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110k | Roscoe Carlyle Bulmer was born in Virginia City, Nevada on 04 November 1874, the second son of Richard A. and Jane Anderson Bulmer. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy and was appointed a naval cadet on 26 September 1890. Gaduating with the Class of 1894, he received his commission as ensign on 01 July 1896, and served in Bennington (Gunboat No. 4) during the war with Spain. He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on 01 July 1899, to Lieutenant on 09 February 1902, to Lieutenant Commander on 03 January 1908, to Commander on 01 July 1918, and to Captain (temporary) simultaneously. While assigned to duty in Washington, DC, as naval aide to President Theodore Roosevelt, Bulmer wed Anita Tyler Poor on 7 March 1905, a union that produced a daughter, Anita Poor Bulmer.
Given command of the Mine Force repair ship Black Hawk (ID-2140) on 18 December 1917, he was promoted to Captain (temporary) on 01 July 1918. During his service, he gained recognition for his understanding of naval mines and countermining techniques. Shortly before the end of the World War, Bulmer was appointed to serve as the U.S. representative to the British Admiralty conference on mine clearing, 31 October 1918.
On 09 July 1919, while Bulmer was participating in mine-clearing operations on board Auk (Minesweeper No. 57), Pelican (Minesweeper No. 27) suffered severe damage when an estimated six mines detonated beneath her. She began taking on water at an alarming rate. Bulmer assumed command of the situation, first ordering Pelican’s crew transferred to Eider (Minesweeper No. 17). Then, employing the pumps from Auk and Eider, Bulmer was able to keep the stricken minesweeper afloat and she eventually returned to port for repairs. “With great skill and plucky seamanship on the part of Capt. R. C. Bulmer,” Rear Adm. Joseph Strauss later declared, Pelican had been saved.
Tragically, just less than one month later, while ashore at the Orkney Islands, Scotland, Bulmer and Lt. (j.g.) Dudley A. Nichols, USNRF, were returning to Kirkwall from Stromness. A slight dip in the road caused the driver to lose control of the automobile on the rain-slicked surface, and Bulmer was thrown from the car, suffering a fractured clavicle among other injuries. Taken to his flagship, Black Hawk, he died on 5 August 1919. “Capt. Bulmer’s death is a distinct loss to the Service,” Rear Adm. Strauss lamented to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on 8 August, “He was zealous and plucky with a sound knowledge of his profession. His unfailing cheerfulness contributed greatly to the happy spirit prevailing in the Mine Force.”
Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Captain Bulmer was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. A destroyer was named in his honor at Secretary Daniels' direct order.
Captain Roscoe C. Bulmer, probably aboard Black Hawk, circa 1919. Naval History & Heritage Command photo NH 64381 | Dave Wright |
USS Bulmer (DD-222)
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100k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. | Joe Radigan/Darryl Baker |
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140k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. | Joe Radigan/Darryl Baker |
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137k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of John Dickey. | Ed Zajkowski |
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85k | Undated, location unknown, probably in 1930s. | Dave Wright |
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189k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of John Dickey. | Ed Zajkowski |
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235k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of John Dickey. | Ed Zajkowski |
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121k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of John Dickey. | Ed Zajkowski |
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104k | Undated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of John Dickey. | Ed Zajkowski |
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139k | Undated, USS Bulmer (DD-222), USS Stewart (DD-224), USS Parrott (DD-218) and USS Edsall (DD-219) alongside the USS Melville (AD-2). | Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET. |
USS Bulmer views circa 1920-1922. My Dad's Father's Brother-in-law was Howard Dean Gordon, identified in these as "Dean" and marked with an "X". | Richard Hane |
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134k | USS Bulmer moored off Red Crown Zerolene tank farm, San Pablo, CA in December 1920 or October-November 1921. National Archives photo 19-N-6467. | Joe Radigan/Darryl Baker |
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64k | Six destroyers nested together during the early 1920s. These ships are (from left to right): USS Edsall (DD-219), USS McCormick (DD-223), USS Bulmer (DD-222), USS Parrott (DD-218);, USS Simpson (DD-221) and USS MacLeish (DD-220). The original image is printed on post card ("AZO") stock. Naval History & Heritage Command photo NH 105167. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007. | Michael Mohl |
| 73k | Ships of the 39th Destroyer Division moored together, probably in San Diego Harbor, California, in 1921. These ships are (from left to right): USS Edsall (DD-219), USS McCormick (DD-223), USS Bulmer (DD-222), USS Simpson (DD-221), USS MacLeish (DD-220) and USS Parrott (DD-218). Naval History & Heritage Command photo NH 88356. Courtesy of L.C. Lupin, 1978. | Tony Cowart |
