A Sailor's Log: Water-Tender Frederick T. Wilson, USN, on Asiatic Station, 1899-1901

by James R. Reckner

Frederick T. Wilson was an engineer who carried the rank of first-class petty officer and served on one of the Navy’s first modern battleships, the USS Oregon, at the turn of the twentieth century. Wilson offers a rare uncensored picture of enlisted life, with descriptions of bar girls and waterfront establishments that catered to the needs of American bluejackets, as well as observations on world events during imperialism. Wilson also discusses one of the great yet largely ignored issues of the turn-of-the-century U.S. Navy―the failure of naval officers to provide the quality leadership necessary to ensure the operation of efficient, effective warships. A Sailor’s Log is a detailed and insightful account of life in the Asiatic Fleet that enriches our understanding of U.S. Navy life a century ago.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was an interesting description as life aboard a USN vessel in 1899 until 1901. The Boxer Rebellion is in full swing, and Wilson describes the life of an engineer aboard various ships in the fleet at the Asiatic Station.

It is a little hard to keep going at times, but if you know anything about the military, it will make sense. Interesting how things then are very similar to how things are now in the engineering side of the sea services.

I would recommend this to any sea service engineer who would like to know a little history of the engineering ratings and of the warrant engineer officers.