Rear Admiral Schley: An Extraordinary Life at Sea and on Shore

By Robert A. Jones

During the nineteenth century, the United States Navy develop from its nascent stage into an effective fighting force cable of matching established European powers. Civil War naval operations pioneered steam propulsion and steel hulled vessels in combat, and, later, oil supplanted coal as fuel. Commonplace through all of it, was Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley. From 1860-1901, Rear Admiral Schley served with distinction in combat on the Mississippi River, in Korea, and the Caribbean, as well as in various administrative positions.  Robert Jones Rear Admiral Schley: An Extraordinary Life at Sea and On Shore follows his illustrious career and highlights his efforts in modernizing the U.S. Navy. 

The Frederick, Maryland born Schley was imbued with a sense of patriotism and duty as a child. His ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, occupied civic offices, and were vital members of their communities. As such, Schley performed his duties in whatever theater the Navy required. After the Greely Expedition floundered in their mission to establish a research station in the Arctic, Secretary of the Navy William Chandler called upon Schley to command the expedition. Even with little to no experience operating in these conditions, the duty-bound Schley could not refuse. Three years after Greely departed, Schley brought him and six of his crew home safe to New York.

Jones also highlights Schley’s commitment to his men and fellow officers. The author recounts the Baltimore diplomatic crisis in 1891 where two American sailors were killed and dozens injured by angry locals. Negotiating with Chilean officials to secure the release his sailors from jail tried Schley’s patience, but he maintained his composure throughout as he managed to prevent further hostilities. When relieved of command of Baltimore, the crew presented Schley with an ebony walking cane as a token of their appreciation, which touched the captain deeply. At the end of his career, attacks against his character in the Sampson-Schley Controversy wounded him as he always strove to put his service before any personal accolades. 

Jones’ biography aims to preserve the memory of Schley’s career and his place in the Navy’s transition to the modern fleet. The author equally lauds his roles outside of combat, including a half decade as chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting, serving in the Treasury Department’s Lighthouse Board, and as an instructor at the Naval Academy. Yet, Jones does not shy away from criticisms of Schley, in one instance commenting on the admiral’s opinions on several South American political leaders. Yet, he does so fairly and within context, often using Schley’s own opinions from his autobiography. 

Rear Admiral Schley: An Extraordinary Life at Sea and On Shore is a thoroughly researched account of Winfield Scott Schley’s life. Robert Jones gives the reader an intimate account of his service to his country, incorporating the admiral’s own perspectives and writings with solid primary research into contemporary newspapers and other firsthand accounts. The author succeeds in showcasing Schley’s illustrious career and the impact he had on the U.S. Navy. This work is an excellent biography of interest to all naval enthusiasts.  

• College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2023
• 6-1/2” x 9-1/2”, hardcover, xii + 316 pages
• Illustrations, appendices, notes, bibliography, index. $80.00
• ISBN: 9781648431234

Reviewed by: Will Nassif, University of South Carolina