No. 3.-NAVAL ACADEMY. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS. UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY, Annapolis, Md., June 8, 1888. SIR: The Board of Visitors appointed to visit the United States Naval Academy and be present at the annual examinations and drills has the honor to report that it has performed that duty, and submits the following report: The Board met on the 2d instant and organized by the election of Rear-Admiral C. R. P. Rodgers, U. S. Navy, president; Hon. E. C. Walthall, vice-president, and Lieut. C. R. Miles, U. S. Navy, secretary; the latter being detailed by the Superintendent of the Academy for that purpose. The various committees were then appointed by the president of the Board, who were requested to submit their reports at the earliest mo ment. Sessions of the Board were held daily during the continuance of the examinations. CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION TO AND DISCHARGE FROM THE ACADEMY. The Board, after a thorough and careful consideration of the subject, recommends that the academic course should be reduced from six to four years. The term of six years was adopted "for the purpose of reducing the number of appointments to the Navy," but the reason for such a regulation does not now exist, as "the number of appointments is now restricted by law to the aggregate number of vacancies occurring in each year in the corps to which appointments are made, the appointment of graduates being not less than ten annually." It is believed that the proposed change will be alike beneficial to the Government and the cadets affected thereby. Their service at sea for the period of two years is without value, and entails considerable expense, while it is manifestly to their injury that they should thus be kept from preparation for those pursuits which they may propose to follow in life. The recommendation of the academic board for the separation of the first class of cadets into divisions at the beginning of the fourth year of the course, to be thereafter "directed into special courses of study, designed to fit them for the particular branches of the naval service to which any of them are destined to be appointed," meets our approval and legislation to that end is deemed desirable. GROUNDS, BUILDINGS, AND SANITARY CONDITIONS. Every facility has been afforded for examining the condition of the grounds and buildings, and we find the same kept and preserved with great care, which reflects infinite credit upon those responsible for their condition. The grounds and buildings are generally in excellent condition; cleanliness, order, and taste are everywhere observable, and the good health of all at the Academy bespeaks its sanitary condition and the care and attention of its chief medical officer. Some changes are needed for the convenience of the cadets. There are thirteen steam-launches that are used for drill purposes in practical maneuvering, which are now greatly exposed to all weathers for want of a proper boat-house. In winter great expense is entailed in removing the engines and boilers to a place of storage. A new boat-house would not only be a great convenience, but would preserve the machinery and boats in good condition. The sum asked by the Superintendent for this purpose should be expended in this work. The cadets' quarters are in a large building, showing crudeness in plan, and haste and carelessness in construction, fissures already appearing in the walls. We respectfully suggest that a new building for students' quarters is a subject that should secure careful consideration at the hands of those having the matter in charge. In this connection we respectfully recommend that some use or disposal should be made of the now unused hospital building. We respectfully suggest, that in view of the fact that many of the officers detailed in a professional capacity to the Academy are obliged to live in the town at great expense, that a new house on the apartment plan, or three or four small new houses, be erected for their use. SEAMANSHIP, ORDNANCE, AND NAVIGATION. The Board has watched with interest the various drills and exercises in seamanship, gunnery, infantry and artillery tactics, and is greatly and favorably impressed by the skill manifested by the cadets, and by the careful instruction given by the officers. Nothing could be more satisfactory or more worthy of the highest commendation than those practical exercises. The Board recommends that better fitting sails be supplied the Wyoming, to be used until a new and fully equipped ship can be furnished. The sails now in use belonged to another and much smaller ship, are unsightly, and the further use of them tends only to engender a habit of slovenliness. DISCIPLINE, DRILL, PRACTICAL EXERCISES, ADMINISTRATION, AND POLICE. The system of academic organization as well as of interior discipline is excellent, and the standard high. The requirements are generally strict, but none of them unreasonable, and the regulations are enforced firmly, but so considerately that the most agreeable and satisfactory relations are maintained between the cadets and those who control and instruct them. The amplest opportunities were afforded the Board to judge of the proficiency of the cadets in their various drills, which was found to be most gratifying and satisfactory, all movements being executed with the precision resulting only from a thorough personal understanding of the subject. The system of practical exercises which has been adopted is commended, and in the matter of administration and police, after careful investigation and consideration, no changes suggest themselves. STEAM ENGINEERING. The course of study in this department is found as extended as the time allowed will permit. The facilities for imparting information are all that could be expected, with the exception that the marine engine is an old one of an obsolete type, and should certainly be replaced by a new and modern engine. PHYSICS. This department was found well supplied with all that is necessary to keep up with the advance in science of the present day, the young gentlemen receiving careful instruction in all that in any way pertains to latest discoveries. The Board recommends that the facilities be increased for extending the study of, and practice with, electrical appliances designed for use on modern men of war. A sufficient plant can be had for about $6,000. MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS. The Board has no