Reviews Gustavus Fox of the Union Navy by Ari Hoogenboom (Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 2008, 387pp, illus no res, index; ISBN 978-0-80188-9868; $40hc) Gustavus Vasa Fox is the most important figure of the American Civil War who, before now, had no published biography. Fox served as rhe Assisrant Secretary of the Navy during the war and was involved with all aspects of administering the business of the navy. He essentially performed many functions of today's Chief of Naval Operations. Historians have often debated his importan ce, influence, and his exact role within the Navy Departm ent during the conflict. Born in 1821 in Saugus, Massachusetts, Fox received an appointment as acting midshipman ar rhe age of sixteen. H e served in naval ships all over the wo rld and participated in the Mexican War. In 1856, he left rhe navy with the rank oflieurenant. For rhe next couple of years, he captained mail steamers until he married into the influential Blair family. His marriage connections gave him access to the most powerful social circles in Washington. In 1861, with Fort Sumter under siege, Fox presented a plan to relieve the garrison and accompanied the ensuing expedition. His failure here wo uld embitter him against Charleston and rhe Stare of South Carolina, whose politicians he held res ponsible for starting the war. In May of that year, Fox became the chief clerk of the Navy Department, the highest civilian position next to the secretary, and in August, he filled the new position of assis tant secretary of the navy. Mosr of Hoogenboom's book covers this part of his life. Fox was outgoing, energetic, and persuasive. These traits helped when he became involved with the Navy Department's purchasing and building programs and the war's strategic planning. He was a stro ng advocate of rhe Monitor-class vessels and pushed the building and use of rhese warships during the war. His gregarious nature and forceful personali ty enabled him ro get rhe most from people and to forge important relatio nships with rhe naval commanders. H e and secretary of rhe navy, G ideon Welles, wo rked well together-Fox serving as the loyal subor52
dinare and the troubleshooter for the department. Welles allowed him great latitude and Fox left his mark on most of the business carried our by the navy. The author spent many years collecting material for this book, and it is apparent in rhe research. This book is well-written and will appeal to C ivil War scholars,
buffs, and anyo ne interested in the avy Department and the bureaucracy of Civil War Washington . Hoogenboom has finally put to rest the question of just how important Fox was to the naval effort during the C ivil War. ROBERT BROWNING Dumfries, Virginia
The Royal Navy and the Peruvian-Chilean Wtir 1879-1881: Rudolph de Lisle's Diaries and Wtitercolors edited by Gerard de Lisle F. S.A. (Pen and Sword Maritime, Barnsley, S. Yorkshire, UK, 2008 , l 76pp, illus, maps, notes, appen, biblio, index, ISB N 978- 1-84415-652-8, ÂŁ30) A transcription of the first of two journals derailing the activities and events of service o n board H MS Shannon during rhe Peruvian-Chilean War, this historical travel narrative recounts the written observations of Lieutenant Rudolph Edward March Phillips de Lisle over a rhree-year time period during a war fo ught over land claims, mineral rights, and taxation.
lhe Royal Navy and the Peruvian-Chilean 1879-1881 goes beyond a simple
~r
transcription of de Lisle's journal by delving into British maritime con fli cts in the regio n, participating watercraft, armament, and rhe coastal skirmishes that ultimately led to C hilean victory. Providing a daily record from 3 August 1879 through 16 January 188 1, de Lisle's interpretations and spectacular watercolors highlight naval operations, harbor configurations, topography, various cities, indigenous wildlife, and a Victorian Catholic view of war, repercussion, and acco untabili ty. Dr. Celia Wu-Brading contributed a succinct description of the foundations of the conflict, explaining irs cause and European involvement. Gerard de Lisle, great nephew of rhe diarist, summarizes the remainder of rhe lieutenant's rime in South America; Bernard Elliot provides additional info rmation pertaining to de Lisle's career in the Royal Navy. Written for historians and enthusiasts interested in British Naval perspectives or activity in South America during the Peruvian-Chilean War, this book describes the events of a divergence seldom discussed. Using a variety of sources dared from 1880 through 2005 , lhe Royal Navy
and the Peruvian-Chilean
~r
1879-1881
is a well-rounded compilation of personal encounters entwined with actual events. Enhanced by numerous notations and solid content, de Lisle presents his research concisely and professionally in this beautifull y illusrrared book. MoRGAN MAcKENzrn Greenville, North Carolina
Building Kettenburgs: Premier Boats Designed and Built in Southern California by Mark Allen (Mystic Seaport and the Maritime Museum of San Diego, CA, 2008, 224pp, illus, index, notes, ISBN 9780-039511-26-6; $50hc) The legacy of California's famous Kettenburg Boar \l(forks can be seen in the sheer number of their wooden vessels sti ll plying the Pacific. Ir's a story of the last of the "amateur" yacht designers, builders,
SEA HISTORY 128, AUTUMN 2009