The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-07-06 00:00:00

THE BOSCAWEN AND TDB TRAINING SYSTEM
FOR BOYS.

In view of the expected change in the training ships
I. our Roads, it may he well to give • few details of
that notable training which is te convert all kinds of
boys into good aervlceable English sailors, well qualified
to support the honour of the national flag. The system
has been well carried onion board H.M.S. Rom twen,
which hos lain so lung in Portland Rools, and whose
officers and crew have been so valuable En acquisition
to three porta. The Beecowen is about 2313 tons, and
was built of oak and teak somewhere about a quarter
of • oentury ago. She is therefore one of the old class
of wooden selling ships. When in COMIOI/1111011 she
carried 91 heavy guns, including a solid 68-pounder at
her bow ; but now she is only provided for practice
with eighteen 24poonders of the old fashion on her
main deck, with a 61b. howitzer of brass. Her officers
are Capt. Grant, Chaplain Payne, LL1.1., lieut. Boys,
Dr. Slade, Paymaster Chi IP Frio, A militant-Surge°, Lloyd,
Paymaater's-Clerk Mr. Pattison. Warrant officers—
Mr. 0. Rizhards, gunner-in-chief; Mr. Smith, gunner.
instructor ; Mr. H. Richards, junior-gunner ; Mr. Date,
Instructor in seamanship: Mr. J. Bolton, hostawain.
There are about 50 men in the ship's coupon,. 24
marines, and at present 113 boys, including $G boys
lately from the Ferret brig, who are considered to be
transferred to the St. Vineent. The Ferret company
Is under command of Captain Carve. 12 of the boys of
the Roscavren form a braes band, un It r Mr. Roaenbau in.
The boys are ozonised in summer at five o'clock, ..nd in
winter at half-past sic ; but In winter nothing is done
before breabf”t. In a iptarter of an hour after they
ate milled, the instructors go round and see the boys
lash up their hammocks and stow them neatly
in the waist. Three dividone serape and wash
the upper deck till it Is clean r ',tough t
eat off. There is no holy.moninz done now, all
the decks being washed and swilled. While this is doing
the other fourth wash and bathe. Tbo boots are then
lowered and washed out, and the Rear cleaned. The
decks hawing been roughly dried, any ropes out of place
are coiled down. The bugle then sounds the call
"cooks to the galley," and two boys fr on each int SS go
below and prepare the breakfast. 'This consists of broad
anti won. On four days In the week the boys have
fresh breal, and on the other three biscuit. They hr. ak-
f at half-post six in munuirr and eV, n in wine. r.
Two of the boys are selected az captains ta
each me... These wear on their sleeve an
anchor budge, and are responsible for the ontsr
and dersnlinoss of their tue.ses. Two c mice are
aeleeted daily at broakfmt time fur each me., to pro.
cure the fond, lay out the tables, clean the mess traps,
and sweep out the tuess after Imola
The boys are divided into two halves, celled
watches, " and at seven o'clock (summer) the watch on
deck clean and stow away their clothes bags, and polish
up the bram work of the ship till everything looks clean
as a new pin. The watch b-low clean the lower ileek..
They are then mustered to coil ropes, and the watch on
deck are exercised by instructors, at manning ropes and
learning their uses. Ala quarter to eight the apembly
is •01111iPii and the imps mom the toe-gallant and royal
yards. These are the highest yards in the aliip, and
from the shore look like fine lines creasing the moats, at
an elevation which would tnake a landsm .0 shudder to
look dowc. They then loose. make, and shorten all
riliein sail. At htlf-patt eight they fall in at the buck
call for morning inspection, mesh with his towel in hand,
and the nfficer sees that they ore properly washed
clean, and their hair comhed, and their clothes are
examined to km they are in proper repair. The bugle
sounds against five minutes to nine, and the lads fall in
in regular divisions, when the chaplain reads prayers.
