New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-26
TRAINING BOYS TO BE sEAMGN.
FEATURES OF THE sYsTEM-DisclPLINE. INsrRUc-
TON AND PAY.


TON AND PAY.
WAsurxcrox Nov One of the subjects OF interest
connected with the Navy TO which il il said secre-
tary whitney viii give special attention in his forth
coming report is the system of training boys 70 De-
seamcn, and the prevailing false ldea OF IT,
which tends TO obstruct its progress The head
quarters of the training school couple Of years
ago established at Coasters Island Harbor near
Newport and il thus made National institution
from which most promising results are expected III
securing a superior class of American sailors Tor le
Navy. Not only is the training squadron stationed
there several months in the year. but buildings nave
been erected for the general instruction OF the boys
The impression has gone abroad that the training
hips are reformatOries for bad and unruy boys.
The is that in the selection Of naval apprentices
no bad vicious unruy boys are TAKEN ana parents
who apply occasionally 10 have an unruy boy dis
cplined are informed that their application cannot
be entertained The prime object of the naval train
ing system, of course, is to secure body OF nrsl-
class men to man the vessels Of of the United
States but after an apprentice has served the period
Of his apprenticeship and has attained his twenty
first birthday, nothing compels him TO remain III inc
service, and he is welcome to the knowledge and
education the Government has bestowed on him.
He is stin young enough, should he decide TO re
nquish the naval profession TO adapt himself 10
some occupation on shore, and what is more, his
oay while in the Navy Will have enabled him to tide
over the interval of leisure Should he on the con-
traIy decide enter the merchant service his naval
raining will enable him at the very outsetto take
a position as mate board Of any vessel anodt'
finally, those boys who at the end Of their APP
premiership desire TO remain in the naval service,
md it is presumed, experience has thus far dem
Onstrsted, the majority will, find their future as
sllred; they are members of a national service I'M
equaled on the globe for its nberallty IN dealing
with men, in respect to their pay, treatment and
standing as citizens Boys must be more than four
aiOhfa az
lgrec to serve until they are twenty They must
De free all physical defects, be able TO read ana
write, and have good moral character Instruction
Is Civ en- in tho orHnary English branches. The APP
,rentce upon entering the service Is rated as lhIru
class boy with the pay OF 80 % per In oh 0uI By
advanced to the ratings Of second and nlr cIdss
oys with the pay OF slo % anu Sdi % per
vessel he is eligible to the ratings Of ordinary sea
With SIS SO and si7 50 per month and finally, he
attans the of seaman at S2l so per month. with
sae so to S31 so per month. At the age of twenty
one the apprentices who wish 10 perfect themselves
Instructions and by passing the requisite examna
ton can attain in short time the rate Of seaman
ton to this. for each re enlistment there is an extra
allowance OF IL per month: and every man and boy
in the naval service Is entitled 10 one ration, which
represents his food, consisting OF three plentiful
wholesome meals day. This ration Is sometimes
peg diem in addition 10 their regular monthly pay.
Pensions allowed 10 those disabled by sickness
or by injuries cOuudCltl III inc llllc VI uutl ahu
after twenty years faithful service enlisted man,
when disabled from sea service, either by age or
infrmty entitled to a pension equal TO one half
his pay when last discharged. Reasonable leaves OF
absence and pocket money are allowed, and while
attached training ships, within the waters of the
United states, the boys permitted TO visit their
homes twice year, if their conduct and the states
Of their accounts warrant H.
After attaining the age of twenty one years boys
whose hoe been good viii receive three
months full pay, If they return and re enlist at any
time within ninety days from date Of discharge In
future all candidates for bostswains gunners Will
he required hold certificates Of seaman gunners.
and thus these life positions, with salaries from
II 200 to 81 800 per annum, will be RESERVED when
vacancies occur for the most deserving ana lnteH-
GENT among the naval apprentices.
Those boys who enter the naval training SHIPS
with a view of going into the merchant service at
later period will find that thew could have selected
no better school, and the course Of instruction fol
lowed the Navy will materially contribute TO their
success and advancement.