FIGHTING BOB EVANS

A special ceremony took place during the Great White Fleet visit to Big Trees Grove in 1908.

“Everywhere throughout the great grove flags, bunting and pictures of Rear Admiral Evans adorned the base of the trees. One of the grove’s monarchs was named in honor of the admiral and … became known as ‘Fighting Bob’ Evans.” 

Admiral Robley D. Evans 1846-1912 - Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 5, 1908

Evans first gained fame for his bravery during the 1865 Union assault on Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, North Carolina. He was wounded four times while leading U.S. Marines against Confederate defenses. Evans earned the nickname, “Fighting Bob,” while in command of the gunboat Yorktown during an 1891 incident in Chilean waters.

He served as commander of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, then the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In 1907 he was chosen to lead the U.S. Battle Fleet, known as the Great White Fleet. The Fleet’s circumnavigation of the world was ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt as a demonstration to the world of U.S. Naval power.

Unfortunately, we do not know which tree in the grove was named for this naval hero.

Sources: “Bluejackets Visit the Big Trees,” Watertown Re-union [Watertown, New York], May 6, 1908; “Robley Dungliston Evans, Rear Admiral, United States Navy,” Arlington National Cemetery Website at http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rdevans.htm.