UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY, founded in 1845, and opened at Annapo lis, Md., on Oct. 10, in that year. The idea originated with George Bancroft, who was secretary of the navy in the cabinet of pres. Polk; and the institution was at first called the naval school, under the direction of commander Franklin Buchanan. It occupied fort Severn, with its grounds and buildings, which had been transferred for the purpose from the war to the'navy department; and though the barracks and other minor build ings have since been removed, the old fort and officers' quarters, with about 160 acres of land, are still appropriated to the uses of the academy. The institution bears the same relation to the U. S. navy, that the military academy at West Point does to the army. Its pupils are chosen under special provisions of the law, and educated expressly for the naval service. It resembles in its purpose and methods the royal naval college at Green wich, Eng.; the ecole varale at Brest, France; and the marine academy and school at Kiel, in Germany. After numerous changes in the nature and length of the studies at the academy, a course of four years was adopted in 1851, to be followed by sea-service as a midshipman; the length of the latter term being fixed at two years in 1873. From May, 1861, to Sept., 1865, during the war of the rebellion, the academy was temporarily placed at Newport, R. I. The naval academy is under the general patronage and control of the U. S. government, and is governed by special acts of congress, and by regulations established by the secretary of the navy. Candidates for cadet-midshipmen are appointed by this official, from the congressional districts, on nomination by mem bers of the house of representatives. • Ten candidates at large are appointed by the presi dent. Candidates for cadet-engineers are chosen by the secretary of the navy without limitation as to number or residence, and from the whole number so chosen, twenty-five are selected on competitive examination, for admission to the academy. The academy is sustained by an annual appropriation by congress, which usually amounts to about $184,000; this is exclusive of the pay of naval officers acting under appointment as instructors, etc., which amounts to $140,000 per annum; while the pay of cadets aver
ages $200,000; the whole being included in the general congressional appropriation. The buildings include cadets' quarters; physical and chemical laboratories; a steam engineering department, observatory, gunnery-hall, seamanship hall, recitation hall, chapel, library, armory, gymnasium, store, and hospital. Attached to the academy for purposes of drill and practical exercise, are the frigate Santee, used as a gunnery ship; the Constellation, for summer cruising; the sloop-of-war Dale, for exercises in seaman ship; the monitor Nantucket; and two steam gunboats. The collection of working models of vessels of war, etc., is remarkably complete; and there is an ample supply of all needed apparatus and appliances for professional and general scientific instruction; including a thoroughly appointed astronomical observatory. The officers of the academy are the superintendent, commandant of cadets, 4 commanders, 5 lieutenant-commanders, 22 lieutenants, 5 masters; 8 engineerofficers, 9 professors, 7 assistant professors, and 4 fencing and boxing masters. The superintendent, commandant of cadets, and ten heads of departments form the academic board. There are also 3 surgeons, 3 paymasters, a chaplain, secretary, librarian, and 3 marine officers, attached to the station. The num ber of students is 355, including 256 cadet midshipmen, and 99 cadet engineers. The average annual number of graduates is 41; the total number since 1851 has been 1149. The curriculum, besides subjects in general education, chosen for their usefulness to the naval profession, includes seamanship, ordnance and gunnery service, navigation, and steam engineering. Graduates from the naval academy receive appointments, as mid shipmen or assistant engineers in the U. S. navy. The present superintendent of the academy is rear-admiral George B. Balch.