New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
THE BOYS WHO WILL BE SAILORS.
HOW THE NAVY IS TO DE sUPPLIED-IIFE on THE
MINNESOTA.

HOW THE NAVY is TO DE sUPPLIED-LlFE On lhE
MINNESOTA.
At the foot of West Twenty -seventh-st. lies
the training ship Minnesota. stone bulkhead running
north from the foot OF West Twentysxthst leads TO
broad pier alongside OF which the great ship Is moored
One evening recently TRIBUNE reporter stroed on the
gundcck OF the vessel. The deck was lighted by oil
lamps placed along the sides Overhead the great
beams OF the spardeck, and either hand extended
long vista broken where the huge masts went through
All life and animation. Aft, near where the attlced
doors lead into the different offices and the captains
cabin, couple OF officers slowly walking up and
down smoking their afterdnner cigars. All the rest
OF the deck seemed to be covered with boys, with
here and there the dark uniform OF a warrant
officer moving among them. The young tars had on
working suits OF white drill and were as robust, Jolly
looking set OF lads would wish TO see. Some were
playing checkers aud other games and all were talking
II scene OF youth health and animation On that
deck were las Of the future sailors OF the Republic
ave are doing fairly well in recruiting boys" said
Lieutenant Totten executive officer OF the ship "As
soon the boys learn the position OF the ship we
will undoubtedly get recruits. There is n misunder-
standing among some people as to the class or boys we
get here. We don't take every boy that We want
boys have backbone to them and will be likely
10 make good seamen but We 90 not want vicious BOYS
Some people to think that this Is sort OF reiOrna
tory It's nothing OF the kind aud we VIII not take p Daa
that worthless shore are worthless at sea- Inc
object or our training system n 10 supply the navy
with class OF scnmen that shall revive the glory or that
service. The Government Is deyOting considerable at
entiOn 10 the training system just now and 1t Is indeed
vital question I'm the rehabilitation Of our Navy Its suo-
depends great measure on the officers III charge
the training ships and the nfequent the changes
in those officers the better think for the longer an OF
engaged In this particular work the more Interest
ne takes H. the better he understands II and tho more
thoroughly he Identifies himself with Il. We getting
"A good class OF boys here only wish we got more OF
them. They are "A rule oOntcnted and ] think Will
turn out nnc scamcn They had little feast Thanks
giving and will have another Christmas Here Is their
Thanksgiving dinner bill OF fare $50, ,
The lieutenant handed the reporter printedblll OF
fare which read follows; Turkey cranberry sauce,
mashed potatoes. celery lemonade, plum pudding mince
pie cocOanut pie lemon pie. fruit coffee, nuts" 80
1.-THE casual reader" remarked the lieutenant, will
notice the prepondence Of pie still the turkey can be
found by careful study"
In speaking further about tho discipline and drill on
board Mr. Totten said: This broad wharf by which we
mOored gives good opportunity for drill In IN
fantry tactics and dcvOng considerable attention
To that branch OF instruction just now. We have here
class of seamen gunner apprentices Recently some OF
the more advanced went 10 Washington for instruction
which could be given here. More OF the graduates OF
the training school rcenstng than formerly and "A
whole the work Is going with an encouraging sue
Of the graduates OF the training school nave
received appointments 10 Annapolis and those who have
taken advantage Of their opportunities there ana gradu
atsd have made excellent officers Poor Chlpp VINO was
los. ON the Jeanette expedition. was one of thein'