Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

been for the past forty years. In their repair the utmost economy has been observed, much of the labor having been performed by the enlisted men, and the entire superintendence and direction of the work under the control of the commanding officer of the post, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Heywood, who deserves great credit for his unremitting attention to this duty, as well as for the good judgment displayed in making repairs where most required.

The quarters are not now what they should be, yet with ordinary attention, will be comfortable and pleasant abodes for the troops for many years to come.

The marines at the Norfolk station are still quartered on board the dismantled frigate St. Lawrence, which, as a temporary provision, affords them very good accommodation; but in my judgment the efficiency and soldierly bearing of the men, as well as their social and physical comfort, would be much improved by their being quartered on shore, within a sufficient space for a parade ground, for their exclusive use. As this navy yard is again becoming one of the principal naval depots, I would respectfully renew my recommendation that Congress be asked to authorize the construction of a barracks at this station, capable of accommodating four hundred men, either within the yard itself, or contiguous thereto, as the department might deem best.

The quarters of the men at the navy yard at Pensacola are very temporary, and unsuited for the purpose, and should it be the intention of the department to restore this yard to its former condition, I would also recommend the reconstruction of the barracks on the old site, which is a most excellent one for the purpose. The quarters at the other stations are in good repair, and will require but ordinary attention to keep them so.

The estimates for the support of the corps for the coming fiscal year, are based upon the same number of men as estimated for last year. The amount required for the paymaster's department is therefore about the same as that of last year, while the estimates for the quartermas ter's department show a reduction of $112,561 90 in consequence of a reduction of the price of provisions and clothing.

In all public expenditures during the past year, I am satisfied the utmost economy has been observed.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[blocks in formation]

SIR: I inclose herewith estimates for the pay and subsistence of officers, and pay of non-commissioned officers, musicians, privates, &c., of the United States marine corps for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871. The only change from those submitted last year, is the reduction of $1,578, being the pay of one retired officer, deceased.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brigadier General JACOB ZEILIN,

J. C. CASH, Paymaster Marine Corps.

Commandant United States Marine Corps, Headquarters.

Detail estimate of pay and subsistence of officers, and pay of non-commissioned officers, musicians, privates, &c., of the United States marine corps from July 1, 1870, to June 30, 1871.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

Summary statement of appropriations required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871.

[blocks in formation]

$7,600, 000 00

3,672 494 00
434, 647 50
1,119, 062 00
2, 000, 000 00
202,500 00
234, 540 00
19,800 00
20, 000 00
6,975, 000 00
1,750, 000 00
1, 405, 200 00
57,800 00
72, 000 00

50,000 00

[graphic]

Object.

Pay.

Provisions.

Clothing.

Fuel.

Military
stores.

Transpor-
tation.

Repair of barracks.

Contingent.

Aggregate.

$731, 467 17

$135,991 70

$50,000

$26, 169

$10,000

$20,000 $12,000

$75,000

$1,060, 627 87

NAVAL ACADEMY.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NAVAL
ACADEMY.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.

The Naval Academy has been in existence upwards of twenty-three years, and may now be considered one of the permanent institutions of the country, and it seems to be yearly gaining ground in the affections of the people.

Although it has undergone several revolutions, quite enough to disorganize any institution, yet I am happy to say it has recovered all its lost ground, and is now capable of a favorable comparison with any institution of the kind in the world.

Having been at the head of the academy for the last three years, and engaged in its reorganization upon a somewhat improved plan, I should be able to speak understandingly of its merits and defects.

Since its re-establishment at Annapolis, at the close of the war, four different boards have attended to witness the annual examinations, and have thoroughly investigated the system of instruction. Many of the gentlemen composing these boards were highly educated and scientific men, and most of them were persons of enlarged views and general information.

Every opportunity was given them to examine into the affairs of the academy, for the officers were always anxious to have defects pointed out that they might be corrected.

All these boards made favorable reports, the result, it is believed, of their honest conviction.

When it is considered that the annual expense of keeping up the Naval Academy is not more than the cost of maintaining a small gunboat, it is to be hoped that the institution will continue to receive from Congress the same consideration that has heretofore been bestowed upon it.

It has always been my aim to make the Naval Academy a first-class institution, one the country could be proud of, and from which young men should go forth with an education that would fit them for all the duties of life.

It has been with feelings of great pride that I have heard foreign officers, who have visited our country, remark that there is no naval educational establishment in Europe that can compare with the Naval Academy.

Nothing goes so far to impress foreigners with our power as to witness the manner in which West Point and the Naval Academy are conducted, and the system of education adopted in these institutions. It was owing to the practical teachings of the Naval Academy that we were able during the late war to rapidly build up so large a navy, and in a short time drill the hardy officers of the mercantile marine into good practical naval officers.

In case of a foreign war the same good results would take place; for the officers of the navy are in fact a large corps of instructors in professional knowledge, which they have a happy faculty of imparting to others.

A large majority of the instructors at the academy are naval officers,

[ocr errors]

and during the last three years drawing, French, and Spanish have been taught by line officers, one of whom has been at the head of the department of drawing.

It is not, however, practicable wholly to dispense with the aid of civilian instructors. There must be a certain number of persons permanently attached to the Naval Academy, for officers of the navy are changed every three years. Were this system of change applied to all teachers, in a few years the routine, records, and various other matters of importance would be lost sight of in the different changes made at the academy.

It would be difficult to carry on the same system from year to year. It is considered that the present status of professors and assistant professors at the Naval Academy is about what it should be. There is now a majority of naval officers, but there are a certain number of civilian assistant professors in the different departments that cannot be dispensed with.

This matter has been examined into by the several boards of visitors at the academy, and they have invariably expressed the above opinion. Boards of examiners have made reports from time to time that better hospital accommodations should be furnished. At present the hospital is only prepared to accommodate eight patients, and that with two in a room. This is not a desirable arrangement, especially if one of the two should be delirious.

There are no hospital accommodations whatever for sailors or other employés of the academy. In case of sickness, these persons have to sling in hammocks on board ship, amid all the noise incident to Naval Academy life. In this respect the commonest institution in the country is on a better footing than the Naval Academy.

A properly arranged hospital has, however, been commenced in the grounds belonging to the academy, and this great want will in about one year more be provided for.

The attention of the Navy Department has frequently been called to the fact that the grounds lying contiguous to those of the academy should be purchased. There is a space next to the academy now actually inclosed by the government grounds.

The assemblage of houses in this space is thus prevented from expanding; but the government can make no improvements on their lands until the above-mentioned property is purchased. This can be done for a sum that I do not deem unreasonable, considering the wants of the academy and its value to the country.

This land once purchased, the academy will have all the domain that it is desirable it should possess.

It is to be hoped that the institution will continue to recommend itself to the good will of Congress.

The system now in force I am satisfied is about the right one, although changes may be made from time to time to insure greater efficiency.

It should be remembered that the officers educated here go forth to represent the United States in all parts of the world, and whenever they are met with abroad they are taken as the exponents of the char acter of American citizens.

It is desirable, then, that the Naval Academy should receive the fostering care of Congress, and officers who graduate here should leave with the best education the government can give them.

It is also desirable that all the officers of the academy should reside within its walls, not only for their own comfort and convenience, but also for the promotion of discipline.

« AnteriorContinuar »