New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-11
CHARMS OF THE NAVY.
1t Offers a Fascinating Career to
Young Men.
From Tho Tribune Bureau. ]

From Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington, Feb. 10.-There has never been so
great interest taken in naval matters In this coun-
try as at present. The recent finding of the bones
of Paul Jones, the sweeping victory Of Togo over
the Russians, and own achievements at Manila
aud Santiago during the Spanish War. all have had
the effect Of awakening among our people keen
interest IN the navy. With the President enthus-
asticaly in favor Of upbuildng the navy, this
country Is expected become IN few years one
OF the foremost naval powers Of the world
The big vessels being added to the navy must be
manned and their crews must be trained. While 1t
is generally known that the navy offers excellent
opportunities for good life places It is not so gen
orally understood that is not absolutely necessary
10 be appointed TO the Naval Academy in order 10
reach commissioned rank
The United States Navy to-day is composed prac-
ticalIy OF Americans, and. of course. for man,
there IS no superior navy in existence The men
are well cared for. have the best medical attend
ance when ill., receive good food and plenty OF IT,
and have frequent liberty IN home or Foreign
ports.
Formerly the navy recruited almost eXc!u-
siveIv from the seafaring class a large percentage
of the men thus secured We're Of foreign birth and
..rurnnlies" accustomed TO hard knocks, who did
not expect 10 receive much consideration nor sooa
treatment
BETTER CLASS OF ENLIsTMENTS.
A change for the better however, has taken
place Now 1t is required OF a man on hrst en-
lisu1ent that he be citizen of the United STATES
by birth or naturalization; he must be young ana
able to read and write II is not necessary ulaI No
possess the slightest knowledge OF the sea- IN
gtruction in the line of his new duties Is gwen
after enlistment II Is q common saying in the
service that half of the navy is training the
other half young man eighteen years old from
the farm shop. and without any mechah'caI
trade who enlists Is first taught salorizing lie
IS sent to one of the three training stations-at
Newport Norfolk or San Francisco. There ne re
Gel res without cost TO him. outfit OF clothing
needed in the service, valued at $40. After DOMINIC
the uniform the Jack tar is assigned TO
company and instructed IN sett!ng-up exercises
battalion and company drills. taught how to care
for his clothes bag and hammock, how TO look OUT
for himself and receives such other rudimentary
training as Is possible at a shore station.
Attached to the training stations are several
small craft mostly yachts purchased during the
Spanish for as auxiliary gunboats. IHeSe
vessels are used for short weekly trips In inland
waters, with drafts Of recruits VINO nave Deeh AT
the station about a month. Each yacht has sea-
soned skeleton crew. The embryo sailorman IS
thus taught seamanshp and the ships habits IN
| smooth waters. These short cruises are always
Interesting. The trips from Norfolk are up me 10
points up the Chesapeake Bay 70 Balthoie anu
Eappahaunock rivers historic old places IN VIZ
GINA. The yachts were oIiglna!y Dult loa b'oas
cruising ana owned py wealthy men aIIu d
handsomely fitted up and comfortable Liberty is
sightseers from the training ships frequently
seen the streets Of Washington and IN the pub
After few months tho training station, the
recruits are sent in drafts on board cruising tfa
converted cruiBer typo, and as rule are Big, com
the beginning OF the Spanish from the passen.
ger and freight steamship lines The cruise is in
Southern waters in the winter time ana 70 me
Mediterranean along the New England coast in
Upon the completion Of the cruise the recruits are
examined for promotion, and transferred 10 the
seaen Thereafter adva6cemen: is steady and
fairly rapid It depends entirely upon the individual
ing to the rapid expansion Of the navy. men for
the petty officers billets cannot be trained fast
enough to supply the demand. It is possible FOR a
bright young who enters the service at SIG
mit pa 70 r 1 from SO to SO month during
enlistment All chief petty officers who have
ceve SO
TRAINING SYSTEM NEW.
The present training service is consolidation of
the old andsman and apprentice training systems,
and has been in force since last fall with excellent
results Now all men without previous
| vice or without any special trade calling,
enlisted as apprentice seamen. at $l6 a month
compared with the old rate Of 50 at entrance.
In addition the training of apprentice seamen,
| schools maintained for electricians, yeomen
Clerical force), the carpenters gang, painters,
chinists. hospital men, and the like all open
| cruts with aptitude for such trades occupa-
TONS but without sufficient experience to hold the
rating board ship. The men turned out Of these
schools receive pay varying from $50 to $40.
cording the branch, and in addition receive the
same allowances for clothing rations, etc, that
given other recruits.
| For men who have served one enlistment, and re-
ceive honorable discharge. there is the GlIinery
| School at Washington. and the Torpedo School at
| Newport, where taught ordnance cleo
! tricity, submarine wiring, diving and similar
Every opportunity is given for athletics and re-
creation Baseball outfits supplied 10 vessels
aufi keen rivalry exists between the of the
different vessels; boat races are frequent, ana the
prizes offered for these contests well worth
striving for. In addition, purse Is usually made
up among the rooters for the crew board the
ship and this in recent instance amounted to
! several hundred dollars.
4 man who has served years, and has
/ reached the grade OF chief petty officer. and is
still under thirtyfive, is eligible FOR appointment
warrant rank which insures him Il comfortable
berth life, with ranging from $500 10 5000
and retirement for or disability At generous
pay. Warrant officers often have small independent
commands.
Warrant officers in turn permitted to take the
commissioned rank of the line. examination Is
/ held every year. Last year ten warrant officers
PASSED p successful examination. and com
mieeioned ensiGnS An excellent example Of the
/ possibilities of advancement in the navy is the
Of Lieutenant Soule. lie entered the service
apprentice al 80 a month in 1884; he pro-
NOTED through the enlisted grades to chief petty
officer passed the examination for gunner, and
when the present law became operative in 1901 he
stood the examination FOR ensign and the first
candidate to be commissioned. In 1904 he pro-
lieutenant. junior grade and in the spring
Of 1905 reached the grade Of lieutenant with a
yearly pay Of about 50 500 He IL on recruiting
duty IN tEe Middle West.