The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-22
Toe EngIneer-in.chie of h o. S. Navy.

1t has been officially announced by the
Secretary of the United States navy that Mr..
George ". Melville, the very able and pop
ular tngineer-in-Chie Of the United States
navy IS to be reappQinted for a further
term OF four years. This announcement
appears TO have given general satisfaction in
the States. If NO may Judge from the COM
ments which the United States press have made
on the subject. Mr.. Melville is not only re-
appointed. but has also, it appears. had the
rank OF commodore conferred on him. This
Is a graceful recognition of the very valuable
services ne has rendered. not only as a great
engineer. but also Us the heroic and dauntless
leader OF the survivors of the Jeanette. after
her wreck and the death Of her gallant cap
tam, during the Inflated expedition in the
Arctic regions a few years ago. The Hon. j.
X. Soley, III his address at the unYeiling If
the Jeanette monument at Annapolis in
october. 1880. quoted portions OF the Journals
Of the captain of the Jeanette, il which he
spoke OF Melville as "a man Of u~ntiring
energy. splendid judgment. and fertility of
resource. Further on the captain wrote.
Il ind him, Melville, moro OF a treasure
every day, ALWAYS self-helpful and reliant. a
tower Of strength in himself" Then Mr..
Soley told his audience how Melville heard
Of his captains cruel plight, and how, before
he had rogained his strength. he brayed
alone the Arctic storms and cold and hunger.
traversing the Delta down 10 the very coast.
Freely putting DIS Ire again at hazard IN the
faint hope that he might bring relief in time:
how II second time he secured the plains in
March, only 10 find the dead bodies, lay them
IN the earth TO rest and build over them a
calrn and n cross" Such is Commodore
Melville as man and as & naval officer. Melville.
a. an engineer may be Judged by his works
during tho last tour years at the Steam
Bureau Of the Navy Department, Washing
ton. During this period Commodore Melville
has had the responsibility tor the design Of
machinery aggregating 225. 900 horsepower.
and much of the success attained by the new
ships Is due 20 him. The adoption OF the
triple screw IN the great cruisers Nos. IA and
Is was his idea. and was radical departure
from all previous engineering practice. This
work has been accomplished under great
difficulties, for the number of his staff has
always been far below the requirements of
the duties Of the department, but be has had
one very great advantage which the Engineer
ln-Chlet of the English navy does not
possess. Melville has been the supreme head
OF his department. and has not been subOr-
dln6te TO any controller or director of naval
construction. Alr. Melville is the first naval
engineer officer that has been made a com
modore, and tits 10 be hoped that the next
four years will bring him the rank OF admiral.
The annual report for 1890. issued by him
az Englneer-in-Chief Is a most valuable con-
tributi0n 20 the literature of naval engineer
ing. We can only wish that Commodore
Melville's future may be- az brilliantly sue
cessful as his past has been. and that he may
soon be able 10 organize the Engineer Corps
of the United States navy TO his own salts
So as to obtain thorough fighting
hclency.-Engineering, London.