The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-06-07
THE ARMY AND NAVY.

Everybody about the Navy Department Is rejoiced
that the Dolphin promises 10 turn out well. If the
Roach contracts produce good ships there will be an
agreeable sensation OF surprise, and when some
creditable steel war vessels are at length bearing
our nag there will not be much trouble in
getting appropriations for a reasonable building
fund in future. The trouble In Congress hitherto
has been lack OF confidence that the money appro-
priated would he well spent These views were eN.
heads in the Department, who also said he thought
he understood the secret OF MIR. Roach's low bids.
lie said the Advisory Board estimates were doubt
less taken the basis for their calculations by all
the bidders except Roach, and they all put in bids
at figures somewhere near the Boards. Roach, on
the other hand doubtless argued that his competitors
would probably keep near these estimates, and,
going to work in his own way, made up his mind
that II he could bid low enough 10 get all the con-
tracts he would probably have small margin Of
profit lie thought there was no avoiding giving
the contracts to Roach at his bids, and that with his
resources and with his facilities TO command cheap
steel, he could probably do the work better and
cheaper than any one else.
The class just graduated from the Naval Academy
was the last class which entered under the old law
providing for both midshpmen and cadet engineers.
These two classes were amalgamated, making one
class of naval cadets and on the final four-year ex
animation ali of the star graduates were
those who had entered as cadet eng-
neers, and the first eight men In the class
were also original cadet engineers. This shows
nation for admission. d. w. Taylor who Is at the
head of the class has made the highest average ever
made by cadet at the Academy; Some years ago
that the material obtained In the competitive system
was better than that obtained In the ordinary way
by Congressmen's appointments, but not only this
year but in all previous classes the superiority OF the
competitive appointment has been demonstrated.
"Yes, we are all pleased at the way the Navy has
come of at Panama." said Commodore Walker yes
terday. "There is no donbt that saved the city,
aud II we had had little more force on the spot
Colon would undoubtedly have been saved. The
Blue Jackets are now quite different force from
what they were in the old days OF sailing ships Then
were neither armed nor drilled for service on land.
Now they understand infantry evolntions and the
use Of arms, and by adding them TO the Marines we
are able 10 land serviceabe force"
Admiral Walker, of the Navy Department. has
just received some very Interesting and excellent
maps from the officers of the Alert, which ship is
now In Corean waters. The maps give accurate in
formation in regard to the region OF the Kun
River. There has been very little Information in
this country in regard TO this region and the maps
are therefore of some importance to the Depart
ment. Admiral Walker manages 10 keep the officers
of the Navy busy with come such valuable work as
this.
The Hartford having been obliged to sail from
Honolulu May II, its officers and men were pre-
vented from seeing and participating in the pageant
the occasion of the funeral OF her late Majesty
the Queen Dowager Emma, which had been post
poned from the 10Th. The Marines and Blue Jackets
had been assigned the place of honor IN the military
professions, and Admiral Upshur and STAFF were put
with the Diplomatic Corps.
Things are exceedingly dull In the War Depart
ment just at present. After seeing the large crowd
that is constantly waiting to get audience with the
Postmaster General and the Secretary of the Treas
ury, 1t s great relief TO see the easygoing condi
rion of things about the Adjutant General and Sec
up things somewhat but they will soon be settled by
the soldiers in the field.
Lieut.. Nathan Sargent, of the nag ship Lancaster,
has been very III OF late, the attack brought by
the malaria and the intense heat and incessant rains
of the African climate. On April IS. when last
heard from, the ship was at Gaboon River, just be-
low the Equator. The other officers are all well.
Col. Charles Haywood, United States Marine
Corps, who lately commanded the forces on the
lsthmus of Panama, is in town and stopping at 1916
Rhode Island avenue.
First Lieut.. j. A. Turner. United States Marine
Corps, lately serving with the Marine Battalion, has
arrived in this city and reported for duty at the
Marine Barracks.