The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-02-25
THE ST. MARYS.
How the Boys Who are Learning Seaman.
ship Live on the Schoolship.

While lying at the wharf at the foot of
East Twenty-third street we pursue, with a
few exceptions, the regular course of studies
as in the public schools of the city; also
practical seamanship and sailmaking exer.
cises. The junior boys are taught to Dor
the compass and how the lead and log line,
are marked and the use they are put to
when at sea. They are also taught the
Games of the yards and masts and how the
standing rigging is rove and set up.
School closes at four o'clock in the after
noon aud after that is q half hours drill.
Then they are at liberty. After supper the
boys go to various occupations, there being
boxing gloves. fencing foils, and an upright
Weber piano on board. We pass a very
pleasant, and what seems to us very short
evening. At nine p. NJ Cor two bells, ms is
the nautical term, hammocks are piped
down and lights are put ont The boys are
given ten minutes to get in their hammocks
when the boatswain's mates pipe down
when the master-at-arms passes the word te
Turn in your hammocks and keep silence
fore and aft" At half-past six the next
morning hammocks are piped up, and the
boys are sent to the wash-house. Breakfast
is then served at half-past seven A. NJ; at
nine A. NJ. there is an inspection every
boy must be neatly dressed, have his clothes
in good order and his shoes we'll BACKED
after which the regular routine of studies
goes on as before. At the close Of the school
season, in the first or second week of April,
Board of Education, after which we are
given three weeks vacation, previous to 60
ing to sea. During the vacation the pro-
visions IRE got in, the running gear rove and
everything made ready for sea. On the re.
turn of the boys the sails are bent, mooring
chains got in, and we leave the wharf for
Glen Cove, where the boys are given their
stations in making and taking in sail. From
there We proceed to New London, where we
take in supply of fresh water preparatory
to going to sea for good.
The routine at sea differs considerably
from that in port-the boys work the ship
almost entirely, standing lookouts, taking
The wheel and doing all an ordinary sen
mans duty, rs on any merchant vessel.
While at sen the watch ON deck in the morn
ing receive instructions in seamanship, by
Lieutenant r. NJ. Berry, and the watch on
deck in the afternoon are instructed in nayi.
CATION by Lieutenant NJ. F. Schwenk Many
If the boys become very proficient in the
use of the seytant. On reaching the other
side the ship is painted and the rigging tar
red down and everything put in order, after
which liberty is given, one watch going
ashore alternately every other day while in
port. Coming back we come through what
is called the northeast trade winds. The
weather is very mild, and the boys enjoy il
hugely. On sighting Montauk Point there
are scenes of wild hilarity. Leaving there
we return to New London, and on the way
the boys that are graduates for that year are
instructed in lacking, wearing and managing
ship. On our arrival at Glen Cove we
make short stay-ten days or a fortnight
the boys being given liberty as before in
New London. At the close of our stay ut
his place tug is sent for and we are towed
20 New York, where we lay out in the river
until after the graduating examination. The
examination consists of making, taking in
and reefing sail. The boys make, previous
70 our arrival in the city, seamanship and
sailmaking specimens to be examined by the
Board of Commerce. The prizes given are
an elegant sextant for the best navigation
and general average. A silver medal for the
best scholar, q bronze medal for the second
and third best. A Bowditch navigator is
given to the second and third best nayiga-
tors, lucid book of seamanship is awarded
to the best seaman, also an elegant prize for
the most popular graduate.
On entering the boys are required to pay
s35 as an entrance fee, and they are fur
nished with list of articles which they are
required to provide themselves with