The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-03-13

Sometimes il seems a little absurd, but If
the observance we're neglected there would
be terrible row, and the fourth class.man
would be taken in hand by the fellows OF
the first, and punished
WHAT TIE MIDsMIpMEN ARE TAUGHT.
II think | told you, at the beginning,
that all things that can make good sailor
are taught at the Academy. Old fore
castle hands, at one time, secretly looked
down upon naval officers, aud complained
that they knew nothing of the harder du-
ties Of sea-life. If there was any truth in
this once, there is none now AS we
crossed the grounds, We met detachment
of midshipmen, dressed in common canvas
suits, bound for the practice.ship. Here
they arc instructed in all things that fall
to the lot Of the poorest sailor.
Once year, they are also sent out on
a cruise, and are required to handle the
light sails, yards aud masts, entirely by
themselves. The instructions given to
them at sea are purely practical, and are
such as lad could only learn on board an
ordinary vessel in many years of expe-
rience. They are taught what to do in fair
and foul weather, in times of peace and
times Of war, and how to do it. Gunncry-
practice and torpedo.practice are included
in the higher branches Of seamanship and
navigation. In short, each midshipman
is given an opportunity to see all the work
ings of a ship and to study them, and
afierward describe them in log-book to
be examined by his superior officer.
The instructions in seamanship given on
the voyage, however, are only supplement.
tary to those given ashore.
Among the buildings of the Academy
is one called the seamanship room. 1t is
not bit like common school-room, with
maps, charts and globes, aud Illuminated
texts for ornaments. We should think
that anyone who has real taste for the
sea would find abundant pleasure in it.
There are beautiful models Of nearly every
kind Of vessel afloat, frem simple sloop
to modern turrct ship. Shelf after shelf
is filed with the smaller ones, and in the
center Of the room are others with masts
reaching almost to the ceiling. On the
walls there are also some curious old prints
aud oil-paintiugs of famous sea fights.
One of the good qualities Of the models is
that they all will work, just as though they
were full-sized.
The gunnery-room is scarcely less inter
esting than the seamanship-room. Here
the gradual Improvement in small-arms is
shown BY many specimens of each kind,
from the old fashioned matchbox to the
needle aud Remington guns. Among
other curiositics is bronze cannon, brought
over by Cortcz in the conquest of Mexico.
The breech-loader was supposed to be a
new invention, but the principle exists in
this old relic of earlier centuries. Side by
side with it is tho mitraileuse, the latest
weapon invented, about which you may
have read in accounts Of the Franco Prus-
sian war. II has great number Of bar
rcls, which rcvolve and pour out showers
of bullets. Elsewhere in the room, which
is oyercrowded, are models of all sorts
of nautical artillery, including shells,
-grcnades, and iorpedoes. At every
turn the visitor takes he is confronted
by some death dealing instrument. A
collection of old trophy flags, bloed-stained
singed with gunpowder, rent and riyen,
are festooncd on the wall at one end.
Among them are the British colors cap
tured during the war of 1912, including
those Of the "Guerriere," captured by the
Constitution" and the famous flag that
Lawrence few in the battle between the
Chesapeake and shannon" bearing
nothing but the brave words: Don't give
up the ship"
A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR SAILORS
On drenching day, several years ago, |
stood on the great landipg-stagc at Liver
pool, waiting for steamer then due in
port. An English iron-clad lay in the
stream, under sailing orders, and white
wreaths of yapor arose in the moist atmos-
phere from her short, thick funnel. Her
black lines loomed heavily through the
mist, dwarfng the other vessels moored
near her. Her form seemed so ponderous,
indeed, that it was difficult to think Of her
as floating thing. An active little ten
der occasionally ran between her and the
shore, and number of men--sailors in
blue jackets and soldiers in red--were
gathered in a knot, waiting to be taken
on board. Among them was slender
lad, not older than fourteen years, dressed
in the brand new uniform of an English
MILDLY. A lady with sad face was bid
ding him good-by. The little fellow was
inclined to cry, but between the tears he
looked proudly at the bright gilt lace OF
his coat, and smiled as he saw that some
one noticed it.
| pitied him in the depths Of my heart.
1t was plain that he had never been to sea
before, and that bis experiences had al
ways been tempered by his mothers kind
ness He had come from quiet country
home. Perhaps he had not even tasted
salt air before; and yet he was embarking
in profession of which he was almost
completely ignorant,--a profession requir-
ing more endurance than any other. An
hour later he would be on board the iron.
clad, and assigned, with very little prepar-
ation IN trivial dut;ee In tla intarvaI. 90