Greenwich Island in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rear Admiral George W. Melville
Engineer in Chief, U. S. Navy 1887-1905
— Father of NAVSSES —
Photographed By Kevin W., March 24, 2015
1. Rear Admiral George W. Melville Marker
1841 - 1912
Engineer in Chief, U. S. Navy 1887-1905
His vision and ability led to the adoption of watertube oil burning boilers and forced draft by the U.S. Navy. He was the founder of the Naval Boiler and Turbine Laboratory — these achievements are proudly recorded by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers which he served as Vice President during 1894-1912.
Lower Marker
Rear Admiral George W. Melville, USN, founded the original fuel oil testing plant near this site in 1910. This plant was the forerunner of NAVSSES. Melville served as Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering and achieved lasting fame as an arctic explorer. His foresight and engineering expertise are reflected in NAVSSES today and in his honor and memory we proudly dedicate this plaza.
Erected 1987 by Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station (NAVSSES).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.
Location. 39° 53.61′ N, 75° 10.606′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is on Greenwich Island. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 16"/50 Caliber Mark 7 Gun Barrel Number 293 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War II Submariners Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); To the lost at sea (approx. ¼ mile away); U.S. Naval Aircraft Factory (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Shipyard During World War II (approx. 0.6 miles away); Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Photographed By Kevin W., March 24, 2015
2. Rear Admiral George W. Melville Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., March 24, 2015
3. Rear Admiral George W. Melville Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
