Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-27
RESIGNS FROM NAVY
Chief Constructor Bowles to
Go Into Business.
/
A CREDITABLE CAREER
TO BE HEAD OF FORE RIVER COM
PANY, AT QUINCY, MASS.
Commander w. L. Caps Selected as
His Successor-Will Be the
Youngest Rear Admiral.

| the bureau of construction and repair, has
| resigned his commission as an officer of the
| navy and Commander Washington L. Capps
of the construction department has been
selected as his successor at the head of the
| construction department. The resignation
| of Admiral Bowles came as great surprise
and is a source of general regret in naval
circles on account of his superior attain
ments in the field of naval architecture. He
has accepted the presidency of the Fore
River Ship and Engine Company of Quincy
Mass, with a large salary attachment.
Accompanied by Secretary Moody Ad-
miral Bowles visited the President at the
White House yesterday and notified him of
his intention to leave the naval service.
The President expressed his personal re-
gret that the navy was to lose the services
of Admiral Bowles, but said that under
the circumstances he would accept the ten
dered resignation. In accordance with an
arrangement made with Secretary Moody
Admiral Bowles will remain on duty at the
Navy Department throughout the re-
mainder of this week and his reSigna ton
will be accepted to take effect at the close
of business Saturday, the 31st instant.
Admiral Bowles' Work in the Navy.
Rear Admiral Bowles was born in
Springfield Mass, in 1858 His grand
father Samuel Bowles, was the founder OF
the Springfield Republican. and his father
Benjamin F. BowIes, was also connected
with that paper.
Young Bowles was appointed to the
Naval Academy in 1915.
He was graduated with honors in 1879
and then spent several years at the Roya
Naval College at Greenwich, England. On
his return home he was stationed in Wash
ington as secretary of the advisory boarc
under Secretaries Chandler and Whitney.
In 1856 he was sent to Norfolk, Va, tt
reconstruct the navy yard, and then to
build the battleship Texas and the cruiser
Raleigh. In 1895 he was transferred to the
New York navy yard with the rank OF real
admiral.
Mr. Bowles' organization of construction
work put the New York yard in such con-
ditiOn that it accomplished results IN the
way of preparation of SHIPS Ipr service
at the outbreak of the Spanish American
war which challenged the admiration OIL
the entire country. Before and during
the war forty-SeVen auxIi1ary vessels
were fitted for sea, as WAS tne nospildi
ship Relief.
Mr.. Bowles was appointed chief of the
bureau of construction and repair in 1860
to succeed Rear Admiral Hichborn, and
has since enjoyed the distinction of be-
ing the youngest rear. admiral In the
navy. He is forty-tive years old
Other Business Offers.
Admiral Bowles said today that his resig'
nation had no connection whatever with
the mention of his name in the proceedings
in New York for the appointment of per-
manent receiver of the United States Ship
building Company as one of those listed by
John W. Young. to receive cash. bonos ano
shares of the company for proInotlon.
He said that his resignation was purely
voluntary, and was caused by the desire 10
better himself financially and to nave
perma nent home in Ma achusetts. He had
had the offer of the Fore River Company
under consideration since last TUESDAY.
1t was on Friday that Admiral BoWies
name was mentioned in the shipbuilding
combine proceedings Admiral Bowles said
that in 1889 he had been employed by Alex
ander and Green. the promoters OF the pro
posed United States Cooperative Sh1pDu ,
ing Company, to appraise shpo eu ing
plants but had never been paid Tor the
work He was then on duty as con-
structor at the Brooklyn navy yard
In 1902 Mr. Lewis Nixon. Admiral Bowies
| said had asked him to buy stock in the
| United States Shipbulding Company. bu'
| he had declined, and John w. Young, VINO
! had written that he had preserved certain
| stock for him, had been told by Admiral
Bowles that he didn't want it,
Mr. Nixon had offered him an office under
| the company and said he could fix his oWr
| salary but Admiral Bowles wouldn't nave
| anything to do with the company
| Admiral Bowles expressed regret tnat his
name should have appeared in the Unlteo
| States Shipbuiding Company receivershI
| proceedings at this time and that ms fesls
nation should have been attributed by any
! body to that fact.
| On the contrary, he added he hao ten
| dered his resignation and it had been &C
| cepted without any mention being maze
of the United States Shipbuilding Company
| from which he had received or bought
nothing and with which he had no connec'
| ton.
|