Robert Francis Flemming Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland back in 1839 to Robert Sr. and Mary Jane. In 1850, the family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. He worked as a marble cutter when he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1863. His first posting was aboard the USS Wyoming where he saw action at the Naval battle of Shimonoseki.
He was aboard the USS Housatonic with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He was standing watch when he noticed something, he notified the officer of the guard who dismissed it as a “Queer-looking lot,” he told the officer to look again as it was headed their way at a high rate of speed, by then it was too late. The Confederate States Navy’s secret weapon the submarine H.L. Hunley. The USS Housatonic was the first naval ship to be sunk by a submarine.
When he was discharged he went into business as a guitar manufacturer and music teacher. He died in 1919, he was 79.
What you may not know about Robert is that he was also an inventor. He invented a guitar he called the “Euphonica”. While he didn’t invent the first guitar from my research his invention with modifications of course, is the basis for all non-electric guitars to this day. On a side note he was also an African-American to boot, quite an accomplishment back in those days.
Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today
Comments(20)