The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-31
OUR NAVAL S(gIl.t)L.
Origin and Rise Of the GfatAi III
Stitution at Annapolis.
BANCROFT GOT IT STARTED.

He Worked For It's Establishment VITA
Untirins Zeal, and II Was Formally
Opened on Oct. 10, 1s45-our Prev-
Gus Naval Schools.
We had military academy almost
half century before we had naval
academy. 1t was not until the admin
istration Of President James X. Polk
that the government thought it ueces-
sary to establish naval academy at
which young men could be educated
for that part of our protective service
George Bancroft was the founder OF
the United States Naval academy
which was at first called the Naval
school. 1t was formally opened Mt An
napolls on Oct. 10. lSi5. For several
years prior 20 this effort there was
school working along similar lines at
the Naval asylum IN Philadelphia,
where the lnidshiqmGn prepared them.
selves for examination and promotion.
The school was reorgani2cd In 1850
and the course was increased from five
to seven, the first aud last two Yeats
TO be passed at the school, the inter
vening years al sea. At this time the
separate departments Of instruction
were established. a vessel was pro-
vidcl aud annual practice cruises were
instituted. In 1851 the requirements
of sea service were abolished, leaving
the course four consecutive years OF
study.
At the outbreak Of the war In 1851
the Naval academy was removed TO
| Newport. Il. l.. where 1t remained I'M
I'll the summer OF 1863. when it was re-
established at Annapolis In 1870 the
title OF cadet mldShipmcn was sub.
stilutcd for midShipman. ana three
years later the course was increased
by the addition Of two years sea Scrv.
tee In cruising vessels. II the cNpira.
ton Of which the cadet midshipman
returned TO the Naval academy for cX.
animation IN professional subjects
prior 10 graduation
Previous To the establishing vt the
Naval academy several attempts had
been made TO establish training schools
for officers and sailors OF the navy. In
1888 Captain NJ. c. Perry suggested a
school for engineers. but little was ac-
complished before Bancroft called the
meeting In Philadelphia which decided
ihe establishing OF the present school,
At FIRST there was considerable Of n
wranglc rs 10 where the school should
he located. The site finally chosen was
an old army pest known as Fort Sew
crn. located ON the point OF land which
forms the Castcrumust extremity of the
city OF Annapolis and lies between the
hnthor anu the Severn river Poor as
thc place was IN The eyes of Bancroft
he saw that It was FAR ,css likely I,
challenge congressional criticism thar
u more prctcuilous hahitatlon ana hc
sides, ~ the board Of naval officers hat
said. the fact was undcniably true tha
Il might he enlarged and perfected n
some future time"
Fort Severn was duly trousfcrre,
by the war department TO the nav,
ON Aug. To- 1915. AMI fortnight after
ward Secretary Bancroft published
ht plan" which, together with tn
regulations" subsequently, prepare,
by Commander buchanan. goycrne.
the workings OF the school until 1856
The first superintendent Of the Nava
academy was Commander Fraukli
Buchanan.
At II o'clock ON the morning OF oct
10. 1915. all hands assembled In ON
Of the recitation rooms. aud the supci
inieudcnt. after brief but pointed az
dress. N which be announced h
y should exact rigid compliance with u
laws, orders and regulations, declare
the school Open The old buildings .