USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > The history of Annapolis, the capital of Maryland: the state house, its various public buildings together with a full history and description of the United States Naval Academy from its origin to the present time > Part 3
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In September 1865 Commodore Blake was relieved by Rear-Admiral (now Admiral) D. D. Porter as Superin- tendent, and during the same month the Academy was, in conformity with a joint resolution of Congress, restored to its former home at Annapolis, the grounds and buildings having been vacated by the War Department a few months previously. In a very short time after, all traces of the late occupation by the army had been obliterated.
On the first of December 1869, Commodore John L. Wor- den relieved Admiral Porter, and is at present Superintendent of the Academy.
ACADEMY GROUNDS.
The limits of the grounds originally transferred to the War Department were as follows: The northwestern boundary was coincident with the path now leading from the upper end of . the mess-hall to the middle gate; the southwestern extended - from the water past the building now used as the Paymaster's office, a line which is still distinctly marked by a row of trees ; the embankment just in rear of the midshipmen's quarters, then the shore of the river, formed the northeastern boundary ;
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
while the shore line from the southeastern., or bay point, ex- tended from the Gymnasium (then called Fort Severn) in a sort of crescent form, passing near the mulberry tree in the lower parade-ground, and thence bowing out and terminating where the angle at present is in the sea-wall. During the year 1851 the sea-wall was built, and the space between that and the shore was filled in during that and the following years.
The first acquisition to the grounds was made by purchase about the year 1847, and included that portion of the grounds lying directly northwest of the former limits, and bounded on the northwest by the road leading from the upper gate to the river ; the southwest boundary of this was a continuation of the line bounding the original grounds on the same side, and is also distinctly marked out by the same row of trees.
The second acquisition added all that portion of the grounds above the middle gate which is now enclosed in the walls of the Academy. This purchase was made about the year 1853. The sea-wall on the Severn side was built in 1853, and the space between that and the old shore was filled in with earth from a high hill which existed near where the new Midship- men's Quarters now stand.
In 1867 a lot of 93 acres of ground was purchased from St. John's College beyond the walls, which has not yet been en- closed ; also in 1868 and '69 the farm known as "Strawberry Hill," and the land between that and the Severn River and " Graveyard Creek," making in all 114} acres, were purchased. Communication with this new addition was established by means of a substantial drawbridge thrown across the creek.
CEMETERY AND PARK.
On a high point of land in this last purchase has been laid out a cemetery for the burial of officers and seamen and others belonging to the navy. Beyond the cemetery there is a hand- some park. The park and cemetery consist of alternate wood and lawn, with considerable diversity of level. Winding woods and paths have been laid out in very tasteful manner,
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- making all parts accessible. So attractive are these two places that although the improvements are scarcely yet begun, they have become a favorite resort for the people in the vicinity, a large number of persons visiting each every pleasant day. The woods and paths already completed measure three miles, and it is contemplated to lay out two miles more. These are covered with shells, which have been obtained at an ex- tremely small cost.
PUBLIC GARDEN.
The remainder of Strawberry Hill is devoted to garden purposes, for the benefit of the officers and midshipmen. A large quantity of fruits and vegetables have been already gathered, although only a commencement has thus far been made. A very considerable diminution of the midshipmen's mess-bill will result from the operation of the plan when fully developed.
Since the return of the Academy to this place much has been done in the way of ornamenting and improving that portion of the grounds lying inside the walls ; fountains have been erected, roads and paths tastefully laid out, low places filled in, trees, shrubs, and flowers planted. The ground in rear of the Midshipmen's Quarters, which was found a barren waste, has been reclaimed, and made one of the most ornamental parts of the yard.
BUILDINGS, &c.
Of the buildings originally transferred by the War Depart- ment there remain at present the Superintendent's house, buildings Nos. 16, 17, 18, and 19 (known as Superintendent's Row), and the building used as the Paymaster's office, nor were any of these in their present condition when first re- ceived ; the Superintendent's house has been altered and re- paired on three different occasions, the others were all one- story houses, and were raised upon about the year 1848.
