ENGINEER CORPS, kor, UNITED STATES NAVY. The first step toward the of an engineer corps of :he United States Navy was taken by the appointment of Mr. C. H. Haswell as chief engineer of the Pu/ton. His appoint ment bore the date of July 2. 1836. For some years after this, engineer ollieers were appointed by the commanding officer of a ship, and could he dismissed at his pleasure. The real establish ment of the engineer corps as a part of the navy was first provided fur by an act of Congress approved August 31, 1842. Under this act the chief engineers were coin missioned and the assist ants warranted. The same act provided for the appointment of a 'skillful and scientific engi neer-in-chief'; provided a uniform; established the grades of chief engineer. and first, second, and third assistant engineers, and their rates of pay; and in every sense made the new corps a part of the navy. By the act of larch 3, 1845, the appointment of engineer officers was taken from the Secretary of the Navy and made by the President, 'by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,' as in the case of other officers of the army and navy. From time, the corps gradually increased with the demands of the ser vice, until the needs of the navy during the Civil War brought the Engineer Corps in January. 1865, up to a total of 2277, consisting of 474 regulars and 1803 volunteers. The Bureau of Steam Engineering was established by an act of July 5, 1802.
An act of Congress, approved July 4, 1864, passed in response to a petition of the Engineer Corps, established a course of instruction for ca det engineers at the Naval Academy. although
prior to and even for some years after this act, appointments and promotions had all been made after an examination.
The first. cadet engineers entered the Naval Academy in 1866, and two graduated in 1868. Then the course was dropped until 1571, when the regular course of two years was established. This was changed to a four years' course in 1874, which was continued until the act of August 5, Is;-0. This net amalgamated the cadet DI 114211 and cadet engineers under the title of naval Since that time all cadets have taken the same course for at least three of the lour years at the Academy. and then have been divided. according to standing or personal prefer ences, between the line and Engineer Corps in roportion to vacancies in each. This method held until the amalgamation of the line and Engi neer Corps under the act of March 3, 1899, by which the Engineer Corps lost its identity as a separate or-anization. The older officers of the Corps are required to perform engineer Mg duties only, while the younger ones have to pass an examination in navigation, seamanship, !nunnery. etc.. and are required to perform any and all the duties of their respective grades.
By the same act of March 3. 1899, was estab lished a grade of warrant machinists who do most. of the watch duties now, as there are too few officers to perform this im portant work.