One division is then told off for instruction in gun drill,
anotht r division at seamanship and boats, another
division stumble under SIMI for r.tio instroclion, and
the remaining division at a hoot except those who have
paused out of school, and these are sent to the seaman-
ship classes. At • quarter-past ten the drum roll,, and
all the boys hi the first instructions hsve to go over the
maatbeada. A little lattcr those who were at gunnery
go to rifle drill, and the upper school boys are in-
structed in shifting • jib. 'Next come loosing anil
foiling mile, and at half-past eleven there is pre-
iteration for dinner, and douhtleas the holm are
pretty hungry by this time. One cook lays
the t•ble "with the mom trope," and the otle r goes off
to the coppers for the meat, etc. This is divided aol'
a portion put on each plate by the captains of the
messes, the instructors and the officer looking on. If
any boy gets an unfair amount of bone in illiA meat, the
unlucky captain of the mess lass to give up his own
share to the ill-weed boy, no thet it is pretty Pertain
the shares are about equally good. All being ready,
the boys are ranged standing outside the stools, and
the dinner is inspected by the lieutenant, after which the
senior boy death men says gram, and the boys take off
theircaps,artd•itdowu todioner with duedecorunt. Kerne
of the tuemes get for dinner "sea pie,"•thiek soup with
pudding, potatom, and meat, &nil others get remit beef
and potatoss. No tinging or riotaur conduct r. per.
mittei, and any quarrelling or fighting is severely
punished, and on no account are cards, dice, or gam-
bling of any sort allowed. In spite of all this prohibi-
tion. however, we find that the young fellows have the
same spirit of fun so any othera, for • srecial reguls.
tin says "Throwing biseuit at eech other, being a
highly dangetous practice, is strictly prohibited."
Less than on hour is allowed at dinner-time, and the
bugle sound, at five minutes to one, tho boys range
themselves on the quarter-deck, the mem decks are
.'leaned, aod offenders Sr. punished ia presence of .11
Ihn boy.. After this the divisions .retold off, one to
gun drill, one to seamanship and horde, one to tide
drill, and the peased-out boys to seamanship. The
boy• in the first instructions get up their washing tuba
and fill them with water. At a quarter-mutt two the
boys in the first instructions go over the mastheads
again. Different drills then go on, the boys
marching and counter-marching, to the sound of the
brass band, and wheeling round the mauls. Their steady
tramp makes every timber In the .hip tremble, and it is
a relief to hearthemeornmondol to halt and order arms,
• command which is quietly obeyed. Their rough-awl-
ready style of handling the rifle would make thee,
I desperate fellows to encounter, and although it loot.
strange to see • regiment in blue serge, yet their pre-
, cision, strength, and quickness, show they have in them
tho stuff for soldiers az well as sailors. Al ten minutes
, peat three the retreat sounds, and the drills are die-
mitered. Shortly after there is an assembly ; the upper
yards and top.gallanthnosta are taken down, and boys
wash elothes. At four the bode sounds for those who
have liberty to go on shore, that they may get their
supper and dress for inspection. At half-past four they
are pot on shore and at fire o'clock the rest have mapper.
At half-peat five all boats not absolutely required are
hoisted up, the boys are inspected, and one watch of
the other watch rowing about in the boats elto.;:ei;:rehbsTboolupota
:holt hl
none
the
I Pleasure of young landamen's bathing, are allowed.
to
lip
her
Is not fit for bathing. The main deck is well lighted
1111
Otheroridlb
vfuaihiy'r lest any
yn• e • Itealiglynorr are
e co.llyterrifyheccu senttehr a n
u nin": e•
r::110 gd• "opito°tsnalwhe thuhp
eyefeoneor
on. inielgibtumfe telanhadinefeinoldteljfae erhfrf, Pk:el front
eGh: I:reaLee.
Government
oytiohtewdnh'Sralya tMisavndnhe et
oor netdnih ef
nind oftenau
gtowtanall f tin,
r
oom
read books. and amuse themselves with qurifinetent,:ist.Ttanion'teh:
skittles, bats and balls, quoits. Sta., which thee play on
shore at the Naval Cadets' ground, at Portland.
Draughts, chessmen, dominoes, puzzles, and so on,
are provided on board for winter recreation. At a
quarter to eight all boats are holder up,
and the boys stand by their hanoeoels, furl
their hammock cloths, the captains of 1111.4,&"
report to their instructors that their places are
cleaned up, and all are to bo in bed before nine, when
the lieutenant goes his rounds to ROO that all ere in
their hammocks. In very hot weather they are
allowed to stay ou deck till 11.211; but all 111011 be in bed
ntbles.ym:lahltectercriwtde *ti to. rruT Crecie nrignnu,'l4ser.liift yet,b7c4e6a.a Irrid;
ll
mincr variations, or the routine would become tedious.