There were some few barracks, offices, &c., standing when
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the School was first established, one of which, situated across the Parade, between the Superintendent's house and the spot where the Recitation Hall now stands, was used as a Recita- tion Hall and Chapel. The others were on the ground where the Midshipmen's Quarters now stand, and were occupied by the midshipmen.
The construction of the southern half of the present Mess Hall was commenced soon after the opening of the school and was completed in 1847, the second story being used as a Lyceum and Library. In 1853 the Mess Hall was enlarged to its present dimensions. The whole cost as nearly as can be ascertained was $17,809.94.
The Midshipmen's Quarters were next commenced. Block No. 1 was completed in . 850, at a cost of $7,200.00; No. 5, early in 1851, cost $10,312.07 ; No. 2, late in 1851, at a cost of $7,663.45 ; and Nos. 3 and 4, in 1853, the former costing $7,981.20 and the latter $10,007.62. The Recitation Hall was completed in 1853, at a cost of $19,656.46. The build- ing now used as a Store, but originally built as a Laboratory and Armory, was erected about 1853, at a cost of $7,020.31. The structure upon the walls of old Fort Severn, now used as a Gymnasium, but originally as a battery for great gun exer- cises, was finished in 1851, and cost $6,433.30. Gas and steam for heating were introduced in 1853, the works for the same being built at an original cost of $28,044.28, and certain additions afterwards made at a cost of $8,500.00. The Observatory was completed about 1854, at a cost of $4,695.75. The Gunnery Building, originally a chapel, was completed the same year, costing $3,292.86. A brick building in the lower part of the yard, recently occupied as a store, engine- house, and residence for the band-leader, was also built in 1854, at a cost of $4,264.44. Building No. 20 (a wooden structure) was originally a hospital and store, in the middle of the lower parade-ground; it was rebuilt at a cost of $1,000.00 on the building of the new Hospital about 1857. The new Hospital cost $13,000.00.
The row of buildings known as Officers' Row was com-
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menced about 1855, those nearest the hospital being first built. The last were not completed until 1860. The cost of the different blocks was as follows: Block No. 1 (house of Com- mandant of midshipmen) $5,000; houses 2 and 3, one block, $10,000; houses 4 and 5, one block, $10,000 ; houses 6 and 7, one block, $9,000; houses 8 and 9, one block, $10,069.18 ; houses 10 and 11, one block, $10,069.18; houses 12 and 13, one block, $11,000; houses 14 and 15, one block, $11,000. The two buildings occupied by the bandsmen were built in 1860, at a cost of $1500 each.
A row of officers' quarters also stood until about 1859, fac- ing on the street which then existed, and the site of which is still marked by the row of trees running about southeast and northwest through the centre of the upper part of the yard ; the lower end of this row was just above where the Japanese bell now is, and the upper end rested on the road now leading from the upper gate to the river; there were also two houses facing on that road. then a street of the City of Annapolis ; part of these buildings were purchased with the ground upon which they stood, and part were built. The Herndon Monu- ment is on the site of one of the buildings of this row. These buildings were torn down from time to time, and the materials from them used in constructing the new Officers' Row and the bandsmen's quarters.
Since the return of the Academy to this place in 1865, the following buildings have been constructed, viz: One block (two houses) of officers' quarters, Nos. 21 and 22, at a cost of $10,000. A building for the department of Steam Enginery was completed in 1866 at a cost of $21,000. The new Chapel was completed in 1848, at a cost of $40,000. During the present year there has been finished, at a cost of $11,000, a new building for the department of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. A Daguerrean Gallery was completed in 1868 at a cost of $2500.
The Academy has also during the year obtained by purchase, at a cost of $25,000, possession of the building lately occupied as the mansion of the Governor of Maryland. It is now used
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
as a Library and Lyceum, and as offices for the Superintendent and Secretary of the Academy, one room being used for meet- ings of the Academic Board.
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NEW MIDSHIPMEN'S QUARTERS.
A new building, designed to accommodate two hundred mid- shipmen, was erected about a year since. It is a four-story structure with basement and attic, and is composed of a centre building fifty-seven feet six inches square, and two wings each one hundred and sixteen feet nine inches long, by forty-five feet three inches deep ; the whole is surmounted by a dome and clock-tower, the latter supplied with a clock having four dials, to be illuminated at night. The base of the dome is surmounted by a promenade gallery, from which a most mag- nificent view is to be had of the surrounding country and of the Chesapeake Bay.
