North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-12-13

important change has been made in the plan o
education, so as to require continued course o
study of four years at the academy, without going
to sea except that the vacation of three months
each year is spent in cruise in the practice ship
the former course requiring two years at the acad
emy, three at sea, and then two more at the acad
emy. A class of fifty acting midshipmen was adj
mitted in October last and will constitute the first
class to which this new system will apply. 1t is
now believed that for all the purposes of naval edu
cation the academy affords advantages equal to
those for military education ut West Point; and
under the efficient command of the present super
intendent, Commander Stribling, it is hoped that
these advantages will be fully realized.
The expedency of appointing ten midshipmen'
to be made L" at large" is again urged.
The Naval Observatory and Autographed VI
fee have been in active operation during the year.
A second volume of Astronomical Observations has
been published The wind and current charts
planned by Lieutenant Maury, the Superintendent
of the Observatory, are being extended to the Pa
ciic and Indian oceans. This work has materially
shortened the passage along the highways by which
our commerce passes into and through the south
ern hemisphere bringing the ports OF those distant
parts of the world-some ten days, and some sew
eral weeks nearer to than before. A letter from
the Superintendent of the Observatory states the
important fact that vessels sailing from the Allan
tic to the Pacific ports of the United States with
the instructions afforded by these charts, make the
voyage in forty days less, upon the average, than
those sailing without them; and that there
son to hope the time may be still further reduced
The reports of 1t. ellis, the Nautical Almanac
of 1t. Davis, and the experiments OF Professors
Page and Espy, are referred to, as well as the
success and condition of our numerous mail steam
ers.
The sum required for the support of the Navy
and Marine corps for the year ending June 30 1853,
is estimated at $S.54O,693 O8, of which $2,694,-
22O 80 is for special objects. The sum estimated
for the Navy and Marine corps last year was S.
9OO 621, and for special objects $2,21O,98O. There
is an excess therefore, in the present estimates of
$473, 24O 80, which is occasioned by the addition
of pay for increased service in the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company directed by the act of the
last session of Congress, the completion of the dry
dock in California, and some additions under the
head of Improvements in navy yards, buildings and
The total expenditures of the Department, dur
NC the year, have been SO, O44, 597 IL, of which
So, 1887 81 was for special objects.
The establishment of Bakery in New York. for
he use of the Navy, is recommended, as is also
he repeal of the law prohibiting communication i'll
money for stopped rations.
The recommendation of the Chief of the Bureau
# Medicne and Surgery for the investment in pro-
luctve stocks of the navy hospital fund.- and for
etiring from the list of effective surgeons all the
tficers of that corps who are permanently untitled
Or duty, and supplying their places by new appoint
nents provision required in every grade OF the
ervce, are commended to early action, and an
preparation asked to rebuild barracks at the
arious stations for the Marine corps.
The Secretary closes his report by recommend
1g the establishment of an additionala Bureau, to
e termed the Bureau of Orders and Discipline, to
Ihich shall be assigned the communication of Or
ers and Instructions touching naval service and
iscipine, and the receipt and preservation or dis
,bution of returns and reports pertaining to the
ame in analogy to the duties required of the Ad-
liant Generals Office in the Department of War.