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Robert Rowe Thompson Papers, 1907-1991 (bulk 1907-1919): Finding Aid

Published in January 2001

Summary Information

  • Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
  • Publisher Address:
    589 McNair Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
    Phone: 410-293-6917
    https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
  • Call number: MS 345
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Robert Rowe Thompson Papers
  • Dates: 1907-1991
  • Bulk Dates: 1907-1919
  • Size: 0.42 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 1 manuscript box
  • Creator: Thompson, Robert Rowe, 1889-1968
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: Robert Rowe Thompson was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1912 and a U.S. Navy officer who served as a submariner, destroyer commander, and division commander. The papers, consisting primarily of letters from Thompson to his family and a typewritten memoir, focus on Thompson's experiences at R.L. Werntz's Naval Academy Preparatory School and as a submariner during World War I.

Biography of Robert Rowe Thompson

Robert Rowe Thompson, son of George W. and Emma Thompson, was born on August 24, 1889 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A native of Lewiston, Idaho, Thompson briefly attended Lewiston Business College before enrolling in R.L. Werntz's U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1908. Upon passing the requisite entrance exams, Thompson entered the United States Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1912.

Thompson's first assignments after graduation were aboard U.S.S. South Dakota (Armored cruiser: ACR-9) and U.S.S. New Orleans (Protected cruiser: CL-22). In 1916, Thompson was transferred to U.S.S. Charleston (Protected cruiser: C-22), which was serving as a submarine tender to the First Submarine Division Atlantic. Later in 1916, Thompson was selected as a member of the first class of Submarine School in New London, Connecticut.

Upon graduation from Submarine School in June 1917, Thompson was ordered to U.S.S. D-2 (Submarine: SS-18), where he served as executive officer, navigator, first lieutenant, torpedo officer, and engineer officer. Following D-2's foundering while docked in New London, Thompson was transferred to U.S.S. L-3 (Submarine: SS-42). Serving aboard L-3 throughout World War I, Thompson ultimately became her captain, serving in that capacity until early 1919, after which he was given command of U.S.S. S-17 (Submarine: SS-122).

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Thompson served in various division level posts and vessel commands, including engineer and repair officer for Submarine Divisions, Asiatic Fleet; commander, Submarine Division 14; commander, Destroyer Division 14; captain of U.S.S. Monaghan (Destroyer : DD-354); and captain of U.S.S. Cuyama (Oiler : AO-3). Thompson also served a tour in the executive department at the United States Naval Academy.

In 1941, Thompson attended the Naval War College. Within weeks of America's declaration of war on Japan, Thompson received command of U.S.S. Portland (Heavy cruiser: CA-33), and served in that capacity until he was injured in May 1942. Although he recovered from his injuries, Thompson ultimately retired before the war's end, being transferred to the retired list in 1944. Thompson remained on active duty until February 1946, serving as secretary of the Naval War College.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Thompson worked in the real estate business in Southern California. Robert Rowe Thompson died on August 5, 1968.

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Description of Contents

The Robert Rowe Thompson Papers, comprising 0.42 linear feet of documentation, span from 1907 until 1991. The papers, consisting primarily of letters from Thompson to his family and a typewritten memoir, focus on Thompson's experiences at R.L. Werntz's Naval Academy Preparatory School and as a submariner during World War I.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions. The letters, written almost exclusively by Thompson, are addressed to Thompson's parents, and often include sections with replies to correspondence from siblings, such as his brother Howard. The letters, spanning from March until April 1908, are the product of Thompson's time as a student at R.L. Werntz's Naval Academy Preparatory School in preparation for the Naval Academy's entrance exams. The letters focus primarily on Thompson's continuous studies, feelings of homesickness, resolve to pass the entrance examinations, speculation and rumors regarding the difficulty of said exams, living accommodations with the Naval Academy's Associate Librarian, and events back home in Idaho. Also included are several letters to Thompson's parents from prep school headmaster R.L. Werntz and the wife of Thompson's sponsor, Elizabeth Spencer, as well as a letter from the Naval Academy announcing Thompson's passing of the entrance exams. The undated memoir, entitled "Down to the Sea in Subs: An Account of American Submarines in World War I, 1916-1919," spans Thompson's experiences as a submariner, and includes descriptions of American C and L class submarines, the wartime service of U.S.S. L-3, and Submarine School in New London, Connecticut.

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Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions.

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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Robert Rowe Thompson Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of CAPT H. A. Seymour, Jr., USN (Ret.). in September 1999. Accession Nos. 99-70, 99-73, and 99-83.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional biographical material pertaining to Robert Rowe Thompson may be found in his Alumni Jacket in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Robert Rowe Thompson Papers, MS 345

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

"Robert Rowe Thompson '12." Shipmate, November 1968, 71-72.

Processing Information

This collection was originally processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1999 and reprocessed by David D'Onofrio in January 2010. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in January 2010.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Charleston (Protected cruiser : C-22)
  • D-2 (Submarine : SS-18)
  • L-3 (Submarine : SS-42)
  • Thompson, Robert Rowe, 1889-1968
  • United States Naval Academy -- Examinations
  • United States Naval Academy. Naval Academy Preparatory School
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations, American
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Submarine

Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts
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Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1

Correspondence, 1908 March 5-8

En route to Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of train travel from Spokane to Annapolis, Thompson's emotional state, and instructions for care of his pigeons (March 7). Also includes one letter from R.L. Werntz (March 5).

Box 1 Folder 2

Correspondence, 1908 March 9-15

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of homesickness, lessons, methods of study at the preparatory school, difficulties with algebra (March 12-13), and the desire to be a farmer (March 13). Also includes one letter from R.L. Werntz explaining Thompson's accommodations (March 11).