In the basement, under the east wing, there is a kitchen fifty-eight feet long by forty-two wide, with large store-room, servants' hall, &c., attached ; under the main building, a pantry, boiler-room (for supplying steam with which the build- ing is heated,) a coal-cellar and a bath-room ; under the west wing are bath-rooms. A corridor of twelve feet in width runs the entire length of the main building at right angles to the corridor ; there are stairways at the extremities of each wing, and in the main building these continue to the highest story.
On the first floor in the west wing there is a mess-hall one hundred and two feet long, and occupying the entire depth of the wing, with a store-room attached; in the main building there are four rooms each eighteen by twenty-one feet, one of which is a pantry, one an office for the Commandant of midshipmen, one an office for the officer in charge, and the fourth a reception-room for visitors. In the west wing there are seven recitation rooms, each twenty-cight by fourteen feet, and eight water-closets. There is the same ar- rangement of hall, corridors and stairways on this floor as in the basement.
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-On the second floor the west wing is divided off into twelve dormitories, one servants' room, and one baggage room, each fourteen by fourteen feet ; the main building into four recita- tion rooms twenty-one by eighteen feet each; and the east wing into dormitories of the same dimensions as those in the west wing. The corridors on this and the upper floors run the entire length of the building; the halls and stairways are the same as the first floor. The wings of the upper stories are the same as the second ; the main building in each is divided into five rooms, to be used as recitation rooms, &c. There are en- trances in front, rear, and at each end of the building, each covered by a portico. There is a graceful iron veranda ex- tending across the entire front of the building.
WATER.
Water was introduced into the Academy on the completion of the Annapolis water-works in 1867. Each house in the yard, and all the public buildings, are supplied with hydrants. There are also several in the yard to be used in case of fire.
MONUMENTS.
The following monuments stand on the grounds of the Academy. The first was erected in 1848, the purpose of which will be seen by the inscriptions quoted below .. It is entirely of marble, and consists of a pedestal six feet four inches square and two feet high ; upon this rests the base, two feet nine and a-half inches square and four feet high, upon two opposite sides of which are the inscriptions. This monument stood originally in the centre of the parade ground, and was moved to its present position.
To Passed Midshipmen H. A. CLEMSON and J. R. HYNSON, Lost with the U. S. S. Brig Somers, Off Vera Cruz,
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December 8th, 1846,
This Monument is erected by Passed and other Midshipmen Of the U. S. Navy, As a tribute of respect. 1848.
To Midshipmen,
J. W. PILLSBURY : and T. B. SHUBRICK,
The former wounded off Vera Cruz, July 24th, 1846,
The latter killed at the Naval Battery
. Near Vera Cruz, March 25th, 1847,
While in the discharge of their duties, This Monument is erected by - Passed and other Midshipmen, As a tribute of respect. 1848.
The other two faces are ornamented by bronze foul-anchors ; upon the base rests a capital five feet four inches square, sup- ported at each corner by a gun resting on the base ; the whole is surmounted by a pyramidal shaft seven feet high, the four faces of which are ornamented by laurel wreaths in bronze, and under them respectively the names -
CLEMSON, HYNSON, PILLSBURY, SHUBRICK.
The Herndon Monument was erected in June 1860 by sub- scription, by officers of the Navy, to the memory of Commander William L. Herndon, U. S. Navy, who lost his life September 12th 1857, while commanding the mail steamship Central
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
America, in a gallant attempt to save the lives of his pas- sengers, his ship having been wrecked. The monument con- sists of a base and shaft ; the former six feet square and three feet high ; the latter, which is pyramidal in form, eighteen feet high, four feet square at the base, and one foot six inches square at the top. On the face of the shaft is inscribed -
HERNDON.
and on the opposite side -
September 12th, 1857.
