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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images
-- ART TOPICS -- Artworks & Photographs Listed by Title --
"The Laws of the Navy",
by Rear Admiral Ronald A. Hopwood, C.B., Royal Navy
The 23 July 1896 issue of the British "Army and Navy Gazette"
presented a poem that was destined to become one of the Naval
World's literary classics. Written by Royal Navy Rear Admiral
Ronald A. Hopwood, this work, entitled "The Laws of the Navy",
set forth what might safely be termed the "wisdom of the
ages" for all who seek to make their way in large, hierarchical
organizations, with special emphasis on the seagoing versions.
During the World War I era Lieutenant Rowland Langmaid, R.N.,
made a series of etchings to accompany the poem, which was published
in the version presented here.
By the mid-1920s, the virtues of "The Laws of the Navy"
having crossed from the "Red" side of the broad Atlantic
and penetrated the consciousness of the "Blue" side,
the poem began to appear in the U.S. Naval Academy's "Reef
Points", a little handbook presented to Plebes ("Freshmen"
to those unversed in things U.S. Navy) for their edification and
guidance. It has been featured in the annual editions of this
publication up to the present day, and many a hoary former Plebe
can recite its words by heart, having been made to memorize them
as an essential part of the educational process.
Starting in the early 1970s, "Reef Points" provided
a brief introduction to "The Laws of the Navy", which
is quoted here (as printed in the 1998-1999 edition) for the benefit
of All Hands:
"As a word of advice, we include 'The Laws of the Navy'
by Admiral R.A. Hopwood, R.N.(ret.). These twenty-seven laws contain
words of wisdom that few of you will appreciate fully now, words
which you may wish you had heeded twenty years from now. Read
these laws, then apply them. See how those above you apply these
rules--and how they sometimes disregard them--and the consequences.
Be alert to learn from others; only through experience will your
understanding of others broaden. You will become a richer and
fuller person, a better naval officer."
This page features a World War I era illustrated edition
of the poem "The Laws of the Navy", by Rear Admiral
Ronald A. Hopwood, Royal Navy.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 41883
"The Laws of the Navy"
Plate I (of four) of an edition of the poem by Rear Admiral Ronald
A. Hopwood, C.B., Royal Navy, published by W.R. Deighton & Sons,
London, England, during the World War I era. It is illustrated
by etchings by Lieutenant Rowland Langmaid, R.N., depicting scenes
of the contempory British Navy.
The poem originally appeared in the "Army and Navy Gazette",
23 July 1896.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 227KB; 835 x 1225
pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 41884
"The Laws of the Navy"
Plate II (of four) of an edition of the poem by Rear Admiral
Ronald A. Hopwood, C.B., Royal Navy, published by W.R. Deighton
& Sons, London, England, during the World War I era. It is illustrated
by etchings by Lieutenant Rowland Langmaid, R.N., depicting scenes
of the contempory British Navy.
The poem originally appeared in the "Army and Navy Gazette",
23 July 1896.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 308KB; 835 x 1225
pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 41885
"The Laws of the Navy"
Plate III (of four) of an edition of the poem by Rear Admiral
Ronald A. Hopwood, C.B., Royal Navy, published by W.R. Deighton
& Sons, London, England, during the World War I era. It is illustrated
by etchings by Lieutenant Rowland Langmaid, R.N., depicting scenes
of the contempory British Navy.
The poem originally appeared in the "Army and Navy Gazette",
23 July 1896.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 285KB; 835 x 1225
pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 41886
"The Laws of the Navy"
Plate IV (of four) of an edition of the poem by Rear Admiral
Ronald A. Hopwood, C.B., Royal Navy, published by W.R. Deighton
& Sons, London, England, during the World War I era. It is illustrated
by etchings by Lieutenant Rowland Langmaid, R.N., depicting scenes
of the contempory British Navy.
The poem originally appeared in the "Army and Navy Gazette",
23 July 1896.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 215KB; 815 x 1225
pixels |
 |
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Page made 28 November 2005