New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01

and he told me that he would require forty caoets
the moment their line came within that Jaw
Now. the object Of the st. Mary's is rather 'han
to furnish seamen. to supply the cade's WIN WI"
eventually become officers Of the American fher-
camille marine. The st. Marv's, which was DUH
In 1874 is differed By naval officers VINO are oe-
tailed TO this duty by the Navy Department
upon the application Of the Board OF Educa''o"
Of this city. They are selected wholly with
view to their special fitness f,r this service. Inc
scholarship is OF course. part OF the eouca
tionaI system OF the city, one 81 the committees
OF the Board being the Nautical Committee
MANY OF the graduates Of the school are to-
day IN command Of vessels OF the American iher-
camille marine. There is Captain ward oi ."e
steamship China the largest Vessei OIL 'he
eifc Mail Steamship Line. He Is graduate Vi
the ST. Marys. The second officer OF the s'ea"-
ship New-York Of the American Line 10 "o'
NOW recau his name-ls a graduate OF the school.
In fact the graduates arc scattered all through
the American marine
1.-THE school year on the st. Mary's Is divided
into two terms the winter and the SUMMER ."
the winter the ship remains OF East i"e"'!
e,ehth-st The instruction in winter is both IN
common school branches and nautical. Speciai
attention is given to teaching navigation. All
the officers take a hand in the instruction. me
moment the ship leaves her pier all the THEORY
taught in winter Is put into practical opera'ioh'
The course extends over two years, ana there are
senior and Junior classes. There are but rev OF
the senior class who not competent 10 haVi-
gate a ship to any part OF the world.
BOY NAvIGATORS.
Lieutenant Field was particularly enthusiastic
over this phase of education on the schoosh'p'
and he added earnestly: II assure you 'ha' III
our recent cruise, in returning from Maueiia d.
some members Of the senior class actually haNi-
gated the ship from the time OF leaving port UNI
I'll we arrived in New-London. And we made
splendid voyage actually getting into Newton
don the same day that the Alliance, the schooi-
ship for naval apprentices. and the Monongaheia'
the schoolship for naval cadets. arrived IN Hamp-
ton Roads. although they left Madeira week
a ,ad OF us. At first the boys directed the course
of the ship by dead reckoning and the sum- ana
subsequently they did II by the stars. the planets
and the MOON They take hold of their work
with great zest. The boys ar" on duty four hours
and then four off But SO earnest are they and
40 absorbed In their work that they usually take
their four hours off in working out the different
sights or observations. In fact. they WORK 100
hard at times and have to be held back
Lieutenant Field here called attention to the
impression which he said had gone abroad
among the people OF this city that the school was
a kind Of reformatory. This idea, he declared.
was wholly erroneous On this point he SAID:
Far from being a reformatory. the greatest care
Is exercised that none but boys OF the best class
and the highest character shall be allowed on
the schoolship. The boys who apply for adrnis-
sion are required 10 bring two certificates from
reputable citizens. stating that they know the
applicants to be OF good moral character. They
must be from sixteen to twenty years OF age.
must be residents Of this city and must have
sound physical constitutions"
Lieutenant Field now turned to a branch OF his
subject in which he takes great interest, and
that is the annual cruise. WI ere the education Is
practical. He Is a thorough believer in teaching
by practice. After the winters term. closing
April l. the boys have a two weeks leave OF alb
sence, and then they report for duty. They are
never negligent In that; they know that good
time as well as plenty of work. Is before them.
For wherever they land, one-half OF them have a
chance to go ashore alternat, days. and wonder
ful is their experience ash )re even though II 10