The New York herald., 1879-03-02
THE TRAINING SHIP MINNESOTA.

PLEASANT VISIT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE
CHAMBER OF coMMERcE-MoRE BOYS NEEDED
FOR THE NAVY.
A large number of the members OF the Chamber OF
Commerce visited the training ship Minnesota
yesterday. the iuvltation OF Commodore J. W.
A. Nicholson. United States Navy. commandant. The
party numbering between sixty and seventy left the
pier foot of Wall street at quarter past two P NJ
on board the Navy Yard propeller Catalpa, aud were
soon carried up the river to the dock AT when
the Minnesota lies On the Decentralization OF the
visitors they received by platoon of sailors Of
the corvette Marion. under the command OF lieu
tenant. In the open space near the wharf to which
the training ship made fast battalion of the
young sailors was drawn up IN line, which. after
being inspected by the visitors, accompanied by the
Conimandant. went through the different move
very successfully. considering the roughness
Of the cobble pavement After the exhibition drl
came the inspection OF the vessel. This was done
very rapidly ana every seemed well pleased with
the neat appearance of the ship. The boys were
then put through their exercises at the large
nine-inch cannon. aud it really astonishing to
the youths load and fire the great monsters as
easily as If they were big toy guns. They kept the
sarboard and port batteries going in the most lively
manner until the sound of tine bugle ordered them
to firing. Then came the sword exercise and
sailors displayed great deal OF science and pum-
melled each other in p. Il. fashion One Of
the great features Of the visit the exhibi-
ton of the diving apparatus. An experienced
donned the suit and was led about the deck. the
water being too cold to permit of his being put over
the side. After few minutes he commenced waving
his hands if in trouble and the front of the
helmet was taken off as rapidly as possibly. The
diving show being over. the party adjourned to the
cabin, where they were entertained by Captain Luce.
Here the usual speeches were made.
ADVANTAGES TRAINING SYSTEM
Captain Luce made very neat speech. in which he
show ed up all the advantages of the training ship
system. He said"We have here at present three
hundred and fifty boys who learning trade
which will be a benefit to them in their battle with
the world. We give them good instructions and
they cut off from any influences that might lead
them in the wrong path. There is one thing GER
tain" said the Captain, ''that boys who come
here addicted to the of tobacco and who
have habit of swearing. are, in the
vast majority OF cases; . cured OF their evil evil
apprenticeship. When the boys have gone through
their time majority of them may not return to the
pursuit life they choose they will always feel the
benefits of their training here. The Captain then
brought up the matter which led to his invitation to
the Chamber OF Commerce 1t was simply this:-
| There bill before Congress in which clause
was inserted giving power Ssa hs the Secretary t
! they could be perfectly trained in the art of
seamanship and made competent to perform all the
| duties OF a sailor There is no money asked, the
Secretary having enough to defray all expenses; all
| that is wanted are the boys At the present time
| there but 1000 in the United States navy.
Captain Luce followed by MIR. Z. c. Cowdin, who
spoke i'll glowing terms of the future oth American
navy. His speech, however, gradually drifted into
! general pleading for subsidies TO be given by the
| government i'll order that the American merchant
| marine could hold its against the world. The
speaker referred to the fact that railroads paid
by the government to carry the mails. and why not
| the merchant marine service! When he finished
Captain Luce said that he must have mistaken him.
he said that the education or the boys was for tho
good of the navy, the government not taking into
consideration the merchant marine.
| CONGRESSIONAL ASKED.
After several speeches, nearly all or which depre-
Gated the governments want of justice or fore
thought in not paying subsidy to American vessels
for the carrying of mails, gentleman said that
it would be well il the members of the Chamber Of
| to the Navy bill. So, motion Mr.. Lane
was voted to the chair. He called the
meeting to order and put the question whether those
| members of the Chamber OF Commerce present would
| carried unanimously. 1t was then moved and carried
that the Vice President OF the Chamber of Commerce
be requested to telegraph Immediately Washington.
The following dispatches then made OUT
| Nrw YoRK March l. 1879
| Hon KIMwrL. wAsHrNsroS, ID. a.
On behalf of numerous delegation or the Now York
chamber of Commerce the undcrs gncd urges
endeavor the OF House bill No
portance the and scarcely less 10 the merchant
| marine ~ W. Lane
! Hon. A. :. HEWITT, Washington u. G. =
Have teegraphed Mr. kmmei TO passage of the
House bill No. 224J in regard to the training school Aid
| its passage as much as possible. e. W. LANE
The Captain then expressed his sincere thanks for
the action of the visitors and all went board the
Catalpa. which conveyed them TO New York.
The Minnesota is manned by - officers and 554
| men.