The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-06-01
TRAINING YOUTHFUL TARS.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE NAVAL AP-
PRENTICEs OF UNCLE SAM.
How TO Get "a Boy Into the Navy and the
Kind of Boy He Must Be-What He is
Taught and How He is Taken Care Of
Life on a Training Ship.

easiest thing in the world, as though the Navy
was an asylum for the fool of the family,
founding hospital, or a reform school, On the
contrary, boy going into the Navy as an ap-
prentice enters upon an honorable and arduous |
calling, to fulfill the duties of which with credit
to himself and benefit to the service requires |
study on his part and judgment on the part of
his friends Boys who are put in the Navy be- |
cause they are indolent, won't go to school, or
seek bad associates will not stand much chance !
of becoming efficient, and are sure to get into |
serious trouble or desert before their term of ap
premiership expires. Boys who are very sensi- |
tive or over-refned in feelings should be kept |
at home, for life under the well-intended disci-
pline on board would soon cease to be worth
living for them; but a hardy, good-tempered
youngster, ready to play joke or accept one,
not too quarrelsome, and yet ready to take his
own part, is best suited for naval career.
In the United States Navy seaman now has
to know more than lieutenant twenty-five
years ago, and for the purpose OF educating and
training men a law was enacted authorizing the
enlistment of boys between the ages of fourteen
and eighteen to serve in the Navy until they
shall arrive at the age of twenty-one The
training of these apprentices is conducted under
the supervision of the Bureau of Navigation,
Navy Department, and the following are the
rendezvous for the enlistment The U. s. s. New
Hampshire, at Newport, r. l.; L. S. S. Mime
sofa, at New York; U. s. S. Wabash, at the
Navy Yard, Boston; T. S. S. st. Louis, at the
Navy Yard, Philadelphia; U. S. S. Dale, at the
Navy Yard, Washington, and the U. S. S. Michi-
gan, at Erie, Pa
The parent or friend before going to expense
no allowance being made for travelling expenses
whether accepted or not-should ascertain if
the boy is of robust frame, of perfectly sound
and healthy constitution, free from any physical
defects or malformations, and not under size for
his age. He should be able to read and write
the English language, and must never have been
convicted of crime. A boy possessing these re-
Quirements may present himself at any one of
the above rendezvous for enlistment, but must
be accompanied by his father, or by his mother
in case the father is dead, or by his legally ap-
pointed guardian, in case he has no father or
mother living their signatures being required
on the agreement, in addition to their declara-
tion and oath, to perfect the enlistment Should
the parent or guardian, however, by reason of
distance, ntirmity, or other causes, not be able
to accompany the son or ward printed form
of declaration, oath, ETC., with duplicates, will
be furnished upon written application to the
commanding officer of the vessel to which it is
intended to send the boy. On presentation he
will be examined physically aud mentally by
board of officers, and if found fit he will be en-
listed as third-class apprentice, with the pay of
nine dollars per month and one ration, and fur
nished with an outfit of clothing, and he will
not be discharged from the service until he has
reached twenty-one years of age, except upon
medical survey, inaptitude for the service, or for
misconduct. If he is injured in the service, or
in line IF dutv ba will
be entitled to pension. AS soon as practicable
after enlistment he will be transferred to the
training-ship New Hampshire at Newport, R. L.,
which is considered the headquarters. He will
remain on board that vessel for a period of
six months, or if under special instruction he
may beretained for period of one year. While
attached to the New Hampshire he will receive
instruction in English studies and in the rudi-
ments of the profession of a seaman. When he
has been enlisted six months and his conduct
warrants the indulgence he may be given leave
TO visit his home upon the request of his parent
or guardian. Should he be found specially dis
tinguished for proficiency and industry after
having spent three months on board he may be
advanced to the rating of second and frst-class
apprentice, with the pay of ten and eleven dol
lars per month. Upon the completion of the
six months on the New Hampshire he will be
transferred to one of the cruising training-ships
for a further period of six months, where the
course of instruction will be progressively con
tude, determined by quarterly examinations be
fore board of officers, the boymay be advanced
to the rating of seaman apprentice, second an(
frst-cass, at pay of nineteen and tWenty-fou
dollars per month. Only boys of these tw,
classes are permitted TO remain out of the shil
after sunset. At the expiration of the 81,
months on board the cruising training-ship, i
qualified, he will be transferred to one of th
vessels of the general service, where the instruc
tion will continue the same on the training
vessels. He will be changed from one part 0
the ship to another, in order to acquaint hiL
with the workings of all parts, and by the tim
he has arrived at the age of twenty-one he ha
received an education equal if not superior t
that obtained in the common schools, beside
having learned profession well fitting him
serve his country, not only in times of peace
but in the hours of great danger.
\ boy returning from cruise in the genera
service, whose enlistment has not expired, wi
be granted leave of absence not exceeding on
mouth, or transferred to one of the stationar
training ships The following is the ordinar
routine of boys life on board ship; Whe
the hands called in the morning at dayligh
he has to turn out, lash up his hammock, an
stow it in the MEETINGS. Then, after was
and cup of coffee, he goes to work in hi
own part OF the ship, getting everything clea
and tidy, shines the bright work about decks
etc. At 7:30 he is inspected by the master al
arms to see that he is clean in person. At
when the colors are hoisted, the sails are loosed
or other eYolutions decided upon by signal frOL
the flag ship, or the standing routine Afte
this he is allowed three-quarters of an hour fo
his breakfast, prepared by the cook of his mess
and to clothe himself in the uniform for tn
day At S:45 work is resumed, bright WOr
about the battery cleaned and should he fee
sick he goes TO the doctor for treatment or =
4. H., IaYV FF,FlF md drill