The New York herald., 1878-11-11
THE MINNESOTA.
ONE HUNDRED VACANCIES IN THE TRAINING
scHooL--THE REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS

ONE HUNDRED VACANCIES IN THE TRAINING
scHooL-THE REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS
TO ACCRUE.
The United States training ship Minnesota has re-
turned from four months cruise through Long
Island Sound and along the New England coast. and
has gone into winter quarters at the Brook
lyn Navy Yard. Captain s. B. Luce speaks
well Of the proficiency Of the boys and
the general beneficial results to the navy with such
superior class of boys to take the place of those sail
known to be worthless The ship has been cruis-
ing during the summer in Long Island Sound excr-
cising the boys--somc 325 in number-in seamanshp
and target practice and they will return to their
winter course of theoretical instruction While at
Newport. the first class. of ninety-ve. examined
and found qualified for transfer to seagoing ships
seventy of whom were sent the United States sloop
of Richmond. now at Boston preparing for a
cruise in the East Ides and the remainder will TO
the European squadron.
The objects Of this school are misunderstood by
many people but its true object is to educate boys to
become healthy reliable and intelligent for
the navy: or in other words to materially improve
the moral, physical and intellectual tone OF this
branch of our national defence. The boys arc re-
ceved on board this vessel for instruction at be-
tween sixteen and seventeen years of age, and are
kept there until about eighteen years of age, and
then transferred to seagoing ships until they are
twenty-on years of age, the time for which
they enlist The training ON board this ship is devoted
principally to the combination of technical drills
with that Of physical and moral developments, as
well as that of Independence relates to care and
cleanliness Of person and apparel The discipline is
firm and strict to the extent necessary to accomplish
those ends, although it is by no means rigid can
didate to be accepted must he between sixteen and
seventeen years Of age physically perfect and able to
read and write. He must have the consent of his
father. if living otherwise that Of his mother and in
the decease Of both the consent Ct his lawful
guardian. The consent must be given on blank forms,
filled out by and sworn to before notary public.
The blanks will be furnished application to the
ship ~ will also any information on the subject.
The boys from the date of enlistment receive from
the government $40 80 per month. which amount
may be increased from time to time by diligence and
application to study and duty. which will secure
their promotion to higher ratings. The line of pro-
motion open only to the position Of petty and war
rant officers (machinest boatswan. carpenter gunner
and sailmaker, life position Of responsibility with
salary varying from 800 to 81. year.
Their clothing is furnished by the government
and charged their accounts. They allowed 81
month for spending money if their conduct warrants
it, and at the expiration of their term Of enlistment
they will receive the whole amount to their credit.
II is reform school in any respect and further
more, boys who have been in reform school will
not be accepted. There about one hundred
vacancies board which must be filled ut once.