Washington DC 1910
Captain Joe Doherty was walking beside the Anacostia River on his way to an important meeting. The river wound through Washington and although not as significant as the Potomac River it played a significant part in the life of Washington DC
The walk would take him to the Washington Naval Yard where he had been summoned to meet with Rear-Admiral Eugene Leutze. Joe was hoping the meeting would confirm a commission for one of the latest New York class battleships. Commanding a ship of this magnitude had been his ambition since he joined the Navy at the age of seventeen. He would often dream of being on the bridge orchestrating manoeuvres during one of the great naval battles. Joe had been raised in the Chesapeake Bay area where he had enjoyed a privileged childhood attending the Severn School; the prep school for the United States Naval Academy. His sister, Anna, and he played in the leafy street without fear of predators. Joe wasn’t the brightest kid in the school; that honour went to Anna but he wasn’t far off it. After graduation he had no trouble being accepted into the Naval Academy. His father had graduated twenty-five years before and had commanded several battleships. Joe had some large shoes to fill.
His time at the Academy went without incident and he graduated in 1900 as an Ensign and was assigned to the New Hampshire a Connecticut Class Battleship.
Now the moment of truth had arrived. He waited in the Admiral’s anteroom with a fair amount of trepidation. At last he was summoned into the spacious office where his old friend greeted him.
‘Hello Joe, it’s good to see you. How is that lovely wife of yours?’
‘She’s well thanks, Admiral.’
‘Please Joe, we go back a long way. Call me Gene while we are alone in this office.’
‘Of course Gene. I am sorry.’
‘Don’t be sorry Joe - just less formal.’
‘How are the children? Growing up I would imagine?’
‘All too quickly for my liking, Gene.’
‘How old are they now?’
‘Jack is sixteen and Julie is fourteen.’
‘My boy Theo is fourteen going on twenty one. Well Joe, I suppose we should get on with business. I know you would like nothing more than to command a battleship and you will, but not for now.’
Joe looked perplexed and his heart sank.
‘I need you to perform a key role for me. As you are aware the Germans are building up their battle fleet at an alarming rate. The British are still way in front and have increased their shipbuilding to maintain their naval superiority. We, as you are aware, are also increasing our fleet, though not as fast as these two European powers.
‘I am sending you to London as our new Naval Attaché to represent our strategic interests and report back to me on what the English and Germans are up to. The assignment is for two years and when you return I promise you will command the best and most modern ship in our fleet.’
‘When am I required to leave, Gene?’
‘In four weeks, on the 1st of March.’
‘Well, I would be lying if I said I was thrilled. But I know you wouldn’t send me if it wasn’t important.’
‘Just remember Joe – in two years you will have the best job in the Navy.’
The two officers shook hands. Joe took the same route back to his office, pausing to sit on a park bench trying to reconcile his immediate future.
He arrived home at about six o’clock and poured himself a Scotch, and a gin and tonic for his wife Lucy.
‘So, how was your day, Darling? You look like you had a tough one.’
‘I didn’t get the commission I was hoping for. Or not yet anyway.’
‘Oh, I am sorry. Why?’
‘We are going to London for two years. You are looking at the new Naval Attaché.’
There was plenty to organise prior to their departure, not least the children’s schooling. At least they had a house in Richmond Park to move into provided by the Navy. The Embassy helped organise the right schools for the children - Julie was enrolled in the North London Collegiate School while Jack would attend Harrow.