The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-29

| Surgeon w. s. w. Rusehenbsrger,
Professor William Chauvenst,
And approved by the Secretary of the Navy, is now
in cssssful operation, and is destined to reflect
honor and credit, not oaly the country, but upon
all who have been instrumental in its advancement.
During the 6rst week in October last, the
candidates for admission in the Navy a. midship-
men, for the present year, were received; these
young gentlemen had been selected agreeably to q
late act of Congress from the several States and
ritories. OF the number who presented themselves,
| sixty five passed the academic and medical ex-
animation, and were entered as "Acting midship.
men" About one hundred midshipmen and acting
midshipmen are now pursuing their studies at this
academy.
The officers at present attached to the institution
| are
| c. X StriblinR, Commander and Superintendent
| Thomas l. Craven, Lieutenant and Commander
| Daniel 8. Green, Surgeon.
| George Jones, Chaplain. ...
| William Chauvenst, Professor of Mathematics.
Samuel Marcy, Acting Master and Assissan mt
| Professor of Mathematics.
William r. Buckner, Passed Midshipman, and
| Assistant Professor Of Mathematics:
| James Armstrong, Passed Midshipman, and
! Assistant Professor Of Mathematics.
Henry H. Lockwood, Professor of Gunnery and
| Infantry Tactics.
| sistant in Infantry Tactics.
William F. Hopkins. Professor of Mathematics
| and Elk perrin entail Philosophy.
Alexander M. De Bree, Passed Midshipman and
Assistant.
Joseph E. Nourse, Professor of Ethics.
Alfred II. Barber, Assistant Professor Of Ethics.
Arsene N. Girault, Professor Of Modern Ian
Edward Seager, Instructor of Drawing and of
Defence.
William M. Chauvenet, Assistant in French.
Edward A. Roget, Assistant in Spanish
James h. Howison, Secretary.
Cornelius Stribling. Clerk to Superintendent
Thoma Karney, Clerk to Navy Agent.
Henry P. Leslie, Carpenter.
Before entering into general sketch Of the
institution as it now exists, brief history
of its rise and progress will not be uninter-
estipg. The first attempt to establish o naval
academy, having for its model the Military
Academy at West Point, and eventually to
assume tho same position as regards the navy
that that school does to the army, was made during
the administration of President Polk BY Mr. Ban
croft, Secretary of the Navy, in the fall Of 1915
The site selected was old Fort Severn military
post at Annapolis, Md, which was accordingly
transferred from the War to the Navy Depart
ment, and ommsnder Franklin Buchanan sp-
pointed superintendent When the transfer of the
property was made, the buildings attached to the
Post old and in great me ASSURE unsuitable for
their proposed use while the at the disposal
of the Department for Improvements were exceed
ingly limited. Upon Captain Buchanan devolved
the arduous duty Of organizing the new institution
Applying himself imme diately to the task confdsd
to him, he, by his unremitting exertions, energy
nd perseverance, soon overca the many OBJ
stacles by which he was surrounded; and, in the
course of o MONTH succeeded in rendering II fit for
the reception of the class Of midshipmen Of 1870
| then coming forward to study for their examine
tion-the various officers, professors, &c were ap-
pointed and entered upon their respective duties,
| and thus was laid the foundation Of the Nagal
| Academy at Annapolis. In connection with this
part Of the subject, it is but doing justice to Cap
| tain Buchanan to say, that to his admirable ma
| nagement at the outset, are We indebted FOR the
ultimate success of the institution. in the under
taking he was most ably sustained, not only By the
officers and professors under him, but by a large
| majority Of the midshipmen, comprising the dates
Of $780, 1911, and 1872, who were the frst to avail
| themselves Of the benefits Of the institution.
| Captain Buchanan remained at the head Of the
Naval AGA DENY until the early part Of lsiI, when,
having been ordered TO the comm and OF the sloop-
| OF war Germantown, he was succeeded By Comman.
der George p. Upshur During the administration
of this highly meritorious officer the large class OF
| midshipmen belonging to the date Of lSil, passed
| ;heir fina! exa nination; among them are some OF
the finest officers in the service. Captain Upshur
detached in 1850 at the expiration Of his term
| cfseryice. Commander G. X, Stribliag, the pre-
sent superintendent, took his place Thi. officer
enjoys high reputation in the service, FER lis pro-
fesonal knowledge, as well as his moral and social
| department.
Since the first establishment of the academy,
several houses and lots which adjoined the former
| military station, have been purchased. and the
ground now occupied cover, an area Of fifteen
The old buildings have been enlarged and repaired
aud new ones added All the new houses which
have been, and are being, built are plain AID sub
comprise the residences of the Superintendent and
| the officers connected with the academy, Mess
ball. and Lyceum the recitation hall. in which Il
contained very valuable philosophical apparatus,
plete; also, skeleton model Of the engine Of sea
steamer. The quarters assigned to TIE midship.
men are three neat brick edidces, well arranged
and ventilated, with all the appliances necessary 70
add to their health and comfort The sod fort
bas been remodeled. and an additional story rooted
over, added 10 tits interior presenting the p
| pearsnce Of the gun. deck Of a frigate. battery
OF six twenty four Founders has been mounted, a:
which the midshipmen are exercised in guuaery
| ard target practice. Ia bad weather, fencing aad
other military exercises carried within this
building, II being very large and roomy. Amoaq
the new buildings row being erected. are a labo-a
tory ard observatory, which are mach waited
The parade ground is spacious, and kept in Ga
order In its centre stsnds beautiful marbl,
monument, erected by the passed asd other mid
shipmen Of the navy, to the memory Ct Passed Mid
shipmen Clemson ard HynsOn, who we're los. II
the brig Somers; and Midshipma an Shubrick, kilie:
at the naval battery during the bonbardmen. 9
Vera Cruz. A fne park Of "light artillery,
brass six FOUNDERS, attracts attentioa. The mid
shipmtn are here Instructed In ieli arsiiisry ma
Leuvres, and are also daily drilled as Infantry
thus the graduates of this academy no. only be
come sailors, but soldiers. Tue necessity for sucl
knowledge has often been felt, when .as officers ani
men Of cur navy have had 10 operate o. lJad
At anchor in the river Severn, opposite ths lassi
tuition, lies the practice ship-tae sloop Of wat
PEBBLE. During the past summer she made a cruis'
along our coast, with forty midshpmeu on bead
teal part Of their profession. Il is intended II
future, to embark the students Of the academy o.
board this vessel "for instruction IA seamanshiI
and gunnery, at such times as the academic boar
may recommend, aud the Secretary Of the Navy
may direct"