Adapted from "James Cochrane Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy," ZB File, 29 August 1918, Navy Department Library.
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- Biography
- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV)
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James Cochrane Dobbin
17 January 1814 - 4 August 1857
PDF Version [6.8MB]
Born in Fayetteville, NC in 1814. Died at Fayettsville, 4 August 1857.
Graduated from University of North Carolina in 1832. Admitted to the bar in 1835, and practiced in Fayetteville.
Elected to Congress 1 December 1845, termed expire 3 March 1847.
1848-1852 Member of North Carolina Legislature.
Secretary of the Navy under President Franklin Pierce, 1853-1857.
Mr. Dobbin found the Navy the “Rip Van Winkle of our National defenses”, and set about reform in all its branches, presenting its necessities to Congress, and that body adopted every recommendation presented by him during his term of office. To him may be given the credit of the apprentice system, the inauguration of a retired list for officers unable to perform active duty, the law for increased pay to seamen and the honorable discharges for good conduct, showing a sympathetic interest in all the concerned their welfare and commending their good conduct on long and hard cruises, in letters to be read to them by their commanders.
He was a firm believer in a strong Navy, and regarded the “increase of naval strength not as a war, but as a peace measure.”
The noblest marks left behind him when he retired from office were the six first class steam frigates authorized upon his suggestion and constructed under his direction for he gave to them his personal attention in every detail.
Admiral Dewey said: “During his (Dobbin’s) administration we built 18 of the finest ships of their class that there were in the world.”
“In my opinion Mr. Dobbin was one of the ablest secretaries of the Navy the country ever had.”
Under his auspices the Perry Expedition was carried to a successful termination and the Treaty with Japan made.
END
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