The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-19
NAVAL CADETS AND MIDDIEs.
Schooling of the Cadet To-day aud
the Midshipman Long Ago.


the Midshipman Long Ago.
From the New York Evening Post
There is a general feeling among naval
officers that the title of midshipman should
be Reconstructed in the navy. It was abol-
ished by act of Congress in 1882, the mid
shipman" giving way to the naval cadet"
The students of the national college are
called officially naval cadets on proba-
ton" the traditional title of mdishipman
having been changed, first to cadet mid
shipman," and subsequently to that now
employed.
The latter grade cannot, however, be said
to have precisely superseded that of mid
shpman, for the reason that in the old
days student az Annapolis, having sue
cessfully passed an examination in the reg
ular course at the Naval Academy, was on
signifying his desire to so into service, at
once gazetted as a midshipman and as
signed to duty. Nowadays the student,
having graduated, is sent on a two years
cruise, bearing the title naval cadet Dur
ing this period the cadet is grounded in
practical matters pertaining TO his profess
sion. At its conclusion the cadets are
gathered from all over the world, subjected
to final examination, and assigned to
such relative positions in the grade of en-
sign, as their examination rank and cruise
reports may determine.
There are, in an educational sense, few
arguments naval officers say, In favor Of
the two years cruise a1oat as the exam
nation to be passed at its end must from
the conditions imposed upon the cadets by
ship life, be similar In nature 10 that al
ready passed at the end of the four years
course.
The curriculum al the academy consists
of a course in algebra, trigonometry. de
scriptive geometry. calculus analytical
geometry, English history, rhetoric,
French, elementary physics chemistry,
mechanical drawing, marine engines and
boilers, sound and heat, electricity and
magnetism, international law the consti-
tuition, physiology and hygiene, seaman
ship, naval tactics ordnance gunuery,
astronomy, navigation, and surveying
Besides these studies there are great-gun
exercises infantry and naval drill, signal
ing, fencing, rowing swimming, dancing
and a half score Of others.
In striking contrast to the advantages
now enjoyed by the naval neophyte was
the curriculum of the school which Farra-
gut attended.
During the remainder of the winter"
he wrote, ''the midshlpmen were sent 10
school 70 a Mr.. Adams. Later | was put
10 school to a queer old individual named
Neif, who had no books, but taught orally.
In the afternoon il was customary to go
for long walks. accompanied by our in
structor Mr.. Neif would make collect
ions Of minerals and plants, and talk 20
us about mineralogy and botany. But in
spite Of such meager tuition this pupil of
PedagOgue Neif became a sea officer
whom America delights to honor.
This was in 1911 and midshipmen were
instructed in this desultory way until, af-
ter a long struggle, the naval officers won
recognition for the claims of the service,
and the Naval Academy was organized IN
1915, by George Bancroft, the historian,
then Secretary of the Navy. t
As one Of the arguments in favor Of
return 70 the old title officers say that
everybody knows what a "midshipman"
means, but the designations naval ca
Diet" and ensign" are sometimes confUs-
ing even 10 the older officers.
Nowadays they call these youngsters
mister, sarcastically remarked a line Of