New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1912-02-07
old time MIDDIES
They Were Tots Of SchooIboys,
Some Not In Their Teens.
TOO YOUNG TO WEAR SWORDS
DO the Midsets Were Armed With Dirk
Knives instead-They Were Fighters,
Though, Farrasut and Porter Being
In Battles at the Age Of Twelve.

| ~ oAttIeS IL INC Age OF Twelve.
Something more than hundred years
ago the midshipman was, indeed. the
"midshipmite' that he was popularity
called, for he was but mite of a lad
usually receiving his appointment be-
fore he reached his teens. Admirals
Farragut and Porter were midshipmen
afloat and In pitched battles. at twelve
years of age, and Goldsborough was
appointed when only seven years old.
Nowadays. however. the midshipman
is quite different person. He cannot
enter the Naval academy under fifteen
and is therefore when on Il regular
cruising ship after completing his four
years academic course usually we'll
developed man, physically mature and
athletic and with trained mind. He
/ Is far better equipped mentally than
the lieutenants and many of the cap
tains of even seventy years ago.
The old time middies were mere
schOolboys. All the warships of any
size carried in their regular compile
ments schoolmaster, whose duty it
was to give the lads as liberal an edu-
cation as possible in the odd periods
between strictly professional duties.
This rating Of schoolmaster was abol-
ished, in fact, only about twenty years
ago, but after the establishment Of the
Naval academy, in 1S41, these officials
devoted their energies to the sailor ap-
prentices only, the enlisted boys Of the
forecastle. Even these now obtain
their education on shore.
There is a tradition that the three
brass buttons the midshipman wears
on the sleeve of his full dress coat dur
ing his four years at Annapolis origi-
mated century or more ago, when
their presence was needed to discour-
age the youngsters from brushing their
noses with their sleeves. This is prob
ably base SANDER, modern research
indicating that the buttons are relics
of the days when there was a cuff flap
on the sleeve.
At all events the extreme youth of
the midshipmite used to be his most
conspicuous characteristic. Instead of
the full sized regulation officers sword
that he now carries, he wore little
straight bladed dirk about foot long.
He was to large extent messenger
for carrying orders about the ship, but
he also took charge Of boats and COM
manded men despite bis youth. He
was frequently placed in charge Of
prize captured In war, taking her into
port, and not infreQuently suppressing
mutinies among the prisoners ON board
Farragut was prize master at twelve
and got his prize safely in.
The title "midshipman" is an ancient
one. He is above the seamen and the
petty officers forward and below the
commissioned officers in the wardroom
aft; hence "midshipman." There was
formerly higher grade called passed
but this was abolished be-
fore the war between the states. Then
the grade was restored, but called mid
shipman, the former midshipman be-
Ing designated as cadet midshipman.
In 1882 the title Of the latter was
changed to naval cadet, which 1t still
and the midshipmen were |
merged with the ensigns. Accordingly |
the time honored title of midshipman
no longer exists officially in the United
States navy.
While officially a naval cadet, that
young officer is still regarded and often
'eferred to verbally as a midshipman.
'or he is the same creature rs of old as
ar as his duties go. But by the side
If his earlier prototype the twentieth
century "middy'' Is a savant. Trigo-
lometry was about as high up in math-
.matics as the old timer ever went.
The twentieth century lad goes far be-
'ond. He goes through analytical ge-
metry Of three dimensions, differential
nd integral calculus. applied mechan-
cs.
Gunnery a hundred years ago was
title more than loading. aiming and
ring at short ranges. 1t now involves
netallurgy, theory Of the combustion
+ powder gases, stress and strain, me-
hanical engineering, manufacture and
of complex explosives and
Their abstruse subjects. in all Of which
be midshipman Of the present day
lust be proficient.
liidshipmen were conspicuous in all
ur early wars, notably those with the :
arbary States. with the West Indian G
rates and with the British in 1872
hey were equally conspicuous during
ur conflicts with the Spanish and Fill
mos. Midshipmen. naval cadets. had t
barge Of the extremely hazardous /
lcket duty in the Santiago blockade,
ose under the Spanish batteries and
ten under musketry fire from shore.
adet Powell ran his open launch right 5
to the harbor Of Santiago after the '
errimac, remained all night under the a
enacing guns OF the inner batteries h
Id steamed out again under their fire S
the morning-New York Press. s
Blood and Fire.
A French editor, anxious for sensa- 5
mo oomo into hfs offico md asked |