The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-16
Cruise of the Scholarship Mercury.

Many of the unmanageable boys of
our large cities, such as have been found
guilty of petty crimes or are complained
of by their parents as incorrigible, are
sent to the school-ship Mercury, at
Harris Island, there to be trained for
practical seamanship, as well as kept
under wholesome control, and prepared
for obtaining a livelihood by an honest
and useful occupation. In 1870 the
Mercury was sent off on long practice
cruise, in order that the boys might have
training in the actual duties of sailors,
and at the same time u quasi scientific
character was given to the expedition,
calculated to stimulate taste for useful
studies and accurate observation. The
results of the cruise have Just been pub
lshed in the form of n report from the
Commissioners of Charities and Cor
rection.
The Mercury left Harris Island in De-
cember, 1870, and proceeded to the
coast of Africa, where the scientific sur
vey was to begin. Leaving Sierra
Leone, the vessel sailed westward across
the Atlantic, keeping on line little
north of the Equator. Soundings were
taken at short intervals, and observa-
tions were made and recorded on the
temperature of the water, the direction,
depth, and velocity of the various cur
rents, and samples of the water at differ
ent depths, and of the soil and deposits
of the bottom, were obtained and brought
home. Many of these observations were
of decided scientific value. A profile OF
the basin of the Atlantic from Sierra
Leone to Barbados, on line about
twelve degrees north of the Equator,
had been drawn, and shows depth OF
3,1O0 fathoms, which was ascertained by
one of the deepest accurate soundings
ever made. Tables have also been made
from these observations by Professor
Henry Draper, showing the height OF
the barometer at different points on the
line traversed, the direction and velocity
of the currents, both in expanse of the
ocean and among the West India
Islands, the temperature and specific
gravity of the water at various depths
and the temperature of the air under
varying circumstances.
These results are of value to science
but the principal benefit of the cruise
was in the experience and training
which it gave to the Juvenile crew
They returned fitted to become efficient
seamen, either in the navy or the mer-
chant marine, and with special train
ing for service on scientific expeditions
and surveys. 1t is proposed by the
Commissioners to apply to Congress du-
ring the present session to have a2thori,
ty vested in the Secretary of the Navy
to discriminate in enlistments in the
navy in favor of boys who have been
trained on the scholarships. These long
cruises with a definite purpose form the
very best means of giving them the dis.
cipline which they need. So far as tho
reformatory effect of the school ships i.
concerned, the Commissioners say
"There is reason to believe that it is the
most effective mode to reclaim errinq
boys whose errors, caused by the love Of
adventure, by evil associations, or un,
governable tempcrs, are fast impelling
them to ruin. Brought under the in.
flexible discipline of a ship in actua,
service, they are taught in few months
the duties of profession which direct:
and gratifes their love of adventure
and provides for them the means of III
honest and useful livelihood"