started," and added that its chief "has always kept us well supplied ahead." By securing a modification of the law regarding the price to be paid for armor plate, Rear- Admiral O'Neil made it possible for the work of construction of several large ships to be resumed. He rendered another great service to the country by inducing the government to establish a factory in which to perfect the processes of making smokeless powder; and by various improvements in guns and projectiles, and in details of naval armament, he has done much to make our navy respected in peace and formidable in war. As president of the naval board of construction for seven years, he also rendered efficient service in the development of our naval power. By regular promotion he reached the rank of rear-admiral December 31, 1903; and on reaching the age limit for active service, he was retired March 15, 1904. Afterward he made an extended professional tour in Europe for the navy department, and reported on the state of the arts of shipbuilding, gun construction, the manufacture of armor and kindred subjects.
Admiral O'Neil was married in 1869 to Mary C. Frothingham, of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Of their two children, one, Doctor R. F. O'Neil, a physician in Boston, is now living. Admiral O'Neil is a member of the New York Yacht club, and of the Metropolitan, Army and Navy and Chevy Chase clubs of Washington. While he has never taken an active part in politics, his sympathies are with the Republican party. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. In his reading he has found biographies and books of travel most interesting and helpful. He is fond of reading; of out-of-door sports; takes pleasure in social life and "enjoys an occasional visit to the theatre." His early life was mostly spent in a suburb of a large city. The only difficulties in obtaining an education were, as he says, "dislike for study and fondness for play," though he was always ambitious and anxious to get on in the world. His choice of a profession was finally determined by his yielding to an impulse "to go to sea"—a course which he does not advise for others, but which in his case led to forty-three years of honorable and efficient service of his country.
The influences which have been strongest upon his life and have had the most to do with his success, were those of home. He owes much to his parents. The influence of his mother was particularly strong. His wife, also, has been a great help in his work. In re-
