Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

ing. He superintended the construction
Of other vessels. designing steam steering
gears. and also the construction OF other
floating dry docks. In this respect. for
his career was an exceptional one.
For Greedy Relief Expedition.
Admiral ROBBIE was chief. engineer. in
charge of the Brooklyn navy yard when
the vessels were fitted out there for the
Greedy relief expedition. and at one time
or another has been in charge Of the
steam engineering department of the navy
yards at Boston. Norfolk and Brooklyn.
engineer on the Pacific and European
stations. as well as on the combined Eu-
ropean. North and South Atlantic fleets.
whose base was Key West during the
trouble with Spain over the Virginius.
in 1S73-1S74; also general inspector of all
steam engineering department contract
work for the United States Navy. From
1857 to 1855 he was an assistant engineer
on the flagship Mississippi.
When the civil war broke cut Admiral
ROBBIE was with the flagship of the Pacific
station. cruising among the MarQuesas
Islands. and 1t was not until the ship ar
rived at Hilo, Hawaii. two months after
the outbreak of hostilities. that they
knew that the great civil war had begun.
He says that learning that both his
father and his brother were actively en-
gagged. he Immediately applied for active
duty on our own coast. and when the
ship reached Panama he found orders to re-
port as chief engineer of the Mohican
Of the great Fort Royal fleet of fifty-five
ships Of all classes In that service he had
thrilling experiences and twice nearly lost
his life. He was In the fight with Forts
Walker and Beauregard, that led to their
quietus. and resulted in the capture of
Fort Royal and the replanting Of the
American Stars and Stripes on the soil of
South Carolina for the first time after the
secession of that state. This is a page
OF the admirals history Of which he is
very proud.
Reads Of Own Death.
After the engagement with the forts and
the victory had been won the pressboat
moved alongside the flagship for news.
Among the killed on the Mohican was a
Mr.. Whittemore, one of Chief Engineer
Robes assistants. The correspondents
were informed that an engineer had been
killed. and they Immediately jumped to
the conclusion that 1t was Chief Engineer
ROBBIE, and SO reported 1t to their papers.
LAS consequence" Admiral Robe
said. Il was afterward permitted to
read very complimentary obituaries of
myself. which clipped at the time and
have kept ever since. It was close shaw
ing. though. for poor Whittemore was in
charge of the engine room bell. 1 was not
far from him at the time when a shell
toppled him over. 1 tried to shout to Mr..
Cuthbert to take charge OF the bell. while
I carried poor Whittemore's body below.
After a time he heard me and stepped for
ward to obey. when he. too. poor fellow,
was hit. but not killed, and I was quite
near him. 1 had them both removed be-
low and then took charge of the engine
room bell myself; but. dear me: 1t was
one of the warmest duties 1 ever had In
my life
Admiral Robe was also on board the
U. 8. 8. flagship Susquehanna in the ex-
petition sent to capture the filibusters in
Nicaragua: he also served on the steam
Charleston, 8. c., in 1858. with 271 cap
tured slaves and landed 200 Of them. the
remainder dying en- route. at Monrovia,
Liberia.
'miral ROBBIE was senior offlcer Of board
to select and At out vessels for the aux
Hilary naval force at Charleston. Savan-
nah. Baltimore. New York and Boston.
OF Distinguished Family.
/ The admiral states that since January
I, 1852, he has kept a continuous diary
of the events Of his life. a remarkable
thing in itself: and that from 1t he can
locate his whereabouts and his mission
at any time during all the intervening
years. He comes Of distinguished and
long-lived family, his father, Jacob Car
ter Robe, having been commissioned a
brigadier general of the 2Sth brigade Of
the National Guard Of New York by the
famous war governor. John A. Dix. after
enlisting and commanding the seth Res1-
ment New York Volunteers, in the civil
war: He traces his ancestry from John
Robbie Of Castle Donington. England. 1902
from whom descended Henry ROBBIE, who
came to Dorchester. in the Massa chusetts
Bay colony. early in 1885, and finally set
tied at Exeter. N. H. His wife. whom
he married June 3. 1883. was Miss Helen
Adams. a direct descendant Of Presidents
John ADAMS and John Quincy Adams
Five children were born Of the union.
three Of whom are still living and are
now in Washington. He Is an ex-presi-
dent Of the American Society OF Naval
Engineers and ex-registrar Of the District
Of Columbia Commandery Of the Loyal
Legion Of the United States, and was for
q time inspector Of the G. A. r. posts in
Virginia and national aid Of Gen. Veazey
when the latter was commander-in-ch chief
of the Grand Army Of the Republic
The admiral is especially proud of the
fact that. without a collegiate education
he was able to outstrip his classmates
OF the class of 1852. many Of whom were
college men; and that by his ability as
practical man he has many times been
able to accomplish things in which others
orndffo ha bol fo;l