The New York herald., 1869-06-16
THE NAVAL ACADEEY.
Report of the Board Of visit0rs-HOw the
Midshipmen are Trained and Whnt They
C0st-fmporinnt Suggestions.

Report OF the Board Of visitOrs-How the
biidshipmen are Trained and What They
C0st-fmportnnt Suggestions.
WASHINGTON, June Is, 1869.
The following is the complete report OF the Board
OF Visitors to the United states Naval Academy
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
ANSAPoLIs Nd. June T. 1869. I
To the Hon. A. Z. BoRIE, Secretary OF the Navy
sIR-The undersigned, appointed to attend at the
Naval Academy during the May examination as vsi-
tors for the purpose Of witnessing the examinations
OF the graduating and other classes and OF examin.
ing into the state OF the police discipline and general
management OF tue institute,r have the honor TO
The Board assembled May 20, the day designated
held session each secular day up to this, the day
OF graduation. attended at all public exercises OF
the mldshipmen, and either as board or by com.
nation Of all the classes We have not failed to OBJ
carefully the general tone, bearing and air Of
all connected with the institution IN all exercises
and at all hours, whether or duty, nor to look
In the condition OF the grounds buildings. vessels
apparatus and appurtenances OF all kinds for EVIL
dence az 10 the thoroughness and vgor OF the govern
ment.
since the late war the grounds have been en-
larged, both by purchase and by filling up on the
water front; the chapel. new quarters and several
other buildings have been erected; the former resi-
dence OF the Governors of Maryland has been pur.
chased and converted into o commodious library
and superintendenps offices, and the grounds have
been greatly improved. In whatever aspect II Il
viewed the institution exhibits clearly the effects OF
the profound interest Vice Admiral Porter has felt
In II and oil his very vigorous and able adminstra-
ton or It's af1ars. Tue officers and minshlDmen
manifest Justi1able pride In the prosperity OF the
Academy, are jealous OF its honor and sincerely dc.
sire Its continued advancement; The general i'm
preston we have received Is exceedingly favorable
The Academy appears to he answering well the
purposes OF it5 foundation We learn from the
records that during the SUPPLEMENTARY OF Vice Ad.
miral Porter the purchases OF land, Including the
Old Governors residence the 1t. Jonns College lot
and the strawberry HUI farm, have amounted TO
about l30 acres, costing about $4,000. Under
special appropriations, there have been erected the
steam building the chapel aud the new quarters
And we learn that by savings from the annual ap-
prOpriations for the Academy under the head OF
.for various purposes''l there have been built
block OF two tenensats for officers quarters, the
laboratory building and a small edHce used "a
Photographic gallery. Other buildings are In pro-
| gress.
the amount OF money expended since the war
upOn all buildings. including the wholly new and
the alterations, a. about s2250O0 Between the old
| ana new lands Of the Academy lies section OF the
! town containing perhaps, twelve acres. covered by
cheap and not very desirable class OF tenements.
Looking TO the future Of the institution, the Board
without hesitation recommends that THIS tract OF
land be purchased. The possessions OF the Academy
viii then be IN one body, with sufficient area for
ns nrseSa io seamanabe naiUpav Inc Classes
our early attention. The oral and writ.
ten examinations were satisfactory, and not less
so were the practical exercises In all that pertains
| ~ handling sails and spars The Introduction OF
steam mas only added to the requisites OF a good
| ONCE. IL has.not dispensed with the necessity for
sny OF the skill In handling sailing vessels that
| brought so much glory 70 the American navy IN
| earlier days. This IL obvious to the mdshpmen
themselves as their zeal IN this branch shows IL Is
| also clear that the Academy can only give a theo
rctical basis with limited amount OF practica
| training.
! The regulations Of the Academy already provid,
that rnidshipman shall be entitled to his fnal ex
animation for promotion TO the grade OF ensigr
| until he snail have served at sea one year az mid
shlpman and engineer. after passing his graduating
examination.
Inasmuch az sending them on years cruise II
one vessel continues the style Of instruction thel
| received the practice ships, as undergraduates
and ipasmuch ~ many f our yesses " active yer