River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-07-05
A SUMMER CRUISE,
The Middies OF Annapolis ON on Their
Practice Ship.

When vacation time comes around
the military cadets at West Point go
into camp, but each year, when the ex-
aminations are over at the United
States naval academy, at Annapolis,
the riddles go off in a practice ship on
a summer cruise. To the future adj
mirals. who are now naval cadets. this
cruise is an event in the academic year
unequaled by any other.
In past years these cruises were
made in old-fashioned ships, such as
the Constellation, the Dale and the
America; but this year the new steel
practice cruiser, George Bancroft, will
be used for the purpose.
In the old days the Constellation
was looked upon as an excellent vessel
for the teaching of practical seaman
ship. She was built soon after the
close of the war OF the revolution.
The brave Truxton was her com
mander in the French war, and il was
in her that he fought and vanquished
the French frigates L'insurgente and
Vengeance.
She was built more or less from time
to time since then, but she still re-
tanned a good deal of her original tim
Der. She was tall-sparred and was a
beautiful ship. with wide spread of
canvas. She was one of the swiftest
sailers afioat, and could be worked
with the greatest ease.
After the annual graduation ball, the
cadets who are to take part in the
cruise begin the work of packing up.
In many ways, the cruise is welcome
and very refreshing change from months
of hard study at the academy.
The work is principally physical, al
though lectures are also given, while it
is requirement that notes shall be
taken and kept.
There are to-day ON ship of the new
navy more comforts than could be
found on any of the old wooden yes
sells. There is now no reefing of sails
or ''box-hauling ships" the triple
screws and quadruple expansion en-
gines have done away with that, while
the Dahlgren shell gun has given place
to breech-loading rifles.
After the cadets have embarked, and
everything on board is ship-shape, the
practice cruiser starts out. Going
down Chesapeake bay, the days are
chiefly spent in drill, and the vessel
comes to an anchor every night.
But when the capes have been left
behind. and the open sea is reached,
there is a new order of things. The
cadets. just like blue jackets. are di-
vided into the starboard and the port
watches, and one of these must be on
Il Al
ing "A watch.
All day there is constant exercise and
drill below and aloft. Boat drill, sail
drill, handling spars, exercise with big
guns and little guns, practical naviga
tion and working ship" Every phase
Of a sailors life is illustrated, and no
matter how rough the sea may be, or
how hard the wind may blow, the cadet
must go aloft and work side by side
with the jack-tars.
When the cruiser has been out three
or four weeks it is customary to put
into some northern port to reft and
victual. The cadets have some pleas
ant days on shore during their stay. and
the change is greatly enjoyed by them.
After this little rest, they put to sea
once more. and for several weeks buffet
the ocean waves or broil under the hot
sun that blazes down on the Chesa-
peake.
Near the end of August. Annapolis is
reached; the crowd of bronzed and
sturdy youths rushes ashore, and the
next train bears laughing. rollicling
middies to their homes all over this
g. -, 10
When that time has expired they re-
turn to Annapolis, and resume their
academic life.-W. b. Holden, in Golden