The Monticellonian., 1895-03-01

; men, or in Academy parlance "plebes." We became Cadets in May. but as there were already four classes we were determined "functious." Graduation exer- cises over, it is not long before we embark on the T. S. P. s. (U. $. Practlce Ship Monongahela. A few days are spent in learning our station and the '.lead of gear,' then we set sail and are soon out in mid channel of the Chesapeake. We pass Kent Island, the site of Clay borne's trading post that caused the rebellion; two days later we pass the royal capes. Charles and Henry, and are out of sight of land, the first time for many of us. We have not been idle. We are becoming practical seamen. Beach of us has spe- cial station at all evolutions; it may be on the main royal seventy-fve feet above the deck. At first it is with trepidity that we scale the rigging when ordered "to lay aloft and furl sail" especially if a stiff breeze is blowing; but soon we become bold mariners in this respect at least. We work all day, and three nights out of four have a night watch of four hours. Perhaps you are stationed at a cat-head, where it is your dnty to see that the side light is kept bright and report this fact to the watch officer every half hour, and to report all vessels that come in sight. ii it happens to Dc 3 rainy night, you are clad in a cape-arm suit of vilskins with grotesque souwester clad thus with water falling upon you and water under foot, and passing the hail "port cat head, bright light every time the bell strikes the half hour, you experienc, the sensations of a sen- try on duty. And such you are, with considerable responsibility. Leay ing your post of duty with out authority subjects you to trial by courtmartial.
 '. Finally, after two weeks out, we are off Hatteras's stormy coast; the weather, N hich has heretofore been fine, becomes stormy; gale begins to blow; the breakers dash high up the sides of the vessel, the spray floods the deck; the ships timbers creak as she rides q pillow and plunges into the trough below. We how experi- ence our first sensations of sea- sickness. Many of us wonder why we ever came to sea, and wish that we were back at our several homes. The gale subsidies, in a few days our sea sickness IS gone, and we once again glory in the fact of being Naval Cadets.
 8. Two weeks longer. at sea, then we come into port, at Old Point Comfort. Va. Having an chored, spread awning, and rigged out the quarter boats, the Cadets are permitted to go ashore. We inspect our greatest national fort, Fortress Monroe. We see the very apartment, somewhat changed, in which our beloved and lamented ehieftain of the Confectionery was incarcerated. The next day government tug is sent to carry the corps of Cadets to the Norfolk Navy Yard. We pass over the water in which was fought the greatest Naval battle of modern, perhaps of all times, that of the Monitor and Merrimac. Arriving at the Navy Yard, we are shown through the various offices, shops, and works, and our attention is called to the immense dry docks, where our men-of-war are laid up for repairs. We go over several ships and make notes on their dimensions, arnor, bat tery, speed, draught, coal capaci- ty, power of engines, etc. Among these vessels may be mentioned the "Amphitrite," coast defence monitor that has been building ev- CT since the war; the Raleigh" a belted cruiser of modern construc- tion; the Detroit" the ship that ]