The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-27

The United STATE. NAVAL Academy.
ovR ANkAroIIs c0uxssrosDxscx. "A
ANNAPOLIS, June 10, 1880.
yxs June Termination Of TIE Pupils-C1a Of V,siters
Frssem,-Recepton Of the Secretary Of the Nary and he
Scia, Board Of Yisiters BY tAs kidsAipmsn-Pr Proficiency
q tAs Aoademicians in As7iavy observation-disclosures
nth Heary Field and Hccitsr Artillay-Dipcm~
Awarded TO TIE Gvadudts--Ssccimd Sketch q the
Speech If Cswmodove Lauallcte, &C., Ar. sll.l
Tho June examinaaiou q tho Naval Academy has just
been brought a satisfactory conclusion and Is worthy
Of public notice. evidence Of the character and im
q pcrtsnee Of this national institution g 1lg sl,J
Il Is customary 10 devote the opening day 70 ntHAFys
exercise, which always attract crowd OF aAmirng
spectators On this occasion the picturesque grounds of
the academy hrouged with vsters Of both sexes,
and Was remarked that commencement day had never
been 50 briuant Tue "best and fares were,
in the MAJORITY aad Av ishsd their smiles upon bachelors
OF every age with naivcts that highly conmcndase
The Secretary Of the Navy and the Naval Board os
Visitors arrived about ten A NJ, and were escorted By
the superintendent Captain q. L. Bake to the parade
grornd, where upwards Of two hundred midshipmen
were drawn up under 10 receive them Ater the
usual inspection Of battalion exercised by its
commanding officer, and Afterwards by Mdshlpman
OKAne Of tho graduating class, wheae skill IN COM
rnand won general admiration. The several companies
seemed ~ with each other in sodery bearing and
al the movements executed with great precision
To the unnistsd this exercise may appear to have no
connection with the naval service But Is to be re-
membered that the Of ships cf war are SOME
times required 70 operate on Shore they cannot be
effective without some knowledge Of infantry tactics
The mdshpmen arc carefully instructed n ta Prsncn o.
crew ana gratifying know that their success in
the performance Of this duty the subject Of many OH
Tie gunnery exercise which followed was sti more in.
terretng In view Of It's direct bearing upon the efficiency
Of our navy Gunncry tho most Important feature Of
the naval service and all tho maritime nations q the
world are struggling for superiority 10 the manufacture
and use the heavy gun 10 fact, all the talent and ex.
ertcns q naval men are directed towards this point and
at nov conceded the introduction OF steam, that
the nation which possesses the best guns aud the most
skfu runncrs win DO able to naval supremacy
II is consong reflect that this subject is receiving, in
our country, tho attention which ~ deserves. me
Academy and the uidshpmen by constant EXERCISE are
made familiar with the use Of this formidable weapon
battery OF heavy thirty Founders Is worked by them
with the greatest ease the firing highly creditable
70 them the officer who has charge OF this depart
neut The guns run in and out, Shifted loaded,
pointed and red with rapdity and precision every shot
being in the line a. and several passing through the TAR
Which wss psssS :. ,ne sad Ro,rd IF ySss
ceeded the school ship Plymouth This vessel is the
home OF the fourth class for during which time
they become perfectly familiar with thing relating
20 the rigging sails &c, Of ship. They were Exercised
IN ioosenng and furug sail and the Secretary was much
pleased with their agility aud skill After inspecting the
slip the com pany adjourned to the superintendent
house where sumptuous rcpast prepared for his
guests Aner refreshing the inner man, the company
dispersed and tho secretary Of the Navy returned
THE ned artillery boat howtzer and sword exercises
took place Il intervals during examination IL was
evident that tho midshpmen could WELD effectively, in
attack defence, every weapon placed In their hands
The battery Of field guns, composed Of six brass six
pomders With corresponding caissons was manou fred
By the midshpmen in harness, and the various
uents OF advancing by sections, fronting into column
changing ffont advancing and nrng with hall battery
&c, were executed with astonishing speed
Tho boat howitzcr was exercised by crew OF active
young midshipucn, some Of whom tugged at tho oars
while others loaded and fired the gun rapidly posi-
Bile Then The order was given az. 70 land the gun and
fred In minute aud few seconds The proectiles used
shell and shrapnc and each discharge Of the latter
tore the surce Of the water showing the terrible e
feet with which this weapon can be used against small
The exhibition in the fencing hall very Interesting
IN view Of the personal antastnism involved There the
midshipmeu were fairly ptted against each other, and
spirit was w go mat nstvsd .nss arms and sns,psnsd
swords, and pitched into each other
With rapid thrust ana skui parry, they welded both
shses s1hausson NOBODY was dsarmed, nor vas ,here
drsp Of blood spilled; but there display Of psss
gentlemen merit and reputation due solely
exertsons, understand the value Of such
education the mdehpmen OF the present day receive
at the Naval Academy and their testimony its favor
the strongest proof Of It's Importance 10 the service and
The examination of the glasses in the various branches
OF study occupied several days, and The programme was
concudd by the presentation OF certntcs TO the gradu
aing class This ceremony took place in the yceum OF
abe academy, which contains great many captured nss
othrr naval trophies. When thu graduates
scbled Commodore Iavalctte, President Of tho Board
Of Visitors 70 address them In few earnest
tences he described the dhculties of hts early
aud his mode Of overcoming them he showed the advan
tagcs OF mental culture and discipline; he alluded his
services the Of 1872 and 10 tho distinguished
tans under whom he served and pointing 10 The trophies
OF their valor reminded the graduates that they also
might be called upon 10 defend their oountrys Tag and
that their whole career should be preparation for that
hizh trust. ...,. .0H.I
Al the Close OF the Commodore address, the Supcrntcud
handed the certificates TO the graduating class
berng twenty nve members, and presented beautiful
sword 10 Mtshpnan Stuyvesant Of Ohio, reward for
having the hrst position in his class, and In
certye 10 future exertous. These young gentlemen will
portuny VIII be afforded them Of becoming practical
sailors. Afer cruise OF two years aud hall they will
return 10 the Academy FOR hna examination and then
they win be free 70 climb tho ladder of fame without check
w hindrance. Tho third class have gone homo leave
and the second and fourth classes viii sail few days
for the usral summer cruise.
In taking leave OF this subject, VIII remark that the
kavn Academy, although an institution Of the highest
importance has received that share of popular
cognton and appreciation 10 which IL Is fairly entitled
service viii DC moro cicicnt in peace and In war
guided by the lights cf science this principle harmonic
,ng with the spirit OF the aslcd In and out
the p~ofsssion and this hostility did NOT until the
good effects q tho system too pslpabe to be
overlooked. The Academy Is now in conditioned reflect
honor the country IL has already cxorriscd healthy
influence upon the service bv filling the lower grades with
disciplined and cultivated young officers who will be in
etumcut IN ecyaiing the standard Of professional skill
II f. IN fact the basis OF naval establishment aud
Abe day VIII come when II will be honored and cherished
b. the whole country