New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-08
NAVAL academy, ANNAPOLIS.

REPORT OF BOARD OF vIsIToRs-HIGHER STANDARD
OF REQUIREMENTS RECoMMENDED-GUNNERY-
SANITARY CONDITION, ETC. ETC.
The report of the Board of Visitors TO the Naval
Academy Annapolis has recently been made public by
the Navy Department The Board consisted OF Rear Ad
niral G. r. Pearson, L. s. N; Commodore Daniel b.
Ridciey T. s. n; Capt John c. Howell u S. n; Surgeon
William Pinckney, u. s. N; Paymaster John Hambleton
H. b. Anthony, X. l.. the Hon. Alex. Rice Mass; the
Hon g. Fox, New-llampshire the Hon VIM plI WI
1t is recommended that higher standard of attain
Academy for report says THE greatest obstacle TO
the complete of the Institution arises from the
portion those who sent TO the Academy for adms
sion; and the statistics OF failure (Which have been mere
toore deliberately colated), both to enter and sustain
themselves after entering show this ey 10 be OF SO grave
character that the Board present Win earnessss ana
hcaons be raised and that II be adhered To- In view
the great privileges which tn9 acsae a
10 the whole. who can under any circumstance. ENJOY
Them and OF the important consideration. that To
those who are here educated must be largely nnlsted
the honor and defense OF the nation IN future cohHcis
We think ought 10 demand that candidate shall Dc
admitted the Academy who Is not 10 least thoroughly
instructed in reading, writing arithmetic English gram
mar and the History Of the United States, 90 be
able to commence Immediately with algebra ana the
THESE requirements d not exceed the qualifications
for entering the ordiny high schools OF the country and
are easily attained by boys Of common intelligence at the
age OF II years How limited even these Requirements
are Will be in contrast with those adopted AT the
French Imperial Naval school az Bfest Nhclt the mh
for admission Is the same as az the Naval Acid-
emynamely, u years.and the maximum one year Isss
than here or II years There ~ required i9r hG'son
into the French school knowledge OF arithmetic, aige-
bra, geometry, plane tr1gonometry applsd
natural philosophy, chemistry, geography INC hhbuah
language, and dHiWlng 49,.
which have worked wei IN many instances WI DC gen
orally adopted this system is unsuiied 10 Oonges
siona Districts covering large eAteht oi ieioy ,
Board of opinion moreover that IL NVuu l,oI iiy
meet the requirements OF the case even II were gen
orally adopted, because Of the difference Ia the views
aud knowledge among the local eAauntls niu s .iy
reach the conclusion that security against unht can
didates will soonest De found IN the establishment
OF n proper standard Of qualifications, and Ia making
the decisions Of the regular Examining Board maj
They also recommend that besde the usual board OF doc
tors and professors who examine candidates FOR admis
sion the Academy, two naval officers be appointed 20
naval service Several changes recommended ~ the
curriculum OF the studies pursued az the Academy which
are not particularly important as for Instance the sug
geson that chemistry should be taught IN tue depart
ment OF philosophy &C. IA. board spk w. feis iS,G
shipmen Of becoming acquainted Win the pIacuca work
ing OF the steam engine IL Is recommended lha heie
be annually appointed from among the graduates Of the
various scientific schools small class OF acting third
assistant engineers VINO shall De ordered 20 te ASady
and the results are OF a fattering character.
The Board recommend that greater attention be paid
Gin Inv the operation of the act of Congress Of
March be reduced 10 about half the present mum
ber greater facilities he afforded To individual mem
OF the higher divisions OF the several classes TO pur
sue special studies beyond the limits Of the ordinary
course They recommend that the instructors 40 the
Academy shall when competent, be retained In their
posons years and that whenever vacancies Oc
cur they shall filled by the selection OF Naval officers,
and their respective terms OF service shall be 80
arranged make the fewest possible simultaneous
changes The Board speak high terms Of the general
the Academy and suggest the purchase OF
additional land for officers quarters as large number
of officers are compelled 10 reside without the Academy
walls IL IL also recommended that breach-Oaders be
substituted for the old pattern muskets at present In
use. The culinary department OF the Academy
il reported 70 be ia very satisfactory con
dition, and the health OF the mdshipmen Ia
generally very good. owing 70 their gynnasuc ana
other sports In which they allowed 10 indulge such
as ball boating and dancing The report closes with
a warm commentator OF Vice Admiral Porter. Accom-
panyng the report OF the Board OF Visitors the report
OF Committee consisting Of Surgeon Plnckney and the
Hon. W. A. Darling of the sanitary condition OF the
Academy This Committee speak In high terms OF the
cleanliness of the quarters and ships attached to the
Academy but recommended additional hospital accom-
modaOns as they consider the present entirely made
quate They also report that the midshpmen are now
five rooms while only three four have but two
inmates About 100 mdshipmen it will be remembered.
shpboard. The present buildings are unsafe,
badly ventilated and inadequate. This IL an EVIL TOO pat
en to need 10 be made clearer by argument IL speaks
for itself IL demands the prOmptest redress More hhn
two should never be placed IN one ROOM ana the SICK
should be mixed up with the well" IL Is also
recommended that Increased facilities for bathing and
learning TO swim be afforded the mdshipmen and that
for this purpose bathing and swimming tank 100 feet
long and 90 feet wide be provided and recommend that
compliment the Surgeon duty at the Academy.