Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1886-01-12
HOW TO BECOME A SAILOR.
Rotins Life on the United States Training
Ships Successful Operation of the
School for the Improvement of

AmcrlcanS, InTOuRn Jno tralnlnp-
school system, for seamen for the navV.
says The Neao Yort star, has proved an
admirable and successful experiment.
In the early days of the history of the
navy the hardy fishermen of New En-
gland supplied the service with
splendid body of well educated, ex-
perienced seamen. During the revo-
futionary war through the long con-
test of 18l2-14, and mp to the Mexican
war, and, indeed, until the civil war,
an abundance of these Young men
manned our ships. The increase of
the navy called Tor by the exigencies
of tremendous struggle, including
the blockade of a long coast, demand
ed more men than the tishmen could
supply, and it became necessary TO
draw from every source material to
render ef1i, eut the immense fleet
hastily improvised for the occasion.
Many of these new men preferred life
on the shore after the war terminated,
and it was found difficult to keep the
ranks in the service properly filled. 1t
then became important to devise
method by which the very best ma
terial should be enlisted and educated
for the important duties of American
seamen. After some years the present
training school system was devised,
and it has since been steadily adhered
to and elaborated. Now the training
ships are sending out yearly q host of
apprentices, who are gradually man
ming our ships and making the SER
vice vigorous and equal to its best ira
dltions.
This system is well worth a review
for the information of those who have
an interest in the welfare of a very i'm
portant arm Of the public service, as
well as those who desire to take ad-
vantage of it's benefits. BY an act of
congress authority was given the navy
department to organize and maintain
scholarships for the purpose of edu-
eating body of Young men who
should gradually fill the ranks of sea-
men and form the corpse of petty
officers on which demand so much the
efficiency and value of the crews.
Boys between II and IS years of age
are entitled, and are not entitled to
discharge until ther attain the age of
21 years. Minors must have the con-
sent of parents and guardians, and
must pass satisfactory physical and
mental examination. They must be
able to read and write. AS the system
does not contemplate using the schools
as reformatory institutions, no appli-
cants convicted of crime can be re-
ceived An outfit of clothing is issued
to the successful candidate, and he is
supplied with bag and hammock and
other things necessary TO his comfort
when he joins his ship. He has a
place assigned him to swing his ham
mock, and is instructed in the novel
duty of taking care Of his clothes,
keeping them clean and tidy, and
taught his relations with the officers OF
the ship and his duties generally. After
being put through the facings and Civ
ing slight idea of the primary military
drill, he is transferred to the flagship
of the training squadron, the New
Hampshire, at the headquarters at
Newport. There he enters upon reg
ular course of education and training.
An officer of the navy OF high grade IS
charged with the details of instruction
of apprentices and seamanshlp,
gunnery, boats, signals and infantry.
The executive officer surpervlses the
daily routine of studies, orders, or eX'
ercises, and maintains strict surVell-
lance over the conduct, dress, and
habits of the crue, and protects ap'
prentices from unjust or improper
treatment. His duty is to impress
upon apprentices the Importance OF
quick movement, ready and implicit
obedience to orders, respect for super
iors, and attention to duty. Discipline
is mild, but firm. and it does not take
long for the noviate, however queer OF
strange things may appear, to adapt