Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis: Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise

In Short

Following their fourth and final year at the United States Naval Academy, upperclassmen Dave Darrin and Daniel Dalzell face the rigorous tests of discipline, engineering, and competitive athletics. While Dave maintains his steady focus on becoming a true naval officer and winning the great football game against West Point, Dan stumbles through romantic missteps and rule-breaking escapades. Together with their loyal chums, they survive dangerous submarine tests on the "Dodger," untangle unjust accusations from strict instructors, and ultimately triumph on Graduation Day to receive their long-awaited naval assignments.

The Story

The academic year opens on an October Saturday night when Dave Darrin discovers his roommate, Dan Dalzell, has snuck out after taps. To save Dan from being dropped from the brigade, midshipman Farley strategically breaks a tungsten lightbulb in the corridor, confusing the discipline officers and shielding Dan from punishment. Soon after, bad news arrives from West Point regarding football players Prescott and Holmes being sent to Coventry, which temporarily dampens Dave's enthusiasm for the upcoming Army-Navy game. Despite these distractions, Dave and Dan pursue their daily grind of academic studies, shop labor, drills, and cross-country marches.

Midshipman life brings unexpected encounters, including a visit from young submarine expert Jack Benson and a demonstration aboard the experimental submarine "Dodger." During a run down Chesapeake Bay, a disgruntled former seaman named Morton sabotages the submarine's motor, leaving the midshipmen and officers stranded and facing a grim fate until calm leadership prevails. Meanwhile, Dan suffers through a series of chaotic romantic distractions, falling for young women who are either already engaged or moving on quickly, much to the amusement of Dave and his steadfast sweetheart, Belle Meade.

As autumn progresses, the focus shifts entirely to the annual football clash in Philadelphia. Dave prepares rigorously, meeting with West Point cadets who mourn the absence of their star players. On the gridiron, the Navy fights a hard, bruising battle, ultimately securing a safety that grants them a triumphant two-point lead and victory over the Army, driven by the relentless efforts of Dave and Dan.

Following the football triumph, the midshipmen face harsh internal trials at the Academy. A strict instructor named Mr. Clairy levels unjust charges against eight midshipmen, including Dave, Page, Fenwick, and Dan. The superintendent recognizes the dilemma of balancing individual denials against a single instructor's word, suspending punishments while the brigade seeks a resolution to clear their names. Amid these tensions, doubts occasionally plague the first classmen regarding their readiness for actual naval service, but physical labor and camaraderie keep them anchored.

Spring brings the culmination of their efforts with Graduation Week. The Academy fills with drills, sham battles, and gun-pointing contests, watched by a presidential Board of Visitors. On Wednesday evening, the first classmen don their new white summer service uniforms for the class german. The following day features the traditional promenade, leading directly into graduation morning. The young men receive their diplomas, transition into commissioned naval officers, and take a brief train journey back to their home town of Gridley. Shortly after arriving, official orders from the Navy Department arrive in the mail, directing Dave and Dan to report aboard two of the Navy's largest battleships as they begin their active careers.

How It Unfolds

A midnight breach The academic year begins when Dave Darrin discovers his roommate, Dan, has slipped out of quarters after taps. Quick-thinking fellow midshipmen smash a corridor tungsten bulb to confuse discipline officers and shield Dan from expulsion. Dave spends the night wide awake, worried sick over his friend's foolish risk.

News from West Point Word reaches the Academy that rival football stars Prescott and Holmes have been unjustly ostracized by their corps. Dave laments this development, arguing that there is neither profit nor honor in beating an incomplete opposing team. Most of the midshipmen share his reluctant view of the contest.

A perilous submarine run The midshipmen tour the experimental submarine "Dodger" under the guidance of young Lieutenant Jack Benson. When a vengeful former seaman sabotages the craft's motor before leaving, the crew faces potential disaster beneath Chesapeake Bay. They maintain their grit while officers work desperately to find a replacement part.

