The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-05-22
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
Sailing Exercises on Board tho
Sloop Marion.
The Proficiency OF the Midshlpmqn In
Seamanship,
&c., &C.. 30.

Our Naval Academy Correspondence
NEWPORT, II. l. Nay 20, 1908
The day dawned UPON oaln and berutifui; Out INC
clouds bespoke for US early IN tse day. WINE INC
aiucs promised fine day Tor the exercise VI e
young goat the various evoiu'sns Oh ooa'o "P
AZ nine O'Clock the Board convened al 'ne Aqu'dneoA
House. and prooeeded wharf accompanied by seve-
rs, .r.s WHARF they embarked BOARD Of the sssam
naer Fanny and started for he sailing sloop ofwar
Mrs,a uere propi,,ous day could not have been SO
lsea and Is We gided over tho smooth and spacious
Of tho harbor every one folt nvgorated ~ the
freshness aui purtyo the air. delightful sail o. Anew
minutes brought TO the Marion which lay At anchor
of The brexwa,er with the FIRST second and third classes
OF n,ishpmen board, who were to be exercised In
practical eeamanship.
ON reaching the vessel the blue flag the Admiral was
hosted the mizen, guard drawn up TO reosive u.s.
an amid thereof OF the drum and shri whistle OF the
soa,swan at the gangwsy the distinguished party was
ushered on board.
The midshpnen were dressed In neat blue flannel
jumpers rovershrs and looked ruddy and hearty, and
as they would be able surprise some OF their visitors
with their proficiency in the details Of handling vessel
In, deck wac in charge Of Midshpman Cooper, whose
G. n,msndng Gone and ofcerke actions tho esteem
Of entse party OF visitors
After the party was fairly on board, all hands were
called to .,up anchor" the messenger placed, and
y
"heave round" tho aier gave tune and time to the
micss,pmen at the capstan, who brought up the
chais TO shacke which TO be slipped at the proper
tine
orders were gvento loose the sails, and as nimbe
as cas- the young gentlemen mounted the hammock
uettlngs and the words "ay aoft, the rigging was
Instantly eackened with the sprghtly fellows, who
went to their stations aoit in fine style. Sails were
oused sheeted home and hoisted up in
surprisingly space Of time, the cable slipped and
the yards trimmed that only very few minutes had
sla ised the party came on board before the ship
was fairly under weigh, with everything set, from
c. uises to royals. The ship was unmoOred sail made
and the battery secured with the least confusion noise
one ca imagine. midshipman gave the orders, which
were executed entirely by other midshipmen. Their
stations the sailors on board OF men ofwar,
comprising master ships corporal, coxswsins,
quarermasters quartegunners, captains OF forecaste
tv,s afterguard and OF hold messenger boys &c.
way they practically the duties Asvolving
up6. who I'LL those places in actual service.
sui return to the cruse-short, t true, but none
the interesting After running up the channel 20 as
ledge Of rocks the yards braced up and
the ship brought TO the wind bowline and standing
tar the water would permit, she tackled,
which evolution was done in truly fine manner. We
then stood until the pro ximty Of the
land made necessary 10 "go about" again. when she
again put stays Just she came up head TO the
wind she refused to 60 further, and the ship
acted as ii SIZE desired TO get in but by the skill
tul OF the mdshipman In charge the vessel
caused to make board and the yards braced
w the desired tack The performance or this e,ou
gave highest all Of the visitors
who were acquainted with nautical movements.
Various evoutions gone through with skill and
with rapidly quite In keeping with the true idea Of
man o-war style. In time the royals were clewed up
and iure then the topgaant sails handed and the
dying glib slowed. lew short lacks brought up 70
eha uafE tpA lSatpn
able the yards checked In and all hands called
street opsals" The halyards, bracers reefackler and
stacked away and reefackles hauled out, buntlines
hauled up, booins iced and the youngsters laid aiot
was quickly aih skllfuly executed and showed that
they have been schooed for storm as well rs for sun
shine
The reader must bear in mind that practical seaman
ship innot be learned from bQVk Rpd nothing but
actual service on deck and aloft will or Can ever
"a seaman and when Il is borne In mind that
the severity Of the winter prevents much Of outdoor drill
The performances Of the mdshpmen tbs morning 20 TO
so .s. theg themselves are interested IN tReif pro-
studes and that their instructors well
qualified for their position and DESTROYS 10 make those
under their care Proficient In their profession
" This fact is illustrated by an incident which occurred
the slanker lost his cap overheard bat was called
away and Incredibly short space Of time the port
boat fully manned, was lowered and despatched
10 pick up the article Had 1t been person instead Of
cp the result would have the 1t was saved.
III is this trning served show how readily the
vessel aid to- TO ower the boat and the evolution
Necessary 70 again pick up the boat.
Ter lie SAINT sail around Goat Island we returned 10
our anchorage aichoring lnder sail. Az hands were
calf d 10 muster and forming On the nurt side OF
a ,ew words, M which he Communicated them highly
tur their qiice like bearing and skful seamanshp He
useS 'nem we aesne 70 euilsac INC san.se ,s
OF me ts,rd OF ysors thanked hem for the excellent
cs3qst se cups which they had manifested
The visitors embarked In the tender and proceeded
20 the city and rounded under the bow OF the Ma
hearty cheers which returned by those board OF
t,ta