Introduction: From Sail to Steel

Frank Lucius Pinney, Sr. began his distinguished naval career during a period of massive transition, witnessing the United States Navy systematically replace its wooden sail-powered vessels with armored steel steamships. He first entered the national spotlight for his extraordinary bravery during the Apia cyclone in Samoa on March 15–16, 1889, where the wooden steam-frigate USS Trenton was destroyed. For his conspicuous gallantry in saving lives and assisting in the preservation of his shipmates during the wreck of the Trenton, a special Act of Congress appointed him to the rank of Ensign.