The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-08-01

sign Wesley Mel. Hague-the latter an ex-enlisted
man who had Just been graduated from the acad-
envy as an honor man-inaugurated campaign
to get enlisted men "of officer caliber." The in
coming class has 20 enlisted men in 1t.
An object lesson Of what be done in this
way is the experience Of George Nelson Roblard.
He enlisted in the navy in 1919. He was sent to
the Oklahoma as an apprentice seaman and went
through the regular routine for enlisted men. In
addition he attended the Oklahoma's Annapolis
Glass; which was organized aboard for the pur-
pose Of coaching enlisted candidates He then
Went to Newport. r. l., and Joined the IN. A. r.
c." This Naval academy preparatory class con-
tanned the pick of the navy's enlisted men sent
from all ships and stations to compete for An
napolis appointments. Finally Robllard was
transferred to Annapolis, discharged from the
navy and sworn in as midshipman. He was
graduated this year and has been assigned to the
New York navy yard.
Asyoung fellow has to be good deal Of chap
toy 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 preliI-
mary physical and mental examinations are rigid
But they are easy compared with the constant
tests of the course. From 40 to so per cent Is
dropped before graduation because of inability to
keep up with the game.
Did you ever stop to 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-
sponsible 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
rian 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 speeializes
onfS ~ fhn ovaI
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 physt
cal training There are 30 instructors. practically
all Of them naval officers. The midshipman 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 was founded in 1S45 By
George Bancroft, secretary Of the navy In Folks
administration. In those days it was called the
NAVAL school" and the boys naval CADETS
Along about 1898 Uncle Sam complained to con-
gress that the buildings were old and inadequate.
Congress told Uncle Sam to go ahead and fix the
place up right. Uncle Sam did-to the extent of
about $12OOOOO0. And along about 1908 Uncle
Sam completed by far the finest and best-equipped
naval school in the world. There are 200 acres
include Bancroft hall, with Memorial hall at Its
center, Dahlgren hail. the Armory, the Seamnnship
and Gymnasium building, the Steam Engineering
building and the Chapel. with a dome 210 feet
high.
In short, the United States Naval academy Is
a first-class institution. This Is emphasized by
the fact that the present superintendent is no less
a man than Admiral Henry B. Wilson. He Is him
self graduate of the academy class of 1881 and
thus has worked his way up through all the grades
from midshipman 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 avaed themselves Of the
privilege of resigning, in accordance with an or
der of the Navy department. Twenty-Five have
accepted 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 mimic war game. in addition to
the dress parade. The climax Is the farewell
balln In Dahlgren hall. This year Mrs. Wilson
headed the receiving line and more than 1000 Mt
tended the ball. Secretary Wilbur presented the
dplomas and made the commencement address