The gridiron victory Traveling to Philadelphia, the Navy team engages in a desperate, hard-fought football clash against the Army cadets. A late safety secures a crucial two-point lead, clinching a triumphant victory for the blue and gold. Dave and Dan play pivotal roles in repelling the final desperate Army charges.

The false accusations A rigid instructor named Mr. Clairy brings unfounded disciplinary charges against eight different midshipmen, including Dave and Dan. The administration struggles with the dilemma of balancing individual denials against the instructor's word. The entire brigade grows furious over the unfairness before a solution is pursued.

Graduation and active duty After rigorous spring drills and the festive white-uniformed class german, the upperclassmen finally receive their long-awaited diplomas. Returning briefly to their home town of Gridley, Dave and Dan open official orders from the Department. These documents assign them directly aboard the Navy's largest battleships.

The People

Dave Darrin wants to become a true naval officer and maintain his high standards of honor and athletic prowess. Standing in his way are academic anxieties, institutional false accusations, and the heavy emotional strain of supporting his impulsive roommate. Unlike his peers, Dave remains deeply principled and grounded, ultimately stepping out as a commissioned officer ready for major fleet service.

Daniel Dalzell wants to excel in his career while frequently yielding to impulsive distractions and romantic pursuits. Standing in his way are his own poor judgment regarding women—who repeatedly turn out to be engaged or unavailable—and his tendency to break academy rules. Dan ends up chastened by his romantic misadventures but successfully graduates alongside Dave, receiving his official assignment to a battleship.

Midshipman Farley wants to successfully complete his final year without buckling under the immense pressure of academy life. Standing in his way are occasional bouts of deep gloom and the temptation to resign. Farley overcomes these doubts through loyal camaraderie, helping protect Dan from discipline officers and joining in the triumphant graduation.

Lieutenant Jack Benson wants to successfully demonstrate the capabilities of submarine craft to naval personnel. Standing in his way is malicious sabotage by a disgruntled former seaman that strands the "Dodger" underwater. Benson maintains calm authority, helping navigate the crisis until the crew is safe.

In Its Own Voice

Dave expresses bitter frustration and deep anxiety when he discovers his reckless roommate has slipped out of quarters after taps:

"Oh, Dan! Dan, you idiot! To take such a fool chance in your last year here, when detection probably means your being dropped from brigade, and your career ended!"

Dan shares his gloomy realization with Dave after discovering that a young woman he intended to visit on Saturday evening is marrying someone else:

"Dave---Miss Preston is going to be married!"

Midshipman Wolgast reflects on the collective composure of the stranded crew after a malicious saboteur disables the submarine motor:

"At least," murmured Midshipman Wolgast, "we shall have a chance to show that we know how to die like men of the Navy."

What It's Really About

The book explores the heavy burden of institutional honor and the challenging transition from boyhood camaraderie to professional responsibility. Beneath the lively football matches, shop labor, and submarine drills lies a deeper inquiry into what it means to possess true character under pressure. It questions how young men handle arbitrary administrative friction—exemplified by false instructor charges and unyielding military codes—without losing their personal integrity or faith in their comrades. Ultimately, it argues that enduring discipline, physical exertion, and mutual loyalty are essential to forging reliable leaders for the nation's defense, proving that true professional maturity is won only through strict accountability and shared sacrifice.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic juvenile adventure, detailed institutional settings, and earnest tales of youthful camaraderie will find much to love in this wholesome narrative. Reading the book feels like stepping into a brisk, old-fashioned world of rigorous daily routines, high-stakes football games, and unwavering loyalty among ambitious naval cadets. What stays with you long after finishing is the vibrant, enduring friendship between Dave and Dan, along with the palpable tension of their grueling academic, mechanical, and physical trials. However, modern readers must be prepared for the narrative's period difficulties, including dated phrasing, archaic slang terms like "doughface" and "French it," and stiffly formal dialogue that can occasionally slow the pacing. Furthermore, the relentless focus on academy minutiae requires patience. Despite these stylistic hurdles, the book offers a remarkably engaging window into early twentieth-century naval training, rewarding patient readers with a deeply satisfying journey from upperclassmen responsibilities to proud graduation day and active fleet service assignments.