Robert Stanislaus Griffin

Background

Griffin was born on September 27, 1857, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the son of Patrick and Mary Griffin.

Education

After attending school in Fredericksburg Griffin entered the United States Naval Academy in 1874, graduating among the first five in his class as a cadet engineer.

Career

Griffin had engineering duty in European waters in the Alliance and Quinnebaug, and finally in the Tennessee until 1885. Then, after serving with the Naval Advisory Board and in Naval Intelligence, he was in the Bureau of Steam Engineering from 1888 to 1890 and again, after sea duty, in the years 1893-1897. Here, in charge of correspondence with contractors, he worked under the distinguished engineering leader George W. Melville, who valued him highly for his remarkable memory, dependability, and gift for clear, vigorous English. In the Spanish-American War he was engineer of the Mayflower on the Cuban blockade. At the amalgamation of the Line and Engineer Corps in 1899 he was commissioned lieutenant, but he elected to continue in engineering duty only. Another bureau tour was followed by sea duty, 1901-1905, in the Illinois, Chicago, and Iowa, concluding with an assignment as fleet engineer, North Atlantic Fleet. Thereafter until his retirement he was continuously in the Bureau of Steam Engineering, serving from 1908 to 1913 as assistant to the bureau chief, Admiral H. I. Cone. He was then chief of bureau, with rank of rear admiral (attained regularly in 1916), from 1913 to 1921, including the entire period of the World War. During this time of immense naval expansion his bureau supervised the construction and repair of all ships built, building, or converted for naval use, together with electrical equipment, aircraft power, and radio material afloat and ashore. The navy's recognized success in handling engineering problems was due in large measure to the long experience, foresight, and administrative skill of the bureau chief. In 1919 Griffin was among the officers who accompanied Secretary of the Navy Daniels to Europe for study of naval lessons of the war. He retired in September 1921 and afterward lived in Washington, though for a time a member of a New York firm of consulting engineers. His death after a long illness occurred in the Naval Hospital, Washington on February 21, 1933. His funeral was held in St. Paul's Catholic Church, and his burial was in Arlington.

Achievements

• Noteworthy accomplishments during Griffin's administration in the Bureau of Steam Engineering included transfer from coal to oil fuel, the extension of electric drive to all capital ships, the adoption of welding for repair of interned German ships at great saving of time and expense, and the excellent wartime work of naval repair vessels and bases abroad.

Membership

President of the Society of Naval Engineers (1908, 1912, 1913)

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Admiral H. I. Cone wrote warmly of Griffin's "ability, kindness, and sense of humor and memory of all engineering matters connected with the Navy. "

Interests

• Artists

  Griffin's slight stature, quiet voice, and extreme modesty concealed from the less observant his great knowledge and ability in his special field.

Connections

Griffin was married to Helena M. Laube on July 7, 1886, at Richmond, Virginia, and some ten years later, following her death, to her sister Emma Adele, who survived him. By his first marriage he had a son, Robert Melville Griffin, who entered the navy, and by his second, a daughter, Helen.

Father:

Patrick Griffin

Mother:

Mary Griffin

Spouse:

Emma Adele Laube

Spouse:

Helena M. Laube

Daughter:

Helen Griffin

Son:

Robert Melville Griffin

References

• History of the Bureau of Engineering, Navy Department, During the World War