The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-08-04
Examination for Annapolis.

AS CoIupctitlNo cAdmludtlOu IOT dp-
pointment to Annapolis as a naval
cadet is to be held in Saginaw next
week Thursday few points about the
requirements fer admission to the
United States naval academy and the
work there will not be entirely out of
place.
In the first place the competitive ex-
animation does not insure the success
full youth course at Annapolis but is
merely the method taken by most con-
gressmen whereby every boy in their
respective districts may have a chance
for the appointment. After the ex-
amining board invited by the congress
man to conduct the examination has
decided on the youth who has passed
the most creditable examination the
successful youth is formally nominated
by the congressman as a cadet and
must then present himself at the naval
academy at Annapolis for his entrance
examinations which are held in May
and September of each year. If he
succeeds in passing this examination he
is duly admitted to the academy after
depositing two hundred dollars to cover
the cost of his outfit and signing an
agreement to serve in the United States
navy for eight years unless sooner dis
charged. His pay while cadet is five
hundred dollars year, out of which
he has to pay his subsistence, board, etc.,
and buy his own clothing. He is fur
nished transportation when on furlough
besides his pay.
The examination while severe need
not frighten any healthy, we'll built
youth who has not shirked his school
work too badly. The competitive ex-
animation being modelled as nearly as
possible after the entrance examination
the statements concerning the latter
will serve for both. Physically the
successful youth must be of robust
constitution, of suitable height, free
from physical defects and between
fifteen and twenty of age His hear
ing must be perfect, his eyesight un-
impaired. lungs and heart perfectly
sound. The mental examination will
cover English grammar, geography,
United States history, arithmetic, and
algebra as far as equations of the first
degree.
The course which the successful
youth will find stretching out before
him covers six years, the first four OF
which are taken up by academic studies
with three months cruise every sum.
mer except one when the 2nd class
men have their cruise cut one month
shorter by shop work. During these
four years the cadet will study English,
history, French, Spanish or German
algebra, geometry both descriptive and
analytical, trigonometry, calculus
mechanics, physics, astronomy, chem
istry, mechanical drawing, seamanship
During the last year of the four he viii
have larger assortment of technica
studies. The course is conducted by
daily oral recitations, and monthly
semi-annual and annual written ex
aminations. Those found deficient a
any of the semi.annual examination
are dropped. Besides these studies tht
cadets are taught seamanship, tht
management of sail and row boats anC
power launches, signalling, gun drills
Workmanship, navigation, surveying
shop work, the care of engines, fencing
bayonet drill, boxing, swimming, dane
ing, etc. The academy library contains
over 80, 600 volumes.
At the end Of the four years tn,
members of the graduating class go OF
a two years practice cruise at the enc
of which time they return to Annapoli
for their final examination after which
the successful cadets are given theil
commissions and enter the nav,
proper.
When the above facts are taken int
consideration there is no wonder tina
the American boy should do his best tt
avail himself of such an opportunity
1t is to be regretted, however, that th'
time for preparing for the examina
tons are so short but the boy who Cal
pass high competitive examination
should be able to pass the Septembel
examination with credit by diligen
study.