The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-21
From the London Times, April ..
Seamen for the Service.

for the defence country and the Improvement of the
naval service, none was more imporan, than the APP
p0ntment oil COMMISSION TO consider the subject OF
manning the fleet This commission was selected from
the most eminent members Of the profession, and with SO
'is regard e party interests that Admiral Sir Charles
Adam formerly sea lord of the admiralty under the
wing government, placed al the head of the list, and
the commission proceeded TO examine with great fairness
persons oil different opinions who had attended the sub
Ject On par, of the question there could be dis
puenamey, as 10 The urgent necessity of placing the
most essential portion OF the naval service better
ing; Tor II IS utterly vain 10 build ships and improve ma
chneIy If the government has not at its disposal that hui
man force which is the life and sinew of every navy
Other countries with far inferior 10 our own,
have conirlved by organization place themselves on
better and footing than we can boast of in the
event OF The old OF the press gang has not
an apoogst lett except III the pages OF the Quarterly Re-
view, and the enormous impulse given the mercantile
ope atoms and shipping OF this country by free trade emf
grafton, and the discovery OF gold, has increased the OBJ
staces TO manning the Queens ships II is admitted that
al The present time very great officially is felt in getting
together an efficient ships company by the means now
employed. In consequence oil this OF things which
would be alarming and injurious if allowed to con
nie, the commission made certain ecomme nd on
Inc SUBJECT which have been adopted by the government
and were approved yesterday by her Majesty
The fret point on which all the authorities consulted
were agreed Is that whatever are taken must
rely Tor success on the voluntary acceptance oil them by
The seanen and that any attempt TO Introduce coefcve
mode OF enlistment would be followed BY miscbieyous
consequences and failure The mode, therefore, which
could alone be resorted TO rendering the
service oil the crown attractive TO the seaiang pop
ny more permanent by increase oil
pay by large augmentation Of privileges and advantages
10 petty officers aud warrant officers in the Queens ships
by opening objects commissions TO petty officers who shall
greatly distinguish themselves and by forming hernia
nent corps oil trained in the receipt of pensions
but still available alter the expiration of the ordinary ne
ol OF service II we are correctly informed these meas
ures will now forthwith be carried into effect and the
seaman viii at find in the OF the
navy degree OF security accompanied with prospects of
OF advancement he has before possessed In the
amount of pay will always be possble for the mer
ma of-yyar
but that superior class OF who fitted 10 become
petty officers, and even TO rise CHER, will find
IN the Queens service which they scarcely even meet
with M trading vessels and these rewards OF good con-
duct ability, and daring pfec sely the grounds which
may larry cne the navy TO the choice OF The best hands
II n proposed IN HE nrsi place, that The esabs hmeut o
boz Tor the navy should be placed permanent fOgt-
ng aud that they should be enlisted for general service
ior period OF ten years and the u.s. perhaps the most
important condition OF all, for lads perfectly trained in
the duties OF man-owar not only the best class OF
men IN the navy but they generally averse to seeking
any other employment Provis viii also be made for
the enlistment ol able bodied seamen OF the FIRST and sec
ond class Tor period OF Ten years, with some increase
oil pay, and the serving in the fleet will be
allowed TO volunteer on these terms reckoning Of course
their actual period OF service. Upon the expiration OF the
term OF enlistment they will receive a pension OF o.
day. which may be increased BY their Joining the body
trained seamen who will be held available under certain
conditions, and would be OF the utmost value in bringing
raw ships company into smart aud weordered con-
diton on The occurrence OF any emergency The cond-
non Of the petty officers will be materially improved with
proportonate augmentaons OF pay. and il will be in The
power OF every elconducted to aspire 10 this
upper rank IN the service.
These measures, fully carried out will very extensive
~ change and improve the whole condition OF the navy
and convinced that there is no, an economist In
the House oil Commons, or a man in England who will
grudge the comparatively small increase of expense re-
CURED TO support our maritime establishment on proper
footing In TACT the training education and character of
he men are OF even greater importance than their mum
beers, and we ru. that the first result OF the new system
VIII be 70 put an end to the absurd practice OF dispensing
body oil seamen al the very moment when they have
attained tbe highest degree OF efficiency Due regard
must OF course be had 10 the occasional ainy of nde
pendence which varies the life OF sailor from the disc
pine oil The service and the moDotony of the ocean Nor
can pc be altogether debared from the right OF choosing
toe ofcer uader whom he intends 10 serve which has
more elect than anything else attaching men TO paeu-
lar ships. But he will longer be turned adriit when
his ship paid OIL and he will be able 10 look forward
WIN Certainty 70 the beneficial results OF ten years spent
IN the Prime OF e from 10 2S in The performances al his
duly he naval service OF this country ought 10 be by
lar The most attractive and postoa 10 which
men brought up 10 ssafaring lille aspire The duty
on BOARD Queens ship, with her proper complement OF
men, - o; course much lighter than in merchant vessels
with very inferior allowance OF hands; aud the nation,
IN taxing these men INTO its service, the obga
ton Of systematically Iewsrdng them for their exertions
and never losing sight OF them in after life The deh-
cIency OF men has been felt not because have moi
entered the navy sufficient numbers but because al the
expiration OF comparatively short terms OF service ney
have eft II, aured by prospect OF high wages, to
voyage twe or foreign service which has not per-
manepty Improved their condition Probably The knoWi
edge that some IN preparation, ana me IN
Certainty as TO the extent OF them have contributed 70 IN
dnce the blue jackets to hold OIL from the Queens ships
until they we're distinct made aware OF the terms on
which they dispose OF their services But this I'M
certainly will doubt speedily be removed Tor the whole
plan VIII OF course be male known 10 The county and
navy the earliest possible time, and Sir James Ora
ham may lastly lay claim to the merit OF having carried
The Recommendations OF the commission no eject with
: his usual promptiude and vigor