New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-01
THE NAVAL APPRENTICE SYSTEM.
Trip 10 Ncw-Eond om-Nccd> Of the Naval
Apprentice system SysieSus in Other
CeunsriS- Our 0wu-Its History and
Present Hiaius-EcquirsmcWis-
rie--OMecrs OF the Snbiur.

| NE l. =. fli-dlf Sanlllc, litii. tblnUtdnu'I
j. II. Lowry commandin-. arrived here to-day. having
LEFT Ncw-lork on SATURDAY al noon. Tho passage wns
very pleasant, the wind being lcht and variable, af
foriing excellent opportunity Tor the apprentices to
gain practical experience in working ship The
increasing interest and growing importance OF our
naval apprentice system leads 70 give detailed
account of tie plan ths branch ~ naval pro
gross and the plans for iis future value.
The need of naval apprentice system which las
been once tried in our service and failed, owing 10
variety of causes, made itself apparent At the conf
monecmcnt of the Rebellion. The scarcity OF naval
seamen. men who were conyersant with ibe routine
ard dutes Of nen-of-vlr. gave the Department much
anxiety ard caused considerable Delay in fitting ont
vessels for the pressing and important demands Of that
time. Ii has been supposed that the fishermen, 10
WHOM the Government has been paving large boun;cs
for maay Years would come forward in the event Of
war aal pay back these muuihcent gifts which they
had been receiving In this the Department dis
appointed and, we are sorry TO say. but very few
eyinced that gratitude and patriotism which might
have been reasonably expected end would have made
their name household word; but now the need for
them past aud the is over and unable 10
give any credit to tose fishermen representative
body.
The nayies OF other naval powers have their naval
apprentice and training schools and Enelnd especially
is noted Tor her wisdom and foresight in education Of
boys for service on board OF vessels In this conn.
Try the sysem has at times been Iidculcd, although
Of best naval officers have approved the pian
while others have objected to it mainly the ground
that its organization they oni ne subjected TO the
ardUols work Of bringing 1t TO perfection, forgetting
Tat these apprentices. who having oace become
HFm NH~.s a.rt u.
nerg. woud in tie course OF few years become the
bone and sircw Of our naval strength md pride
Our apprentice system vas formally inaueurated BY
~ a, Of Congress dated March =. i,3 bur after many
dsap,o,ntmcas IT was abandoned in ,i3 and was MT
revived until 1904 In May oi last year. the Sabine
ordered 10 be put in commission practice ard
school ship for naval apprentices under tie command
Of Iien' Commander X. Il. Lowry I. :. ". vlo was
specially selected by tie May Department ior The yory
impo.. ant and arduous duty Of organizing aud esab
lting Oh firm ba., the nucleus ffom Thich the fa-
tue tauk ard tie Of tie nays to ereanaio and in
sac fon Is no; oarto be Trustworthy OF all times. but
cfa character which would place our vessels upon an
equal fnc make them superior 10 those Of any naval
power Owing to the piralca visit g; the Tallahassee
an other Rebel craft the Sabine scni 50 The Fast
EN- coast 30 proi,c; onr commerce ana fishing interests
and Ier services being considered 20 valuable IN a,
section thc people ci Portland induced The Navy De
parIent to f,tAiD Ter al that port until tie danger
y iich threatened them wa past ~ iE1f u vas Not
until October lsjs. that Commander Lowry was
enabled - iairiy enter upon tle organization Of
this important system. Dung her stay however /
aOnt 80 BOYS enlisted apprentices but Gle de-
ilands Of the active service for scLmeD doyated The
yes c from heg irrc WORK ara ste tmplO % ~ re-
ciutlg men, and about lUJ were slipped and sent 10 |
The al stations a. Boston aud POrsuoth OF course
bat lte could BE- accomplished for i1e adv aneeiaeut OF
~
The first 30, enlisted naval apprentice und-, the
new Organization Was T. t0nlccge Harrington " Ro1-
bar. Ma aged l. years and . mouths. Jle is now
on board, aid IS ofthe most promising boys On Tie
shin aud by the time his term ~ service expires WILEY
viii be January IT, no be Vii be, II Ice improve ashe
has done. a thorough seaman, and possibly commits.