The Naval Monument was " erected to the memory of Cap- tain Richard Somers, and Lieutenants James Caldwell, James Decatur, Henry Wadsworth, Joseph Israel, and John S. Dorsey, who fell in the several attacks made on the City of Tripoli, in the year of our Lord 1804, and in the 28th year of the Independence of the United States." It was erected in 1808, and stood originally in the Washington Navy Yard. During the occupation of Washington by the British in the war of 1812-'14, this monument was considerably defaced by them, and bore for many years afterwards, by authority of Congress, an inscription commemorative of the fact. Some years after its erection this monument was removed to the Capi- tol grounds in Washington. In July 1860 it was removed by authority of Congress to this place, and erected on the grounds of the Naval Academy, where it now stands.
LIBRARY.
The formation of a Library was commenced soon after the opening of the Naval School in 1845, by the transfer of a small number of books from the Navy Department. These were at first deposited in the Superintendent's office; soon after a hall room was fitted up in the old building, then used as a recitation ball, &c., which room was used until the completion of the Mess Hall, when the second story of that building was as- signed as a Library and Lyceum.
Congress early commenced to make small annual appro-
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priations for the increase of the Library. The exact date of the first I have not been able to ascertain.
On the enlargement of the Mess Hall to its present di- mensions, the second story was divided into three rooms, two of which were used for the Library, and the third for the Lyceum ; a large number of curiosities, models, &c., having by that time accumulated. Numerous flags, trophies of naval vic- tories in various wars, were deposited in the Lyceum.
On the removal of the Academy to Newport, the books, &c., were boxed up, and thus remained until after the return of the Academy to this place, when the library was located in its old quarters ; but during the year 1869 the first floor of the (late) Governor's Mansion has been handsomely fitted up as a library, and the books, &c., transferred to it.
Very large accessions have been made to the library during the last four years, more especially of works on professional subjects ; all the branches taught at the Academy, and their kindred subjects, being very largely represented. The best pro- fessional and other periodicals published in this country and in Great Britain are taken.
The officers and midshipmen have free access to the Library, the Librarian or assistant being constantly in attendance during authorised hours to issue and receive books. The whole number of volumes is at present about fifteen thousand.
A valuable collection of coins, of ancient and modern cu- riosities from all quarters of the globe, shells, &c., was re- cently bequeathed to the Academy by the late Captain Per- cival Drayton, U. S. N.
A valuable collection of American minerals has been re- ceived, donated by Hon. Joseph Wilson, Commissioner of the General Land Office of the United States.
A valuable acquisition to the library, recently made by pur- chase, consists of copies in plaster of celebrated pieces of statuary and busts of statesmen, generals, naval officers, poets, painters, and others. There is also in the Library, transferred from the Navy Department, a number of paintings represent- ing naval engagements, together with portraits of the follow-
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ing naval officers, viz: Admirals Enoch Hopkins, Stewart, and - Farragut; Commodores John Paul Jones, Preble, David Porter, Biddle, McDonough, Decatur, O. H. Perry, Jacob Jones, Rodgers, and M. C. Perry.
A handsome ornithological collection is being made, which already numbers one hundred and fourteen specimens, and many more are in course of preparation.
STOREKEEPER'S DEPARTMENT.
All articles required by the students, such as books, sta- tionery, clothing, bedding, toilet articles, &c., are furnished by the Storekeeper on requisition, approved by the Superin- tendent.
Until within the past two years civilians held the position of Storekeeper, and were allowed a certain percentage upon all articles furnished to midshipmen. At the present time the Storekeeper is required by law to be detailed from the list of paymasters of the navy, and has authority, with the approval of the Secretary of the Navy, to procure clothing and other necessaries for the midshipmen in the same manner as supplies are procured for the navy. These are issued at cost prices, with a small percentage to cover losses.
The old "Laboratory " has been recently converted into a Government Store, the building formerly occupied as such being found altogether too small and incommodious for the purpose.
MESS ARRANGEMENTS, &C.
A Commissary is attached to the School, whose province it is to subsist the midshipmen. A board of officers, appointed by the Superintendent, audit the accounts of the Commissary, decide upon the "bill of fare," and determine the amount of compensation which shall be received monthly by the Com- missary from each midshipman ; this averages at present $22 per month.
The Mess Hall is a commodious, well-ventilated, and well-
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lighted building, with suitable kitchens, bakeries, store-rooms, &c., attached.
