Among the undergraduate organizations that flourished in former years the Navy club was an important one. As might have been inferred from the languid looking gentlemen who figured in the float representing the club in the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, it consisted of the laziest men in college. including all those who failed to receive senior parts. When these were announced and the men went to receive them from the president, the club accompanied the part men in procession and parted from them with impressive ceremonies in front of Holworthy. Those who refused to resign were as ceremoniously expelled.

The club flourished from 1796 to 1847. The last procession took place in 1846, and the last excursion down the bay in 1851. The Lord High Admiral was he who has been oftenest sent from college or the greatest wag; the Vice-Admiral was the poorest scholar; the Rear Admiral, the laziest man; the Chaplain, the most profane. The grand occasions of the year were the annual procession before Class Day, when all the members were present in fantastic array, and the cruise in a vessel chartered to go to some place on the bay, where a chowder was eaten. The return to Cambridge was a merry procession enlivened with horns and songs. The admiral on reaching Cambridge chose his successor and the club disbanded for the year.

It was contrary to the rules of the organization to run in the college yard. One man was brought before the admiral for violating this law, but was pardoned when he proved that he had been set in motion by a push and had been too lazy to stop himself.