The sending away of over forty of the students from the three vessels, and the departure of the Josephine, entirely broke up the organizations of the Young America and Tritonia. But the prospect was entirely satisfactory to those who remained, for most of those who had held the highest offices were removed, and the way to promotion was open to others. It was the beginning of a new school year, and this was the only time when changes from one vessel to another could be made, though the squadron could not be fully organized till the return of the Josephine with the new students.
Scott had taken a fancy that he should like to sail in one of the consorts, and had requested the principal to transfer him to the Tritonia. Wainwright, in order to be with his friend, had made the same request, which was granted in both instances. A whole day was spent in making transfers from one vessel to the other, for not all who desired to change could be accommodated. At the close of the day the two ships' companies had been detailed. The officers were next to be chosen for the rest of July, and for August. As but little school work had been done during the current month, the merit-marks were added to those of the preceding month, and it was soon ascertained who were eligible to office in the cabins.
De Forrest and Beckwith were not candidates. Both of them had applied for a transfer to the Tritonia, but for obvious reasons their request was not complied with. They had been constantly on the lookout for a chance to run away, but the eye of Peaks, the boatswain, seemed to be always upon them.
The principal decided that the office of commodore should be suspended until the return of the Josephine. The next day, after a great deal of electioneering, the officers were chosen. In the ship, Cantwell was elected captain, Sheridan first and Murray second lieutenant. In the Tritonia, Scott and Wainwright, as well as several of the former officers, were eligible, and the canvassing was particularly lively in this vessel. Morley and Greenwood had been respectively first and third lieutenant, but the voters were now brought together for the first time in one organization, and they were not disposed to recognize former distinctions. Scott worked for Wainwright, and to the intense disgust of Morley, he was elected. The joker's popularity was sufficient to have elected him to the highest position, if he had not worked for his friend; but to the added disgust of the former first lieutenant of the Tritonia, Scott was elected to this place. Morley and Greenwood were chosen second and third lieutenants; but they were intensely dissatisfied with the result. Allyn, who had been third master before, became the fourth lieutenant.