The New York herald., 1871-08-22
MIDDIES AFLOAT.
The Practice Ships Constellation
and Saratoga ut Newport
Annual Three Months Cruise-0ne Hundred and
Forty Midshipmsn Preparing for Naval
Triumphs- Scenes in the Har-
bor-List Of Officers.

bor-List Of Officers
NEWPORT II. l., August q, lS7L
The little forest or masts seen on approaching
tins harbor has recently been augmented by the
arrival OF the fine practice ships Constellation and
Saratoga. Running down In a steamer from the
Beaver Tail Light to our anchorage before sun
down yesterday. the spectacle presented was one OF
rare beauty, and awakened expressions OF admira-
ton from all on board. The port was crowded with
splendid schooner yachts, whose tall spars tapered
in the air. each with its distinguishing signal and
the dag of the New York Yacnt Club futtering In
the gentle breeze. The city itself seemed all quiet
ness for 1t was the day OF all others OH which
fashion delights to take repose. The CONSERVATION
and Saratoga lay at anchor opposite fort Aoai"S
not q cables length from each other From MORN
Ing till sundown visitors crowded their spacious
decks, and were received with all the courtesy
characteristic OF the American naval officer. The
dapper little middies In their element, and.
arrayed IN their handsome and appropriate unA-
FORMS contributed to make the visits OF AL agreea.
bic az possible With crews Of able seamen cutters
from the ships fitted about the yacht fleet most OF
the day and altogether the scene was very pc.
turesque.
The Constellation and Saratoga lett Annapolis in
company on the 17th Of June last, on the regular
three months practice cruise which follows the
examinations at the Naval Academy Heretofore it
has been the custom OF these or similar vessels
10 proceed to the European squadron; but after
due consideration it decided, and not without
good reason, that the practice cruise should be con-
fined to our own coasts and vicinity; for 1t was
thought that the students would be Afforded much
better opportunity OF learning their profession as
the vessels went more frequently In and out OF port
Thus by cruising along the coasts, not far from
land, most OF the dangers and difficulties against
which a vessel has to contend are made more ap-
parent and familiar to the youthful mind than
dozen ocean voyages could possibly present. Plea
sure ana instruction are happily combined on these
cruises, for while entertainments mark the progress
OF the vessels nothing Is left undone thar can in any
way contribute to the nautical knowledge or per-
haps, the
in the world Indeed Annapolis Is an institution OF
which the country may well feel proud The four
years. course there, although exceedingly severe ~
nevertheless well calculated TO ft the student for
all the duties he may be called upon to fulfil during
his career, not excepting any emergency that may
arise. Even the very recreation allowed to the
young men at the Naval Academy is turned to good
account IN the way OF drilling, fencing and exercise
on board the men-Of-war that are continuously an
chOred adjacent to the institution. But it Is unne.
known both here and abroad. Considering the
pains and methods taken to impart inil knowledge
Of his profession the graduates from Annapolis ought
to be
FIRST CLASS OFFICERS
and educated gentlemen
There are at present eighty-dve midshipmen on
the Constellation and sixty on the Saratoga com
prised OF the first second and third classes, with
1u complement OF officers ana men attached TO
each. Up to the present both vessels have Kept In
sight OF one another, and VIII probably continue
dong so until the termination or the cruise. They
arrived al Halifax on the 9Th OF July last and re-
NAMED there u week, after which they sailed for
Cape COD Bay, the midshipmen meanwhile being
thoroughly exercised IN the arts appertanng to tue
proper handling OF a ship. AT Portland the citizens
gave ball IN honor OF tneiI visit that locality,
which was gracefully returned on board the Con-
stelaiion, whose spacious deck afforded ample
festivity. Both the Constellation and Saratoga
then saned for Gardeners Bay for general exercise
don ior their mails and after a snort cruise through
Long Island Sound returned 10 that harb0r, where
both vessels lay at anchor until Thursday last, when
Commodore Worden having joined the Conslea-
tiOn both she and the Saratoga cleared for Narra-
snort stay Was nade al that wse1"s rim"
place, and towards noon the two ships rounded
Beaver Tal Light and came to ancnor opposite Fort
Adams General Hunt commander OF the post,
paid an Official visit TO the Constellation. Up 70 the
present no actual festivities have taken place on
board either vessel, Sunday having interviewed, but
1t is highly probable that before they leave the
MiDDIEs WILL DISTINGUISH THEMsE ELVES.
During the day both the Constellation and sara
toga were surrounded 10y gigs, cutters and saiibOas
which had conveyed visitors from the shore the
splendid order, cleanliness discipline ami general
aspect OF the two ships were most crediiaue.
Everything had cheerful look from stem to stern:
nothing seemed 70 be in the way, though the ladies
at times gazed III wonderment at the many novelties
which the vessels presented to them. Crowds Of
midshipmen stroled through the city the liveiOnK
day. not little proud OF the favorable impression
which, naturally enough they thought they mace all
say, suffered something OF disappointment, since,
alter SIX days of fashionable driving, Dahmg dress
ing, dancing and everything else that Is fashion
able, Newport generally takes 'papr sun
day with closed shntters, Besides the yachtsmen
are rather ahead TINS tme and the naval officers Will
have TO look sharply alter their provcrbia powers
or 1ascination 1t Is hard TO say IL, but the fact
Is patent. How long the Constellation aud
Saratoga W III remain here Is not known. Tney will
return TO Annapolis about the beginning OF Septem
ber Ihe Constellation carries eleven guns and has
the following list OF oficers:-
Cdptdtn-S p. Carter, commanding
Executive ON"r-Lieutenant Commander s. ID.
Ames.
Observation-Disclosures Commander f. N. Kel-
logg.
Instructor in Observation-Disclosures Comman-
Watch Orcrs-Lieurenant Commanders IL. Tay-
lor, N. Ludlow, G. W. Pigman ana Lieutenant
S"rgeons-A. Hoehllng and Assistant Surgeon
DAVIS
Iugmaster-w. h. Cushing.
assistant Pdyn1dSter-C Thompson.
Chdpid'n-W. r. Cobb
The Saratoga carries seven guns and has The fol.
Coptat,,- = Skerrit. commanding
Efpc"tre Oncer-Lieutenant commander Bridge
Aorioa'or--Lieutenant McGregor
Wdtch O0lcers-LeutenaDt Commanders Hem
erickson, q. f. CLARK, 5. V. MenZis ami Lieutenant
Bckman.
Snrgeons-Passed Assistant Surgeon winslow,
Assistant Surgeon Yansoy. ~
FUyl0aSt.T- - Whtestone.
Commodore Worden LETT the Constellation at sun
down Yesterday evening and proceeded ashore,
where he win probably continue TO reside. Many OF
the Officers look forward TO tne regatta which comes
on today with much interest,
The Sourh Atlantic Squadron.
The United states soop of war Portsmouth was
at Montevideo on the 10th OF July. Ali well on
board.
The despatch boat wasp left Montevideo on the
9TH July for Asuncon. capital OF Paraguay, with
Mr. stevens, the United States Minister, on board.
she was expected TO return to Montevdeo In the
early part OF August.