
1. 28 February 1925 from 1917 to 1939, two belonged to which
2. 23 April 1922 of the following denominations?
3. 16 October 1927 1. Episcopal
4. 20 November 1929 2. Catholic
3. Methodist
7-38. When the state of national emergency was 4. Congregational
declared in 1939 the total number of
reserve chaplains available for duty was 7-49. When Frazier relinquished his position as
1. 32 Chief of Chaplains, approximately what
2. 49 percent of the total Corps was comprised
3. 56 of chaplains he had selected?
4. 63 1. 30
2. 45
7-39. Which of the following denominations was 3. 60
most heavily represented among chaplains 4. 75
in the Naval Reserve in 1939?
1. Catholic 7-50. Who succeeded Frazier as Chief of Chaplains
2. Episcopal in 1921?
3. Baptist 1. Scott
4. Presbyterian 2. Duff
3. Evans
7-40. There were no chaplains above the rank of 4. Dickins
lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve
in 1939. 7-51. Which one of the first six Chiefs of
Chaplains made the greatest contribution
7-41. The naval district with the largest number to the Chaplain Corps?
of Naval Reserve chaplains in 1939 was the 1. Dickins
1. third 2. Evans
2. sixth 3. Frazier
3. ninth 4. Workman
4. twelfth
7-42. There were some naval districts with no
Naval Reserve chaplains when a state of
national emergency was declared in 1939.

31
In items 7-52 through 7-56, match the fact in column A by selecting from column B the name of the
Chief of Chaplains associated with that fact.
A B
7-52. Wrote a lecture on the "Unknown Soldier" 1. Duff
2. Frazier
7-53. Officiated at the burial of the Unknown 3. Dickins
Soldier at Arlington Cemetery 4. Scott

7-54. Was the senior chaplain on duty while he

served as Chief of Chaplains
7-55. Was a minister of the Congregational Church
7-56. Instituted a very successful canteen and
recreation program at the Philadelphia
Navy Yard

7-57. The recreational center at the Philadelphia 7-62. Which Chief of Chaplains called the first
Navy Yard was erected with funds raised by regional conference of chaplains?
the canteen which was started and success- 1. Dickins
fully maintained by Chaplains 2. Scott
1. Scott and Evans 3. Evans
2. Workman and Duff 4. Frazier
3. Dickins and MacNair
4. MacNair and Evans 7-63. In the period just prior to World War II,
chaplains with the rank of lieutenant
7-58. Who served as Chief of Chaplains during the commander were required to spend the same
years just prior to World War II? amount of time at sea as chaplains with
1. Evans the rank of lieutenant.
2. Workman
3. Duff 7-64. The normal tour of duty for chaplains with
4. Scott the rank of commander or captain in the
years just prior to World War II was
7-59. The fourth Chief of Chaplains, Sydney Key 1. 3 years at sea alternating with 3 years
Evans, served two tours' of duty at the on shore
Naval Academy. 2. 2 years at sea alternating with 2 years
on shore
7-60. Which one of the following was omitted from 3. 3 years at sea alternating with 2 years
the list of duties of the Chief of Chap- on shore
lains as outlined in Chaplain Neyman's 4. 2 years at sea alternating with 3 years
"Provisional Outline of a Manual for Chap- on shore
lains of the United States Navy"?
1. To serve as president of the examining 7-65. During the 1920's a few chaplains were
board permitted to do postgraduate work on a
2. To assist in the examination of chap- duty status at institutions of higher
lains selected for promotion learning.
3. To recommend the assignment of chap-
lains to particular ships and stations 7-66. Although the district organization of the
4. To accept speaking invitations Navy was established in 1903, the title
"District Chaplain" did not appear until
7-61. Who was assigned as assistant to the Chief the 1930's.
of Chaplains just prior to the outbreak of
World War II in Europe? 7-67. The duties of the Chief of Chaplains were
1. Shrum written into Navy Regulations in 1938.
2. Neyman
3. Dickins 7-68. The decade during which the pacifist move-
4. Rafferty ment throughout the country was most keenly
felt by chaplains in the service was the
one from 1910 to 1920.

