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, Juno 14, 1853.
[Regulations for the entry of Boys and Men into the Nary
—Pay—Leave—Gratuities—Pensions, &c., and the Pay
of Warrant Officers.]
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have
menhad
under their consideration the question of the ry of
for the Royal Navy, together with a report from a com-
mittee of naval officers appointed to inquire into the subject.
Their lordships aro 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,
the welfare and comfort of
and of substantially promoting
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
bo introduced in the present mode of manning her Majesty's
ships.
With this view they aro 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 tho accompanying form, No. 95, to servo 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 arc 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 4ft. Sin. stature.
PP IP
15 and 16 4ft. 10in. „
1G and 17 If sft. Oin. „
//
If 17 and 18 sft. 2in. „
After 18 )9 4in.
Weight, though dispensed with as a qualification, is to
be 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 aro 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 are 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 'Servants.
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 take 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 be more than ordinarily active and well-
conducted, he may, at the discretion of his captaint be
promoted to the Ist class at the ago of 16, provided he shall
have been at least ono 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 tho case 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.

Promotion.
Boys who produce proof of having been at least two
years at sea, may, in special cases of good conduct and
ability, be rated 2d class ordinary, or ordinary seamen,
according to their qualifications, after the ago of 18. No
person is to be retained in the rating of boy after the ago
of 2s. •

Discharge by Purchase.
All boys of good character and conduct, whether entered
ior continuous service or otherwise, may be permitted to
purchase their discharge according to the following scale,
the amount being graduated according to their length of
service, and the consequent expense that has been incur-
red on their education and training :
Under three years' service £ 8
After three years and under five years
After five years' service l2
Discharge of ineligible Bays.
When a ship is inspected or paid off, the captain or
commanding officer is to report the names of such boys as ho
may consider, from inferior stature, want of physical
strength, or other valid cause, to be unfit to be retained in
the service, in order that, after a special survey, they may
be discharged.
Advantages of continuous Service.
All the advantages granted for continuous and general
service, as hereafter shown, are to be fully explained to the
boys now serving, the option being left to them of accept-
ing such advantages, or otherwise.
Increase of Pay.
Boys who have entered for continuous and general ser-
vice are, when advanced to any of the undermentioned
ratings, to be allowed the following) at
of pay, in addi-
tion to the present pay of the Royal Navy:—
Per calendar month
of 31 days. Per ann.
s. d. £ s. d.
2d class ordinary seamen • -2 7 110 5
Ordinary seamen - - -5 2 30 10
Potty officers leading and able seamen 7 9 411 3
They will also be eligible to be granted pensions after
shorter terms of service than at present, as hereinafter
specified.