Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-25
NAVY REFORM BOARD.

Lieutenant Orlando, Of the Powhatan, who
so greatly distinguished himself BY gallant con-
duct in the recent fight with the Chinese pi-
rates, is one Of the officers retired by the Naval
Board as unfit for sea service"
All men are liable to err, but the members
Of the Navy Board seem to have been more
liable to error than the bulk Of mankind. We
scarcely open a newspaper that does not point
to some mistake committed by them. There
is a general complaint about their proceedings.
That much Of this complaint Is well founded
we have not doubt We believe that many
Of the officers who have fallen under their ban
are among the most intelligent, gallant, and
efficient in our navy, whilst others who escaped
through their fingers ought to have been re-
duced.
We learn from our exchanges, as indeed
from private sources, that strong effort will
be made to correct the mistakes and repair the
injustice, unintentional no doubt, committed
by the Board.
That many complain who have no just cause
Of complaint we feel assured Such q body
even as our navy, distinguished as it is for
courage, intelligence, and character, cannot
claim TO be free from unworthy members.
Such are found even in the sacred desk and on
the bench Of justice. But we may hope that
the Board had few such cases to decide.
They no doubt pronounced their condemna-
tions more for ineficiency than for want Of
character. What constitutes ineficiency is
sometimes hard 10 determine. 1t appears that
the Board found it very hard. Indeed, some
great blunders we're made By it in its decisions
on this question. Lieutenant Orlando was
fighting Chinese pirates like lion, while the
Board was calmly deciding him to be inefii.
Gent We are pleased 10 learn that some Of
the mistakes Of the Board have been correct
ed-as will appear from the following article,
taken from the Baltimore american:
Lieutensnts Mamt and RoIando.
"Those familiar with the services Of the
country Of these two excellent officers, will be
pleased to learn that although among those
furloughed by the Retiring Board, Lieutenant
John NJ. Mafit has been re-instated in his com
mand Of the Coast Survey, and that Lieutenant
Rolando will probably he also restored to his
position Of active service. The approval BY
the President and Secretary Of The Navy Of
the whole action Of the Board, we are pleased
toobserye, has not prevented them from remedy.
ing such acts Of injustice as may be brought
conclusively to their attention. Lieutenant
Rolando is now on service on the steamer
Powhattan, and but recently distinguished him.
SELF and was wounded in battle with Chinese
pirates. With regard to the past services and
present efficiency Of Lieutenant Maiiit there i
no dispute. His charts Of Cape Fear Entrance
and river, Of Hatteras Cove and inlet Of Beau.
fort Harbor and Cape Lookout, Of Georgetown
Harbor and Roman Shoals Of Charleston Har.
Dor and Rattlesnake Shoals, Of North Edisto,
Of Port Royal and Beaufort, 5. c.; Of Tybee
Entrance and Savannah river, are uurivalled
works Of science and photography, whilst his
ability as an officer has never been questioned.
Unless be was furloughed on account Of the
extensive services he has performed there
could doubtless have been no other reasonable
cause. lie is still a young man, and we learn
that Professor A. y. Bache, the superintendent
Of the Coast Survey, not only joined most
heartily In the successful efforts for his rein.
statement, but regarded his loss to the service
as one that could not be supplied