In January last a post-graduate course in natural history was inaugurated by the detailing of six midshipmen to duty at the National Museum as assistants to Prof. Baird, by whom they were assigned to the care of the different Curators. The suggestion of the writer was made operative through the earnest efforts of Rear Admiral C.R.P. Rodgers and the active cooperation of Commodore John Walker, and it met with the hearty approval of the Hon. Secretary of the Navy. Although at first Prof Baird feared that the plan might fail, owing to the detailing of unsuitable men, still he was willing to give it a trial and to permit them to come. It is a pleasure to say that now, after some months' trial, the midshipmen ordered have pursued their studies with such diligence and application, and have performed the duties assigned them so intelligently and faithfully, that the course meets with his entire approval.
As the officers of the Navy may be interested to know how this course was set on foot and what objects it seeks, the subjoined letters of recommendation and approval are published. It may be well to call attention here to the fact that it is not intended, and, in fact, it is quite impossible in the time assigned, to make scientific experts, yet it is hoped to make broader men and, consequently, better officers of these midshipmen, while they are still employed in rendering services of great usefulness to the government, at a time when they can best be spared from their regular duties. It is believed, too, that in the time assigned they may gain enough acquaintance with the subject to enable them to observe and record the natural phenomena with which they may meet while in the regular pursuit of their profession.
U. S. Naval Academy, October 1, 1881.
Sir:
I respectfully beg leave to lay before you for your consideration the following plan for the mental improvement of the younger officers of the Navy, in the hope that, if it meets with your approval, an opportunity may be given them for the pursuit of the studies suggested.
Yours, very respectfully,
CHAS. E. MUNJIOE,
Prof. of Chemistry.
To Hon. William H. Hunt,
Secretary of the Navy.
U.S. Naval Academy, October 1, 1881.
Sir:
During my connection with the service I have had frequent opportunities for observing the advantages which would result to naval officers from possessing some knowledge of natural history. While in the ordinary practice of their profession it might serve only as an improving pastime, yet when sent, as they often are, on expeditions to unfrequented lands, it becomes very useful, and when engaged in the work of the Coast Survey and the Fish Commission, and in surveys of the ocean bottom, such knowledge is essential to complete efficiency. Very few officers, however, are acquainted with this branch of knowledge; but the ignorance which prevails is not due to a lack of either aptitude or inclination, for there are many officers who would prove successful in its pursuit, and I know that it is an almost universal source of regret, on the part of those who are sent on expeditions of research or discovery, that they have not such a knowledge of some branch of natural history as would enable them to study intelligently the land or water they might explore. This ignorance prevails solely because of the lack of time and facilities for the study.
I have for some years sought for the means by which both of these difficulties could be overcome. For reasons, with which you are thoroughly familiar, I became convinced that it was impracticable at present to extend the course of study for cadets at the Naval Academy in this direction, and that, consequently, the study must form a post-graduate course. Hitherto various difficulties have prevented the establishment of post-graduate courses for the Navy, except at the Torpedo Station, but the circumstances are now such that, in my judgment, a course in natural history is perfectly feasible, for, since the completion of the National Museum, the collections which have been gathered and stored in the Smithsonian Institute have been opened and are rapidly being arranged so as to be accessible for study. Knowing that it is the desire of the directors of the Museum to make these collections as useful as possible in the dissemination of knowledge, I have consulted with Prof. Baird as to the desirability of admitting naval officers to their study, and I am pleased to report that he believes that it would fulfill one of the objects for which the Museum is established, and that it would be of great benefit both to the service and to science, and that his assistants will cheerfully cooperate in directing the officers' studies.
Owing to the slowness of promotion, the lower ranks are being filled with men who, finding their positions irksome and their duties monotonous, naturally become dissatisfied and lose their professional enthusiasm and ambition. As it is difficult to find suitable shore duty for them, there is danger of their contracting habits during their periods of enforced idleness, which will to a degree unfit them for the duties and responsibilities which will devolve upon them when they reach the higher grades. In order, then, to fit these younger officers for a greater degree of usefulness and at the same time to remove the dangers that now threaten them, I would suggest that they be ordered to the National Museum for a period of one year or eighteen months, as assistants to Prof. Baird, to be assigned by him to duty in the several departments, just as officers of the Navy are now ordered. It would not, of course, be wise at this time to order a large number of men for this duty, but I would suggest that Prof. Baird be requested to state what number could be usefully employed, and that it then be announced that the members of a certain class would be allowed to apply for this duty, and that from among the number of applicants the desired number would be selected.
In making this selection it would be necessary to inquire into the ability, aptitude and application of the officer, and the purpose which leads him to seek this duty, for it is of the first importance that no one be ordered who seeks the position because of the social or other extraneous advantages which Washington affords. Prof. Baird dwelt especially upon this point, stating that a disregard of it would prove fatal to the success of the plan. Only such men are desired at the Museum as are thoroughly in earnest and ready to do serious work.
The most feasible way for selecting suitable men would be by means of a board of examiners, and I would suggest that a board consisting of the head of the Department of Navigation, the head of the Department of Physics and Chemistry, and the Professor of Chemistry at the Naval Academy, be ordered for the examination of applicants. I suggest this composition because the officers named are engaged in instruction in various branches of natural science, and should be able to recognize the qualities in an applicant which fit him for the study of natural history. In addition they are more or less acquainted with the career of the applicant, both while at the Academy and in the service. It may also be considered advantageous to add to this board an assistant from the National Museum and an assistant from the Coast Survey, selected by their respective chiefs.
Prof. Baird will be able to receive these assistants in October, and should you approve of this scheme I would respectfully recommend that it be tried as soon as practicable, and that the members of the class of Cadet Midshipmen who graduated at the Naval Academy in 1879, and who have finished their two years of probation at sea and successfully passed their final examination, be allowed to apply for this duty. I know that from among its members a sufficient number of suitable men could be obtained. Not more than six (6) could be profitably employed at present, but I believe that with this number such results may be obtained as will lead to an increase of opportunities in the future.
Should this plan, which I have the honor to lay before you, meet with your approval, I would be pleased to assist in any capacity in putting it into execution.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. E. MUNROE
Prof. Chemistry, U.S.N.A.
To Hon. William H. Hunt,
Secretary of the Navy.
No. 228. U. S. Naval Academy,
Annapolis, Md., Nov. 10, 1881.
Sir:
I regret to say that a letter sent to me some time since by Prof. Munroe, of the Naval Academy, has remained an undue length of time in my possession, owing to the pressure of business at the beginning of the academic year.
Before leaving the Naval Academy I beg to present it to you with the strongest possible endorsement of my favorable opinion. The plan of Prof. Munroe seems to me an eminently practical one, and likely to be productive of great good to the naval service and to its scientific reputation.
I hope the Department may be pleased to give this scheme its support, and I shall be heartily glad if I can, in anyway, aid in carrying it into effect. The opportunity described is certainly of very great value.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) C.R.P. RODGERS,
Rear Admiral, Supt.
Hon. William H. Hunt,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.