New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-17
VOL. III. NO. e6e.
Apprentices In the Navy.


cent commitment ions in your paper on this subject
that great degree of misapprehenson exists with
regard to the nature and course of instruction
which the Apprentice System actually provides.
The late unfortunate affair of the Somers, and the
facts which have appeared relative to the behavior
and punishment of the apprentices in that vessel,
have naturally drawn public attention to the sub
ject, and led people to inquire into the matter !;
and it is we'll that all should understand it, for it
soncerns the welfare Of the Navy and consequently
that of the whole country.
Without pretending to denv that there may be
evils and in the system which arc susceptible
of correction, cannot assent to all the views
lately put forth in condemnation of the Apprentice
System, and we should be very cautious of finding
fault with an institution which has been produc-
tive of so much real benefit to the Navy. Lands
men should be very careful in making up their
judgement Oh nautical affairs, for what appears
wrong TO them may very often be unavoidable !;
and practical men know the difficulty of carrying
out in practice all the hns-spun views of mere
theorists. Your CORES pondent S., in Tuesdays
Tribune, says that his mind has long been pain
fully drawn to the unhappy condition of those
lads" and no seems to think that the only object
of the system is to furnish officers for Navy and
AlcICiiaiL StCFiCt. I llb Is mistake. however
important it may be to have we'll instructed eff
GERS it is equally desirable to furnish the Navy
and merchant marine with thorough practical
seamen, and such is the chief design of the APP
prentice System-though Mdshipmen are some
times made from the ranks Of the apprentices, in
such limited numbers as the service allows and
they are always eligible to promotion, as forward
officers, for good conduct and competency.
Having visited the Naval School on board the
North Carolina, and having had number of op-
portunities of observing the apprentice system, |
have had no reeson to conclude, that their condi-
ton was either unhappy" or "painful," but
quite the contrary; and have no doubt that any
person who chooses to visit the ship and make
himself personally acquainted with the course of
instruction, and the appearance and treatment of
the boys, will come to a similar conclusion. The
branches taught in the school are the same as in
the Public Schools of this city, with the addition Of
navigation, though the same correspondent asserts
that the boys not taught navigation Besides
this, they also instructed in practical seaman
ship, the use of arms and all the routine Of duty
en- board Inan-of-war. The boys at this station
are classed in FIVE divisions, three of which, by
rotation, are in school during school hours while
the other two are being exercised in the duties Of
the ship. The mode OF teaching is, as far as prac-
ticable, the same as in the city Public Schools.
The boys are cheerful, healthy and well taken care
of, with plenty to eat and regular hours for play
They are naver punished with either ' cats" or
4" colts" without the knowledge of the Commaa-
der of the ship, and there has never been any COM
plant Of undue severity. Upon the whole, it
would be difficult to devise system of naval in
struction, better adapted answer the end in
view, or moro faithfully carried out by those who
have the charge of it. When consider the
great number of poor, ragged boys, running about
our streets without proper care or employment,
and growing up to be idlers and vagabonds in
society," and see such boys transferred to the Naval
School, where they have an opportunity OF aequlr-
ing a thorough nautical education, and OF attain
ing an honest and respectable station, either in
tile navy or merchant service, we must admit the
institution to be one of the greatest blessings We
should seek rather TO cherish it, and extend the
sphere fits usefulness, than to make it common
butt of attack +.
" We have given place to the above out of re-
spect its source, but we regret that it does not
meet the grounds of complaint against tho APP
prentice System: Let US re-state them. They are
l. The Naval Apprentices are exposed to the
most contaminating associations with villains
and debauchees especially of those reprobates
usually shipped as landsmen;'
2. They are subjected to .fogging, which crush
es them into ounces or hardens them into ruihans,
when it would be far better to secure their good
conduct by appeals to their honor sense of sls'ne'
and pride If there are boys whom no.hing but
the lash will control, they ought TO be turned OUT
of the Navy, or kept by themselves.
8. They arc overlooked in the creation of Orr
GERS, which should not be. If the Apprentice sys-
tom workswel at least one-half the Officers should
be taken from the Apprentices. Fit works badly,
so thar good Officers cannot be formed under 1t,
it ought to be aooshed.-sThese are the grounds
of complaint in short metre-we think r. has not
ohv;s,ed them Ed Tribune.
UA letter in the Boston Courier states that }.
H. WARLAYr, has left the Boston American and
tina. VIM. Hogan, Esq. formerly of the savannah
Republican, has succeeded him. We thought lac
American had sustained some disastrous eclipse
when we saw the flag Of Tylerism at its head Tor
under this banner Warland never battled, but sent
his ho, shot through it whenever It's dragged ioias
were visible. Of course the paper will die ere
long. The less Of its old Ed. ,r YVES hard blow,
and swallowing dose of Tylerism in It's debi!ita-
ted state was little else than deliberate suicide
committed, the Coroner's Jury will doubtless re-
turn, in tit of temporary insanity
o. LIGHTS AND SHADOWS or FACTORY LIFE
is the title of novel by Factory Girl, just pub
ished by J. Winchester. We have not READ IT,
but there is an ample field for an excellent tale
and former productions from the class to which The
aurhoress belongs show that there is among them