Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/71

45 morals and correct deportment considered as the essential to its officers as well as education. The Navy had fought itself by its gallant spirit and forced itself upon the consideration of the citizens. Applications were very numerous and those having the most influence obtained situations. Examinations were established and those who failed to pass them were rejected, but these were but seldom made with discrimination, yet they served in a manner to turn out those who were a disgrace & unqualified for the service. The superior officers who stood highest for gallant[ry] and bravery did their best to weed out the unworthy. Most of these were highminded gentlemen; but a few of them had obtained the requisite education of accomplished officers. They were desirous, however, of promoting efficiency in the Navy & felt the force of the influence which the parents of the young officers exerted in the Government, and saw the better class of the appointees and gave them more attention.

A midshipman's life on board a American Man of war was a dog's life, and in many respects acts of tyranny and a total disregard to the feelings of the young officers were lost sight of. Some of the older officers ruled through intimidation and coertion by punishment—totally inconsistent with the rules and regulations of any service. The Midshipmen were placed under the fostering care of the commanders and were treated with parental hardship. Captains thought that they were above the law and no regulations bound them to observe a proper regard for the feelings and sensibilities. The Commander was supreme over all. The men were harshly treated, nay, often cruelly, and all were made subservient to the pleasures, caprices and gratifications of this irresponsible authority. Debauchery and the drunkenness in a Commander was the order of the day & when in port convivialities turned to drunken frolics. These were above & held themselves above the law until many who had served as Midn gained promotion & who had experienced the effects of these tyrannies. Protests from them drew, finally, the attention of the Dept and Government to the condition of the Service, and brought about a change, though slowly, in the condition of the officers and also the men. Peculation has been put a stop to in the Purser's department & vast fortunes are no longer made out of the services of poor Jack in a single cruise.

Speaking of abuses, there was none more unjust and vicious than that of promotion; officers were advanced on the sole recommendation of Commanders entirely unfit for promotion, both as regards capacity, morals, and often thoroughly abandoned to vicious habits and drunkenness. The examinations in some degree put a barrier to this practice, altho' the Boards of Officers often passed individuals, favorites totally unfit for the higher grades, and this favoritism has ever since clogged the Service and been an incubus to it. The Naval School [Annapolis] has done much for the habits of the officers; they receive the best advantages for an education and obtain a proficiency in the profession, but are sadly deficient in making sailors of them, and acquiring the routine of the Navy.