The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-14
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
The Graduates on Board the ConSteIla
ton Outward Bound.
What They May Have To Do-0pinions and
Sentiments Of the Old Blue-Noses-How
the Young Uns' Act-The Food and
Accommodation-The New Candi-
dates Fighting for Admission.
ANNAPOLIS, June 7, 1872.

AsHAPoIIs June 4 1872.
Ipaid a visit 10 the Constellation this afternoon
TO see how the middies like their change olquafters
from the pleasant groves OF the Naval Schoo 10 the
cramped decks Of man-of-war THIS vessel Is 10
carry them out their annual four months cruise
ana viii start about the 10th. Her officers are:-,
Commander Jefrers: First Lieutenant Brdgeman
Navigator, Clark; Instructor In Navigation, Train
watches, Wilson. Reisinger Perkins, Coles; Master
buckingham; Chaplain, Van Meter Armed with a
pass from the Commodore and smile nom his
lady, who informed me her daughter was not In
a "Dolly varden' on the day OF the 'shim 1gnt,n
marched boldly down to the Long Wharf, was
greeted by shrillvoced parrot on the Dale half
dozen picturesque seamen leaning over the taffra
and sleepy marine supporting his corpnlent frame
against solitary lamppost. clambered on hoard
the Santee lying here despite her grimly grinning
tiers Of guns, and from hence was rowed by two
romantic-loosing sailor boys out into the
middle Of tho Severn, where the Constellation
lay--a very trim ship indeed, with neat, tidy
air about her, speaking well for her officers and
crew. She Is said to be the fastest sailer in the
service, now that the Idaho is disabled. The Idaho,
you win remember was some time since caught In
a typhoon out East and whacked about in barba-
rous fashion. / was shown down into the cabin
where the Officers were at tea-and very inviting
tea 1t was, quite a contrast doubtless to what
they'll get few weeks hence. Lieutenant Bridge
man captain Jefers being at Washington politely
aaked me up to his cabin, and, having submitted to
a slight pumping, detailed several mitishipnleh t0l
undergo much more extensive one, excnsing hiui-
self on the plea OF work. l should imagine he had
a great deal TO do, for he Is a straight sodierly
looking man, with very energetic air about him.
My first chaperone was Mr.. Hasey, an obigins first
class man, who took me all over the ship. was
lucky enough to chance upon the crew at supper.
The sailors present picturesque appearance squat
ted on the spar deck in groups their rations being
placed In the same stuation-great bearded Jaws,
crunching with inlmtable gusto some very haru
tack, and lips greasy with by no means the freshest
OF salt meat. We then went below to see the mid
shipmen at their suppers. Very blue aud grim
they looked, seated IN rows at long extension
tables nibbling away at most crustaceous bread
washed down by cup OF meal coffee. The frst
class are allowed TO have private messes-llye In
mess. The class appoints committee for the
cruise, to go on shore at every port and purchase
decacies, or. as they are classcally termed III
techno-naval phraseology, spuds." The committee
this year are Neuse, Badger and Wilmer. The
amount OF reverence paid these gentlemen by their
classmates in their official capacity is something
remarkable. II these poor fellows relied only on
hard time indeed. Said of them to me, 'Coming
from Madeira once we were thirty days ont at sea,
and at sea- in more respects than one. We not
only had nothing to eat, but we also had nothing
to wear
LIFE on THE OCEAN WAVE
Isn't what 1t Is cracked up to be. Some day )
ordered up aloft with clean shirts on, and come
down all tarred up ana required to appear In new
rig within very consise period Can't have
washing done ON board and the consequences Is we
Fellows who particular have to go about look
Ing like 'dowdy Dumps And on our Madeira
cruise we had TO wash in salt water. Just try It
once and see how 1t is" thanked him kindly and
said would at some future day. "And," he con-
t,nued .sour butter wasn't perfectly outrageous;
oh no and the 1Our got musty and so did the
bread. pledge you my word I've frequently made
q heavy meal OF hard tack and molassesl That too
at sea- where we have to work like Turks; not only
have to handle the ship, but also must study hard.
Navigation and seamanship are two very difficult
branches. Are going to have good deal OF gun
merry this year. The Constellation Is regular
aunnery ship. Have all sorts OF small arms; eight
broadsiders. nine-inch and two pivots eleven.
inch Parrott's two Dagrens, eleven Founders,
and new gun, the Gatling revolving ride bore
with which we're going to experiment"
"Arnt you afraid OF her ~ said innocently.
"Oh NOT" ana a mingled smile OF profound dis
dain and heroic Indifference mantled his face as
he replied II wouldn't be AFRAID to walk right in
'front.' OF its mouth ~
sNo,r said /, paronthetcally, III 1t isn't
loadedn Here big bell IN the midst OF
the ship tolled an Injunction to the middle
to 30 and write his 'log." The "iog' Is q
huge AFFAIR, consisting of white paper, enveoped
by two big boards. In this Is entered down at the
end Of every watch observations the state Of the
Att.
portance occurring on board. Each midsnipman
has stand watch in some quarter OF the ship for
four hours at time, except from four O'Clock In
the afternoon to eight oclos IN the evening, winch
period Is divided into two, called "dOF watches.''
Lucky is he who has one OF these. Often, when
locked In the arms Of refreshing slumber and prob
ably amid sweet dreams OF home, the poor, little
sea-sick middle feels his hammock roughly shaken
and himself pushed over on one SIDE while ~
head and asks "What wcather9r and generally gets
the response, "Raining Like thunderp with an In
human chuckle from his wide awake tormenter, who
gets merry and bright, having probably In reality
Just come down from contemplating silver
moon and clear sky. The dsheartened sleeper viii
at these words drop down. take one more snooze,
and then give spring rom his cot and rush madly
up to his watch" But the most dismal proceed
ing OF all on shipboard is that OF beating TO
GENERAL QUARTERS IN THE DEAD or NIGHT.
This Is tormentive 10 fearful degree. In very few
minutes every midshipmau is required to have his
clothes and be at his post ready for action. De-
merits are given u ne fail to be present. and de-
merits ensure more lonesome watches OF fearful
once stood from eight to Twelve O'Clock at night
and nom four to eight o'clock I'm the morning
for some trining offence. The sailors this
chip are Gne, biawny set OF men; Intelligent too.
saw good many lying about the deck absorbed
In such books as "Peregrine PicEen ana Glow TO be
Mar, ~ which latter was grasped by an old white
bearded English man-of-wars man, who didn't
seem to need much instruction ON That subject
HERALps were quite abundant also. A great deal
OF sRyIarklng was going on among tho younger
members or the fraternity. Everybody seemed 10
have an Irresistible inclination 10 pull everybody
clse's nose. one Old red headed fellow sat OF In a
corner very silent and grum. walked up TO him.
He was busy patching away az an ancient pair OF
blue pants-tailor FOR his mess. He resented my
Intrusion, and looked as though he would IKE to
insert fs<sdie into my leg. The young salts are
not allowed TO have much time OF their own, are put
through thoi ough course OF gunnery, seamanshp,
navigation. making knots, writing logs and rigging
EXERCISE IN consequence there Is very little OF
that devlitry going on among them which Is such a
characteristic or theirs on dry land. Sometimes q
hammock string Is cut bloody nose ensuing but
In general they spend their leisure moments snooz
Ing away in protected corners 10 make up for
broken rest OF the previous night, In smoking
"ford'' on the port side, coming the thrilling
pages OF "Marryatts sea Faes.n