The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-05-20
READY
FOR : JUNE WEEK
Naval Academy's Gala Period Prom
ises to Be Exceptionally
Brilliant.
COMMISSIONS FOR 1872 CADETS

Annapolis. Nd. May 1s.-"June Week
at the Naval Academy the period dur
ing which the Board OF Visitors appears
and when the class. whose members
have completed the four years course,
is graduated. Is always the gaia season
at Annapolis. Drills. exercises and en-
tertainments form a lovely combination.
This year II marks the first time that
graduation from the Naval Academy
means commission as full officer in the
service. Heretofore the coveted Sheep
skin simply marked the completion OF
the four-year course, and two additional
years Of sea service were necessary be-
fore final examinations leading TO the
rank OF ensign. Congress has now put
the graduates Of Annapolis upon the
same basis as those Of West Point The
graduates Of the Naval Academy will,
therefore. go forth on June next with
the rank, authority and emoluments OF
ensigns.
A feature OF extreme interest this year
will be the presence OF the battle ships
Of the Atlantic feet. which win be in the
waters adjacent to Annapolis for several
days. They are 70 carry the midshipmen
on their annual cruise. This marks a
new era in the education of the mid
bnlpI1en. heFtlOIOIet the summer cruise
has been on vessels of an older type.
but this year the midshipmen are to be
distributed among the most modern Of
our battle ships and give an oppor-
tunity Of learning something Of their
workings.
The battle ships will form by far the
greatest feet Of modern war vessels
which has ever assembled in this vicin-
ity, and will be a source OF great pleas
ure to the thousands OF visitors to the
Academy
Ceremonies Begin June 3.
The formal ceremonies VIII begin en-
Monday. June B. with the officlal recep-
ticn TO the Board OF Visitors, and It will
organize Immediately after. The drills
and practical exercises will begin
promptly. In the morning there will be
infantry drill, and in the afternoon an
exhibition OF seamanship with small
boats under oars. sails and steam. other
features will be a reception TO the mem
bers of the Board at the residence Of
the superintendent. Capt John II. G'b-
bons; dress parade, during which vari-
Gus presentations 10 midshipmen will be
made, and a performance by the Mas
queraders," the dramatic society Of the
midshipmen.
The brigade Of midshipmen will divide
Tuesday morning, a battalion giving q
street riot and skirmish drill and the
other drilling as a battalion OF artillery.
The members Of the board will devote
the afternoon to an inspection Of the
grounds and buildings. Features Of the
evening will be a dress parade. another
performance by the "AIasqueraders," and
a formal dinner by Capt Gibbons and
Mrs. Gibbons for the board of visitors
and their families.
There viii be an artillery drill We'd
nesday morning. which forms a portion
OF the composition among the companies
OF the brigade for the right TO carry the
culurs for the ensuing year. In the aft
ernoon there will be small arm work at
the range across the Severn. and at the
opening Of the evening the usual dress
parade. Later IN the evening Capt Glib
bons will entertain the graduating class
at a garden party. This will be the frs.
time a superintendent has given such an
entertainment for the graduates
Luncheon for German Officers.
The infantry drill, a part Of the color
competition, will be held Thursday morn
ing. and in the afternoon a torpedo-boat
drill and work in the department of me-
chanIcal engineering and marine construc-
ton. A luncheon will be given by the
NlHllALAs nav
officers During the evening the alumni
dinner and the first class german will
take place.
For Friday. June Z. IN closing day. are
reserved the ceremonies Of graduation
and the grand farewell ball, at which
the class OF 1913 will bid good-by to the
graduates.
The ceremonies OF graduation will be
the great event of the week. The grad
yates will receive their diplomas from
the hands of the Secretary OF the Navy.
George Won l. Meyer. The Secretary
and others will speak
On Saturday, the graduates will get
leave of a month at least, and at the
end OF the time will be ordered to differ
ent vessels for sea duty. The members
OF the three upper classes will go aboard
various battle ships OF the Atlantic feet
for the summer cruise.
The class contains 162 members, the
number having been decreased by one
only a few weeks ago in the sudden death
of Midshipman Julian B. Bishop, of Con-
necticut, one of the class's leading schol-
ars. First honors will easily be taken
by Harold z. Saunders, of Michigan, a
brilliant scholar, who has stood num-