On Wednesday there is a general tail drill, the lads ore
exercised he making and ahortening ails, reefing. betel-
ing, sad shifting jib towila and ormrses, tacking, to.
lit the afternoon do re lat general boat exorcise, both
sailing anti rowing. After half-past twelve on Thurs-
day is half-holiday. They are allowed to go on shore,
and these whose parenta do not reside in the Plano
return at five, supper time; but the remainder aud
I those etho have behoved well and obt. ined the badge,
tee allowed till sunset, the time of which they me
Informed of before they leave. Saturday is a general
cleaning-up day for Sunday. The ,leeks are scrubbed
with hand anil after 'Aram Iraolri down with. clean
water. The clothe, which weed washed thc day bef-,r.
al.. LILIJLI down, awl the ls.clding hilt at,' •

noon the boat@ are Gleaned, and, as man as the upper
and main decks have been put to Orb* the watt&
below is sent to the bathrooms, and are seareeded try
Osot t
The boys will roost like
Every mottling soca. of th, err are taught swimming, and
In order to keep their shoes clean fohreawkliinanhehareddabey.titeed.Ota,
and if they can swim well, me pissed. bowl+, of
gunnery instruction, fire y beat es.einioretbew"raa:ge at a tsreek
course is a day of rest from labour. Unita. service I
Is held at tan on the in sin deck. From hal.-
, past twelve ta a teuertor-p.i one there is Sun-
beareanit eutiridilleytebteelrYTeybeYwarbeeianixbiabeneererei tinegPaele'edil toaatthei'rt ild.boeficeereenecayd,
day echoed when the echo &tuatara iostruct them
In &rioter.. At 2.1 i they
are allowed to go on shore
till au;pr t me, and Divine serer°, is again neld at six
We hive thus been through the work's work, and
will now give some details of what in learnt.
The gunnery in-truction proceeds something in this
way—fourteen of trim» wro told elf to each gun, and
th y begin by tear ~ itt g its dofferent parts, see taught
Site method of maniiieg tho gun ou both aides, and the
use of the handspike* and tickle. While in this lint
clam they rdo lean) the rudirnents of mina's nod rifle
exercia. After being about three months in this
they advance to higher grade, wide they learn to
sponge and load the gun, and point it at an object, and
the use of the sights. Further advance is made in the
cullam and rifle drill. The third class learn how to
work the gun getierally, and are supposed to become
perfect in the cutlass anil rife drill. The Armstrong
gum are also brought into ea for their further educ
lion, and they are taught bow to
.work and load three
aguisous,k7rd., atlas
it.b.ercinh.annaugeamb...otti.oitiotold:vieorems. Thy
ents like
soldiers on aliens, awl in all this rums of learning they
are supposed to have graduated in tweivo months. A.
exemination next take" place, and if found to hose ,
been intelligent, they are rated as first-class boys, and
held available to be discharged arid wort en bead sea- I
going chip., when, of course, thy hove on increase of
my. Thare are ear, few njeetiona, and the reject ol
boys get • amend trial, when almost all page. The I
ammanship Mat-ruction is even to boys in four classes. ,
, The first or lowest class aro exercised in boats and on I
the toped; yards; the *mond class learn Low to make
bends (or fastening.) and hitches in rotes, points of the
comeasa, parts of the anchor, an.l caning" and
" &bine" an anchor ; names of the different ropes, and
panne( sail.. The third-class are taught in knotting,
splicing, and turning-in dead-eyes,the use of the sounding
lead, how to steer, and to manage a boat under tad ; the
fourth are instruciad in the model room, bow tong and
unrig a ship, the standing rigging. md sr° expected
10
be well up in all the other Owen. When they have
reached the 4th clam they remain until passed out into
other ships, when they are rated as first-Masa boys. All
those on board the Bereawen are soloed class, and have
GI a day pay, and their food, Ind have to pay fur their
clothing; the firat-class boys have 7.1. per day. Two
per cent, of the complement are employed in rotation
and r the sailmaker for in•truction, the same number
are tan -ht to rit models, arid the still° proportion wore
under the tailors.
