1. naval affairs, quite as much as military, perhaps even more, require the aids of science, and a careful and thorough[310] training. much of this, indeed, is gained in active service, but for this a basis of scientific study must be laid, and this school of preliminary instruction is called the naval academy. as a preliminary even to this, the government has established schools on board of ships, for the instruction of boys in navigation and naval warfare. these are called apprentices; and for good conduct and proficiency in their studies, they are advanced to the naval academy, and placed in the line of promotion.
2. this school is now established at annapolis, in the state of maryland, near washington. like the military academy, it has its superintendent and professors. the pupils are called midshipmen. they are taught navigation and such other branches of science as are necessary to make them good seamen and naval officers. they are selected upon nearly the same plan as cadets. each congressional district in every state and territory is entitled to send two students to be educated at the academy. the district of columbia is also entitled to send two. besides which, the president is allowed to appoint ten additional ones at large, and three more from the boys enlisted in the navy.
3. after their graduating examination, if they pass, they are commissioned as ensigns in the navy, and rank according to merit. before admission, they are examined according to the regulations made by the secretary of the navy, and must be between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years, sound, robust, and of good constitution.
4. the course of study in this, as well as in the military academy, is adapted to the profession which the students are expected to follow—the one in the navy, the other in the army. more are educated at these great national schools than the government needs in time of peace. many of the graduates are engaged in civil employment. thus these institutions have been of great service to the country, outside of the army and navy, for they have added to the number of well-educated and scientific men, who may be useful in any of the walks of life.[311] their graduates elevate the standard of intelligence in the community, especially when they engage in the work of instruction.
both of these institutions are supported at the expense of the government. the tuition and board of cadets in one, and of the midshipmen in the other, costs them nothing.
