The New York herald., 1874-10-10
THE NAUTICAL SCHOOL.

nc EuOAAC 6CnOOl ON board tho 81.
Marys-Boys Who Are to Become Good
seamen-The Standard or Sea m . shi y
To Be Elevated.
The announcement in the HERALD tnat the Sec
retary OF the Navy had detailed a United states
man-ofwar-the St. Marys-as schoosnip for
the OF the Board OF Education OF this city has
created feeling OF agreeable surprise among the
shipping mea and all those taking an interest in
the subject OF nautical education. There were
many who doubted at first whether the plan OF
the Board OF Education OF establishing nautical
school would ever be executed; but IL now bids
fair soon 10 become un Jatt acconsph The lack OF
thoroughly trained young seamen fully compe-
tent to take charge OF American ships has long
been felt by shipping men in New YORK. and they
hail with satisfaction this laudable attempt at
supplying 80 great want. There are those who
sneer at II, OF course, saying that, as American
ships are fast disappearing from the seas there
WIN be very little use for American seamen; but
the vast majority OF our shipping men are still in
hopes that the American mere antle marine will
once again revive and noursn as 1t did or Old.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL SHIP.
The st. Marys which has been designated by
the Secretary OF the Navy as the school snip for
New York, IS rather old sailing vessel of good
proportions her tonnage being 766 and her dis
placement L025. she carries 16 guns and has
ol late been stationed At the Norfolk Navy Yard.
SIZE Is now IN Boston, where she viii probably be
repaired. The Board OF Education have given
TINS project IN charge OF the special committee ap
pointed tor the purpose, and which is composed OF
the following gentlemen David Wetmore; Joseph
Seligman the well-knowu banker; William DoWd,
A. J. MaJtnewson and j. ID. Vermllye. Mr.. Wet
more and the other members OF the commit
tee are OF the opinion that the st. Marys
Will require considerable repairs and alterations
before she win be suited Tor the objects IN view.
cause these repairs and alteratons 70 be made, as
delay In the opening OF the school might other
wise eas9e ~ .h om 'ne meea means a. sne com
asked by the Board OF Education was $4,000 for
the first year; but the Board OF Appropriation
qulred TO do so oy law. Yhe Board however, VIII
undoubtedly soon make an adequate appropria-
tion and 1t is not expected that any obstacles win
De encountered in TINS quarter.
THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS.
Mr.. wetmore, VINO devotes much OF his time to
this project hopes that the st. Marys will arrive
here by the 18th OF November, and then tue school
Will be opened at once Some OF the necessary pre-
mander and executive onicer have been spponred;
two excellent ,oae men - for o these positions
oas ps az The "a
Annapolis and Lieutenant Wadleigh who enjoys
good reputation as naval onicer. Where the
st. Marys will be stationed 1t Is as yet impossible
TO tell, and VIII necessarily be the subject OF con-
terence between the committee and the Haroor
commissioners. 1t will be desirable TO place ner
at some point where the approach IN the winter
VIII not Oe interlered with by Ice drifts.
The branches which are TO be taught on the
school ship win be such as to give the scholars q
good knowledge OF seamansnip. Gunnery, the use
OF small arms, cutlass ex~ rciSe, and the manage
ment oil boats under oars and sails and all colate-
raj branches will be taught by competent stan
the development OF the body through swimming
and other muscular exercises, $50 as to make men
out OF these boys,n to quote the apt language OF
Mr.. Wetmore. Their English education WIN 90 on
at the same time. The boys VIII not De trained
for pS ~ IN ae Du O1 s
simply intended to secure to the people an effi-
cent reserve for the emergencies Of naval war.
CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION.
The school VIII be open to any respectable boys
not under fifteen who feel desire to 60 TO sea.
as D ns I 9G
and they Will also be required to give evidence OF
having received an ordinary common school edu-
eighteen months to two years. according to the
pupils ability. 1t is, oi course, not to be ex-
tlcal school any robust boys VINO have received q
fair education; but 1t Is their aim to select those
who show special aptitude ior sea lie. While
VIII receive full board. Tney VIII have to live on
board the st. Marys and wear . cheap but neat
be lree Of charge, and MIR. Wetmore is also OF the
opinion that those desiring to pursue. their
uoss be- taken % care s"e Of b. the Board ana ntsed
for taking positions as mates and captains The
education on board the ST. Marys IS simply In
ship, SO as to make good sailors OF them. 1t Is
expected, however. That shipping men win not
them among the common sailors, but will allow
them TO mess separately. sU
THE sHIPowNERs' VIEWS
Mr.. Wetmore and the other members Of the com.
mittee are thoroughly convinced that the execu-
ton OF this admirable plan will tend TO greatly
elevate the standard Of American seamanship.
That such an elevation is sadly needed any one
who iG acquainted with .he characteristics OF oar
sailors viii readily admit. Snipowners who have
conversed with Mr. Wetmore ON this subject have
generally expressed their sincere gratl1cation at
the probable execution Of this plan, and given
MIN assurances that they would gladly take such
youths as had graduated in this school, The COM
mIttee will soon pubush prospectus giving full
various details OF more remote interest. The
school Is to number 200 pupils, who can be easily
summer the st. Marys viii probably cruise IN the
Sound. m Nr-