The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-03
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
All Hands Ready to Splice the
Main Brace.
CLOSE OF BOOK LEARNING.

ANNAPOLIS Md, May 80, 1874.
Nothing in the way OF weather could be more
charming than this delightful day vouchsafed by
propitious iates Tor the graduating exercises
win iieecsy clouds the sky is banched.
Slowly, In all his splendors digit.
The great sun rises to behoii the sight
The Academy, one OF the prettiest OF all spots,
certainly never looked ovelier than it did this
morning and the visitors who thronged it's shady
walks, as well as the graduates who have known
1t as their home Tor Jour long years. will carry
away with them in their remembrance OF this day
picture OF quiet beauty not soon to be efYaced.
The first thing In order on the programme of
graduating exercises was the official reception OF
the Secretary OF the Navy who had come on from
Washington TO present the diplomas. For this
purpose the battalion q cadets was paraded at
halipast nine O'Clock, aud all the officers, in full
UNIFORM assembled at the SuperinLcndent's house.
Here they were presented to the Secretary, who
then proceeded TO the parade ground and re-
viewed the cadets, while the howttzer battery
Numbered out It's Cabinet officers salute OF fifteen
guns.
This was followed, at quarter past ten, by an
address in the chapel by the Rev. j. l.. G. McK0wn,
OF the Board OF Visitors This finished, the spec
tators repaired TO the parade ground, where q
handsome pavilion, gaily decorated with fags, had
been erected for the convenience of the Board OF
Visitors and the friends OF the graduates, ana
comfortable seats under the trees provided for the
less distinguished guests. And now the strains OF
martial music are heard, and the head OF the col.
umn Of cadets is seen approaching. The drum
major, who leads the van, is one OF the institutions
Of the academy. man OF gigantic stature, his
red plume is not an inch less than seven ieet from
the ground, and he carries himself with the air OF
one who appreciates fully his Importance as the
cynosure Of all eyes. His Uniform is gorgeous be-
yond description, and what with his important air
and the magni1cence OF his dress, he Is frequently
taken by rural visitors Tor the Admiral himself.
On one OCCASION it Is said, the quiet looking man
who
COMMANDED TIE MONITOR,
was not o little amused while watching parade
to hear some one In group in front Of him say,
as the band came in sight. ''Ah, here comes the
Admlralp' whereupon all the rest gazed speech
less at their supposed hero, and TOOK in his mag
nifcent proportions with undisguised admiration.
But while l have been dlating upon the Drum
Major, the column has come on the line and dress
parade IL in progress. The appearance Of the
cadets, IN their white pants and caps and blue
jackets, is very fine, and their steadiness remark
able. They execute the manual wonderfully well,
the silent drill, especially, being perfect The
only thing which they lack is that ndescribable
military air which can only be attained by a
not receive. l DO not make this remark In the
way OF fault finding. for 1t must be remembered
that the business Of this academy is to turn out
sailors, not soldiers, and there Is to me some-
thing very charming In the free and easy air OF
the mtdshipmen. They look manly and inde-
pendent, and something better than mere ma
chimes. But, reuenoas nos na0utons. The dress
parade proceeds regularly until the ORDER parade
rs dismissed" when oil the members Of the
their side arms, which are at once assumed by the
second class men detailed to take their places as
salute The Honorable Secretary OF the Navy tas
our naval friends delight to call minor the rOtund
Robson, as the less respectful newspaper CORE:
spondent might put ~ now steps to the front and
DOUBT. with wisdom and good advice, but inaudibe
| to all except those in his immediate vicinity. He
commands. .sGraduates. about face Three cheers
| for those we leave behind u.s." and the cheers
cheers ws for The fey
out heartily and the graduates break ranks, happy
70 s1s ev we CANNOT reazc a aSex
have graduated as long as they wear the cadets
uniform SO they seize the first opportunity to get
phosls Never did grub burst from his chrysalis
to emerge brilliant butterfly with greater APP
sSh u OF his cadets uniform and don his long.
tailed coat and shoulder knots 1t is supreme
moment, tnan which he win never know happier.
THE BusTLE OF LEAVING
for all get their detachments from the Academy
with their diplomas, and are free to leave soon
as they wish. &c. having aired their new uniforms
long enough to convince themseve that they have
mration Of ali the junior classmen, they are dofed
for ''clts." Then great loads OF trunks go out on
the express wagons; there Is final hand shaking
ali around and they are OF. and the academic year
The cadets who remain have few days. relaxa-
ton from studies and discipline. Early next week
the greater part OF the third class will go on leave
for the summer, aud the others win embark on
the Constellation for the annual practice cruise.
In order that my readers may understand how
well the cadets must appreca late these few days Of
routine When the Academy is in regular Working
order. At six A. NJ, reUeiue; at q quarter TO
seven, breakiast at eight can to morning studies
one at one, dinner; at two, afternoon studies
and recitatons till four at ten MN utes past FOUR
sunset dress parade. followed by supper; at eight,
evening studies, lasting till halfpast nine at ten
they have half holiday, and on Sundays have no
studies nominally, but afternoon and evening
ney ae an 70
| Following Is a list OF the graduates arranged in
order OF general merit. in which order they go upon
the Navy Register-the cadet midshipmen as mid
shipmen, and the cadet engineers as third assist
ant engineers The graduating class OF midship-
When 1t is reflected that this class originally num-
bered more than 100 1t Will be seen that some
effort is required to graduate from this institutions
and that It's officers are determined TO take only
the cream from the material at hand:-
CADET MIDsHIPMEN
| No Name Date Of admission
tl-George Fl. Peters, Pennsylvania. uue 20 1870
*2-Braaley A. Fiske OHIO b. 1870
s3-Frank H. Holmes, California. June go 1870
s4-Abert Wegman New York ...........Sept 81, 1870
~5-John W. Stewart Indiana. sept IS 1870
6-Henry +. Reich. Pennsylvania sept. ~ 1870
7-Lucen Flynne, Texas Sept ~, 1870
8-Hamilton Hutchns New Hampshire June 81 1870
s. York NOEL, Pennsylvania 20 $50
lO-John f. Parker Ohio sept 49, 1870
I'm G.Reynolds Missouri. Sept 81 1870
l2-John c. Colwell Mt large ~, 1870
l3-W. WHITFIELD Arkansas. ......... June "a 1870
I4-W. r. A. Rooney Pennsylvania %, 1870
l5-Edwarn J. Dorm Missouri ..........S Sept a. 1870
l6-Edward G. Fuller, ONO ........... sept "a, 1870
NV. AIderdice, Virginia une IL. 1870
1S-George E. Huter Virginia June 81, 1870
l9--W. II. Nostr and New York Sept Is 1870
2O-B o. Scott Alabama. ................June 80 1870
2l-Lv man Arms MICHIGAN sept q 1870