The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-02
THE SCHOOL SHIP MERCURY.

Th,'ir Vessel Anchored on the Baftery---The
Ofioers-Wbat They Learn-How They
Live-'The Future Nursery Of abe Navy
Adriiral Porter,s Views.
IL was long ago pointed ont by phllanthrop'sts that
the prevention OF crime more judcious than Its
punishment. This idea was tried with some success
in the Chiidren's Ala Refuge, where the homeless
boys oil the street are gathered together, taught
and led. But II was diicult TO prevent them
from going back to the streets The influences
which surround the newsboy and the shoeblack are
notennooiing ana thoughtful men were not surprised
when the children OF the Refuge relapsed once more
into Vicious and swelled the lists OF juvenile
crime. In Boston, however, u schoolship mad been
instituted where these elvIns perdl1S were trained
into hardy seamen This idea has lately been taken
up Ia our city by the Commissioners or Public Cnarl
ties and Correction, and the boys from Blackwelps
and Harris Islands have been drafted into the school
ship Mercury.
Yesterday morning the Mercury arrived OF the
Battery and cast anchor, having cruz sed down the
Sound from Harris Island, her regular station. This
clipper, formerly Havre packet Is a noble vessel,
200 feet IN length 40 feet beam and 81 feet In depth,
and about 1000 tons register. Her dimensions be
tween decks are ia feet. Her accommodations and
fitting up IN cabins, storerOoms &C., perfection.
She has been arranged for 800 boys, though at
present there only Ia on board; but there are
100 az Hart's Island eagerly waiting for the
sary uniforms TO come on board. These, as well as
everything possible, are made at the various nstltu
tons, and therefore the delay Is altogether una
voldabe. The yards are so heavy that to I'LL all the
stations In man-of.war style 1t absolutely requires
800 boys, and these there viii not be the slightest
difficulty in obtaining. Having formerly been
packet every thing about the Mercury Is IN gallant
handsome style. All the woodwork is neatly painted
there IL profuson OF brasswork whicn Is polished
like u mirror.
THE OFFICERS.
Chief OF these Is Captain Stetson, gentleman
whose bravery and humanity IN the saving OF human
lie have been gratefully acknowledged by The Queen
watch and by the KING Of Prussia, VINO presented
him with superb chronometer. He has also been
the recipient from various societies OF two gold and
three silver medals. He was IN command OF the
vessel when she was purchased by the city or New
ok os aer present ana n says
fitting CHIEF officer it would be dinicult to find,
and 1t Is at the same time an acknowledgment OF his
services to humanity. Next Is Mr.. Ii. Summers the
executive oflcer-a veteran naval officer, prompt
and daring-who has sailed with Gushing the hero
OF the Albemarle busness) in the Maumee in the
East Indies. Also Charles Lockwood, sailing mas
ter; Alfred d. Payne, paymaster; Frank Gregory,
Mr.. J. Hays, the schoomas5er There is no regular
chaplain but the vessel Is visited by ministers or
every denomination. Catholic and Protestant There
are also twenty regular seamen, A. Il, ., three OF
whom are employed Us petty officers.
WHAT THEY LEARN.
watches, IN naval STYLE and well and warmly
clothed in naval uniforms, having round their blue
rise at haf-past Ave lat i've A. NJ. IN summer) stow
away their nammocks and wash tie decks. clean the
brass work and make a things shp-shape until half.
each watch goes to school, and the other
half goes on deck, looslng ana reefng sails,
learning seamanshlp exercising with the two brass
slx-pOunders they have on board, and making
all kinds OF sennlt to noon, when there is spell
for dinner and recreation until one. At that hour
work OF the same kind recommences until I'VE
=. M. ,Gwhen comes supper and freedom until half
rons Hearty songs ike ss s as
which they give with immense Rusto aud with a
strong information on the final syllable In genuine
Bowery STYLE After this they learn to box the CON-
pass. Then comes the era Uocs recitation OF the
Lords Prayer, then five minutes silent prayer, and
then hammocks are plpcd down, aud IN a lew
moments the embryo tars are IN the soundest OF
Slumbers.
Their dietary is ample, generous, splendid 1t has
been made SO with tne idea OF making boys look
gard II in any way as prison. Fresh meat four
times week, salt twice, fish. fresh salt, Fri
days, with an abundance Of fresh mixed vegetables
and buildings every day OF Indian meal or
nour with plums 1.-THE traditional plum
dun Is the dinner. The breakfast ana
and In harDor soft bread with molasses apple
sauce, and twice week boiled RICE The quantity
Is ample, and the appearance OF the boys is most
emphatic evidence OF lis good quality. Bundle says
meat makes man proud. Il certainly does, and 1t ia
exactly this pride which the school ship Mercury
endeavors to instil; and the boys by their manly
looks their upright bearing ana unembarrassed
carriage, prove clearly how successful the system is
the juvenile thief turks sinks, crnges no more. He
gazes straight into his quesoners face and answers
promptly and pleasantly. Ho Is becoming man,
with manly principles The principle IL instiled
Into them at once, by Mr. Summers, that skuking
and thieving are alike contemplate. And the boys
are so impressed with this that they VIII punish
skulker themselves. Any one whose watch 10 above
and VINO is caught below Is beaten up by the watch
between decks. and any one who attempts to shirk
his work mas hard time OF It, SO that skulking is
extremely rare. The aspect Of the boys Is distinctly
manly American.
NURSERY OF GOOD sEAMEN.
Admiral Porter has informed General Bowen one
OF the Commissioners OF Public Charities that he is
highly In favor OF the institution, aud believes II
He intends shortly to make cruise In the Mercury
and to consider what improvements may be made
in the present system, which, however, is almost In
IT, infancy being hardly month old
the boys Quick and impressonable, have
caught the feeling, and nlne-tenths OF them
declare that when they are lit they win join the
naval service. The mercantile marine Is held in hor.
barbarous treatment OF sailors In such ships and the
prejudice against them Is therefore great This Is in
Decd Of the less consequence since the extraordinary
tariff OF the administration has reduced the CONNER
cal marine to zero. But the desire OF the boys to
be thorough seaGen is not feigned. IL is earn-
est and true. They stand occasional rough
weather their trips Of fifteen or sixteen days with
actual complacency aud go aloft, reef furl ana
secure sails anu rigging with rapidlty anu In good
style. In their practice, short-handed they are,
utes, although from their scant numbers there are no
boys to fill the stations OF the lower sails. The inte
rest OF the officers Is equally great; they are as
DESTROYS to teach as the boys to learn There Is the
there be little doubt that we have at last dscov
cred the real way 10 utilize our juvenile criminals