Robert F. Flemming Jr.

[10] Robert Flemming was working in New York City as a marble cutter when he enlisted in the United States Navy on May 14, 1863.

On the evening of February 17, 1864, Flemming was on watch when he noticed a strange object in the water about 400 feet off the starboard bow.

Taking a closer look, he soon realized that the "log" wasn't floating with the tide, but was actually coming at a high speed toward the Housatonic.

[14] The Housatonic was destroyed by the Confederate States Navy's secret weapon, the submarine H. L. Hunley under the command of Lieutenant George E. Dixon with a crew of seven volunteers.

[15] Flemming then went into business for himself, building and demonstrating his musical instruments from a storefront on Washington Street in Boston.

[4] After 1900, Robert Flemming retired to his home in Melrose, Massachusetts, where he continued to give lessons and perform at various functions.