The New York herald., 1875-11-19
THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE.
INVESTIGATING THE SCHOOL SHIP MERCURY
FOOD, CLOTHING DISCIPLINE AND TREATMENT

INVESTIGATING THE SCHOOL SHIP MERCURY
FOOD, CLOTHING, DISCIPLINE AND TREATMENT
OF THE BOYS.
Tho Assembly Committee on Crime yesterday visited
the school ship Mercury for purposes OF investigation
They the guests of the Commissioners Of Chari-
ties and Correction Mr. Isaac H. Bailey accompanying
the party The boys the Mercury drawn up
in line deck to receive the guests who proceeded to
inspect the ship before examining any witnesses Tho
order and cleanliness observed commended in
general terms by the members OF the committee.
Captain +. s. Gregory the first witness examined.
He has been connected with the Mercury she
first used a school ship and half years ago and
has been her commander last December;
he had previous marine experience
there now 1913 boys board, whose
ages range from eleven TO twenty years; OF this
Der only have been committed for crme the rest
have been placed board for vagrancy juvenile de-
nquency, except fow who have voluntarily com
mitcd themselves the OF the Commissioners Of
Charities and Correction; when received boys are put
ship clothing examined and assigned to class in
the school, all the boys board divided two
"waches;n at seven A. NJ the boys sturn out :" stow
their hammocks and wash half past they break.
fast ordinary navy raton then they the brasscs
until nine A. NJ, when they muster in quarters; then
one watch goes school until half eleven the other
remaining duty; there they instructed IN the ru-
dments OF English and on deck they taught sea
manship-the old boys showing the ropes to the now
ones at quarter TO twelve A. NJ. dinner comes and
the boys are free until a. NJ from half
past three p NJ the second watch attends school, and
from that time until they "turn in" usually about
seven r. NJ. they may play spend the time they
please; during witness experience about 100 boys
entered the navy from the Mercury and about many
more Joined the merchant marine; the Captain has for
mate instructor aud surgcon the other paid hands on
board are a captains clerk engineer, steward, cook,
carpenter, master. at arms and six able scamen the
line officers are all experienced scamen; there arc
VARIOUS ruSIsnMrSrs
for offending boys the stocks being the worst the
ropes end is sometimes applied; boys are never de-
prved OF food as a punishment there have not been
any complaints OF scarcity Of lood Il is as liberal the
navy supplies; the clothing consists OF cap,
shirt trousers and shoes in winter there are heaters
10 keep the ship warm but at present these out Of
order; the shin could accommodate $50 boys, and wit
ness prefers vagrants because will come to take
them OIL alter they have been few months on board,
so there Is better opportunity tram them IN
manship; boys charged with grave offences should
be committed to the school shn witness thought no
individual Commissioner should have power 10 dis
charge boys, and would bo best to commit them until
thcy are twcnty-onc years old the average
reports OF those who had len tho Mercury
TO enter the navy and merchant service good
TO its present use; when port there are Catholic and
Protestant services ON board every Sunday and tho
boys must attend one tho other as they hnve en-
tered themselves when first taken on board N sca the
Captain takes care Of the rocstahtl and the school
teacher OF The Catholic boys; the Commissioners have
been IN inc haOt OF discharging forty per OF the
/ boys before they are made scamen there have not
been any doscrtfons this year; in summer visitors are
received twice week at present once; rcuuisItions
for the usual winter cruise have been made and the
ship will probably leave very for the West In
l dues, to return in April or May; the Captain is the
\ financial agent of tho Mercury; her expense
| this year, 10 October, $24 600; last year it
cost $4,000 and IN the rst and second years respect
! ivcly $4,000 and SOL 600; witness thought x3b 600
about enough the salaries paid follows cap.
i tam, per month, Sl15; hrst officer. 500; second
officer S75, third officer, 500 instructor SSl &c; doc.
| tor, $50; clerk, SIS; masters mate, $50; engineer
sos; steward So carpenter, 500 and the scamcn SIS