The New York herald., 1878-12-20
NAVAL CADETS COMPLIMENTED.
THEIR BRAVERY, ENERGY AND SKILL SAVE AN
NApoLIs FROM A THREATENED coNFLAGRA-
TIoN-wELCoME RELAXATION OF THE RULES.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

NApOLIS FROM THREATENED CONFLAGEA-
TIoN-wELcoME RELAXATION OF THE RULES.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALp.l
ANSApoIIs, Md, Dec. 10, 1878.
On the night or the 18th inst. most threatening
fire broke ont in this place. The water plugs in the
neighborhood failed to supply water. and the fire ap
paratus of the city found in an almost useless
condition. In this state of affairs with five houses
on fire. the cadets OF the Naval Academy, under the
command of Commander 7. v. McNair, arrived with
their steam fire engine the Severn. and placing their
suction pipe in the city dock and running their hose
to the confagration confined the flames to the
buildings already fire and saved the city from
great disaster. The Mayor OF the city the follow
ing day letter of thanks to the superintendent
of the Academy, Commodore I. A. Parker for the
valuable services of the cadets and Commander Me-
Nar addressed the superintendent also detailed
count of the work of the cadets. Commodore Parker
sent report to Secretary Thompson. at Washing
ton and to-day the Secretarys reply read at
O'Clock formation for dinner.
DETAILS SERVICE
Comm ander McNar's letter says that s.the cadets
were at the fire . few minutes after the alarm
sounded and found on attaching the hose to the fire
plug that the supply of water totally inadequate.
The engipe was then carried to the harbor and this
was quickly pc rformed and q heavy stream got to
play upon the fire. which brought it under com
engine to work ladders placed the surrounding
buildings. and, by orders. bucket lines were formed.
The cadets performed ms duty spienaiaiy' ana, N
calamity. for had the surrounding frame buildings
caught IRE the lower portion OF the town would have
been consumed At haf-past eleven O'Clock u. NJ.
the fire entirely under control The services of
the marine guard were required to guard property
and to clear drinking saloon oil under the drec-
tions Of the Mayor of the city. Great taken
to get this officials consent to all that was DONE The
steam engine and its attachments were under the
cial of G..
to him personally belongs the credit Of suppress
ing the hre. He had the principal branch
buildings around the top of the unsupported walls,
a number of times. and threw the stream downward
upon the burning mass IN the interior. Ensign
Hodgson assisted Lieutenant Soley portion of the
time also Cadet Lieutenant I. Snowden, Cadet Mid
Cadet Assistant Engineer II. p. Morton. and Cadet
Engineers J. II. Baker, +. I. Bowles and q. r. Sais
bury, all fesrlessly exposing themselves 10 Cadet
credit of the rapid transfer Of the steam engine from
the plug the harbor. being assisted by Cadet Mid
shipnan d. p. Menefee and Cadet Engineers Eseffer
and Banksom. Lieutenant Parker had charge of the
hose, and performed his duties promptly. but the
failure of the fire plugs necesstated attaching the
hose to the second engine stream, which he did and
soon had the second stream playing the east end
of the block nsuring the safety OF the buildings in
this section.
HONORABLE MENTION.
In this report the following names are mentioned
tenants j. W. Miller and Duncan Kennedy, Master A.
Ward and Lieutenant G. H. Gibson, United States
Ensign G. w. Brown. Cadet Midshipmen John Hood.
c. s. Ripley, A. A. .Ackerman. w. H. Wolfersberger r
H. Hourigan. and $. s. Wood, and Cadet Ensign J. 3.
mander A. I. Mahan, Cadet Masters r. $. Sloan and
c. H. Harlow. and Cadet Midshipmen Thorn and
Cabinass.
cosfMANDER MNAIR's MERITS AND MoDEsTY.
Commodore Parkers letter TO the Secretary stated
that had it not been for the services Of the fire brig
most disastrously. He transmitted the report OF
Commander McNair. the letter Of the Mayor OF An
4 fuovs,
the Advertiser, and stated that commander McNair
has neglected to mention his own services which
were efficient in the highest degree, periing life and
limbs, like Lieutenant Soley. to save the life and
property Of others.
ters. and wrote that tho department has to express
its qualification upon the efficient and valuable ser
vice rendered by the fire brigade OF the Naval Acad
emy on the occasion of the fire.
AFTKR THE FIRE. LIBERTY TO SMOKE
At the conclusion Of the reading Of the Secretarys
letter the adutant read an order that affected the
cadets than the words of compliment. IL was
order Of Commodore Parker giving the cadets the
privilege under certain conditions, of smoking in
the academy This produced sensation in the
ranks. At this moment the superintendent, whose
presence is unusual at dinner formation. walked in
front Of the adjuant of the battalion and said to the
cadets that Secretary Of the Navy had left with
him the decision whether or not smoking should be
the opinion OF many for whom he entertained the
highest respect, to grant the privilege. II was an
expensive habit and he urged those who did not use
tobacco not to contract the habit He hoped that the
cadets would not abuse the privilege but would act
gentlemen. for if they did abuse the privilege and
he had to issue order against smoking i'll the
academy he would stop it if he had to put every
det on board the Santee, the jail OF the academy.
II not the custom of gentlemen in Annapolis to
smoke the streets. and If any cadet wished to
smoke liberty in Annapolis. he hoped he would
do so inside Of a house.
GRATITUDE OF THE BOYS
The discipline Of the ranks prevented cheering at
this unexpected grant by the Commodore. but when
the liberty of the hall attained the pent up
.burrah - went forth and dinner doubtless dis
cussed with keen relish, knowing that after dinner
n smoke could be enjoyed