As may surprised, with all this work to attend to, the
boys eat heartily. They ere allowed 1)1h. of soft br,,s,l.
or I (lb. of biscuit, per day, 2om. sugar, len tea, Im..
cocoa; of other thiugs the allowance per week is beef,
rdb. ; Peas, one third of • pint ; flour Ilb., suet .1.e.,
raisins, 2oas. ; vegetables !db per week.
The utmost cue ia taken of the honesty and general
good conduct of the future Jack Tars. All bail lan-
guage is strictly forbidden, and ordered to be retorted.
Noose is allowed to interfere with his inessmatea pro-
rwrty, for, say the rules, rotting can he loot on board
ship, and anything found is imlnedi•tely to be taken to
the polio. of the main deck. One of the rules might be
recommended to our Yankee friends :—" Boys are
never to be guilty of spitting on the deck ; it In a mist
dia4ustlng, and uwEnglith habit.' Lou.' talk-
or any
en
ut
In
rder
e the
on
aiddbie.
dbills:
ter,.
to
htand :ii
iinca::::rmsyrt
fen
oei:r counudehos6k;:a ,tuf,
made
da anti 0
running
afitnile ter,
ingt, forbidden.: 0
dh.
ht
eiyb
dt
sieyf: noi g
e,epw, r 11::np,..uecel
mgrtinni
irigg in ott. have
t.sts dt bcan
111
chcrrot gold lace on the sleeve, and haPPY is lb" b"Y
rns
ng
avail him, unless lie knows the names ..f the sonata and
pull in a boat, has a fair knowledgo of the compeas and
lead line, can make all the bends. hitches, and knots
named In the instructions, knows the different parts of
the tepsails, and ean pea an carting. In gunnery be
must have pureed the best and amend instreatone,
got out of the awkward aquad of the rifle and sword
drilla. He must read and write well, write fairly from
dictation, know arithmi-tic as for aa courpoend
have a genmal knowledge of 'the outlines of geoigraphy,
alf,rornenmiel2.,::::::B7l,tilixtentifdoarasytsh:reetfitllapenend assist, if
..tbuheri.riinp:trieomnta;
end halm made satisfactory progr,ne in religions know-
who wrir
trl eeh
-el enjoyinithYles 14'
ile themg
es 'f badgesb:Lioyrrpeeba
.grect ▪ natv:deel
been
dpon
rnru:n
ft:tl badge.::,ifrrodoritfuhsarett r umaoe i.edotei ihrevatevit,bbr t.u.rarfirs • at, aw
been arded
lihowteah:ye.m., badgeisand (lie
:tht •
to
as
been worn three month,. a meow! may Ise conferred
proficiency quite satisfectory. In selecting boys for
:ti:botlir,,,'"..6l..l•lL4tio::;:awt....kel.hbitengprpinrorehrcarl7v.lai:tp..e.iers:selaip:!:filin.,:ifirbositiarnehnitddne.tyittheitaptuntee:ifdviaevrt.ith'ryrt:i's.rfh.Liiedleniunsb.ybi;,...dryselpi:iriliodvl7:::
.p andric't.d.h.e".
rf • I hde v&b: dyt i4oetah iobsy
captain.
rhptete
aricenal.P ti
nano: n
ehheeeii
srd.l tem:Pyurirnarinalio onzecu:keds.,;
lace
gratuitously to the winners. Tne rest of the boys',
but they are allowed :kl. week pocket money to s
. .

Theo hope ore train -a for tho .oerrioo in a iliorou.ghly
efficient manner, and if the training were only sub-
mitted to by thousands of likely boys, instead of, it now,
-by hundreds, England would awn have thl ti-cat clas4
of senmen that any country or any are has ever
produced. Yet it to found that the applications are
more 1111014/0111 than the • icinciee, and red ea are said
to have been sent down, haidtm: very touch tho numb. r
that con be received —a rather extraordinary state f
thing+ when England to making unusual • if et to pri •
tide Ca the ofßeient manning of the Pleelnin ease of war.