Background
Robert Lincoln Hague was born on March 2, 1880 in Lincoln, Rhode Island, the oldest child of the Reverend Henry Hague, an Episcopal clergyman, and Harriett Davis.
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Robert Lincoln Hague
Edit ProfileEducation
Hague was educated in Lincoln and at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which he left before graduation to sail as an apprentice on a Grand Banks fishing-boat.
Career
Hague forsook the sea to learn the machinist's trade, served as a locomotive fireman, and then became a locomotive engineer for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. In 1904 he returned to sea as an oiler on a vessel of the American Hawaiian Steamship Company, rising through the grades to ship's chief engineer. He was then transferred ashore as assistant construction superintendent for the company.
On April 20, 1909, Hague joined the Standard Oil Company of California as assistant superintendent engineer for its fleet and was soon named company marine superintendent in charge of ship design, construction, and operation.
In World War I Hague entered the service of the United States Shipping Board. He became assistant manager for the Pacific Coast in July 1918, supervising steel ship construction for the Emergency Fleet Corporation. In the following October, he was transferred to Washington, District of Columbia, to organize and manage its construction and repair department. In May 1919 he was placed in charge of repairs on all Shipping Board vessels; in March 1920 all divisions handling new construction, as well as the repair and rehabilitation of former enemy vessels, were consolidated under his direction. In July 1920 Hague went to the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey as manager of its marine department, which was separated as the Standard Shipping Company in 1927 and reabsorbed in 1934.
On December 31, 1937, he was elected vice-president and a director of the Standard Oil Company. Under Hague's management, the tanker fleet increased from 81 to 205 vessels, and the tonnage from 897, 000 to 2, 149, 085 dead-weight tons, the largest privately controlled fleet in the world at that time. On January 31, 1938, Hague contracted on behalf of the Standard Oil Company with the United States Maritime Commission to construct twelve large, high-speed tankers incorporating features fitting them for immediate conversion to naval fleet oilers. The lavishness and the magnitude of his social activities were legendary in the maritime world. Robert L. Hague died on March 8, 1939, in New York City, New York, of cirrhosis of the liver in his apartment and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.
Achievements
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Robert L. Hague's reputation rests upon his ability as a designer, builder, and operator of tankers, as well as on his administrative capacity. His sound judgment, impartiality, and broad knowledge of maritime working conditions earned him the confidence of both seamen and employers in labor negotiations. He was interested in the welfare of the men in his employ and indefatigable in improving working and living conditions at sea. Robert Hague was a leader in the modernization of the American tanker fleet and especially vigorous in advocating the design of ships which could be converted rapidly into naval auxiliaries.
Personality
Of middle height, stocky build, and ruddy complexion, Robert Hague was generous and warmhearted.
Interests
Connections
Robert L. Hague was married four times. His first three marriages, to Stella Ritchie, Alva Fogg, and Edith Bobe, each ended in divorce. At the time of his death, he was separated from his fourth wife, the Metropolitan Opera soprano Mary Lewis.
References
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Born
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Died
March 8, 1939 (aged 59) -
Resting place
Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York, United States -
Nationality
American