32
7-69. In which of the following ways did the 7-70. In which one of the following church groups
post-World War I wave of pacifism most was the pacifist movement strongest during
seriously affect the Chaplain Corps? the decade prior to World War II?
1. There was an increase in pacifism with- 1. Unitarian
in the Chaplain Corps itself. 2. Catholic
2. It was difficult to recruit good candi- 3. Presbyterian
dates for the chaplaincy. 4. Episcopal
3. Resolutions were adopted by many or-
dained clergymen to return chaplains 7-71. During the pacifist movement chaplains were
to a civilian status. primarily concerned about the injurious
4. A wave of resignations was received by results of pacifist propaganda as it
the Corps during this period. affected their status.

33
 Assignment 8

The Years Between 1920-1939

Textbook Assignment: Chapter 12, Pages 221 through 248

8-1. An investigation into the attitude of 8-7. The Navy Wives' Clubs of America was
Protestant chaplains, conducted by the incorporated prior to the incorporation
Federal Council of Churches in 1937, re- of the Navy Mothers' Club.
vealed that a majority of the chaplains
felt that they could be more effective in 8-8. In comparing the 1920 with the 1929 figures
the service if they had civilian status. for attendance at divine services held on
board ship, it is found that the average
8-2. Chaplain Workman's report on the changes attendance for each person in the Navy and
in the character of naval personnel indic- Marine Corps increased by approximately
ates that from 1921 to 1939 there was a 1. 20 percent
marked 2. 40 percent
1. increase in desertions 3. 60 percent
2. increase in undesirable discharges 4. 100 percent
3. decrease in bad conduct discharges
4. decrease in reenlistments 8-9. What was the total attendance at divine
services held by Navy chaplains during
8-3. In the pamphlet published by the Bureau of 1935?
Navigation in 1933, what portion of a 1. 5,000
sailor's income was recommended as an 2. 34,000
allotment to his wife if there were no 3. 75,000
children? 4. 990,000
1. One-fifth
2. One-quarter 8-10. The first commander in chief of the Army
3. One-third and Navy to hold Divine Service for Navy
4. One-half personnel was
1. Theodore Roosevelt
8-4. According to a statement made by Chaplain 2. Woodrow Wilson
Riddle in 1939, the difference between the 3. Calvin Coolidge
men entering the Navy in the 1920's and 4. Franklin Roosevelt
those entering during the 1930's was that
the former 8-11. The "Responsive Readings" included in the
1. were more mature, older, and better first edition of The Army and Navy Hymnal
established were selected and arranged by
2. considered the Navy a career rather 1. Dr. Harry-Emerson Fosdick
than an adventure 2. H. Augustine Smith, A. M.
3. tended to have higher intelligence 3. Chaplain Evan W. Scott
quotients 4. Chaplain J. E. Yates
4. were seeking adventure rather than a
career 8-12. The first edition of The Army and Navy
Hymnal included some popular songs in
8-5. The Navy Wives' Clubs of America was addition to hymns.
incorporated during the decade following
1. 1910 8-13. The Army and Navy Hymnal was published in
2. 1920 1920 and appeared under the joint sponsor-
3. 1930 ship of the Chiefs of Chaplains of the
4. 1940 Army and the Navy.
8-6. Chaplains and their wives frequently served 8-14. The Army and Navy Hymnal was designed
as sponsors for Navy wives' clubs. exclusively for use by Protestant chaplains.

