The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-24
TRAINING NAVAL CADETS
W ork Done by Them During the
Trial Of the Illinois.

Served With Efficiency in the En-
CINE AMI Boiler Rooms When the
BattIeship Was Going at Its Great
est S3ced-AdrsiiraI Evans Praise.
The recent official trial Of the Illinois
has not only brought satisfaction to the
officials Of the Navy Department on ac-
count Of the performance Of the ship, but
certain facts in connection with the test
showed that with the progressive develop
ment in construction an equal if not
greater pace has been kept in the training
Of the personnel On the urgent recon-
mendation Of Rear Admiral Melville, En-
gineer-iu-Chi of the Navy ten of the
graduates of the Naval Academy were or
dered to the Illinois for temporary duty
and instruction in connection with the Of
fetal speed trial These young men had
satisfactorily passed examination in the
course in marine engineering and naval
architecture, and it was believed by the
engineer-in-chief that there could be no
better way of initiating them into the ac-
tive duties of the service than by having
them witness an official speed trial. At
such time these young men would not
only witness boilers subjected to forced
dTaugnt conditions. but the various pro-
pelIing engines and auxiIiaries would be
pushed to their highest piston speed. Such
a test would also give the young men the
opportunity 20 note the organization. both
in the fire and engine rooms, under condi-
tons that would be- identical in many re-
spects with what would be witnessed in
battle. The qualities Of readiness Of re-
source, endurance. technical skill and
quick judgment must be exercised by
those conducting such a test. The ques
ton Of nerve also comes into play, SO that
altogether conditions are undergone which
bring into action the highest quality of
the engineer
Realizing the Importance Of this expe-
rience to these young men, Admiral Mel
vile suggested that each cadet for a def
mite period should be stationed in the boil
er and engine rooms in such manner that
every main. independent, and auxiliary
machine should be under observation
while being rushed to it's utmost. Under
the guidance and inspiration of the in
spection and trial board, the cadets en-
tered into the work with zeal and enthu-
siasm. The day before the official test d
careful tour of the fire and engine rooms
was made, and the cadets became thor
oughly acquainted with the various sta
lions that were to be assigned them
Some Of these stations were far from
pleasant, for with forced draught blowers
installed near the uptakes of the boilers,
and with Indicator connections between
the steam cylinders. an opportunity to
test the endurance and grit of the newly
appointed graduates was had.
Only three days before the test some Of
these young men had led the cotillon at
the graduating ball. and their fair part
ners would hardly have recognized the
test began. Those stationed in the
engine room, whose duty it was to
take cards and coHed4 data, and who had
donned overal1s. were covered by the
spray Of oil and grease showered from
the running parts. The cadets stationed
in the hreroom before the first hour ex-
pired were hardly distinguishab!e from
the stokers who fed the fires and from the
coal Dassers who supplied the fuel After
turning the first stake boat. and when
there was an inteIchanse of da-.i~= he
tisz-Seyi~Ls stationed in the FIRE and
engine rooms, and those saturated with
oil and water received an additional coat
ing Of coal dust and SCOT the newly iiedg-
ed officers were hardly recognizable even
TO each other.
It was rather remarkable that not one
of the ten cadets should have succumbed
one encounters when undergoing his
first experience Of forced draught condi-
lions on board a warsFip. AS it Was the
purpose Of the engineer-in-chief that this
experience should be something else than
a pleasure Jauut for the young officers.
the actual work Of collecting data, taking
indicator cards, measuring coal and TAX
ing notes was also in part assigned to the
cadets
The intelligence and zeal with which
these young men entered into the work
quickly demonstrated the excellent school
ing and discipline Of the Naval Academy,
and reflected great credit on the admin
istIation of Commander Richard Vain
wright. the experience Of these young
men on the Illinois proved that the meth
cd OF instruction at the Naval Academy
was not only Of a theoretical but of an
erninentIy practical nature. The days
experience on board the warship showed
that the cadet graduates of the Naval
Academy thoroughly understood that in
starting out on their career they were not
only destined 10 command. but to serve.
The action Of the Navy Department IN
sending such large body Of young men
on this duty is taken to indicate how en-
gineeTing is now regarded in the navy, for
in assigning cadets TO this work the value
of practical experience along engineering
ficiency Of the cadets we're highly praised
by Rear Admiral ROIley D. Evans. the
President of the Trial Board. Not only
the manner. but the method. in which the
cadets did their work was under the
strictest surveillance, for IL was believed
| by many who were on the Illinois that
the future fate of engineering in the navy
might be indicated by the estimate which
these young men placed on the work. 1t
was soon apparent that the graduates re-
gaTded the duty dS dignified and import
ant, and an unusual opportunity for
acquiring valuable knowledge and expert
ence- The success attending the efforts
Of Admiral Melville and Superintendent
| Wainwright to utilize the services of ca
det graduates in this experimental work
and research is likely to be followed in
the future, and it may indirectly have an
important effect in instiliing into the
minds Of the Academy graduates the ne
Cessity and value of practical experience
in the engine and fire rooms for those who
are in the future to possess command and
/ flag rank.