The midshipmen are divided into mess-crews, each com- manded by a first and second captain. Each crew has its special table, and each midshipman a particular seat, those of the captains being respectively at the head and foot of the tables. A regular formation takes place before each meal and at the end; the crews one by one are marched into the Mess Hall, each person taking his place behind his chair ; when all are in, grace is said by the Cadet Lieutenant-Commander, after which the word " seats " is given. The officer in charge pre- sides at every meal, and no student is permitted to leave the room without his permission ; when it is observed that all have finished, the word " rise " is given, the crews are marched out and dismissed.
BATHS.
There are hot, cold, and vapor baths in the Academy for the use of the midshipmen, each one of whom is required to take a bath at least once a week. Regular bathing hours are assigned to each gun's crew, which is marched to the bath- house under the orders of its captain. Each midshipman takes the room assigned to him, and is allowed to remain suffi- ciently long to complete his bath, when the gun-captain gives the word "dress"; as soon as all have complied with that order, the crew is marched out and dismissed. An attendant, for a small consideration from each midshipman, furnishes towels, soap, &c., and keeps the house in order.
BARBER SHOP.
There is a Barber's Shop in the Academy and one on board the Constitution. Each midshipman who requires to be shaved pays the barber - a month ; and others paying - a month for hair-cutting, shampooing, &c.
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
LAUNDRY.
Each midshipman is required every Monday morning to gather his soiled clothes into his clothes-bag, and make out a list of articles in duplicate, one to retain and one for the laun- dry ; the clothes are then taken by the servants to the laundry, and when done up, are returned. Three dollars a month is at present paid by each midshipman for his washing.
BAND.
There is an excellent band, composed of twenty-eight musi- cians, attached to the Academy, which is required to play every morning and evening for an hour, and also for drills, dress-parades, &c. Many of the musicians also play on reed and stringed instruments, forming a very fine orchestral band for hops and balls.
HOPS AND BALLS.
During the academic year hops are given once a month by the officers and also by the midshipmen ; these occur on Satur- day evenings, and terminate by half-past eleven.
About the eighth of January of each year a grand ball is given by the graduating class, and on the twenty-second of February a dress hop by the second class. The balls and hops are given in the Gymnasium, which is very well adapted for the purpose. Great skill and taste have hitherto been displayed by the midshipmen in decorating the Gymnasium for the balls ; using flags, arms, evergreens, &c. Two of the rooms in the Store Building are used as dressing-rooms, and others when necessary. These hops are believed to have a very re- fining influence upon the young gentlemen, are certainly very attractive to officers, and to the guests present.
BOAT AND BALL CLUBS, &C.
Great attention is paid to physical training, for the fur- therance of which purpose encouragement is given. to athletic sports and exercises in the Gymnasium.
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There is a Base Ball Club in each class; the members prac- tise as much as their duties will allow them to do, and many have attained very great skill. Match games occur frequently between the different classes, and occasionally with clubs from other cities, resulting generally in victory to the Academic Club.
There has been a Boat Club in the first and one in the second class each year, using hull boats ; thus far the classes have pulled against each other only, resulting in first-class time. The Academy is well supplied with boats of the ordi- nary navy patterns, of which the midshipmen have free use. On application by a sufficient number to the Commandant of midshipmen, he appoints one of the members coxswain, the others being subject to his orders for the time being. He is held responsible for the return of the boat in good condition, and for the observance of regulations.
EVENING PARADES.
A very attractive feature in the routine of the Academy is the dress parade, which occurs every evening during the session except Sundays, and except during the most inclement part of the winter. The battalion comprises all the mid- shipmen, under their cadet officers, organised into eight com- panies, the whole commanded by the assistant in the De- partment of Gunnery, &c., who is specially charged with in- fantry drills. The band, reinforced by the musicians belonging to the marine guard, is under the charge of a drum-major, and parades with the battalion.
Numerous visitors from the City of Annapolis witness these parades, finding in them an unfailing source of attraction. The midshipmen are quite as well instructed in infantry tactics as in the other branches of their profession, as was shown at a competition drill with the corps of cadets at West Point, where they were acknowledged to have excelled the latter in the manual of arms, though it was claimed the cadets were the most accomplished in marching.
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