The Washington times., 1895-06-23
Nautical Schools
for Washington
SEAMANSHIP AS A BRANCH OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
Trustee Winners Plan for the
Manning of American Ships
with Native Skill.

Washington will not, 1T is believed,
possess completely rounded educational
system until a nautical school be added to
its manual training department. Military
discipline and tactics readily recommend
themselves to the scholastic and civil au-
thorities, but naval training and study are
completely dsregarded.
DR.. A. II. Wilmer, trustee OF the sixth
school division, is an enthusiast on this sub
ject He holds that public marine schools,
where boys can learn practical seaman
Ship are necessity Ia 1880 he began
rigorous campaign in behalf Of his principles,
and for a time it seemed as if his hopes
Were to be realized
AT q meeting ofthe school board March l,
1890, the doctor offered q resolution urg-
ing the Commissioners to petition Congress
TO accord Washington the beaefits of the
act of June 20, 1874. This legislation en-
couraged New York, Philadelphia Boston,
Norfolk, and San Francisco to organize and
maintain IN connection with their public
educational systems, schools OF nautical
training, in which boys could be taught
the rudiments OF navigation and practical
| seamanship. The United States offered to
FURNISHED sailing ship and an officer to
conduct the school.
committee was appointed and the Com
/ missloners, after strenuous efforts, pre-
vailed on the Senate subcommittee
on District appropriations, consisting OF
! tbeIate Senator Plumb, and Senators Dawes
and Cocker1il, TO recommend that $15 900
be appropriated during the following fiscal
year. A dreadful point Of order punCtured
/ this worthy accommodation, and since that
| time it has languished
| The agitation, however, served TO put
on record a host of friendly advocates.
! Civil and naval experts have heartily in
dorsed DR.. Winners idea. Among these
may be mentioned the late Admiral Porter,
! capt Pythian Commander Crowninshield,
! or the Navy; ex-Commissioners Douglas and
Roberts, and Supt Powell
Capt. Pythian, of the naval observatory,
was very energetic and furthered thescheme
greatly. He was the first commander Of
New York's public nautical school He
made the following statement regarding the
success Of these schools to the Commission
ers, and before Congress.
Under the act OF June 20, 1874, three
schools were established; at New York.
! Philadelphia and San Francisco. That at
| San Francisco was conducted but a short
L
| maintains her school on the ship St Mary's.
and Philadelphiq on the naval vessel,
! Saratoga. Both are in a fourishing condi-
ton, and productive of the most satisfactory
! results
At first some difficulty was experienced
in obtaining pupils. but the manifest ad
Yantages OF the plan quickly oYercame
this obstacle. Boys between fourteen and
eighteen years of age are taken for a two
years course. During this time their com
mon school education is continued under
naval discipline. Navigation and seaman
ship are taught and a cruise is taken every
! year
The proper expenses of the schools should
| be paid out OF the regularscboolfund Each
! boy is, however, expected to pay $50 an
nualIy for his clothing The education re-
ceIyed is so solid that the captains of our
| merchant mar -aes are always anxious 10 Sc
cure these youthful! sailors. Over 20 per
cent. OF these students JOIN the men who go
down 10 the sea in ships
In this connection comes the important
practical advantages of nautical training.
Schools OF manual training are yearly turn
! ing out scores OF boys with d taste for the
mechanic arts, but our navy and merchant
marine are sadly IN need of American blood
III their apprentices and seanlen.
The White Squadron Is manned princi-
pally by foreigners. Admiral Porter in
recommending naval schools to Congress,
told that 'Lhe Trenton had once gone to
sea with crew of 400 only SO of whom
could speak English Understand" said
that stauuch Old sailor, Il don't mean 10
convey that foreigners are not good sailors
for they are But prefer TO have Ameri-