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51k | USS John D. Ford (DD-228), USS Sicard (DD-346), USS Pruitt (DD-347), USS Decatur (DD-341), USS Preble (DD-345), USS Pope (DD-225), USS Bulmer (DD-222), USS Simpson (DD-221) and USS McCormick (DD-223) in Manila Harbor, 16 November 1928. | Carl Ross |
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178k | Bulmer, anchored off Tsingtao, China, circa 1928. National Archives photo 80-G-1035053 | Dave Wright |
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144k | Officers and crew of Bulmer (DD-222) at Manila, April 1930. | Jeffrey Baird |
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75k | USS Black Hawk (AD-9) with the USS Bulmer (DD-222), USS Pillsbury (DD-227), USS Pope (DD-225), USS Ford (DD-228), USS Edsall (DD-219) and USS Peary (DD-226) alongside, s seen from the breakwater in Chefoo, June 1933. | John N. Egeland, Jr. |
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207k | Six photos of the Bulmer's Crew circa 1934-1937. From the collection of LCDR Rayborn M. Hall USN who served aboard the USS Bulmer (DD-222) during this period. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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171k | As above. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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119k | As above. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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272k | As above. Rayborn is holding the camera in this image. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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240k | As above. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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147k | As above. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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161k | Colorized photo of the Bulmer circa 1934-1939. From the collection of LCDR Rayborn M. Hall USN who served aboard the USS Bulmer (DD-222) during this period. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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241k | Bulmer entering Dewey Drydock (YFD-1), circa 1934-1939. From the collection of LCDR Rayborn M. Hall USN who served aboard the USS Bulmer (DD-222) during this period. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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171k | USS Black Hawk (AD-9) in Chefoo, China circa 1934-1939. The USS Heron (AM-10) is alonside the pier. The four destroyers are (from left to right): USS Edsall (DD-219); USS Bulmer (DD-222); USS Parrott (DD-218); and USS Stewart (DD-224). From the collection of LCDR Rayborn M. Hall USN who served aboard the USS Bulmer (DD-222) during this period. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
Three images of the crew of the SS Silverhazel after being rescued by the Bulmer in San Bernadino Channel, Philippines, 09 November 1935. The 5300-ton British freighter, en route from San Francisco for Singapore and Bombay, had broken in two after running aground in heavy seas. Four of her crew, including her master were lost; fifty survivors were rescued by Bulmer and Peary (DD-226). From the collection of LCDR Rayborn M. Hall USN, who served aboard the USS Bulmer (DD-222) during this period. | Nancy Hall Anderson |
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137k | Picture entitled Sampan with U.S. Warships and Sailboats, Shanghai, China, 1939. Of interest are the U.S. Destroyers, one of which USS Bulmer (DD-222) is easily identified, shown at left tied up alongside each other. The image is part of : Sir Ellice Victor Elias Sassoon papers and photographs; Series: China and Second Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1939, album. DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University. | Robert Hurst |
Bulmer undergoing refit at Mare Island, 26 August 1942. Photos from the collection of John Dickey. | Ed Zajkowski |
Three view of Bulmer underway off Mare Island Navy Yard, 28 August 1942. Navy photos 5122-8-42, 5123-8-42 and National Archives photo 19-N-33043. | Darryl Baker & Robert Hurst |
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189k | Photo showing early war modifications to the Parrott (DD-218) as completed at Mare Island Navy Yard, 29 August 1942. The inboard ship is the USS Bulmer (DD-222). | Darryl Baker |
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118k | June 1943, location unknown. | Ed Zajkowski |
Seven views of Bulmer at New York Navy Yard, June 1943. Bulmer underwent a brief yard availability there, 11-23 June 1943. | Ed Zajkowski |
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264k | Bows-on view of Bulmer making her way through various harbor craft following an availability at the New York Navy Yard, 23 June 1943. National Archives photo 19-N-47721 | Dave Wright |
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164k | Bulmer at Argentia, Newfoundland, circa late 1943. Offical Navy photo OOR-44774, released for publication 15 February 1944.
| Dave Wright |
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117k | USS Bulmer alongside USCGC Spencer (WPG-36) off New York harbor, 14 April 1944. Both units were operating as escorts for Task Force 62, the escort for Convoy GUS-62. Bulmer was alongside Spencer to transfer papers from 1117-1126. | Robert Hurst |
USS Bulmer (AG-86)
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213k | Undated periscope view, location unknown. | Robert Hurst |
One man died in service aboard and remains on duty
