National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-10
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.

Correspondence of the National Republican,
ANNAPOLIS, Oct. 9, 1874.
1t is proposed to add an important special chair
to the Maryland Agricultural College; that of
nautical science. This is done to afford captains,
mates, and young men designed for the merchant
marine an opportunity to receive instruction,
without charge, in seamanship, navigation,
steam and practical gunnery. 1t is believed
many officers will avail themselves of this oppOr-
tunity, while awaiting employment to perfect
themselves in these branches. As an evidence Of
the need OF such an institution 1t may be observed
that 1t is not an uncommon thing to meet men in
the marine service ignorant of the elements Of as
tronomy, and whilst there are numerous military
schools in the United States there is absolutely
no school of nautical science in the country out
side Of the Naval Academy. Some schools teach
some Of the branches, but none gunnery and
steam.
1t is suggested that officers who could remain
only brief period at the school would have text
books placed in their hands for Study during
voyage, and then return for examination and fur
Their instruction. The proximity to Annapolis
and the Naval Academy, where vessels OF war
and the various departments of that institution
may be examined, Is thought to give peculiar Mt
ness to the establishment Of the chair whilst
youths who contemplate entering the Naval
Academy would thus be especially prepared for
that school.
The need of skilled officers, in case of war, for
privateers and letters Of margue, is apparent,
and 1t is remarkable that whilst law, medicine,
and agriculture have. institutions for acquiring
their theories school Of standing has ever been
established to teach nautical science. True, 1t Is
intended to have training ships at our principal
seapOrts, the Government furnishing the vessels;
but It is argued that, whilst they will answer
good purpose in training seamen for the naval and
merchant service, from the class Of recruits OBJ
tanned, they viii not be the place Ior qIeers, nor
send their sons.
The idea is to make this school to the merchant
service what the Naval Academy Is 70 the navy;
and its proximity to Baltimore viii afford the
marine Of that city especial advantages. The
college is under the presidency Of General Jones,
O graduate Of West Point. The department OF
nautical science will have at its head Captain
William H. Parker, the present professor Of math
long time an instructor in that school;
Governor GrOOme gave dinner on W ednesday
to q number Of friends. Mrs: Black, the Cover
nors sister, occupied the head of the table, and the
Executive the foot. There were present Misses
lamar and MeIntire, Of Cecil, and Miss Fergu-
son Of Baltimore, Adjutant General Bond, Gen
eral Pennington, Attorney General Syester, Gap
tain Jesse X. Hines, Hon. A. p. German, DR..
VIM. X. Hayward and Messrs. Gilmore Mere
dith, James G. Berret Michael Bannoa,l D9nlei
Sprigg HarwoOd, Harry LOane and Henry b.
Dodge. The company sat down to the table at
The following are the ten who make mp the
twenty-five candidates who were successful IN
the competitive examination made mere recently
for appointment as cadet engineers in the United
States navy: John NJ. Orygear, N; Y; q. H.
Bull, Penn; E. H. Scribner, Mass; H. q. Dun
gan. lOWai Henry Il. Harrlsons MIDI George W.
MeElroy, Ill; II. S. Elseted, N. Y; George Z.
Salisbury, N. Y; H. R. IreTs, NO., and Il. X.
Norton, N. Y. The others were heretofore pub
lished.
The following cadet midshipmen have resigned:
James S. Mauley, H. U. White, A. w. Wills, H.
G. Chase, w. W. Ford, N. J. L. 7. Happine, s.
NJ Peacock, John D. Chase, I. g. Hardness, 8.
/. Heap. John A. Lockwood, r. H. Lull, u. N.
Parker VIM. SencerbOt, n. A. Vinton and Chas.
H. Walsh. Cadet Engineer g. L. Druillard has
resigned.
The schooner ]. V. Wellington, Captain ]. E.
Rich, arrived here Wednesday afternoon, from
saco Maine, loaded with 500 tons Of Ice, consigned
to Jos. S, II, Basil. X.