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Show Annapolis Naval Academy Was Established in 1845 The United States Naval academy at Annapolis was established by George Bancroft, secretary of the navy under President Polk, October 10, 1845, on the site of Fort Severn, which was given to the navy by the War department. Commander Franklin Buchanan was the first superintendent. su-perintendent. The school was known as the United States Naval school, but five years later it was reorganized reorgan-ized and was given its present name. When the academy was threatened threat-ened with capture in April, 1861, it was moved to Newport, R. I., where the midshipmen lived on the frigates frig-ates Constitution and Santee and in the old Atlantic hotel. After the Civil war, the academy was returned re-turned to Annapolis. During the twenty years following the war, says a writer in the Detroit News, the navy deteriorated and the academy did likewise. With the building of the new steel navy, begun in 1883. renewed interest was taken in the school and in 1895 a new program oJ building was initiated through the efforts of Capt. Philip H. Cooper, superintendent at the time, and Col. R. M.. Thompson. Two hundred acres are included m the academy grounds and in 1924 there were 2,5U( midshipmen enrolled. |