The New York herald., 1869-05-26
NAVAL ACADEMY.
Second Day mt the Naval Academy-Isad
Weather for Practical Exerciscs-Arrange-
ments for the Examination of the Different
Classes-Retirement Of Admiral Porter.

Second Day mt the Naval Academy-Bad
Weather for Practical Excrciscs-Arrarge.
ments for the Examination Of the Different
Classes-Nctirement of Admiral Porter.
ANNAPoLIs, Nd, May % 1869.
The incessant rain which has been falling during
the entire day confined the examination of the mid
shpmen TO such subjects as required attention in
doors. A base bail match between the classes,
which was set down for tn;s afternoon, and q hop
tonight have both been delayed until next week.
To-day the board Of visitors attended the various
recitations going on In the different buildings and
gave their attention specially to the proficiency dis
played by the midshipmen. The result OF to-day's
experience spoke highly or the remarkable scholastic
advancement Of all the students OF the Academy,
and promises an unusually favorable report upon
the character OF the members OF all the classes and
the efficiency Of the institution.
The first five members OF each Of the first three
classes on account OF their proficiency at the ex-
animation Of last year. are designated as "star mid
shipmen,r and are entitled TO wear that emblem as
an insignia OF distinction. The following are the
''star midshipmen" Of the first class:-Charles p.
Perkins, Massachusetts,; Henry NJ NJ. Richards,
Pennsylvania; Lewis F.. Bixler, Pennsylvania; Cln-
ton X. Curtis West virginia; William p. Potter, New
York.
The course OF instruction OF the institution ia
divided into a number Of departments each presided
by CHIEF, who has q sufficient corps OF assist
ants. These constitute what Ia termed the Academic
Board. The examination now going on Is distri.
the respective heads OF departments. The Board
has supreme jurisdiction over everything relating
to and study, responsible only TO the
The following rs list of the heads OF the present
Academic Board, with the branches over which each
Vice Admiral d. d. Porter, President
Captain Napoleon D. Harrison, commandant OF
| gunnery, naval and infantry tactics, &C.
| Commander Joseph s. Skerrett assistant to CON-
m9ndant OF midshiDmen and senior instructor In
| seamanship and naval tactics.
Lieutenant Commander Edmund o. Matthews,
assistant eomnandant or midshipmen and senior In
| howitzor drill
| Lieutenant Commander George Dewey, In charge
| OF ships.
| Professor william II. Wilcox, head OF department
1 OF mathematics.
Chief Engineer Thomas williamson. head OF de.
partment OF steam engineering
Lieutenant Commander Robert L. Phythan. head
oi department OF astronomy, navigation and survey
| Ing
Professor II. II. Lockwood, head Of department Of
| natural and experimental philosophy.
Lieutenant Commander Francis u. Blake. head
| Of department. OF ethics and English studies.
Professor Leopold " Doviiliers, head OF depart
| Professor Edmund A. Roget, head Of department
/ OF spanish.
| Lieutenant Commander Edward r. Lull, head of
department OF drawing
| A. J. Corbesier sword master.
| Matthew StrOhm, master gymnast.
The character OF the present students at the insti
tution as represented by the demeric marks OF the
past year, presents an unusually high standard OF
conduct. According 20 the regulations of the
academy the maximum number Of demerits before
reporting the rrepressbe youth 10 the Secretary OF
the Navy Is $50 for the FIRST 200 for the second $50
Tor the third and 300 for the fourth Glass; There are
more mldshipmen this year without any dement's at
al than at any former time. Under the rigid rules
OF the institution small allowance would certainly
be no dscredit; but 10 1nd so many without any at
all ~ certainly marked commentary upon the ex-
celent type OF young gentlemen preparingfor their
country's service.
For the better accomplishment OF the practical ex-
erclses the organization OF the battalion OF midship-
men has been revised and will be applied In the
examination IN these departments. by this or.
rangement the cadet Lieutenant commander IN
adJutant OF the battalion. four cadet eutenants act
as captains OF companies four cadet ensigns act
nret lleutenants OF companies four cadet midsnip-
men act az second eutenants OF companies; also
twenty cadet petty officers, first captains Of gung
crews ana twenty cadet petty officers second cap
tans OF guns crews The guns crews are divided
INTO watches, the odd numbered guns crows being
Of the starDoard and the numbered OF the port
watches.
The midshipmen are divided into guns, crews and
.,N ovisons lot great gun exercise, Each division
crews Of equal strength: Each division consti.
infantry drill IN ARTILLERY. drin the cadet
lieutenanus command batteries the ensiens and mid
shiPmen sections the nrst captains chief Of pieces
and second captains quarter gunners An ss6lesant
ordnance instructor has immsdisss cnssts of all