34
8-15. The chief reason for the revision of The 8-24. In 1924 the Navy YMCA buildings which
Army and Navy Hymnal was that in the were located farthest from the continental
original edition the United States were those at
1. hymns were not designed for mixed 1. Hahkow, China
audiences 2. Shanghai, China
2. works of Chaplain Henry van Dyke had 3. Guam
been omitted 4. Cristobal, Panama
3. pitch of most of the songs was too high
for male voices 8-25. The major advantage of a revolving altar
4. pagination was confusing lies in the fact that it
1. promotes better interfaith relationships
8-16. Which of the following is true of the Army 2. permits each chapel to have four altars
and Navy Hymnal, Hymn Edition, issued in 3. increases the sancity of the chapel
1925? 4. provides maximum usefulness for the
1. It contained the words but no music. chapel
2. It contained the music but no words.
3. It was published in sheet-music size. 8-26. The revolving altar was first introduced
4. It was published on India paper. in the chapel at
1. New York, N. Y.
8-17. The 1925 revision of The Army and Navy 2. Parris Island, S. C.
Hymnal included a short section containing 3. San Diego, Calif.
Jewish hymns. 4. Quantico, Va.
8-18. The brochure entitled Preparing for Divine 8-27. The commander who voiced strong opposition
Services on Board Ships of the United to the Navy tradition of flying the church
States Navy was compiled by Chaplain pennant above the national ensign during
1. Fosdick Divine Services was
2. Waring 1. John Elder
3. Riddle 2. George Masters
4. Brady 3. J. H. Sypher
4. M. H. Simmons
8-19. Which one of the following naval stations
has the only chapel constructed with funds 8-28. What insignia was authorized for Jewish
raised by popular subscription? chaplains in 1932?
1. Lakehurst, N. J. 1. The Tablets of the Law
2. Parris Island, S. C. 2. The Star of David
3. Newport, R. I. 3. The Latin Cross
4. Norfolk, Va. 4. The Shepherd's Crook
8-20. Which of the following chaplains was 8-29. In a study of the books read by sailors,
stationed at San Diego when two new mess Chaplain Neyman found that the most popu-
halls at Camp Ingram were converted into lar books were those about
Protestant and Catholic chapels? 1. the West
1. Lewis 2. naval history
2. Ackiss 3. lives of great men
3. Robinson 4. the sea
4. Salisbury
8-30. Chaplain M. M. Witherspoon planned the
8-21. Which chaplain was most active in the huge carnival at Mare Island in the early
project to raise funds for the chapel at 1930's. The welfare organization for whom
the Lakehurst Air Station? these funds were raised was the
1. Petzold 1. Salvation Army
2. Blizzard 2. Red Cross
3. Edel 3. YMCA
4. Loveman 4. Navy Relief Society

8-22. Stained glass was imported from Europe for 8-31. In 1927 during Chaplain Ackiss' tour of
the windows in the chapels at San Diego. duty with the Training Division, Bureau
of Navigation, four Navy manuals were
8-23. A revolving altar is designed so that by revised.
merely turning it halfway around, a fully
rigged altar for either Protestant or
Catholic services is ready for use.

35
8-32. The Manual for the Government of United 8-40. The Marine church in Shanghai during the
States Naval Prisons specifically desig- 1930's was attended by many native Chinese.
nates the chaplain as the officer respon-
sible for censoring the materials, books, 8-41. During Chaplain Truitt's tour of duty with
and periodicals placed in prison libraries. the Marines in Shanghai from 1930 to 1932,
the Fourth Marines Church held most of
8-33. In which of the following periods did their services in the Embassy Theater.
chaplains have a large measure of the
responsibility in connection with editing 8-42. Which one of the following chaplains was
and publishing training or rating courses assigned to the Marines in Shanghai in 1928?
for enlisted personnel? 1. Hall
1. 1900 to 1914 2. Edel
2. 1915 to 1918 3. Kirkpatrick
3. 1919 to 1927 4. Peterson
4. 1928 to 1939
8-43. The Fourth Marines Church received con-
8-34. The chaplain's duties frequently include siderable newspaper coverage of its
assignment as educational officer at activities during 1933.
United States naval prisons.
8-44. Who was the senior chaplain of the Third
8-35. Chaplains assigned collateral duties Brigade Church organized in Tientsin in
believed that performance of these duties 1927?
would 1. Kirkpatrick
1. increase their effectiveness as religious 2. Peterson
leaders 3. Edel
2. leave them no time for their primary 4. Hall
duties
3. decrease their effectiveness as 8-45. What Navy chaplain organized and became
religious leaders Director of the Department of Agriculture,
4. benefit the Navy by releasing line Commerce, and Labor during his tour of
officers for other duties duty in the Virgin Islands?
1. Peterson
8-36. The term used to describe Divine Services 2. Dumstrey
held for all Protestants of the fleet is 3. Edel
Fleet Church. 4. Ackiss
8-37. Which of the following presented the 8-46. Who was the first chaplain to be appointed
greatest problem to chaplains serving in Superintendent of Education of the Island
the far Pacific during the 1920's? Government of Samoa?
1. The absence of Christian churches ashore 1. Edel
2. The high incidence of tropical diseases 2. Ackiss
3. The high incidence of immorality 3. Hester
4. The widespread homesickness 4. Dumstrey
8-38. The term Fleet Church, used to describe 8-47. During the early 1930's, the lack of
Divine Services for all Protestants of the trained teachers was one of the major
Fleet, occurred increasingly throughout problems to be met by the chaplains
1925 and 1926. The service held for assigned to duty in Samoa or Guam.
Catholics was referred to as
1. Vespers 8-48. The government of Guam honored which of
2. Benediction the following by naming a park after him?
3. Fleet Mass 1. Bradley
4. Holy Hour 2. Albert
3. Salisbury
8-39. The unique aspect of the Fourth Marines 4. Peterson
Church which was organized in Shanghai in
1928 by Chaplain W. R. Hall was that it was 8-49. Chaplain Albert, who served as Head of
1. attended by over 500 service personnel the Department of Education in Guam, super-
regularly vised all the following types of vocational
2. an interfaith church schools except
3. held in a theater 1. agricultural schools
4. held in mess halls and barracks 2. carpentry schools
3. printing schools
4. weaving schools

