Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
OUR LADS ON THE SEA
PennsylVania's Nautical School Ship
OF for Long Trip.
THE SARATOGA AND HER CREW,
Pittsburg Has Ten Boys Among the One
Hundred on Board.
THE DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCTION
HE SARATOGA AND HER CREW.
THE DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCTION
WRITTEN yoR THE prsPArcH.,

WRITTEN YoR THE D1sPArcH.I
A short time ago Pennsylvania nautical
school ship, the Saratoga, with its human
cargo of embryo sailors, was set afoat. The
historical old war vessel has just passed her
49th birthday and is still ''hale and hearty
by reason of her live oak timber and copper
fastenings. She has been loaned by the
Government to the State of Pennsylvania
or the State of Philadelphis (the same
thing to the mind of Philadelphia, you
know for school purposes. principally to
train boys for the mercantile marine service,
and she is to revert to the navy when no
longer used for such purpose.
In addition to the methods of navigation
the pupils are instructed in common school
branches, and the records show an astonish-
ing improvement in the three RS made by
lads most deficient in the rudiments. School
opened the 4th of last December and 100
names are now on the roll. Pittsburg and
vicinity has ten bright representatives
among the number. Wonder If local bias
had anything to do with our really Deliev-
Ing "our boys" to be the brightest and hand
soonest? Three Of these ten wore an en-
broldered anchor upon the sleeve of his left
arm, which he frequently gave an Affection
ate stroke with his right hand. When the
significance of the emblem was asked for he
modestly left it for his Lieutenant 10 say:
"For perfect conduct, ma'am; hard to win
and harder to keep. Not many of them
around. you notice"
SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL.
The school is supported by an appropria-
tion of S25, 900 yearly-S10, 900 by the State
and SIS, 900 by Philadelphia, which city has
also donated truly magnificent library Of
well selected, prettilY and serviceably
bound books, embracing all the standard
works of prose and verse, OF fiction and his
tory, that would interest boy from Is to 20
years old, which, by the way, is the limit.
In addition to these books there are whole
shelves OF legal looking volumes, containing
nautical lore apparently dry enough and
weighty enough to clog the brain machinery
of the average would-be sailor.
Boys are admitted into the school regard
less OF color, religious creed or degree Of
scholarship, provided he is sound mentally
and strong physically, with no symptoms OF
color-blindness and no intemperate habits
supposedly incurable BY virtue of ship dis
clpli6e and seasickness. Drinking and
smoking are positively forbidden on board.
One pupil has been expelled for bringing
liquor on the vessel.
Application for admission must be made
to the Board of Trust, which is composed Of
six men, three of whom were appointed by
the Mayor of Philadelphia. The applicant
must come recommended by two weIl-known
and reputable citizens from his district, and
mHst enlist for two years; the only cost to
parent or guardian being the furnishing of
wearing apparel. The regular ana temper
ate lives these growing boys are obliged to
live is in itself q sufficient recommendation
for the school. No sluggards are allowed on
board; ''early to bed and early to rise'' is
the motto. From arising at until retiring
to their swinging cot at 9 life is an active
one. Mental and physical training alter
mating in a way to make both alike enioy.
able and profitable.
THE LADS LIKE IT.
The boys declare themselves satisfied in
every particular, especially with the menu.
which, of course, is the first consideration
(and it proves them true sons OF their
fathers), and each one interviewed declared
the greatest calamity that could overtake
him would be expulsion. The bows do all
the "housework" except cooking; however.
each 'mess" has its cook, which is the name
given the one who draws their ratlons from
the cook proper. This "cook" is appointed
for one week only, and that is Just seven
days too long to that boy. This is consid-
cred the most unpleasant Office to fill, mas
much as the cook on shore days (Wednes-
days and Saturdays) must return to the
VeSSel eafller LHdu Tue rest, must clean up
after meals, and "do the dishes" as a girl
would say. At the end Of his week all the
table appointments must be spread out for
the inspectors examination. The boys call
this person the "smeller," and they dread
his nose more than the eat-'o-nine-tails,
with which they as yet have no personal
IT the "smeller'' discover
the least unpleasant odor on dishes, or dish
towels, "cook" gets reappointed, to his dis
gust and the merriment of the mess.
The ship is in command Of Captain
Green, kindly and mild-mannered man
who seems to have won the love and re-
spect oil the boys already. The crew num-
bers officers and 80 men. These men conf
prise q boatswain. storekeeper, master-at-
arms, carpenter, captain Of the hold, 3
quartermastei s. 2 fremen. ships cook and
an officers cook, cabin steward and ~
seamen.
OFF FOR THE AZORES.
The cruise entered upon Saturday, May
3, has the Azores for the objective point;
the plan being to drop down TO breakwater
and remain there until June /, during
which time the boys are expected to get
their sea-legs on. After this date the ship
will sail Tor Fayal. In the Azores, q course
Of 2, 400 miles due east. One hundred miles
is calculated upon as the daily sailing dis
tance, which will give the ship six days at
Faynl before sailing again on July 2 for
England, which place being
only two hours by rail from London, the
boys are promised the opportunity Of visit
ing that metropolis.
On August the ship will sail for Lisbon,
/ distance OF 800 miles, lying fhere ten days;
then sail the 25Lh Tor Madeira, q distance OF
300 miles. On September the homeward
Journey will begin. The distance OF 1000
miles, II is considered, will have taught the
boys much Of seamanship. The entire
cruise covers 200 miles. and the calculs-
ton Is to spend 96 daysatsea and Al in port,
Let as wish them godspsed.