REPORT OF BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY, 1911. UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY, Annapolis, Md., June 2, 1911. SIR: The Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy respectfully submits the following report: Upon presentation of their several letters of appointment the members of the board organized on the 29th day of May by electing Hon. Lemuel P. Padgett as president, with Professor of Mathematics Paul J. Dashiell, United States Navy, as permanent secretary to the board by appointment. The members participating in the organization and deliberations of the board were: Hon. George P. Wetmore, United States Senator from Rhode Island. Hon. E. W. Roberts, Representative from Massachusetts. Hon. L. P. Padgett, Representative from Tennessee. Hon. C. B. Slemp, Representative from Virginia. Mr. M. L. Davies, Bay City, Mich. Dr. John W. Dinsmore, San Jose, Cal. Mr. M. J. Donnelly, St. Paul, Minn. Mr. E. C. Melvin, Selma, Ala. Mr. Mack Olsen, Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. George A. Sanderson, Chicago, Ill. The board appointed the usual subcommittees to investigate the condition and needs of the academy. The Superintendent of the Academy, Capt. John H. Gibbons, United States Navy, the commandant of midshipmen, and other heads of departments, officers on duty, and instructors, have rendered the board every possible assistance in these investigations. The grounds and buildings and vessels attached to the station have been inspected, various drills and exercises have been witnessed, and daily sessions of the board have been held. Hon. L. P. Padgett was designated to represent the board and make the address to the graduating class. (1) The board approves the recommendations of the boards of 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910 recommending and urging the value and importance of the board's visiting the academy at some period during the working year other than during graduation week, and further recommends that the civilian members of the board be appointed for longer periods of service, preferably three to be appointed for two years and four for three years, believing that better results can be obtained by making the civilian members of the board a continuing body. (2) The board recommends that the appropriation of $25,000 made at the last session of Congress for a new bridge across Dorsey Creek be not expended, but that an additional sum of $25,000, making $50,000 in all, be appropriated, and that with this amount a permanent bridge of concrete, with a steel drawbridge, be erected. (3) The board recommends that Congress investigate the subject matter of acquiring the three blocks at the south side of the academy grounds, ascertain the cost of acquiring said land, and determine whether the acquisition of this land is sufficiently important to the academy to warrant the expense thereof. (4) The board renews the recommendation of its predecessors that all electric wires be placed under ground. (5) The board commends the spirit shown by the Navy Athletic Association for its efforts in erecting a stadium for athletic purposes on the academy grounds. (6) It is the opinion of the board that the number of officers attached to the academy should be increased, that the length of detail should be not less than three years, and that the age of midshipmen at entrance to the academy should be not less than 15 years nor more than 19 years. (7) The board strongly urges that there be no lowering of the present requirements at entrance to the academy, nor during the course therein. The board further recommends that the entrance examination papers be examined by at least two inspectors before the final marks are awarded. We find that three of the watchmen at the academy have been on duty for a period of over 30 years. It would be only just that some provision be made to retire watchmen at the academy on half pay, after 30 years' service. It is further recommended that the system of giving credit marks to the different companies of the brigade on account of athletics be discontinued. We recommend the practical application of the term "aptitude" in ascertaining the fitness of midshipmen. The board renews with added emphasis the recommendation of former boards that there be legislation giving midshipmen commissions as ensigns on graduation from the academy. (8) The mess-hall roof continues to give trouble through leakage, and has received careful consideration by the board. The board, however, is not prepared to make any recommendation beyond mak ing the necessary temporary repairs, until some permanent plan has been submitted for remedying this defect. The outside windows and doors of Bancroft Hall should be thoroughly screened, to guard against flies and mosquitoes, in accordance with the recommendation of the medical inspector stationed at the academy. We recommend an increase of wages for the cooks and mess-hall servants, based on length of service. (9) The board recommends an additional instructor in the department of physical training, and that the salaries of the various physical instructors be the same, except the head instructor, who should receive a larger compensation than his assistants; and the board also recommends an additional dentist. (10) The board recommends that there be a clerk for the department of ordnance and gunnery. (11) The board, realizing the great importance of a pure supply of milk, and being aware that it is a common avenue for the introduction of typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and other intestinal troubles from lack of cleanliness in its care, strongly recommends the establishment of a dairy, owned and controlled by the academy. (12) There are at the academy about 150 flags, for the most part captured in battle, which are rapidly deteriorating from the lack of proper care. These flags are of the greatest historical interest and should be preserved as trophies of the valor of the Navy in times past, and as an incentive and inspiration to the youth of the country in time to come. The expense of the restoration and care of these precious relics is estimated to be about $30,000. The board very strongly urges an immediate appropriation by Congress for this purpose. (13) The authorities at the academy have inaugurated a plan for retaining money from the yearly compensation of the midshipmen for the purpose of paying for their uniforms upon graduation. The board commends the plan, and suggests that some arrangement should be made whereby interest upon this money so retained can be paid to the midshipmen. (14) The board finds the discipline at the academy to be most excellent, due to the high character of Capt. J. M. Bowyer, United States Navy, the retiring Superintendent, and his untiring efforts to place the academy on the highest plane of efficiency. He was ably assisted by all the officers and instructors serving under him, and the result of their united efforts is shown in the excellent record of the present graduating class and the high efficiency of the other midshipmen. It is a matter of commendation that there has been practically no hazing at the academy during the past year. Commander R. E. Coontz, United States Navy, commandant of midshipmen, is also entitled to high commendation for the splendid state of efficiency of the brigade and for the excellent morale which prevails among the midshipmen. Capt. John H. Gibbons, United States Navy, who assumed the office of Superintendent on May 15, is splendidly equipped for this difficult and responsible position and will undoubtedly maintain the present high standing of the academy during his term of service. (15) In justice to the civilian professors and instructors, who have rendered many years of efficient service to the academy and have grown old in its service, the board earnestly recommends that suitable provision be made by appropriate legislation to care for them in old age. (16) The board desires to express its thanks to Capt. John H. Gibbons, United States Navy, and the officers and instructors under his command for their unfailing courtesy. The board also desires to express to Prof. Paul J. Dashiell, United States Navy, permanent secretary of the Board of Visitors, its appreciation of his unfailing courtesy and efforts to make the duties of the board as efficient and please ant as possible. The board also appreciates the valued services on Lieut. M. K. Metcalf, United States Navy, as aid to the president of the board. The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, L. P. PADGETT. GEO. PEABODY WETMORE. J. R. THORNTON. ERNEST W. ROBERTS. C. B. SLEMP. GEORGE A. SANDERSON. R. P. LOWRY. M. J. DONNELLY. E. C. MELVIN. M. L. DAVIES. JOHN W. DINSMORE. Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 20986°-NAVY 1911- -12 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS. From: Chief of Bureau. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS, To: Secretary of the Navy. Washington, D. C., November 4, 1911. Subject: Report of operations of the Bureau of Yards and Docks for the fiscal year 1911. The value of the work done during the fiscal year 1911 from appropriations under the cognizance of this bureau aggregated $8,146,010.61, divided as follows: Public works, $6,168,709.20; maintenance of yards and stations, $1,304,655.91; repairs and preservation of navy yards, $648,421.46; contingent, $24,224.04. The expenditures of funds under the cognizance of other bureaus and the Secretary's Office, but supervised by this bureau, were as follows: Secretary's Office, "Depots for coal," $500,358.24; "Coal and transportation," $40,317.28; Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, $715,762.84. The total value of the work under the supervision of this bureau done during the fiscal year amounted to $9,402,448.97. There were 81 contracts awarded during the year, involving obligations amounting to $4,540,813.12. The department's policy of placing all public works of the Navy under the Bureau of Yards and Docks and by act of Congress, March 4, 1911, enacted into statute law, has greatly simplified and standardized the construction of improvements ashore under cognizance of the Navy Department. It is believed that economies have resulted from this action and also greater efficiency. Public works at 16 stations which had hitherto been performed by other bureaus were placed under this bureau by the referred-to act of Congress. This action has considerably increased the work of this bureau, but to a very much greater extent has decreased the work of other bureaus, leaving their time available for work which they are especially organized to look after and supervise. On June 30, 1911, construction work estimated to cost more than $15,000,000 was in progress under the supervision of this bureau. DRY DOCKS. The bureau is pleased to report satisfactory and rapid progress in the construction of the three new dry docks at New York, Puget Sound, and Pearl Harbor and the enlargement of dry dock No. 3 at Norfolk. At New York and Norfolk this is directly due to the de |