The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-08

ACCIDENTAL injuries and OF these two diseases wS
which the patents had suffered for years On the Mon
tauk for a period OF hundred and sixty Eve dsy.
prior the 2sth Of May 1885, there one case a.
disease board Other vessels exhibit equally remark
any squadron throughout the can sLov
equal immunity from disease The facts and table,
presented are worthy OF careful study.
NAVAL ACADEMY
The number OF midshpmen at the Naval Academy II
seecng cand dates is in many respects Objectionable
Of the enlisted boys those who from choice beake them
selves TO the seas and nurured in the navy, only
three are permitted annually to to the Academy Few
of the multitude OF boys who have inclination ana
aptitude for the naval service obtain tho important
advantage OF public education or those who annually
present themselves under the present system one-fh
fail 10 pass satisfactory physical mental mnation
mission Nearly thirty three per cent fail the rst wear
and finally only about twenty i've per cent Of thooo
who enter the academy graduate In consequence q
this OF things the great wants OF the service In the
junior grades Of officers have been poorly supplied foe
the academy has only graduated class averaging yearly
money appropriated for naval education Is thus wased
chiefly in consequence Of the defective system OF ssec
The Board Of Visitors 1864 instituted some search
ing inquiries 10 ascertain whether the requirements
that Do "A
buabe to that cause but that many OF the boys had
neither the mental nor physical qualities TO s them 6
Competitive examination in each Of the CongresionsI
Districts which shall be open TO all boys under proper
animation would probably establish the mental pref
cheney of the candidate which, however, might DO the
result premature development The less accompanies
scholar whose powers may not DO fully developed.
might nevertheless possess mental and physical or
ganizaon better adapted TO the service which weuid
make him moro eligible pupil and better navel
officer. ~
The government should have training for It's naval
officers boys Of good mental capacity and the best phys
cal development These are not obtained under the
present system. Ihaye elsewhere suggested tie expdl
Of an the o. nu nm
senal districts the selection TO be made from those who
possess both tho physical and mental qualities that NJ
them for the position
In dispensing with vessels propelled wholly by saila
from tho list of regular war has become neces
sary the future officer in the principles
and practice Of steam engnery separate department.
having this object In view, has been established at the
Naval Academy under the management and direction Of
Chief Engineer william W. w. Wood assisted by eight
Others who charged with the duty OF teaching tho
midshipmen not only the theory Of the steam engine.
but, indicated In my last report Its actual manpulA
ton Sufficient experiments and progress have already
been made in running the engines OF the vessels attached
partment to perseyerc in its purpose OF perecrg tho
education Of the future limo officers, by making thsm
competent in aadiuon 70 their other requirements y
The management Of manof war in gale, on q lee
battle by sailing vessels have hitherto been the hehest
and proudest duties OF thorough naval oifcer The
skifnl disposition Of the sails which was the result q
the best training of the old school, Is longer
sary, except auxiliary TO the new motive power
which modern invention and science have int oducel
The naval vessel is no longer dependent on the wsdA
nor is she the mercy Of currents; but the motive
power which propels and controls her movements b
provided he is master Of his profession in the IA
| ture, he has been In The past To retain
the prominence which six. skin and %. oducas.os
important accomplishment the line officer must b
qualified to guide and direct this element power
Unless he has these qualities he will be dependent o.
the knowledge ard skill Of him who manpulates and d.
reefs tae engine To oonfne himself TO seamanship with
out tho ability TO manage tho steam engine, will result n
his taking secondary position as compared with THAI
which the accomplished naval officer formerly occupied
For tho full desslormsnt and acoomplshmSns o. :.
pertinent the active cooperation Of naval officers % re-
quirod When this change is effected engineers will BE-
the designers and constructors Of engines and ether
marine works, and tho supenntendens Of the mechani
cal employment which navy propelled by steam has
reality highly educated and scientific corps and -
lire officers VIII have added 70 their duties the praccal
--'' LOCATION on rHE NAVAL AoADnn
| The Naval Academy which at the beginning OF the
rebelnon removed TO Newport, Rhode Island WA
in conformity with OF Congress- retransfered -
| Annapolis in September last Commodore Biake, WIS
was in 1861 continued In charge Of ~
| school SO long as Il remained at Newport
On tho return Of tho school Annapolis Rear Adml
Porter appointed superintendent and under his Inn
which had been seriously impaired while occupied fos
military purposes were repaired and made ready for u
reception Of tho midshipmen end academic stat
Many Inconvenience attended the temporary sojoura
Newport yet when the uncertain md unsettled slate
Of affairs taken into consideration the selection Of tAa
place for the purpose required perhaps fortunate
Tho academic grounds belonging 70 tho government =
Annapolis include only twenty acres wholly
insufficient tho school, Their situation in the heas
OF city also SUBJECTS the youths 70 temptations fFon
which, at that period OF life desirable they should
Fort severn the INCONVENIENCE ana Objections a.
present themselves may not have boon experienced
but In tho present and prospective condition OF our
naval power the idea Of permanently establishing
tiona institution Of this character these restricted
| grounds where large expenditures must be made n
cannot seriously entertained by any who shall gv0
the subject candid and deliberate consideration These
are over 800 connected with the Military Academy
at West Point and there should not DO less ~
In order that there may be suitable and appropriate
accommodations ut the academy, much TO be done and
large expenditure Of money 70 DO made. The school
was originally designed for hundred and eighty mid
strucors but the been increased until there
are now authorized by law nvc hundred and sixtystK
deme siam There are but rooms in the he pre-
ont quartcrs Of the midshpmen, and each room Is n
tended for two occupants The buildings are defective
in many respects and were originally hastily and mpse
Commodore Blake, the late Intelligent superintendent
carefully prepared statement estimates the cost a.
the buildings improvements which viii DO required
Annapolis in order 70 make the institution acccptaose
ton that this ar amount and even much larger sum
must be ultimately appropriated for the academy but
cannot be considered wise or expedisnt TO make this N
vcstment within tho and confined VIII oh the
government possesses at Annapolis. No amount q
| money which Congress may expend in buildings and
improvements NJ that location will be satisfactory and
a no distant dny different and better site will be
cured This should not DO delayed True economy and
the best interests OF the government prompt an imine
daio selection Of the best position that be obtained
before any greater expense shall have boon incurred n
large and costly edicos and other sabantiai improve
| mcnts
| The importance Of procuring at the beginning ~
before making further outlay best attainable Loo
ton for the academy s worthy the serious attention
Congress-
There are several places on the shores Of Chesapeake
Bay where ample grounds be procured al moderas
rnce-paces which combine all the required advantages
and which are relieved from the serious and insurmount
able ,dicultos which attach 70 the present location
The government there possess itself or ample ara
| not only for permanent structures, but for suoh
|. other arrangements as . national naval academy
NAV require which viii be alike crcditabls
and useful 70 the country honor to the governeut
and as eudurablc as the Union itself Instead Of e.
pending more money IN attempts 70 improve the misea
one that shall embacc II possible OF at lead
two thousand acrcs which shall not be In tho immediate
i.ioA