The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-25 00:00:00

With respect to the future supply, the proposi-
tion is that at each of the large ports a training-
ship should be established, with accommodation for
from 100 to 200 boys, half of whom should be
maintained by the Government, and that these
vessels should be under the superintendence of the
Board of Trade, the main intention being to train
boys for the merchant service. However, after the
period of instruction has passed, the boys are to be
inspected, a limited number only having the option
of going into the navy. It is presumed that these
training ships would furnish annually 1,200 able-
bodied lads, and that the different seaports would
yield as many more, to the maritime occupations of
the country, all of whom shipowners would be
willing to take; contributing at the same time a
small annual sum in aid of the Pension Fund. It
seems that an annual contribution of £1 from the
age of 14 would secure to the sailor a pension of
£l2 a year by, the time he attained 50 ; of £l5 from
52 to 53 ; and of £lB at 55. It is therefore recom-
mended that £5 be paid quarterly to the seamen
themselves, so as to secure their appearance at short
intervals, and that the State, moreover, should con-
tribute £1 per annum to the Pension Fund for
every man. The total annual cost of these school-
ships, including training in gunnery, would probably
be £200,000 per annum.
Recapitulating, then, briefly, the whole of the
recommendations in the report, the country would
by their adoption acquire a reserve of 60,000 men
in addition to the 5,000 marines, suggested as a
judicious increase to that force, and in addition
also to 5,000 volunteers, who would probably be
absent on leave in the merchant service. For
the alleged increased security thus obtained the
country would have to provide an annual sum
altogether of £598,821, or in round numbers of £lO
per man, for these additional levies. Admitting
that anything like absolute immunity could be
thus guaranteed, the charge cannot be deemed
excessive, when we regard the enormous amount of
insurance, the premium on which is thereby 'repre-
sented. The que3tion is, would the adoption of all
the recommendations embodied in the report meet
every probable exigency? We think not; and, as
we have already observed, we consider that the
scheme is not only likely to prove abortice, but far
from being sufficiently comprehensive in its provi-
sions. No doubt tke problem to be solved is a diffi-
cult one ; but apart from all ulterior considerations
it really amounts to this—How are we to have
always an ample amount of reserves in time of peace,
capable of being instantly available on the occur.
rence of a sudden emergency, without unnecessarily
crippling in the meanwhile the industrial resources
of the community ? We have now seen the result
of the aggregate wisdom, after long inquiry and
mature deliberation, of a body, composed of peers
of the realm, members of the legislature, admirals,
and shipowners. At the same time it must be
borne in mind, as already stated, one Commissioner,
Mr. W. S. Lindsay, whose opinion as a plain prac•
tical man and as an extensive shipowner would
have been most valuable, declines to append his
signature to the report. He must obviously have
stated his reasons for adopting such a course, yet
no clue whatever is afforded as to his grounds of
dissent.

Again, the report is entirely silent upon a very
material topic, one which In the opinion of all ex-
perienced nautical men is at least as important as
any that have been touched upon—namely, the
means of insuring an adequate supply of officers in
case of war. The public at large no doubt suppose
—considering the long roll of officers of all denomi-
nations comprised in the Navy List—that there is
enough, and more than enough, to meet any crisis.
But this is a complete fallacy. Let us select, for
instance, the lieutenants whose names stand on the
roll for Jan. 1, 1359.

The total number is 1,038, of whom 67 per cent.
are now actually engaged on various services more
or less important, leaving 350 to meet all contingen-
cies. But of these how many would prove effective?
Some ten or a dozen of them are, it is true, afloat,
but mostly on board ships in ordinary. The lieu-
tenant who heads this list has held his commission
for nearly half a century, and must therefore be
past 70, while the most juvenile must be some-
where between 40 and 50, consequently almost past
the time when the greatest, amount of physical
ability can reasonably be expected of him. Of the
last 500 on the list, there arc 365 afloat, so that
only 17 per cent. of those in the prime of life arc
left by way of reserve.
There were, on the Ist January, about 250 ves-
sels of all classes in commission, including 32 ships
of the line. Now, supposing a sudden and serious
emergency to occur, whence are we to obtain a
requisite number of efficient officers, under the
grade of commander ? We have surely seen enough
of late, without specifying instances, of the ill
effects of entrusting, important posts to superan-
nuated veterans; is it wise to run the risk of a
recurrence of similar mishaps ? Still, no sugges-
tion has as yet been offered to meet the very patent
defect above indicated. It is possible that impor-
tant advantages might be secured to the country
by some approach to an amalgamation between the
Queen's and the merchant service. In professional
education, in social position, no less than in general
attainments, the majority of officers in the mercan-

tile marine are scarcely-, if in any respect, inferior
to their brethren in the Navy. If an opening were
aflorded whereby. those who had distinguished
themselves professionally on board merchant ships
could, upon passing a suitable examination, become
eligible for commissions in the Royal Navy, not
only would a higher tone be speedily infused into
a fine body of gallant and enterprising young men,
already trained to a sea life and to a certain extent
disciplined, but the Government would be relieved
of what must necessarily prove a formidable em-
barrassment on the first breaking out of hostilities.

Whether this suggestion be adopted or not, it
might be a wise course to throw open the advantages
of Greenwich Hospital to well-conducted seamen who
have served meritoriously for specified periods on
board merchant ships. The income of that noble
institution is now £140,000 a year, a sum which, if
more judiciously expended, would provide a com-
fortable asylum for a far greater number than are
benefited by the relief it provides, at the same time
that, as a home in old age, its hospitable shelter
would be eagerly sought, instead of being, as under
the present regime, shunned.
With respect to minor matters, there are many,
well known to all naval men, to which we have
scarcely space to advert just now, but they include
a better organised system of payment, the abolition
of the present obnoxious practice of flogging, as
also the establishment under suitable regulations
of libraries on board ship for instruction and
amusement.
We are upon the eve of great changes in the
navy, changes that have been long impermiyjv
called. for, and the sooner the reformation of
admitted abuses is set about in earliest, the bcliur
it will be for the service. Far more is needed than
is embodied in the report just printed. Indeed, as
that document stands, we have little hesitation in
expressing a conviction that it will never be acted
upon.

SYMPTOMS OF THE END OF THE SEPOY REBEL-
LION.— The berths on board the honiewanl Indian mail
packets for several weeks to come are all takva,