The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-07-01
LIFE ON A scHooLsMIr. -
Practical Education 81 Lads VINO Love
TO &c ts Sea.

HrnCtf tfcaS Education 81 ksos VINO Low
60 Go % sss.
About Ave out Of every ten boys long to
become sailors, and IL 10 we'll for the world
at large that such an ambition is not al
ways strangled in its birth by parents
and guardians; for while ships continue
to be built marincrs can not be dispensed
with. The idea OF fitting out a school
ship for the practical education of sea.
loving lads who are allowed the bent OF
their inclinations was an excellent one,
and has proved in every way successful
The internal arrangements OF Saint
Mary's, a sloop OF war OF one thousand
tons given by Government for tho pur'
poso specified, are 90 comfortable that
"green" boys are not discouraged with a
sailors life at the outset. The quarters
for all hands are fer superior to those OF
the regular navy, says Once Week, as
moro space 10 available for the crew.
The boys eat their meals on the gun-deck,
from low, long tables frontsd by lower
benches; above them are hooks from
which they swing their hammocks,
which are made Of canvas. They keep
all their belongings in q bag, and -
they do not wear sti6 hats nor var.
nished boots. being jammed into . bag
does their clothes No harm. A. every
sailor must know how to sew, instruction
in that useful art is given twice each
week by tho tailor. Candidates for sd-
mission must not b under the age Of az.
teen years nor over twenty, Of sound
constitution and have no physical de-
fects They must also have o fondnsss
for the sea and the life Of a sailor, and
come we'll recommended ~ TO character,
ct cetera.
The necessary outfit that each lad 10
required to furnish him self consists Of
two pairs Of boots. warm undsrclothing
and socks, one pair rubber boots, one
dark blue monkey jacket. one black silk
nAckerchief, three handkerchisfs, one
strong jackknifs, three towels, brushes.
combs. needles, thread. wax, tape and
buttons. The ship provides two suits Of
clothes-ons Of blue. for dress, and one
white duck suit-caps, hammock and
blanket. Each boy must deposit thirty
dollars to dsfray the expense Of the two
suits for all the time hs is on the slip.
This sum is refunded il lie decides not
to stay at the commencement Of the
second year.
But the event OF the year is the annual
cruise, which generally commences in
May. The time at sea is devoted to navi.
cation and working the ship. the work
being done by the boys. directed and
helped by half . dozen regular sailors
A certain amount Of education is neces.
sary before they can be taught naviga.
tion. But the rapidity With which boy
will pick up nautical expressions. names
OF all the ropes. spafs, etc.. is marvellous,
even il he has never been upon the deck
OF a ship before; furling sail, splicing,
making all manner Of knots, bitches.
bends, eyes aud gasksts. Then to swim
is one Of the frst and best Of practical
things taught; how to sail boat, how
to steer by compass, take bearings, box
the compass. hsAve the lead, and to bend,
furl AID reef a sail. A course on the
ship would At any apt boy. after
two or three cruises, for the position Of
mate in some good ship or Of petty off.
Ger upon some mail steamer, a. the new
postal subsidy law requires that each
ship carrying the mails shall have An
officer VI the GoyarnMent.onb board.