The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-27
NEW CONSTRUCTOR OF NAVY.
BOWLES, WHOSE NAME GOT INTO
SHIPBUILDING CASE, OUT.



to Attain Rank Of Rear Admiral.
WASHINGTON, Oct 20 announcement
was made to-day 10y Secretary Moody that
Rear Admiral Francis Tiffany Bowles'
Chief Constructor of the Navy, had re-
signed his commission in the service, and
that Naval Constructor Washington Lee
Capps would be appointed to succeed him
Admiral Blwes's resignation Is to take
effect on Nov He ia leaving the service
10 become president of the Fore River
Ship and Engine Building Company OF
Quincy, Mass, which is engaged in build
ing the battlcships Vermont and New Jersey,
the protected cruiser Dies Moines and the
destroyer Marlborough
Secretary Moody said, in making the
announcement, that President Roosevelt
and himself had accepted the resignation
OF Admiral Bowles with feelings OF pro-
foundest regret.
Admiral Bowles said in eIplanat ion OF
his action that while his service OF twenty
eight years in tho navy and his work and
surroundings had been very agreeable
tho offer from the Fore River Com
pany, which would enable him to help
build up Q New England enterprise and
! b near his Massachusetts home, furnished
opportunities which he could not over
look.
Tho now chief constructor and chief OF
The Bureau Of Construction and Repair
u less than 40 years old and will be the
youngest naval officer who has attained
the rank OF Rear Admiral, which he Will
bold for his four years term as head OF
sthe construction department OF the navy
In succeeding Admiral Bowles. Con-
Htructor Capps Will b promoted o yer SIX
Virginia on Jan. 81, fse4, and appointed to
he Naval Academy from that State in
IsAO, when 10 years old. After his gradu-
alton he was sent to Glasgow to study
marine architecture for two years, ana IN
1850 was appointed an assistant constructor
His work In the navy has been Iegarded
- brilliant and won him the fatter1ng
assignment Of experimenting constructor
of the 10000 ton battleship Connecticut,
which Is being built by the Government
ct the Brooklyn navy yard, where MI
Oapps u still on duty. ,
Admiral Bowles was born in Massachu.
setts on Oct. 7, 1858, entered the Naval
Iademy In 1878 and, after graduation as a
cadet engineer, went abroad to study marine
Architecture Although little more than q
boy, he was instrumental In the organize,
ton of the new Construction Corps, ana
was one Of the first two Naval Academy
graduates to enter it.
folk Navy Yard, stalking his professional
reSaItation that the vessel would be sea-
worthy and efficient. in the face OF wide,
spread criticism OF the plans, which had
been purchased in England At the time
Of his appointment, in March, 1901 az Cher
Constructor he WIS In char2e of the con-
struotion depa rtment Of the New York Navy
Yard. His ability has made huh noted
throughout the naval world
BOtEiEs AND THE sHIPBUILDISd COMPANY.
Admiral Bowles said tonight that his
resignation had no connection whatever
with the mention Of his name in the pro-
ceedmgs In New York for the appointment
Of a permanent receiver Of the United
States Shtpbuilding Company as one OF
those listed by John W. Young. to receive
cash bonds and shares Of the company for
spromction.
He said that ais resignation was purely
voluntary and was caused by the desire
osbetter himself financially and to have
q permanent home IL Massachusetts,. He
had had the offer II the Fore River Company
under consideration since last Tuesday.
1t was on Friday that Admiral Bowles
name was mentioned in the Shipbuildlng
combine proceedings. Admiral Bowies
said that In 1899 he had been employed by
Alexander and Green, the promoters OF
the proposed United States Cooperative
Shipubiding Company, to appraise ship,
building plants, but had never been pad
for the work He was then on duty as a
constructor at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
In 1902 Lewis Nixon, Admiral Bow les
said, had asked him to buy stock III the
United States Shpbuilding Company, but
he had declined, and John W. Young, who
had written that he had reserved certain
stock for him to buy, had been told by
Admiral Bowles that he didn't want it.
Admiral Bowes expressed regret that
United States Shipbuilding Company re-
Ownership proceedings at this time and
that his resignation should have been at
tributed by anybody to that fact.
On the contrary, he added, ne had ten
dered his resignation and it had been ac-
cepted without any mention being made
of the United States Shipbuilding Company,
from which he had received or bought
nothing and with which he had no con-
nection.
In announcing Admiral Bowles 'sresigna-
ton, which was only accepted by the Pre- al
dent this afternoon, Secretary Moody eX-
pressed great regret and to the statement
of Admiral Bowles, who was present, that
financial and family considerations caused
him to leave the service, added: And only
for that reason
Mr.. Moody left town Immediately after
making the announcement, but Acting
Secretary Darling said tonight that he had
never heardany charge that Admiral Bowles
was concerned in the United States Ship
building Company that it hadn't been
mentioned In connection with the resigna
ton. and that II Admiral Bowles should ask
leave to Withdraw his resignation it would
he granted with alarlity