Edward Ellsberg
Encyclopedia
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(November 21, 1891 - January 24, 1983) was an officer in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and a popular author. He was widely known as "Commander Ellsberg."
Early years
Ellsberg was born in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, and grew up in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. He was one of the very few Jews who were accepted into the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1914. He subsequently earned his Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, in 1920. He received an honorary Eng.D. from University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
in 1929.
First service with the U.S. Navy
Ellsberg was commissioned in the Navy in 1914 and served on active duty until 1926. He became an expert in undersea salvage and rescueMarine salvage
Marine salvage is the process of rescuing a ship, its cargo, or other property from peril. Salvage encompasses rescue towing, refloating a sunken or grounded vessel, or patching or repairing a ship...
. In 1925, he raised the Navy submarine, S-51
USS S-51 (SS-162)
USS S-51 was a fourth-group S-class submarine of the United States Navy.Her keel was laid down on 22 December 1919 by the Lake Torpedo Boat Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was launched on 20 August 1921 sponsored by Mrs. R.J. Mills, and commissioned on 24 June 1922 with Lieutenant W. S...
. For his efforts he was promoted to the rank of Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
by Act of Congress
Act of Congress
An Act of Congress is a statute enacted by government with a legislature named "Congress," such as the United States Congress or the Congress of the Philippines....
and given the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
by the Navy Department, since which time he has popularly been known as "Commander Ellsberg", regardless of his actual rank. Ellsberg described the raising of the S-51
USS S-51 (SS-162)
USS S-51 was a fourth-group S-class submarine of the United States Navy.Her keel was laid down on 22 December 1919 by the Lake Torpedo Boat Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was launched on 20 August 1921 sponsored by Mrs. R.J. Mills, and commissioned on 24 June 1922 with Lieutenant W. S...
in the book On the Bottom.
On June 1, 1918, Ellsberg married Lucy Buck Ellsberg. In letters to her he signed his name as "Ned". Their daughter Mary was born August 29, 1921.
Return to civilian status
After leaving active duty, Ellsberg worked for the Tide Water Oil CompanyTidewater Petroleum
Tidewater Oil Company was a major petroleum refining and marketing concern in the United States for more than 80 years. Tidewater was best known for its Flying A-branded products and gas stations, and for Veedol motor oil, which was known throughout the world.Tidewater was founded in New York City...
and began writing books about his exploits and about historical events.
In December 1927, Ellsberg volunteered for active duty to rescue survivors trapped in the sunken submarine S-4
USS S-4 (SS-109)
USS S-4 was an S-class submarine of the United States Navy. In 1927, she was sunk by being accidentally rammed by a Coast Guard destroyer with the loss of all hands but was raised and restored to service until stricken in 1936.-Building:...
. The rescue efforts failed and Ellsberg returned home in early January 1928.
Ellsberg's book Pigboats (1931) was the basis for the movie, Hell Below
Hell Below
Hell Below is an MGM film set in the Adriatic during World War I about submarine warfare based on Commander Edward Ellsberg's novel Pigboats, starring Robert Montgomery, Walter Huston, Robert Young, Madge Evans, and Jimmy Durante....
(1933), starring Robert Montgomery
Robert Montgomery (actor)
Robert Montgomery was an American actor and director.- Early life :Montgomery was born Henry Montgomery, Jr. in Beacon, New York, then known as "Fishkill Landing", the son of Mary Weed and Henry Montgomery, Sr. His early childhood was one of privilege, since his father was president of the New...
, Robert Young
Robert Young (actor)
Robert George Young was an American television, film, and radio actor, best known for his leading roles as Jim Anderson, the father of Father Knows Best and as physician Marcus Welby in Marcus Welby, M.D. .-Early life:Born in Chicago, Illinois, Young was the son of an Irish immigrant father...
, Jimmy Durante
Jimmy Durante
James Francis "Jimmy" Durante was an American singer, pianist, comedian and actor. His distinctive clipped gravelly speech, comic language butchery, jazz-influenced songs, and large nose helped make him one of America's most familiar and popular personalities of the 1920s through the 1970s...
, and Madge Evans
Madge Evans
Madge Evans was an American stage and film actress. She began her career as a child performer and model.-Child model and stage actress:...
.
World War II Naval service
Immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, Ellsberg rejoined the Navy. His first assignment was to conduct salvage operations at the newly liberated port of Massawa
Massawa
Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa (Ge'ez ምጽዋዕ , formerly ባጽዕ is a city on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea. An important port for many centuries, it was ruled by a succession of polities, including the Axumite Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate,...
, then in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
- now Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
. Working in beastly heat with virtually no staff and poor administrative support, Ellsberg salvaged a large floating dry dock and the ships that had been sunk to block the harbor.
