Charles Quinby

Charles Fenton Mercer Spotswood Quinby (October 6, 1899 – January 4, 1988) was an American competition swimmer who competed for the U.S. Naval Academy, and represented the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. At the Olympics, Quinby competed in the 400-meter breaststroke, but did not advance to the finals. Serving thirty-five years as an Officer with the Navy, he was a WWI and WWII Naval veteran, who commanded the USS Sitka in 1945, and served primarily in the roles of an instructor for officers, engineer and administrator. He held the rank of Captain when he retired in 1952.

Charles Fenton Mercer Quinby was born October 6, 1899 in Norfolk, Virgina to John Gardner Quinby and Lucy Page Spotswood. Charles's father John Quinby attended the US Naval Academy and rose to the rank of Captain.

1920 Antwerp Olympics Quinby participated with the U.S. Swimming team at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, where he competed in the qualifying heats of the men's 400-meter breaststroke and was trained and managed by US Olympic Head Swimming Coach George Kistler. Kistler, an English born distance champion, served for thirty years as the swimming coach at the University of Pennsylvania. On August 23, 1920, Quinby finished fourth in his preliminary Olympic heat but did not advance, and his time was not recorded. Hakan Malmot of Sweden won the gold medal in the event with a time of 6:31.8 finishing comfortably ahead of the silver medalist. Sweden's Thor Henning won the Silver medal with a time of 6:45.2, and Finland's Arvo AAltonen took the bronze with a time of 6:48.0. The event was never again contested in the Olympics, as it was replaced by shorter distances for the breaststroke.

Naval service Quniny was a thirty-five year veteran of the US Navy, serving in both WWI and WWII. He served as an Engineer and Instructor during his Naval Service. After graduating Annapolis, from 1921-1923 he served on the battleship USS Oklahoma, and the USS Cincinnati in 1924. He worked as a Naval Instructor at the University of Washington's Reserve Officer's Training department until around 1941-42. Initially serving in officer training in WWII, he was put in charge of the command of Southwest England's Naval Amphibious Bases, and from 1943-4 was in charge of the Naval Advance Base in Plymouth, England. At the end of WWII, he commanded the attack transport, USS Sitka, and later served with the First Naval District where he assisted the Chief of Staff beginning in 1946. In June, 1952 he retired from the Navy, living briefly in Kittery, Maine.