The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-08-20
Annapolis.-The Yard.


After having seen all the historic places
in and around the city, the visitor decides
to visit the Naval Academy. Down
Maryland avenue, picturesque old
street, he drives up to the gateway Of the
grounds of the Academy. On passing
through. one is met by a sentinel OF the
Marine Corps, who directs you how to
proceed through the grounds. The street
along which you walk leads down to the
engine house of the fire department.
Before going so far down, however, one
is bound to stop and gaze at the hundreds
of old cannon and implements of war,
which have been captured in our several
wars and which now adorn the walks
and drives through the Academy grounds.
Just below Blake Row, beautiful
street upon which is situated the officers
quarters, one runs up against a great
long torpedo, captured during the battle
of Santiago; then comes number OF
rapid-fire guns, which were taken off the
sunken Spanish gun-boats. Grouped
artistically around the so-called "upper
classmen" benches, are four huge bronze
cannon captured at Santiago, when that
city surrendered to Gen. Shafter. These
guns are of an obsolete design, and were
moulded in 1749 in a French arsenal.
They bear the Frence Empires coat-of-
arms, and after being captured by the
Spanish in European war, We're sent to
Cuba, where they were used against the
English in 1863, against the Cuban
patriots in their many struggles for
liberty, and were finally turned against
the men in blue, as they charged up San
Juan Hill.
At this point walk leads off from the
main road up to the main barracks. On
both sides of this are also many cap
tured guns. Here are to be seen mortars
moulded in France, cannon brought over
from Spain, and great smooth-bore guns
captured in the Revolution. All these
guns with their fancy finishings, bear a
strong contrast TO two six-inch guns
mounted in their mantels, which were
taken from the wreck Of the Spanish
cruiser Viscaya.
In this great collection Of obsolete
guns, We see the changes which have
taken place in warfare from the time of
the cumbersome smooth-bore to the great
rifled gun of modern times.
Turning off for few steps, we find
ourselves at the pedestal OF beautiful
monument erected to the memory of the
men of our navy, who fell in the war
with Tripoli. Among those whose names
appear upon this shaft are Somers,
Wordsworth, Decatur.
Returning to the walk, we stroll on
up to the main barracks, where We are
met by the officer of the day, who directs
you to the commandments Office. Here
you may obtain permission to 60 through
part of the building. The reception
room is neat little room crowded with
the laurels, which the midshipmen have
won by their skill On the walls hang
portraits of many of the Navy's famous
men, along with paintings OF some OF the
greatest of naval conflicts, and some of
our old historic war vessels.
Down the long hall we walk into the
dining hall. The walls of this are, also,
decorated with trophies, which have been
captured by the midshipmen, and paint
ings of Admirals Stewart, Nicholson,
Perry, Commodores Truxtun, Mont
gomery and Hull.
From the dining hall, where every day
six hundred and fifty hungry young men
take their meals, it is only short walk
I'D flight of stairs to the cadet barracks.
All of them are exactly alike and in
number SO We see how all are arranged.
The furniture consists of two single
beds, two iron washstands, two mirrors,
two lockers, in which all clothing is
kept, one large table with two drawers,
and two chairs. The floor is neatly
painted and upon it are two small rugs.
Each man has a broom and must keep
the room perfectly clean as long as his
tour of duty lasts. The rooms are
lighted by electricity, heated by steam
and we'll ventilated. On the inside of the
locker door the midshipmen are allowed
to hang photographs, and this makes the
room look neat, and not SO bare as those
in some military barracks.
The main building is four storied
structure and quarters about three hun
dred men; besides, it contains all the
main offices, dining room and kitchen.
From the rear of the building one gets a
beautiful view of the athletic field, the
new annexes, Goldborough Row and the
Marine Cemetery.
Leaving these points for another time,
we pass again out the front way and
wander down to Lovers Lane" This is
a beautiful little walk winding through
the tall trees, where only upper classmen
are allowed to stroll In the center rises
a plain marble shaft to Lieut. Herndon,
who was killed in battle in 1867. Fur
ther on down is the band stand, an
artistic little structure, and just below
this hangs a quaint old bell. This bell
was brought from Japan in 1853 by Com
modore Perry when he made his famous
voyage to that country. The bell is seven
hundred and fifty-five years old, and is
beautifully hung On an Oriental mount.
The tones are exceedingly soft and beau
tiful and shows what great learning the
Japanese have had in times past.
Inscribed on the outside in japanese
characters is full account of the casting,
its maker, and its presentation to the
United States.
Just here the walk is stopped on
account of the great building being
erected. This is the new quarters and
will be completed in about two years
time.
To our right is the chapel and Blake
Row; to the left the naval observatory
and the library. These we will visit next.