The Story of the Naval Academy

U.S. Landmark Books #84

by Felix Riesenberg

History of the Naval Academy, published in late 1950's, geared toward younger audience; thus, reads more like propaganda than critical evaluation.

Genres: History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Felix Riesenberg was an American maritime officer and writer of maritime professional, historical, and fictional literature in the early 20th Century.

Riesenberg was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later attended the New York Nautical School graduating in the class of 1897. Afterward, he secured a position as a deck officer in the merchant marine, being part of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and also serving in the Naval Reserve until 1909. Riesenberg was hired by Walter Wellman to be a part of the support crew in an unsuccessful attempt to reach the North Pole by airship in the summer of 1906. He was rehired by Wellman the following year to be the navigator aboard the three man airship America in a second failed attempt to reach the North Pole in 1907.

After this, Riesenberg enrolled and graduated from the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science in 1913.

Riesenberg worked as a civil Engineer for New York State from 1913 to 1915 and then again from 1920 to 1922. In the interim, he was the Chief Officer of the United States Shipping Board.

Riesenberg was the superintendent of the New York Nautical School on two occasions, from 1917 to 1919 as Commander of the barkentine "Newport" and again from 1923 to 1924.

Riesenberg was also a prolific author, publishing a textbook, Standard Seamanship for the Merchant Service that became commonly used, as well as several maritime historical works and novels. He wrote several articles that appeared in the magazine The Nation. Riesenberg published his memoir Living Again in 1937.

Riesenberg died 19 November 1939 in Scarsdale, New York. After a funeral service held in Bronxville his ashes were scattered at sea.

He had four children, Felix Jr., William, Margaret (Peggy), and John (Jack). Priscilla was Felix Jr's wife. His son Felix Jr. (1913–1962) was also an author of numerous maritime books.

The New York Nautical School is today called "Maritime College" and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Present day cadets are still taught the 'Riesenberg Saying': "The sea is selective; slow at recognition of effort and aptitude, but fast in sinking the unfit."

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is dated, as it was published in 1958, it does a nice job of relating the history of the Naval Academy. It is about as detailed as I would wish to read. The book shares both positive and negative events that happened. And I can't help wondering what all has changed since its publication.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sure I read this book a couple of times in junior high in the ‘60s, and when I saw it at a used book shop recently I just had to pick it up. Dated and not very challenging, but a quick read, surprisingly informative and a fun piece of nostalgia.

[Robert Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of the Naval Academy, published in late 1950's, geared toward younger audience; thus, reads more like propaganda than critical evaluation.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it definitely shows its age, this is still a nice, untaxing volume on the first 100+ years of the U.S. Naval Academy, its founding, its problems, and its successes. There's some entertaining bits, some nice stories, and I came away with a couple of notes on other books to find. All and all, decently successful.