Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 41883: Plate I of 'The Laws of the Navy', by Rear Admiral Ronald A. Hopwood, illustrated with etchings by Lt. Rowland Langmaid, R.N., published during the World War I era

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.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

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

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 28 November 2005