New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-16
WHOLE NAVY CLASS
FAILS IN EXAMINATION
Every 1908 Man FIunks in Test
for Promotion to Rank
of Ensign.
ALL Baked BY NAVIGATION
Middies' Only Hope to Prevent
Loss of Many Numbers Is
in Interference by
Department:

The Navy Department has recently
passed on the examination papers OF the
class which was graduated from the
Naval Academy in June, 1908. Members
of this class in the service now have the
rank of passed midshipmen, and the re-
cent examination was to determine their
fitness for promotion to the grade of en-
sign. Not q single member of the class
passed the examination in navigation
The highest mark made was 1.S6, whereas
the passing mark is $50.
There are a number of midshipmen or
this class on duty on ships now at the
Brooklyn navy yard, and the result of the
test has come as a shock to them, al
though it was not entirely unexpected.
Unless a reorganization in this study is
allowed or the department decides to
average the mark on navigation with
marks on other subjects, this Will mean
that the class of 1909 will rank 1908, for
the latter class will not be permitted to
take another examination for promotion
until a year has passed.
II have never seen such an examina-
ton in my life" said one of the midship-
men yesterday. There was not man
in the class who could possibly have
passed it, There is a report, however,
that in view of the character of the ex-
animation the Navy Department has de-
cided to raise the marks of all except
the twenty men who stood lowest to or
above $50
One Refused to Try II.
One midshipman. after reading over
the examination, signed his paper In
blank and handed it in. For doing this
he will in all probability be court mar
tailed recommendation TO this eff
feet it is said has been forwarded to the
department.
This is the first time that an entire
graduate class from the Naval Academy
has been f1unked on a subject Hereto
fore examinations for promotion have
been considered more or less matters of
form. the object being to find out whether
officers were keeping abreast of their
work and capable of efficient performance
of their duty. The midshipmen are par
ticularly bitter over the nature of the
questions asked. They say that the ma
iority of them were on matters concern
ing navigation which the practical navi-
gator would never need to know in the
performance of his duty.
Exams Held on Shipboard.
The examinations were held on the va
rious ships to which the midshipmen had
been ordered. whether in the Philippines,
on the Pacific Coast or in home waters,
and it is said that the navigating officers
of several of these freely admitted that
thew themselves would have been unable
to pass them.
Unless some action is taken by the
Navy Department the result of the ex-
animation will be felt by members of
the class throughout their careers in the
service 1t will mean, as the midshipmen
interpret it, q material loss of numbers,
and this in turn, under the present sys-
tenn of promotion, means that as they adj
vance in the service their promotion may
be materially retarded.
In the lower grades of ensign, Junior
lieutenant and lieutenant the effect will
not be materially noticeable. but when
'0S men approach TIE HIsHer slou0o VI
lieutenant commander, commander and
captain the difference of a few numbers
counts heavily. There have been in
stances of a difference of five to ten
numbers meaning the loss of the next
higher rank.
Navy men are inclined to believe. how
ever, that the department will interfere