Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-05-21

naval powers. There is one lack, how
ever. which is even now severely felt.
Ships alone do not make navy; skilled
scamen are necessary. and while we
have enough to provide the nucleus of a
formidable naval force, we have not
enough to do more than respectfully man
the vessels now afloat The necessity
.f2E m0Ee is plainly apparent, and already
said to be consulting with reference to
this end.
In this matter, we may profit by the
experience Of Great Britain, for. while
this mighty power has the strongest
mercantile marine In the world, from
which II NAV draw recruits for the navy
tt has alsofraining schools for seamen,
where boys are regularly brought up to
do ship'dnty. The largest of these is in
the Greenwich Hospital, perhaps the
greatest institution in the world for the
benefit OF aged and disabled sailors.
About 1900 seamen, who, from one cause
or another, are no longer able to follow
their vocation, find shelter and care
within the walls of this hallowed insti-
tuition; but its inclosure also contains a
training school, which, from the stand
point ofAworldly wisdom, Is one of the
most valuable schools in Great Britain.
The Greenwich Training School has
two divisions, known as the Upper
School and the Lower School. While
the general purpose of both are the
-saa s a, the the un .' school has specific
command the British vessels. Each
school has about 500 pupils. Those OF
the Upper School are the sons of officers,
and are to receive training to fit them
tor officers. They are nominated to the
institution on q principle. somewhat
similar to that prevalent in this country
with regard to our Military Academy.
One hundred of these cadets are named
BY the First Lord of the Admiralty,
and the remaining four hundred in turn
by various officials connected with the
Admiralty, with the Greenwich Hospital,
or with the training school itself. The
boys are taken at tender age. They
must be between 10 and IL years, and of
sound physique. The scholastic oualif-
cations required are very slight, consist
ing only in an ability to read and write,
and a knowledge of arithmetic through
the first four rules. The main thing is
sound body, IL being a maxim with the
officials that, while strong b.. can be
made a passable seaman even II unable
to master the higher lines Of study,
weakling is neither good on deck or at
the desk "A general English training is
given, but having. an especial reference
to the future life Of the students.
Mathematics is made a speciality; geom-
etry and astronomy are taught exhaus-
lively, but more with regard to practical
work than to theory. The pupils are
taught for instance to take observa-
lions with sextants, to work out the re-
suits OF their observations, and are in
structed in practical and marine sur
veying. K
The Lower School has also 500 pupils,
who are. however, selected from the sons
If seaman and non-commissioned OFF,
GERS. regard being had In choosing boys
for this department to the services Of the
father. Indeed, with regard to this Sc
lection there is no specific rule, for when
a private seaman dies, leaving number
of helpless children, sometimes two or
three Of the number are appointed TO
the Lower School. The same physical
conditions are required of pupils in this
ms i'm the Upper School, but a greater
latitude is allowed with regard to age,
for while they may be as young as 9
wears. those of IL and even upward, IL
other conditions are complied with, are
not refused. All receive alike the ele-
ments Of an English education and
special training designed TO fit them for
life on board ship, and at the age OF 10
they leave the Institution to enter upon
regular service on board British man
of-war. No special qualification, as In
the Upper School, is required for admis-
sion, and it is said that great number
of the boys taken in are unable on their
entrance to read and write, but such
pains are taken and such is the method
OF training that the progress made dur
ing the few years they remain Is said to
be quite wonderful
The boys of the Upper School. as al
ready stated, are designed for officers,
and abundant instances have occurred
among their number of young men de-
veloping uncommon talent. More than
one youth who has not yet attained his
majority has been sent out from the
even a merchant ship, and In most ease!
'-rnD rv-utt--ef--eaeh--a xparimants- have
been entirely satisfactory. The Govern
ment offers every year number OF com
missions In the navy as prizes for pro
Aoforo Sy f., tho TTnnar &chnOI and IL 4,