The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-16 00:00:00

THE TYNE NAVAL RESERVE.

SHIELDS, TUESDAY EVENING.
To-day the Tyne Naval Reserve, which now mus-
ters 1,121 men on its books, has had a demonstra-
tion in this town. Early in the forenoon, accom-
panied by several officers of her Majesty's ship
Castor, though the weather was very wet, with flags
flying, above 400 of the men, all at this time in port,
marched in procession through the town. They
were led by the fine band of the Ist Northumber-
land Volunteer Artillery, and were much cheered.
At 1 o'clock, by the liberality of the Duke of
Northumberland, Lord Ravensworth, and several
of the resident county magistrates and shipowners,
they were entertained at a substantial dinner in the
large Albion Assembly-rooms.
The chair was occupied by Mr. R. Hodgson, M.P.
After the usual toasts,
Captain BEDFORD Pim, R The
Naval proposed "
Naval Reserve, especially the Tyne Volunteers."
He said—Some three years ago a Royal Commission
was appointed to inquire into the best method of
manning the navy, and when it was manned, of
keeping up the supply of seamen. The importance
of the subject, in the then defenceless state of the
country, engrossed public attention, and received
the earnest consideration of Sir John Pakington
and the late Board of Admiralty, to whom the
credit of originating the reserve movement
is due. Regarding the nature of the plan
itself, Mr. Greenhow, the worthy shipping master
of this port, is entitled to the chief praise for it.
His intimate knowledge of seamen enabled him to
state their requirements. He knew that the press-
gang was as much out of fashion as burning an old
woman for witchcraft, and that if we wanted sea-
men, they, of all men, could only be obtained by
generous treatment, such as they deserve from their
country. The common sense and liberality of the

present measure is the principal reason of its suc-
cess. At first, as I well know, there was a strong
prejudice against everything naval, but I am
happy to say that this feeling has vanished, in
proof of which I need only allude to the esteem in
which my friends Capt. Palmer and Lieut. Camp-
bell are held, and the very high opinion they enter-
tain of the Reserve sailors who come under their
orders. Captain Palmer himself told me that the
intelligence and proficiency of the Tyne seamen was
_ _

remarkable, and if there was a review at Ports-
mouth he would back the Shields crew in his gun-
boat to beat all the rest. Times are altered since
the Russian war ; I had then to pick up a crew for
a gunboat the best way I could, and I only hope
I may never see such a lot together again on board
ship. Now all the gunboats we possess could be
manned at once by Reserve men, who would make
the very best crews in the world for that class of
vessel—in short, it is impossible to exaggerate the
importance of the Naval Reserve. Our naval admi-
nistration is still very defective; it is almost impos-
sible for individuals, however earnest, to introduce
the necessary reform, because the system is so
faulty; but there is a well-founded hope that some-
thing will be done this session. A standing navy
is what the country requires, and then with a
powerful reserve we may hold our own against all
comers. A standing navy would necessitate de

fences round the coast, and I know of no place
better adapted for a naval dockyard than the port
of Shields. Tynemouth Haven seems a favourable
site. I see, by the Registrar-General's report, that
in places there is only one naval reserve man. Those
ports have not enjoyed the advantage of a training
ship—not even a gunboat, I suspect, has been sent
to stir up their seafaring population, and until that
is done the numbers will not increase; for if the
men are worth having, they must be looked after,
and I have no doubt when the system is perfected
we shall number all the British seamen sailing in
our merchant vessels. At present Ido not think
the men are fully alive to all the benefits they de-
rive from the Reserve. It is not alone the retain-
ing fee of I:6, the pension of 1:12, or the £1 is per
week training pay, but the amount of knowledge
gained that must be taken into consideration. I
appeal to any sailor present, if what ho has lately
learnt has not made him feel twice the man he
was before learning, besides giving him additional
confidence in his own powers. Already the Reserve
has been of great value to the nation. Your late
loyal demonstrations strengthened the hands of
Government, and enabled it to act with vigour and
confidence, while at the same time the Americans
learnt that we were a united people, jealous of our
honour, and quite ready to resent any insolence to
our flag. Two valuable lessons have been taught us
by the Trent affair,—first, by bringing prominently
before our eyes the melancholy condition to which a
nation may be brought by universal suffrage and
ultra Radicalism, a warning which will, I hope,
strengthen the Conservative party in this country ;
secondly, by proving to all the great value of being
prepared. In this instance millions have been saved
to the nation. Nothing but our readiness for war
prevented a collision with the Federal States. In
conclusion, I should like to give a word of advice to
the fine fellows now present. Do not be content
with merely learning to knock your guns about,
but in your leisure hours study the science of
gunnery and the laws of projectiles. Keep up
your cutlass drill by taking single sticks to sea
with you, and rapping away at each other on the
forecastle, and, if half-a-dozen Reserve men happen
to be together in the same ship I should strongly

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recommend them to purchase a rifle and perfect
themselves it firing at a mark. I must now pro-
pose the toast, which I do with the greatest pleasure.
Mr. S. MiDowELL, one of the Naval Reserve
men, responded.

Mr. JOSEPH STRAKER proposed " The health of
the Cbairman." He said that he was an old sailor.
He remembered the little warwe had with America.
When that war broke out under what colours did
the Amercans fight ? They hoisted a white flag at
the main with these words on it, "Free trade and
sailors' rights," and he gave them some credit for
adopting such a motto, for at the time we did not
invite the Volunteers, but impressed them. (Hear.)
To the credit of this country we had abandoned
that system, and we now invited Volunteers, and
paid them for their services. (Cheers.) Our men
were now treated as they ought to be; and if we