Benjamin F. Tracy

Benjamin Franklin Tracy (April 26, 1830–August 6,1915) was a United States political figure who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1889 through 1893, during the administration of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison.

Related Topics:
April 26 - 1830 - August 6 - 1915 - United States - Political figure - Secretary of the Navy - 1889 - 1893 - U.S. President - Benjamin Harrison

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A native of Owego, New York, Tracy was a lawyer active in Republican Party politics during the 1850s. During the Civil War, he served as a Union brigadier general. He reentered the law after the war and became active in New York state politics, serving as a U.S. District Attorney and as an New York State appeals court judge.

Related Topics:
Owego, New York - Republican Party - Civil War - Union - Brigadier general

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Tracy was noted for his role in the creation of the "New Navy", a major reform of the service, which had fallen into obsolescence after the Civil War. Like President Harrison, he supported a naval strategy focused more on offense, rather than on coastal defense and commerce raiding. A major ally in this effort was naval theorist Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, who had served as a professor at the new Naval War College (founded 1884). In 1890, Mahan published his major work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783--a book that achieved an international readership. Drawing on historical examples, Mahan supported the construction of a "blue-water Navy" that could do battle on the high seas.

Related Topics:
New Navy - Service - Civil War - Alfred Thayer Mahan - Naval War College

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Tracy also supported the construction of modern warships. On June 30, 1890, Congress passed the Navy Bill, a measure which authorized the construction of three battleships. The first three were later named USS Indiana (BB-1), Massachusetts (BB-2), and Oregon (BB-3). The battleship Iowa (BB-4) was authorized two years later.

Related Topics:
June 30 - 1890 - Navy Bill - Battleship - USS ''Indiana'' (BB-1) - ''Massachusetts'' (BB-2) - ''Oregon'' (BB-3) - ''Iowa'' (BB-4)

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After leaving the Navy Department, Tracy again took up his legal practice. He also helped negotiate a settlement to the boundary dispute between Venezuela and Great Britain. Tracy died in 1915.

Related Topics:
Venezuela - Great Britain

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USS Tracy (DD-214) was named for him.

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