1850

A process of reorganization, designed chiefly to avoid interruption of and fragmentation in the education of midshipmen, is undertaken:

* School is placed under the Chief, Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography

* Post of Commandant of Midshipmen is created. Incumbent serves as executive officer and instructor in tactics and seamanship.

* Uniform is designed for acting midshipmen.

* USS Preble is assigned to the academy as a ship for annual summer cruises making an uninterrupted four-year course possible.

July 1, 1850

Commander Cornelius K. Stribling becomes superintendent.

School is renamed the United States Naval Academy.

A consecutive four-year course of study is adapted.

1851

Department of Drawing is established.

1852

The Preble makes a foreign summer cruise.

First foreign navy visit to the Naval Academy -- Royal Dutch Navy frigate Prince of Orange.

August 31, 1852

Appointments to the Naval Academy come under the control of Congress.

1853

Construction of gas works completed. Naval Academy becomes one of the earliest institutions in U.S. to have central heat and light.

Department of Astronomy, Navigation and Surveying is established.

May 7, 1853

First Naval Academy Band arrives.

November 1, 1853

Commander Louis M. Goldsborough becomes superintendent.

June 10, 1854

First graduation exercise is conducted in the new chapel at noon as members of the class of 1854 (6 graduates) complete a full formal course of instruction at the Naval Academy.

1857

New hospital is built for $13,000.

September 15, 1857

Captain George S. Blake becomes superintendent.

1858

First approved midshipmen's association, the Lawrence Literary Society, is organized.

The Japanese bell is presented by Mrs. Matthew C. Perry. It had been given to Perry by the regent of the Loo Choo (Ryukyu) Islands during his expedition to Japan.