New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-02
|OUR NAVAL APPRENTICE SYSTEM.
III.
A Day On BOARD the Sabine-How the
Boys Live-Thc System, and Why il
IL CONNIE dable.

From Our Special Correspondent.
NEw.LoSDOy. July 81 1865
To-day we were permitted to witness the
routine Of studies and drills of the Naval Apprentices
on board Of the Sabine. In former letter We ex-
planned the manner In which boys were admitted and
the general plan and purposes Of this very important
branch OF onr future naval strength. This letter,
therefore, will be devoted to explaining the forms
which are thoroughly impressed upon the boys by
which they will in time be perfected in. and become
valuable naval seamen.
AT daylight the apprentices turned out Of their
hammocks, which are slowed in the nettings. The
decks are washed down, and at o'clock the boys
sent the mastheads to famiarize them with that
duty. At y breakfast is seryed 90 minutes al.
lowed FOR the meal. At o'clock all hands are ready
to begin the exercises Of the day. At 81 oil hands 60 to
quarters for inspection after which the usual exercises
carried till lot. At II O'Clock drill and
at noon dinner is served. At o'clock the boys are
again sent over the mastheads. This occupies about
quarter OF an hour in all its details AT }. o'clock
school begins and Is dismissed at AGO. At supper is
served. At the boys again run over the masiheads
From CT to they are exercised in boating, battalion
drills or in reclng furling and loosng sails. After
these exercises recreation is INDUCED In and at
o'clock the signal given to return to their hamnocks
and at 81 D. m. silence is ordered.
In the routine exercises and school the following are
the branches taught Handling of yards and sails. use
of lead and compass knotting palm and needle; boat
ing and great guns howzer Drill swords and rIhes
reading, writing. spelling. arithmetic grammar gun
merry. &c.
Tie exercises this morning consisted of three Sec
tlons Of boys ioosing and furng the mzzen topsail
sections at school and at small swords. and several
guns crews great guns. One Of the spar deck guns
loaded with solid shot and target practice was In
duleed in for time. Many of the boys show much
interest in the studies and whole they are progress
ing finely. Commander Lowry is certainly well calcu
lated carry out the desire OF the Department In rela
ton the system of education. He is kind firm and
displays peculiar aptitude for the duties deyolying
upon him. The bows ike him very much his form OF
government is parental and no one need have any hes
ration in putting their boys on board OF this vessel
We are satisfied that everything is being done here TO
promote the best interests of the service and to make
the boys credit 10 the Navy. In years 10 come we
shall reap the benefit Of this system OF education FOR
naval seamen. England and France have reaped the
benefit OF this plan OF making her Trustworthy seamen
from their best boys 1t Is high time that We worked
up to and even beyond their standard
There is excuse for smart boy If he does not pro-
gress under the plan pursued here. No avoritism is
shown: all are encouraged and advanced upon merits
alone Bnt must bear in mind that boys Will be
boys and due allowance must be made. The teachers
are required 70 be jealous in the Improvement OF the
apprentices; TO be mid. Just aud impartial IN their
treatment, requiring the fultent Of al duties and to
bring to tho notice Of the Commander any one exhibit
ing extraordinary merit. The standing of the boys is
carefully kept and ranges upward in the marks AZ the
end OF the month an average taken aud report made
10 the Department.
with their parents. Qnarreng. fighting. the use Of
pro'sne and immoral language is strictly prohibited
and punished. The food furnished Is Of the best quail
y and of quantity sufficient for the appetite of the
most yoracious eater No tobacco or spirits are al
lowed Cleanliness Is one Of the first laws and every
is taken TO make the apprentices learn sefrespect
Occasional cruises ut give variety 10 the life and
increase the interest OF all and hereafter certain num-
Der varying 10 the rate OF the vessel will be sent out
oil cruisers In this way these apprentices will
be at once migrated into regular man-of-war life
and establish demand for their services. Already lis
have been sent away, and reported valuable ae
QUESTION the ships upon which they have been placed
The Department rsqu,s 1900 or 1900 naval APP
prenfices and making arrangements for their intro
ducton into the navy IL Is the duty OF Congress and
the people to lend helping hand to carry ont this
audable plan and In the event Of war; shall expe
rience none OF the anxeties and dsappontments which
occurred in 1851 when struggled TO perfect
ganzation. Application for the enlistment of ap-
prentices be made Mt any naval rendezvous where
they be examined by the surgeon. II found quail.
fed physically and morally they must then be brought
by their parents to the ship at London, where they
will be enlisted.