The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-16
[From our regular correspondent

PHILADELPHIA, June Ia, lS45.
. had the honor to acknowledge visit, few
: days ago, from Captain Thomas Coin, of New
York, well known as the author Of the naval APP
premiership system, now unfortunately fallen some
what into disuse but not the less full of important
and overwhelming interest TO the country, and to its
national and mercantile marine. The fact, painful
and notifying as il u.s. that our navy is principally
manned by foreign sailors, cannot be quesoned nor
can the lamentable consequences of such state of
affairs be denied MIR. Goin in the admirable panph-
lot recently published by a member Of the New
York press, which have read carefully through,
proves conclusively, from the most reliable data,
that, while the proportion Of native American sail
ors board Of English vessels is quite small, the
proportion of English sailors on board Of Ameri-
Jean vessels il quite large.
- Captain Coins naval apprentice
Xsystem, and naval schools, would remedy all this.
The law which Congress passed in 1897, providing
naval school and naval apprentices, and which pro-
duced such capital results, has not been carried out
Hby Congress for some years, and the reason Is not
known. There should be at least three Thousand boys
educating in naval schools ready for the service
so that by an infusion of this native-born material all
The dangerous consequences might be avoided. OF
the fourteen or fifteen hundred boys already in the
service, and now seauen, created under the opera
ton of the law Of 1887, not instance of bad beha
vior can be named Why then does government
pause in the accomplishments of this admirable scheme
4of Mr. Goini Is il because boys cannot be found to-
educate for the service1 Thousands can be had in our
large cities; and the community would be benefited,
and their poor parents hearts made glad, by their
children's translation into sphere Of usefulness
and honor. There are thousands Of boys, too, in
the country who would rejoice in being able to en
ter the navy under the fostering care of the govern
ment. Why, then, has the system been suffered to|
fall through 1t has succeeded so well in our own
country that 1t has also been adopted in France and
with the happest results fear it is because curl
ohcers IN the navy are jealous of it, fear it is be-
tn kraa An,,
Icy, and to introduce liberal and more democratic
Esprit. Can this bes Are the midshipmen who OBJ
tanned their warrants through official favor and be-
cause they were rich mems sons, afraid lest the poor
boy,. who once carried newspapers in Chestnut
street, and is now naval apprentice, may also be-
come midshpman, and possibly COMMODORE II
fear this is the secret for the system is too good o
have fallen through by its dement's. Ifthis be
so. 1t is unworthy Of our country, and 1 hope, wn
mot operate under our young President who knows
that some Of our most gallant commodores rose from
the mast by their own bravery and talents.
have dwelt longer on this subject than intend
cd but conceive il TO be of sufficient importance
to warrant me in treating it at more than usual
length 1t should receive the early attention Of gov-
ernment
We confess We have not studied this subject suf-
hcently to press any dcfnitive upon it, but we
regard il as SO important to discuss it, that we have
sked the publication of some of the preceding devel
opments In this letter. We cannot entertain doubt
however, that our correspondent mus, be much mis-
informed about the ratio of American sesmen in our,
navy. Itstrkes u.s. that few circumstances have BEEN
calculated to arrest the progress of the apprcn
uceshp system, by creating prejudice against il,
than the unfortunate tragedy which was acted on|
board the Somers. On that occasion, there was an
undue number Of apprentices on board, who were
played upon by the passions Of an Ingenious
bold, and fearless leader. The error, however, in|
that case, principally arose from the too great in
fusion Of apprentices in proportion to the number of
the crew. The system ought to be carried out
gradually, and with great discretion. Fewer ap-'
prentices ought to be mixed up with regular nnd|
well-trained crew Of shipped seamen; and thus they
would be gradually accustomed to active service.
and they would acquire habits Of obedience to the|