The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-02-26
THE NAVAL APPRENTICE
HOW SAIL oRs ARE TURNED OUT FOR
UNCLE SANS NAVY.

Qualifications a Boy Must Have to Enter
the Service What He Is Taught on a
Training Ship-Doing q Mans Work on
Man-of-Wsr- Special Training Schools
There are fully fifty million of peo-
pie in the United States who have
never been on board an American man.
of-war, and probably sixty million be-
tween our Atlantic and Pacific coasts
that know practically nothing about
the men that are necessary for the
manning of orr new vessels, and yet
our modern ships are wonderful shells
of steel and armor, filed with the best
and finest of guns and instruments
that the ingenuity of man can pro-
duce.
1t is only during the last few years
that much popular interest has been
taken in the personnel of the navy.
One of the most effective steps toward
the proper manning of the man-of-war
of the future was the establishing of
the apprentice training system for
American boys who wished to become
man-o'-war's men.
During the first few years following
the introduction of boys as appren-
tees their presence was generally
opposed by the men and protested
against by the officers, it being claimed
that they were not strong enough to
do mans work. It was found in a
short time that want of strength when
hauling on ropes at drill or pulling an
oar in boat was amply made up by
the apprentice boys cat-like activity
aloft, and his quick way of picking up
signalling and the more elaborate
system of gunnery.
Any American boy between four
teen and seventeen years of age is
eligible for the naval service, provid-
ing he is physically and mentally
qualified and possesses good character.
When he first enters the service he is
provided, free, with a complete outfit
of clothing and bedding, and receives
| SO per month, beside his rations. This
pay is increased to SIS and $21 per
month, respectively, before he reaches
his majority, when he can re-enlist,
with a chance of petty officers rations
always ready for him. There is moth
ing to prevent any intelligent boy who
has been we'll behaved to secure a
well paid position for life in the
United States naval service.
The training station at Newport, r.
l., after leaving the receiving ship, is
where the boy receives his first lessons
in seamanship, gunnery and, what is
more important, discipline. He is
taught that strict observance of all
rules is virtue on board man-of-
war, and that such vices as drinking
liquor and smoking cigarettes are not
permitted. Perhaps a boy has his
greatest trials when he is on the train
ing ships, where he is still treated as
a boy, though he may be able to pull
an oar, reef sail or receive message
with flags as well as his teacher.
Every one of our vessels has in her
complement O certain number of APP
prentices of the first or second class,
received from the training ships.
Sometimes the number allowed is ex-
ceeded, as was the case on the crack
cruiser Brooklyn some time ago,
where, instead of the forty allowed,
over sixty are needed to fill the short
age of men. Some of these boys are
only sixteen years of age, but do a
mans work and are proud of it.
1t will interest the people through
out our land to know that some weeks
ago, while the powerful feet of our
North American squadron was name
uvering in such a splendid manner
on the Southern drill ground, behind
every one of the formidable guns there
stood graduate of the apprentice
system-that the shot and shell falling
with such well directed aim and pre-
cision at the targets had been aimed
by these boys and young men.
Twelve years ago the government,
recognizing the importance of having
an efficient corps of we'll trained men
on hand to handle the modern APP
pliances on board ship, established
special training schools at Newport,
r. L. and Washington, d. G. The
vacancies in these schools are, except
in rare cases, reserved for the ex-ap-
prentices. At these places the sea-
man becomes proficient in the use of
modern guns, the manufacture and
preparation of explosives and manag-
ing of torpedoes. 1t would appear al
most incredible that man can acquire
practical knowledge of several sub
jects in the short space of time allowed
at these training places. On all our
ships the electric turret gear, the ever
running dynamos, the installation of
wires and lights, the torpedoes, and
the many other delicate contrivances
are managed by men who have spent
a year or more in the seamen gunner
class Besides these varied and use
full accomplishments, they can bend a
topsail OF mend the rigging on a sail
ing ship; they can go down in diving
suit to examine damages to the bottom
or recover lost anchor; they are able
to cook or wash on board torpedo
boat, if necessary; and also keep an &C
count of the stores in satisfactory
manner. In fact, the seaman gunner
is what new ship needs more than
the old type of sailor man.
All apprentices upon discharge do
not 60 to the gunnery schools, as the
accommodation there is too small for
so many. Some prefer to re-enlist