Ellsberg returned the port to operation and the ships salvaged were added to the Allies' merchant fleets. During his work in Massawa
Massawa
Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa (Ge'ez ምጽዋዕ , formerly ባጽዕ is a city on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea. An important port for many centuries, it was ruled by a succession of polities, including the Axumite Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate,...
, Ellsberg reported to the Lend Lease coordinator in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, US Army Major General Russell Maxwell
Russell Maxwell
Russell L. Maxwell was an officer in the U.S. Army.Shortly before United States entry into World War II, Maxwell was sent to North Africa as head of the US Military North African Mission. He was the Lend Lease coordinator in the area. Maxwell became the Commanding General US Army Forces in the...
. Ellsberg renamed the S.S. Liebenfels, a large German freighter, salvaged and refitted at Massawa, the 'General Russell Maxwell'. He described the salvage of the port of Massawa
Massawa
Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa (Ge'ez ምጽዋዕ , formerly ባጽዕ is a city on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea. An important port for many centuries, it was ruled by a succession of polities, including the Axumite Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate,...
in his book Under the Red Sea Sun
Under the Red Sea Sun
Under the Red Sea Sun is a book by Edward Ellsberg describing salvage operations of the many ships scuttled by the Italians to block the port of Massawa on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea during World War II...
. Ellsberg was promoted to Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
by presidential order on June 19, 1942. The next year he was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
by FDR in honor of his salvage efforts in Massawa.
In Under the Red Sea Sun
Under the Red Sea Sun
Under the Red Sea Sun is a book by Edward Ellsberg describing salvage operations of the many ships scuttled by the Italians to block the port of Massawa on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea during World War II...
, Ellsberg complained that the American contractor that was assigned to give him administrative support was very unhelpful, but he did not name that company. The company, Johnson, Drake & Piper, Inc., itself claimed credit for clearing the port in the privately printed book, "Middle East War Projects of Johnson, Drake & Piper, Inc., for the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, 1942-1943" (New York: Johnson, Drake & Piper, Inc., 1943). That book contains beautiful photographs and drawings showing projects around the Middle East.
From Massawa, Ellsberg went to North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
to become Principal Salvage Officer in that theater. He worked under Admiral Andrew Cunningham, the British officer commanding naval forces in the area. Ellsberg's activities were detailed in No Banners, No Bugles
No Banners, No Bugles
No Banners, No Bugles is a book by Edward Ellsberg describing Ellsberg's activities as Principal Salvage Officer for Operation Torch during World War II....
.
Ellsberg, worn out from constant work, was ordered home in early 1943 to recuperate. After a time inspecting ship construction activities, Ellsberg was sent to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in time for the Normandy Invasion, where he was instrumental in preparing 89 damaged or superannuated ships for scuttling to make artificial harbors. This operation gained him great admiration in Britain where he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.).
Retirement
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
rising to the rank of Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
before retiring in 1951 to enjoy Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
with his wife of sixty years. He continued to write, lecture and consult on engineering projects. He died in 1983 at the age of 91 and is buried in Willimantic, Connecticut
Willimantic, Connecticut
Willimantic is a census-designated place and former city located in the town of Windham in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was estimated at 15,823 at the 2000 census. It is home to Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as the Windham Textile and History Museum....
.
Publications
Writing was a hobby for Ellsberg. He wrote many articles and reports. His books include:- Captain Paul. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1941)
- The Far Shore.(New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1960)
- Hell on Ice: the Saga of the 'Jeannette. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1938)
- I Have Just Begun To Fight!' the Story of John Paul Jones. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1942)
- On the Bottom. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1929)
- Men Under the Sea. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1939)
- Mid Watch, a Novel. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1954)
- No Banners, No Bugles. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1949)
- Ocean Gold. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1935)
- Passport for Jennifer. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Compney, 1952)
- Pigboats. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1931)
- Report on Salvage Operations: Submarine S-51. (Washington: US GPO, 1927)
- Spanish Ingots. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1936)
- S-54, Stories of the Sea. ( New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1932)
- Thirty Fathoms Deep. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1930)
- Treasure Below. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1940)
- Under the Red Sea Sun. (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1946)
See related
- John Alden. Salvage man : Edward Ellsberg and the United States Navy. (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1998)
- "Ellsberg, Edward." The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography" (1942). F:116-117.
- "Ellsberg, Edward 1891-." Contemporary Authors, 5-8(First Revision):347-348. 1969.
- "Ellsberg, Edward 1891-." Something About the Author, 7:78-79. 1975.
- "Edward Ellsberg, Naval Salvage Expert, Dies" New York Times. January 26, 1983. Page 17.
See also
- Marine salvageMarine salvageMarine salvage is the process of rescuing a ship, its cargo, or other property from peril. Salvage encompasses rescue towing, refloating a sunken or grounded vessel, or patching or repairing a ship...
External links
- Edward Ellsberg Official Website
- Chapter 3 of the online History of Kagnew Station describes Ellsberg's work in Massawa.