Box 1 Folder 3

Correspondence, 1908 March 16-23

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of prep school teachers (March 16), constant studying (March 17), fears about initiation by fellow students (March 18), stories of USNA students failing out on purpose (March 19), and cheating at the prep school (March 21).

Box 1 Folder 4

Correspondence, 1908 March 25-April 8

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of Episcopal Church services (March 26), taking extra classes in algebra (March 30), low opinion of Werntz's school (March 31), introduction of street cars in Annapolis (April 2), and advice from a midshipman named Lewis (April 4). Also includes one letter signed by Admiral George Dewey.

Box 1 Folder 5

Correspondence, 1908 April 9-23

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of constant studying, dining with family friend Mrs. Cooper, the benefits of USNA over Oxford (April 16), and events back home.

Box 1 Folder 6

Correspondence, 1908 April 24-30

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of classmates' USNA entrance exam experiences (April 24), the 1908 local (Idaho) elections (April 28), and the role of Academy candidate political affiliation in the appointment process (April 30).

Box 1 Folder 7

Correspondence, 1908 May 1-20

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of local (Idaho) elections and sporting events (May 7-14), visit to Washington, DC and Senator Heyburn (May 17), and the drowning of a midshipman (May 18).

Box 1 Folder 8

Correspondence, 1908 May 21-June 2

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of continued studies, possible bouts with malaria, and the appointment of an alternate by Senator Heyburn (May 29). Attached to the letter of May 23 is the graduation program for Alexandria High School and a visiting card for Earnest E. Thompson.

Box 1 Folder 9

Correspondence, 1908 June 3-21

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of a railroad accident between Washington and Annapolis (June 7), Annapolis as the slowest town in the country (June 9), and Naval Academy entrance examinations (June 16-21).

Box 1 Folder 10

Correspondence, 1908 June 25-29, July 24

From Annapolis, MD. Descriptions of completion and passing of academic exams and initial failure on physical exam (June 26). Includes letters from R.L. Werntz and the Naval Academy announcing Thompson's passing of the entrance exams, as well as a letter from Elizabeth Spencer (the wife of Thompson's sponsor) to Mrs. Emma Thompson.

Box 1 Folder 11

Correspondence - Photocopied Compilation, 1907-1908, 1991

Includes appendix featuring letters from R.L. Werntz, Elizabeth Spencer, Lewiston Business College (regarding Thompson's withdrawal in 1907), H.G. Thompson (regarding preparations for Robert's entry into prep-school), and the United States Naval Academy, as well as press clippings announcing Thompson's passing of his entrance exams, and a 1991 letter conveying the materials.

Box 1 Folder 12

Memoirs (Introduction and Chapter 1), undated

1916. Description of Thompson's assignment as Engineer Officer aboard U.S.S. Charleston, tender to the First Submarine Division Atlantic.

Box 1 Folder 13

Memoirs (Chapter 2), undated

Description of American C Class submarines.

Box 1 Folder 14

Memoirs (Chapter 3), undated

Descriptions of Thompson's additional duties as engineer and repair officer for the C Class submarines, efforts to make Charleston a more effective tender, and the needs of the First Submarine Division.

Box 1 Folder 15

Memoirs (Chapter 4), undated

Descriptions of marriage to fiancé Lulette and early married life.

Box 1 Folder 16

Memoirs (Chapter 5), undated

Descriptions of continued duties aboard Charleston and selection as member of first class of Submarine School in New London, Connecticut.

Box 1 Folder 17

Memoirs (Chapter 6), undated

1917. Descriptions of Submarine School curriculum and activities, including gaps in curriculum and lack of attack doctrine, as well as the impact of the United States' declaration of war, and graduation from Submarine School.

Box 1 Folder 18

Memoirs (Chapter 7), undated

Descriptions of service aboard U.S.S. D-2, including Thompson's duties, diving tests, sinking of a schooner in Long Island Sound, and D-2's sinking while docked. Also includes Thompson's transfer to U.S.S. L-3.

Box 1 Folder 19

Memoirs (Chapter 8), undated

Descriptions of American L Class submarines, overhaul of U.S.S. L-3, and Thompson's duties as executive officer, navigator, diving officer and engineer officer.

Box 1 Folder 20

Memoirs (Chapter 9), undated

1917-1918. Descriptions of L-3's training routine, mid December voyage to Bermuda, January 1918 voyages to Punta Delgado and Bantry Bay, and training it wartime submarine tactics by the British.

Box 1 Folder 21

Memoirs (Chapter 10), undated

1918. Descriptions of L-3's wartime record and lack of engagement with German U-boats, and the dangers of friendly coastal defense fire.

Box 1 Folder 22

Memoirs (Chapter 11), undated

Descriptions of L-3's wartime routine and experiences, equipment installations during Queenstown overhaul, Thompsons's experiences at British Periscope School, adoption of British Submarine Attack Course Finders (Is-Was), and Thompson's command of L-3.

Box 1 Folder 23

Memoirs (Chapter 12), undated

Descriptions of delays in returning to the United States, American crew's efforts to sail captured German U-boats to Portland, and Thompson's temporary command of a German U-boat.

Box 1 Folder 24

Memoirs (Chapter 13), undated

1919. Descriptions of L-3's voyage from Portland to Punta Delgado, the Azores, Bermuda, and Philadelphia, hostile treatment by the head of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and Thompson's transfer to San Francisco to serve aboard a new S Class submarine under construction.

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