36
8-50. The YMCA in the United States and overseas 8-58. Prior to World War II, there were two
expanded rapidly between the years 1920 Christian Science chaplains who completed
and 1929. a tour of duty with the Navy. They were
1. Joel H. Benson and Richard J. Davis
8-51. In appropriate services, each member of the 2. Joel H. Benson and Edwin R. Roberts
graduating class of the Naval Academy 3. Edwin R. Roberts and George H. Stanley
receives a bound copy of the New Testament 4. George H. Stanley and Richard McGruder
and Psalms with the Naval Academy seal
stamped in gold on the cover. Since 1933, 8-59. The United States Coast Guard, originally
this project has been sponsored by the known as the Revenue Marine, was created
1. Maryland Bible Society by Act of Congress on 4 August 1790 and
2. American Seamen's Friend Society placed under which of the following
3. Naval Academy Christian Association departments?
4. YMCA 1. Commerce
2. Navy
8-52. The communion rail placed in the Naval 3. Treasury
Academy Chapel in 1925 was dedicated to 4. Interior
the memory of Chaplain
1. Patrick 8-60. Which of the following chaplains was
2. Clark assigned to the Coast Guard Academy on a
3. Evans full-time basis?
4. Lash 1. Lewis
2. Shrum
8-53. What is the "Commission Invisible" at the 3. Moore
Naval Academy Chapel? 4. None of the above
1. A statue
2. A stained-glass window 8-61. The first chaplain known to have served in
3. A portrait in oil the Continental Navy was Benjamin Balch
4. A communion rail who walked the decks of the small frigate
BOSTON.
8-54. The Prayer Book of which denomination is
used at the Naval Academy Chapel? 8-62 Which of the following naval chaplains
1. Methodist served with the Civilian Conservation Corps
2. Presbyterian in the thirties?
3. Methodist Episcopal 1. A. O. Martin
4. Protestant Episcopal 2. H. F. Hanson
3. C. M. Lever
8-55. Sarah Corbin Robert reported in an article 4. All of the above
in the October 1945 issue of Naval Insti-
tute Proceedings that four special prayers 8-63. Although chaplains labored under discrimi-
are included in the regular Naval Academy natory regulations regarding status, uni-
Chapel service. form, and rank during much of the Navy's
history, by the beginning of World War I
8-56. During Chaplain Thomas' tour of duty at these had been rectified for the most part.
the Naval Academy, he officiated at more
weddings than baptisms. 8-64. Between the years 1778 and 1939 the number
of chaplains who served with the Navy
8-57. Chaplain Thomas suggested that the naval totaled
guns which formerly decorated the main 1. 226
approach to the Naval Academy Chapel be 2. 337
replaced by 3. 471
1. trees 4. 506
2. anchors
3. statues 8-65. The chaplains place in the life and
4. ship models organization of the Navy was accepted and
secured by both enlisted men and officers
by the year of 1939.

37