recommendations to make in these departments. The course of study is ample and the instruction thorough, as shown by a careful inspection of the papers of the written examinations. The importance of these departments can not be overestimated, and results show them to be in competent hands. ENGLISH STUDIES, HISTORY AND LAW, MODERN LANGUAGES, AND MECHANICAL DRAWING. The Board finds the methods of instruction pursued in these departments, under the immediate supervision of the able and efficient officers in charge of them, respectively, are eminently satisfactory, and, in some instances, worthy of special commendation. This is notably so with the department of Mechanical Drawing, which in this era of rapid improvement in everything pertaining to naval construction and armament has become an indispensable element in a thorough naval education; and it is particularly gratifying to note the remarkable proficiency which the cadets have exhibited in this important branch of study. FINANCE AND LIBRARY. The high character and intelligence of the officers in charge is sufficient guaranty of the correctness of the accounts. The system seems to be as perfect as any that could be devised. The Board recommends that the sum of $24,500, for which the paymaster acting as store-keeper of the Academy is responsible, and from which the stock of necessary supplies in the cadets' store is purchased, be appropriated, so as to remain as a permanent fund, instead of being required, as at present, to be annually re-appropriated. The Board finds the library in good condition, the books well arranged for reference, and of a character well adapted for the purposes of the Naval Academy. As the books are in constant use for reference, it is very desirable that the binding should be of a more durable character than the ordinary cloth or half-roan now authorized by law. It is, therefore, recommended that the library of the Naval Academy be excepted from the restrictions of the law, and be added to the list of libraries that are not restricted in the character of the binding. SUBJECTS OF STUDY AND STANDARD OF SCHOLARSHIP. The subjects embraced in the curriculum are admirably adapted to the purposes of the school, and we can suggest no changes that would likely be improvements. We would, however, suggest a re-arrangement of the programme of studies for the last year, in order that those cadets who have exhibited special taste and talents for engineering, and who should, therefore, be assigned to duty in the Engineer Corps, may receive additional practical training. It also seems desirable that the class standing of a cadet be determined by his excellence in the practical duties of his profession, no less than by his proficiency in the studies that train the intellect alone; or, in other words, that due credit be given to skill. The Board is impressed by the many-sidedness of the training afforded by the Academy; its comprehensiveness, thoroughness, and practicalness, and believe that no praise would be an exaggeration of its high excellence. The Board heartily recommends the granting of the request of the Superintendent for a new and fully-equipped vessel of modern type, and armed with modern guns, for the training of the cadets. The Board also suggests the serious consideration of the desirability of acquiring additional grounds contiguous to the Academy as recommended by the Superintendent. The Board also believes that a change should be made from the custom of detailing a crew for the practice ship, each year, from the "general service," and recommends that such crew be selected with special reference to the character of the men who are to be so closely associated with the cadets; this crew to be permanently attached to the Academy for service in the practice ship during the summer cruise, and during the remainder of the year they would find important service in the care of the Government property afloat at the Academy. The Board is of the opinion that such a detail would be of great advantage to the interests of the institution. The In conclusion, the Board would state that the interest in the graduating exercises at the Naval Academy has been very greatly enhanced by the presence of the North Atlantic Squadron, to whose accomplished commander, Rear-Admiral S. B. Luce, and his officers, we have been indebted for many pleasing courtesies, as well as for valuable opportunities for practical observation of life on board our ships of war. advantage of the presence of a fleet in actual service at the time of the annual exercises at the Academy can not fail to be appreciated, and the Board can think of no better service that the cruising squadron can render in time of peace than in furnishing the most effective of object lessons to the future officers of the Navy. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, Hon. W. C. WHITNEY, C. R. P. RODGERS, Rear Admiral. ALGERNON S. PADDOCK, U. S. S. C. A.. BOUTELLE, M. C. S. P. GILLETT, Indiana. J. W. BROWN, Arkansas. J. PROCTOR KNOTT, Kentucky. J. P. BLANTON, Missouri. FRANCIS J. CULLY, Pennsylvania. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY, SIR: I respectfully submit this report of the condition and progress of the Naval Academy during the past year. The following table shows the number of cadets at the commencement of the academic year, October, 1887, and the same at the end of the year, June, 1888, together with the percentage of loss in each class: The percentage of loss from all classes was 17, while it was 22 the previous year. In May, 1888, 71 candidates were examined and 42 passed. In September, 68 candidates were examined and 47 passed, or 64 per cent. passed the entering examination, while 58 per cent. passed the previous year. The total number of cadets now in the Academy is 237, as follows: First class... Second class.. Fourth class. 37 42 68 90 At the semi-annual examination in February, 1888, the following number of cadets in the different classes fell below the standard of proficiency required: First class.... Second class Fourth class 7939 At the annual examination in June, 1888, the following numbers in each class failed to reach the required standard: In all these cases where there was a fair prospect that the cadet could make up the deficiency he was given an opportunity to do so at an examination given four months later; that is, in June and September respectively. Most of those who were given this opportunity have passed the required examination, as heretofore reported in detail. |