stoned officer 81 the nnvy. ibont fnis time growing
interest begun 20 manifest itself this subject. and
inauy applications were received a, Washington aud BY
Commander l0wf! from a!onis and git rGisls respect
lax the method Of enlistment. To ilcf he demands Of
fAese Inquiries circular s5ufd giving full paIicu
lars. ana the NayH EeDde2yOus were Instructed 70 enlist
bes rapidly - circumstances would permit. Owing
90 tho want Of proper attention On Tie part ol some
IecIng officers, nnd the desire ~ many parent, Ia
place their hops in tle service either in hopes Of
oe'g pal, If ihoir pay or for tbe pcIpcse Of Kidding
ihelGse!lc, 81 Troublesome, iDcOrnSbe o. refractory
suns. q large Hunocr OF worthless and IN some IN
stances. VICIOUS l9!s, were sent Oh board. Many por
seemed 10 think tls this was q school Of reform
bad BOYS, sd 9yailod themselves o. rsnning their
wicked ohsuring in man-oiwaI ut tie expense ~ the
No'hi12 corh have been more Foreign
10 u" pan ~ Inc NAVY 4cpdflNeif thuD tne enlist
mcni OF such clss oflOys aad upon The proper repre-
senatO.s. the Naval Rendezvous ceasca 10 take Any
more DOys aGd The enlistment Us ONLY cons ANIMATED on
board OF The school ship.
lie mistake o. careless enl!stments WINS speedily
iected. and Number Of ths .ncolrigibics we're
moved from the shp speedily possible aDd al this
lime ont Of he IurlDcr over 200 bord there are
lui Iar. instances ~ this class, and they will scor 20
disposed ~. I ndcr tie present system OF careful
scrutiny Sr which Is oEcrci.e1 II. the preliminary
Ininai0u il j. almost impOSs be Tor any had hoy 10
obi ON a!nutHIcc INTO tAi- Interesting proi,
body 81 embryo naval seaneu. The greatest care Is I
llel IN Tue selection II boys. They INST be II ard
lio over year 81 age Az j. they iAas measure not
less than iect inches IN high ana =: inches around
the chest az IL year. tic hight must re ieet 10 inches
and - inches around tine chest. Ileh csnaidaie must
be able 10 read wIi;e sni spe be free from physical
disabilities, aeilgroyB healthy active, anu exhiDt an
aptitude for the ocean and fhe duties ~ sea u.
To guard agast bod characters TIE caloilale mast
be OF good moral standing, no. an ndehtDfed sppr.D
uee, must never have ccru charged or cOhVIcltioi
crime. He mist ho d Siliisg applicant and mIst have
the written consent ~ his parents guardian. IA
rcnS can rest assured that applicant. viii BE- compelled
10 undergo thorough e-nndDativn 1" their moral
and physical Qualifications. IL IS determined By Tie
Department 10 have lt rood ard promising boys
enter this school; those who will b. credit 20 The
country, and VII rot coDlarinae y boys - 10 are
now on board. Schly ana sfcmnais b0ys viii not be
taken; tho Government cannot AFFORD 10 keep naval
hospital nursery school for inFs ID BOYS any than
to provide Juvenile house Of reformation boys with
going pToevjties Therefore the public are 10 M
derstand that any attempts 10 iOist upon the servce
sicky boys. with a view 10 improve their health or
refractory boys 10 establish their future morals will be
this school with firm refusal and that time and
money employed in such Efforts will DO aseie',ly
pended TIE apprentices are bound By the consent Of
ill they q years OF age receiving for their services
their living and pay which wares from Sc TO $40 per
month; portion OF which VIII be retained until their
term Of service eIpires.
Ator passing the examination before the surgeon and
instructors the paymaser furnishes the apprentice for
immediate use tie following articles OF clothing: Ono
N n Nan NJ f1