The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-28 00:00:00

MANNING TIIE NAVY.

The following is the Admiralty plan for manning the
Navy, founded on the report of the late committee :
Admiralty, June 14, 1853.
[Regulations for the entry of Boys and Men into the Navy
—Pay—heave—Gratuities--Penes, (CT., and the Pay

of Warrant Officers.]
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had
under their consideration the question of the entry of men
for the Royal Navy, together with a report from a com-
mittee of naval officers appointed toinquire into the subject.
Their lordships are of opinion that it is highly important
to give the Royal Navy a more permanent organisation,
both as a means of increasing its efficiency and discipline,
and of substantially promotiag the welfare and comfort of
the petty officers and seamen of the fleet.
My lords are desirous that the change in the existing
system should be accomplished wholly by voluntary means.
Seamen are, therefore, to be permitted, as at present, to
enter for the customary period of service, and for particu-
lar ships ; but by the future entry of boys for longer terms
of continuous and general service, and by holding out the
inducement of increased pay and other advantages to men
who volunteer to serve under the new system, their lord-
ships contemplate that a gradual and beneficial change will
be introduced in the present mode of manning her Majesty's
ships.
With this view they are pleased to direct that' the fol-
lowing measures be carried into effect

BOYS.
All boys under the age of 18, who hereafter enter the
navy, are to be required to enter into an engagement, ac-
cording to the accompanying form, No. 95, to serve her
Majesty for a period of ten years' continuous and general
service from the age of 18, in addition to whatever periods
may be necessary till they attain that age. If above the
age of 18 when entered, they are to be required to engage
for ten years' continuous and general service from the date
of first entry.
No boy is under any circumstance to be entered under
the age of 14, or below the following standard of height :
Ages between 14 and 15 not less than Oft. Bin. stature.
15 and 16 „ 4ft. 10in. ~
fl 16 and 17 sft. Din.
f 17 and 18 "ftreslin. „
After 18 fl sft. lin. f f
Weight, though dispensed with as a qualification, is to
bo inserted, for information, in the reports of survey.
All officers entrusted with the important duty of en-
tering boys are strictly enjoined to see the greatest care
and circumspection in ascertaining that they are in all
respects fit for her Majesty's service before they are en-
tered. Previous to such entry being confirmed, a survey
is to be held on them by two captains, or commanders, or
one of each rank, and two medical officers, who aro to cer-
tify, according to the accompanying form No. 95, to the
boys being of perfectly sound and healthy constitutions,
free from any physical malformation or other defect, and
to their being in all respects fit for the service.
A similar course of proceeding, as far as circumstances
admit, is to be followed .in the case of boys entered on
foreign stations.
Outfit.
The sum of 405., which is now required as an outfit for
boys on their first entry, is, for the future, to be dispensed
with. _ _

.•
Employment as S'errants.
All boys of the 2d class, including boys from the school-
ships and from the Greenwich schools, may be employed as
servants, when required, according to the usage of the ser-
vice • but all officers in command are to tako care that the
employment of boys in this capacity does not, on any ac-
count, interfere with their systematic schooling, instruc-
tion in gunnery, exercise aloft, and other branches of a
seaman's duty ; or in useful trades of which they may pos-
sess a knowledge.
Promotion to Ist Class.

If a boy should bo more than ordinarily active and well-
conducted, he may, at the discretion of his captain, be
promoted to the Ist class at the ago of 16, provided ho hall
have been at least one year at sea.
Entry of Ist Class Boys.
Although it is desirable that all boys who are entered in
the Ist class should have been at sea, or accustomed to
boats,.such qualification is not to be considered indispen-
sable, in the caso of promising lads who are found in all
other respects fit for her Majesty's service. The existing
regulation for the instruction and training of Ist class
boys, to qualify them for seamen, is to be strictly
enforced. _