The Colorado statesman., 1924-08-02

sign Wesley Mel. Hague-the latter an eN-enlisted
who had Just been graduated from the acad-
emy as an honor man-inaugurated campaign
get enlisted "of officer caliber." The in
coming class has 20 enlisted men in it.
An object lesson of what be done in this
way is the experience of George Nelson Boblllard.
He enlisted in the navy in 1919. He was sent to
the Oklahoma apprentice seaman and went
through the regular routine for enlisted men. In
addition he attended the Oklahoma's Annapolis
class" which organized aboard for the pur-
pose of coaching enlisted candidates. He then
went to Newport. Il. l., and joined the IN. A. p.
c. This Naval academy preparatory class CON
tained the pick of the navy's enlisted men sent
from all ships and stations to compete for An
napolis appointments. Finally Robillard
transferred to Annapolis, discharged from the
navy and in II midshipman. He was
graduated this year and has been assigned to the
New York navy yard.
A young fellow has to be good deal of chap
to get into Annapolis. He must be between the
ages Of sixteen and twenty, unmarried. He must
be of good moral character physically sound, well
formed and of robust constitution. The prelim-
mary physical and mental examinations are rigid
But they easy compared with the constant
tests OF the course. From 40 to 80 per cent Is
dropped before graduation because of inability to
keep up with the game.
Did you ever stop think of the responsibilities
of the commander of United States warship in
foreign waters even in times of peace? Well 1t
Is something tremendous. Aside from being re-
sponsble for the safety of the ship and the small
army aboard, he represents the United States-he
Is the United States to all intents and purposes.
So he must be fighting man, navigator discipline
rlan, diplomat and patriot-all kinds of man, each
one Just about 100 per cent efficient So Uncle
Sam cannot afford to waste time at his Naval
academy on material that weakens under test
The course at the Naval academy specializes
on requirements of the naval service. Instruction
Includes the following discipline, seamanship,
ordnance and gunnery, navigation, steam and
marine engineering and naval construction, cleo
trical engineering physics, chemistry, mathemat
les astronomy, history, tactics, naval hygiene and
physiology, modern languages drawing and physi-
cal training There 80 instructors, practically
all of them naval officers. The mdshipman binds
himself for eight years, including the four in the
academy. He must furnish his own clothing and
books and receives $3.50 year from Uncle Sam.
The Naval academy founded in 1915 by
George Bancroft secretary of the navy in Polks
administration. In those days it was called the
.'Naval school, and the boys were naval cadets"
Along about 1898 Uncle Sam complained to con-
gress that the buildings We're old and inadequate.
Congress told Uncle Sam to go ahead and fix the
plnce up right. Uncle Sam dd-to the extent of
about SO 100000. And along about 1908 Uncle
Sam completed by far the finest and best-equipped
naval school in the world There are 200 acres
on the Severn river at Annapolis. The buildings
include Bancroft hall, with Memorial hall at Its
center Duhlgren hail. the Armory, the Seamanship
and Gymnasium building the Steam Engineering
building and the Chapel with dome 2lo rect
high.
In short the United States Naval academy is
n tirst-class institution. This is emphasized by
the fact that the present superintendent is no less
n mnn than Admiral Henry b. Wilson. He Is him
self a graduate of the academy class of 1881 and
thus has worked his way up through all the grades
from midshipmnn to commander In chief of the
Atlantic fleet.
The graduating class this year numbered 525.
They have been assigned by the Navy department
to ships and to shore stations
Not all of the graduates will remain in the
service About go have availed themselves of the
privilege of resigning. in accordance with an Or
der of the Navy department. Twenty-Five have
accented commissions in the Marine corps and
seven have Joined the supply corps of the navy.
Commencement week at Annapolis Is great
performance and attracts many visitors This
year there was d mimic war game, in addition to
the dress parade. The climax Is the farewell
ball" in Dahlgren hall. This year Mrs. Wilson
headed the receiving line and more than 1000 ut
tended the ball. Secretary Wilbur presented the
diplomas and made the commencement address.