The New York herald., 1869-06-03
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.

eacoi EXERCISES In Spars-Preparataons ior
the Baii-An Excursion 20 the Country Seat
Of hlr. Albert, of Baltimore.
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, May 81 1859.
The examinations Of all the classes have now been
completed, and the heads OF departments are busily
occupied In making up their lists OF the standing OF
the members OF the different classes These reports,
having been sent In, consolidated into one show
ing the degree OF merit OF midshipman and his
average in all the studies taken collectively.
During the examination, now closed there were
but few "dedcients." or midshipmen not coming up
to the requisite standard In order to pass. This
list numbers about twenty. which is unusually
small To-day these were examined, but the result
is not yet known.
AT six O'Clock this evening ali the classes had a
trial OF skill IN stripping ship. The exercises in
this branch Of seamanship were under tine super
vision OF Commander Joseph s. Skerrett assisted by
Lieutenant Commanders Silss Casey ana II. +. Pick-
ing. large number OF gentlemen and ladies' were
tors were Admiral Pauldng, Commodore GOlds-
borough, Captain Parrott Chief Engineer Loring,
DR.. Wood, Captains Harrison and Greer. Lieutenant
tais Utssy 'SiS' wife and daughter Mrs General D.
others. The spectators were seated on tie dock.
from which fine view could be obtained. TT me
fore, upon board Of her decks the classes were as
sembied.
Commander Skerrett, with speaking trumpet in
his hand, stood aft and gave his commands.
The order being given to man the yards the mid
slipmen were IN an instant on the ratIns, ascend
ing 10 the top. The topgallant royal and manyards
wore lowered first. The fore, main and mizzen top
and top block cleared away. Ali ropes were laid BY
themselves In the order OF their use Ia restoring the
sulned In performing this work was twenty minutes:
Admiral Paulding, Commodore Goldsborough and
Thp Admiral was specially delighted it seemed to
I restore to him the memories oil his youth when,
| fisf fnrn at n SkerreLt
cient assistants had every occasion 10 De pleased
with the display, while the midshlpnen exhibited
| their proficiency in this complicated branch OF the
art of seamanshp. -
The preparations for the ball are going on with
treess ZEAL Nearly 500 ships lanterns nave been
used IN lighting up the grounds. Announcements
dows dowa pssn ali the "0s visitors to the bail from
that city by the water route. The steamer Chesa-
government vessel viii also bring large party.
| At a meeting OF onicers the name OF Lieutenant
commtee COMMITTEE OF T. invitations for the bal in place Of
Lieutenant Commander W. g. Schiey.
| william J. Albert, OF Baltimore, one OF the Board
OF Visitors returned here yesterday. Tomorrow
| morning the board. together with number OF
he aed an se sae w steamer Pnox for
excursion to the country seat OF Mr Abert ABOUT
miles les above here ev at sparrow pon al the
After their return the excursonists will attend a
select ball. to be given by Mrs. Admiral Porter at her
| residence.
Preparations for the United states Naval
Academy Bn,l-Iist OF COnmittees--The
Invitations--A Presidential CotiIlon Ar
| raugetl-.A Brilliant Time Anticipated.
| ANNAPOLIS, Nd, June l. 1869.
For several days past great preparations have
been going ON. In view OF the grand ball TO be given
| to Mrs. Admiral Porter on Friday next, June l. As
| Superintendent OF the Academy for the past four
years Admiral Porter has brought the Institution
uom condition OF doubtful efficiency up to stand.
ard of excellence which now receives not only the
commentator OF every one VINO is at all familiar
| with ns workings. but Its fame has gone abroad.
and has repeatedly ELECTED the admiration OF
| foreign naval officers visiting our shores,
| and who have made 1t special object
to visit the place and learn something OF our
system OF instruction. While the Admiral, with un-
ceasing care, has kept vigant eye upon the
intellectual and material welfare OF the institution
his estmabe lady has been no less devoted to the
Inauguration OF q valuable and necessary reform In
advancing the social attractions OF the place. BY
her unremtting labors and her noble example,
though separated from the ties OF home, the assoca.
tions of relatives and friends, the midshipmen now
find themselves living In Little world OF their
own, IN which Mrs. Porter Is the leading
isnang to soften the rigors 'e' Of discipline Sophie
ana TO embellish the manners OF every
tion are there ana mpart their beneficial influences
The effect has been marvellous. Tnc minds OF the
young men are strengthened by TINS eeyaing recre-
severe test to which they are put In meeting the de-
mands Of the severe course q instruction TO which
passed the midshipmen now find recreation during
their evenings in the families OF the officers and pro-
fessors connected with the Academy. Tie influence
Of such intercourse wen be appreciated by those
who have their sons here preparing to become gen.
temen well sailors. To Mrs. Porter Is due the
sole honor OF setting the example, in which she has
been initiated by the wives OF tue officers Stationed
here
AS the duties OF the Admiral call him to another
field the institution Is about TO lose the presence not
only OF himself, but of his lady and ner interesting
faulty II H. therefore ft tribute 10 Mrs. Porter,
aud al the same time doubtless gratifying 10 her dis
tnaulshed husband thai some recognition should he
made evidence OF the warm interest she has
ever manifested In giving the few attractions which
| life at the Academy possesses.
The ball to be given this week is, therefore,
entirely out OF compliment TO Mrs Porter, and, to
make II unanimously so. in y both ofcers and mid
given twice every year have always been celebrated
for their brancy, the coming ban it's proposed to
| taken place ut the Academy
In order to insure success the following committees
have been appointed on the part OF officers and mid
GENERAL COMMITTEE.
| O11ce,s-Captain NJ b. Harrison, er oTcio; CON-
mander James A. Greer, charman; Lieutenant Com
mandcrs George Dewey Edward J.. Luli, r. y.
Williamson, Paymastcr worthngton Goidsboroug6,
| Dr. George II. Cooke.
sippi; Ed. J. Berwind, Pennsylvania; Edwin II. WI
ley Illinois; Charles e. Colshan pennsylvania.
second Glass &C. r. Roes, ohio; !! D. Collins, Louisl
ana; J. J. Hunker, Ohio. Third Cass-PerIin Bus
bee, at large
| INVITATIONS.
OGTcers-Lieutenant Commanders Edward r.
Luii, chairman; +. b. Blake W. :. Schley, DIR.
George II. Cooke.
Nidship,aen- Cass-w. r. Low, New Hamp.
shire; second Class-H. NJ Jacoby, Pennsylvania:
Third Glass w. II. Slack, at large Fourth Class-C.
A. Thompson, Louisiana.
| DECORATIONS.
| 0Ecers-Paymaster worthlngton Goldsborougll
chairman; Lieutenant Commanders Thomas l..
swami, William .. Hof, DR.. George H. Cooke.
Midshipmep-Flrst Class-W. :. King, Dacotah
Territory, and ID. d. " stuart, New York. Second
Class-C. =. Kunhardt Pennsylvania. Third Glass
w. r. Casson, Rhode Island.
REFRESHMENTS.
OTcers Captain n. B. Harrison chairman; Cap