New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-24
TRAINING BOYS FOR THE NAVY.

THE SYSTEM on THE SCHOOL SHIP MINNESOTA
HOW BOYS ARE TAUGHT TO BECOME sEAMEN.
The United States training-ship Minnesota,
Captain g. b. Luce commanding, will remain at anchor
in the North River until November, except during the
customary weeks Summer cruise with the apprentice
boys. Tho system Of training boys to be seamen ara
petty officers in the Navy has received the favorable
consideration OF tho Secretary of the Navy and the
officers OF the service The reports made from time TO
time by naval officers show that the character OF the
crews Of the naval vessels IL becoming better II Is
shown that largo number Of young sailors has already
beon turned out who found to be OF more value on
shpboard than the landsmen and ablc-bodlol seamen
whom they have replaced.
Although there are many lads on board the Mime
sofa now are however, 284 vacancies caused by
heavy calls upon the vessel fIom sea-gOug cruisers
The boys are enlisted the trainngship, where they
remain for year or to become accustomed to snip
life aud to receive instructions In their new callings
When found sufficiently skiliul, they arc distributed
among the seagong vessels of the Navy, and become
thoroughly efficient seamen. The duties in which re-
cruits arc trained embrace practical seamanshp sail
making the use Of the diving apparatus, signals ana
boats and swimming. The drl-masters in practical
seamanship or captains OF the tops prccede the boys
in going nloft and In laying ont the yards and en-
courage them In furng, reefng looslng and bending
sails Working models OF vessels, guns. etc, are on
board for instruction of beginners, who are at first
timid about going aloft.
The gunnerY instruction embraces the theory and
practice working brOadsde and pivot guns, torpcdocs
and the use OF small and broadswofds There Is
also department Of machinery instruction, and the
boys who display mechanical aptitude are selected Tor
this class They arc taught the building aid repairing
of machinery and boilers the position and uses OF the
various valves and gearing how To keep mp tho huppy
water for the boilers and the means for preventing
explosions. During the Winter months the engineer
class is instructed In the machine shop or tho HaFy
Yard whec the vessel IS lying IN Winter quarters.
The candla!cs Or apprentices IN the Navy must ue
between the ages Of fifteen and seventeen wears OF fO
bust frame, t 'lllgcnt, perfectly sOnu ana hSdltnE,
When received board, boy Is first instructed III inc
hanging and StOWngi OF MS hhWmoch nc nNHlii UP
creates considerable amusement Tor MS Young snip
mates during his first nights experience IN ms nam
mock. HIS first attempts To get INTO MS auhock are
generally unsuccessful, for FuOncr docs lr grt IN
Oh OIc side than the hammock swings and on nc rOS
The other side 10 the OK lie j. next instructed III
the care Of hts clothing and cleanliness OF person ana
clothing are strictly enforced Ihe nhtnng o ne p1hs
is regulated by tho commanding officer 10 sun !he
changes Of weather and temperature. BRthlhg ~ inc
ihoy are taught In this art by cXpcrtS At specified
times the boys obi gcd to wash their clothing ana To
scrub their nammOckS.
amincs ard pTcscrib"s for the sick among the siips
crew. Prompt ana cheerful obedience 10 ORDERS anu
respectful bearing toward those IN authority are III
sisted upon The boys nic taught 20 lGu tnc LInlg
ship home, and every effort IL made 10 render rs
comfortable ana attractive ns possible Singing ana
dancing are permitted at certain tlmr, IN o." %gca'
Everyone Is required 10 attend dNinc service,
unless excused NJ the request OF parents
or Sard law: MSmI dy are of Of d6
the discretion OF the commanding officer Leave OF
absence Is granted ior eiSht n"ut' IL, tr ~
of parents or guardians ana raIc iIr a oI.tI"ot Is
alsO occasionally granted. Practical joking II ttclIY
forbidden quarrcHug lighting X severely punished,
aud gambling and The u'c or tobacco arr against lhc
rules. The following punshncnts are inflicted Tor ms,
masthead lookout restriction OF IclNc Hhth'e, NOT
exceeding mouth; extra watch not exceeding fnur
GSg i9T 9T Se %SeS co.. s o aa and oTy
confinement not longer than five days.