In 1866 Mr. Robie went, in the OSSIPEE, to the Pacific, via
the Straits of Magellan, and on arrival at Panama was promoted to
Fleet Engineer, on board the flag ship PENSACOLA. In 1869 Mr.
Robie served on the famous Board of which Rear Admiral L M
Goldsborough was president, and made a minority report against
the general condemnation of ships which the Board recommended.
After 42 years of experience and improvement in the art of ship
building and ship designing, his minority report stands out in
favorable contrast with that of the majority.
Mr. Robie was at the Boston Navy Yard in 1870-71, and, when
ordered to the WABASH, he improvised a steam steering engine for
that frigate, which was the first successful steam steerer used
in the Navy. The cruise of the WABASH was in the Mediterranean,
with Commodore Alden as Flag Officer and with General W T Sherman
and his staff as guests on board. Subsequently Mr. Robie was
Fleet Engineer on the North Atlantic and Gulf Squadrons, and
then, from 1874 to 1877, was Chief Engineer of the Norfolk Navy
Yard. He did special inspection duty at Pittsburgh and Cold
Spring Foundry, NY, and was again Fleet Engineer in the Pacific
on the Flag Ship PENSACOLA; then Chief Engineer of the Boston
Navy Yard; then of the New York Yard and of the Norfolk Yard. His
last duty was at the Navy Department in Washington, where he
remained until retired for age in 1893. During the war with Spain
Mr. Robie was employed selecting vessels for the auxiliary naval
forces at Charleston, Savannah, Baltimore and New York.
His sea service aggregated 16 years and 11 months and his shore
duty 21 years and 9 months. He was retired with the rank of
Commodore, but by an act of Congress was promoted to the rank of
Rear Admiral.
Personally Rear Admiral Robie was a most attractive, agreeable
man, always popular on board ship, and never more happy than when
doing a kindness to someone. He was a member of the Washington
Commandery of the Loyal Legion, and of Otsemingo Lodge of
Freemasons, at Binghamton, NY.
He died peacefully as he had lived at his home in Washington on
the 7th of June 1911. He had reached the age of 80 years, and had
simply worn out. The immediate cause of his death was uremic
poisoning, following pneumonia.
He leaves a widow, one son and two daughters, one of whom is the
wife of Surgeon A G Grunwell, of the Navy.
Rear Admiral Robie was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on
the 9th of June 1911.