The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-11
NEW YORK BOYS AT SEA.
IAfe Aboard the ~. Mary's While on ON
summer Cruise.

IIfe Aboard the ~. MarSs Whur vi ""
summer Cruise.
One hundred lusty young New Workers
are Just now shifting the salt sea breezes
in the stanch old sloop OF war st. Mary's
on their six months cruise In foreign lands
Six months theory and six months prac-
tice in navigation il the lot OF this oass
Of New York boys who almost without
exception will Mter become officers in the
American merchant marine.
Fine. sturdy youths they are. too. says
the Van Norden Magazine. The New York
Nautical School is far from being In any
sense a reformatory. Only boys with
satisfactory references are accepted al
students, and as there is a long waiting
list the commander is able to pick and
choose the best applicants.
This school for young jack tars rs under
the jurisdiction of the Board OF Education
of New York city, and its interests are
looked after by a special committee. The
board makes an annual grant for its sup
port and for the expenses Of running the
ship on her long cruise.
Although the boys perform all the opera
tons Of seamanship on the cruise. the
boat carries a regular crew OF sufficient
number to work the vessel without them
so as to give them time for study.
After the spring reftting OF the vessel
at Glen Cove. l.. l.. the st. Mary's takes
| aboard water and provisions at New London
and follows the North Atlantic route TO
Queenstown, thence to Southampton, where
n few DAYS are allowed the boys for a trip
tn London. and then the vessel make
her way down the coasts OF France. Spain
and Portugal before striking across for
Funchal. in the Madeira Islands. where
n few DAVIS are spent in preparation Tor
| the homeward voyage along the s~outherly
ro ute. The ship reaches America in Sep
tember, and by the middle OF October Is
safely ensconoed at her East River dock In
New YORK CITY.
Mary's extends over two years; the second
year students are those OF the graduating
class and tbe Junior year lorna the ele-
mentary class. Both classes receive IN
struction In practical and theoretical sea-
manship. Among other things they are
taught physical geography. nautical as
ronomy history. algebra, rules OF the
road at sea and first aid to the injured:
The BOYS are expected to keep their
quarters clean and shipshape.. During
the first year they must in turn act az mess
cooks. Thew wash, iron and mend their
own clothes and are taught TO do every
thing for Themselves.
While at sea the routine is similar to that
in port at New York, but more strenuous
il anything. The boys perform every
operation necessary for navigating. the
ship. They stand watches. steer. reef and
furi the sails, lower and hoist the boats. and
| make practical use OF all nautical instru-
ments.
! awake and up. Three-Quarters OF an hour
is spent in %scrubbing their clothes. Then
| they clean the ship. polish the brass work
| and prepare ii for inspection:
Breakfast comes at 1850. AZ 8 the chro-
nometers are wound. the bridge pump Is
manned and other necessary duties are fui-
filed
retical study as practical duties take up
most OF the time. but Tor an hour m tne
morning the regular classes in seamanshlp
and navigation are held. At 1850 all the
first or higher class take observations Tor
latitude, which is reported at II NJ.
Then comes dinner, quite a plain dinner,
too, but the boys keep strong and healthy
on IL. IL consists usually OF canned roast
beef, potatoes and canned. vegetables.
Sometimes they have rice and molasses.
In the afternoon there Is more drill and
instruction and more s~crubbing OF clothes.
Between s and Q o'clock the uinereht
watches have supper, which consists usually
of sold meat, stewed fruit. milk, tea. sugar
and molasses. Biscuits and butter are
served at each meal. Then comes a little
quiet study until all HANDS turn INTO their
hammocks at Q o'clock.
While in a foreign port the routine is very
similar. The boys are required 70 prac-
tise constantly in all the duties OF active
~seamanship. Three times a day they are
sent over the masthead. and soon become
as agile as monkeys in flying up the rigging
and in sending up and squaring the royal
yards. In the morning and IN the afternoon
they have swimming IL possible:
Each of the two classes Ia divided into
watches. Each watch is under the com
mand OF apetty officer, called bos'n's mate.
who himself is under the orders OF the
officer Of the ships deck:
The watches are still further subdivided
into parts OF the ship, or divisions. The
boys are hen known by the terms fore
castlemen, f~oretopmen, m~aintopmen or
me captain OF the top is in command of
each division and the different tops report
alternately to the sailmaker or boatswsin
for instruction in s~ailmaking or seaman
ship. -,
On a summer cruise all boys who have
not misbehaved are allowed shore leave.
Only one-half their number, however,
NAV be absent at a time:
They are never permitted 70 remain on
shore over night except when this becomes
necessary in visiting an inland city. Free
quently IN a foreign port the boys OF tho st.
Mary's nav a chance 70 meet those OF
rival scholarships and boat races and other
spOrts are Arranged
purpose of chasing slavers. and at ~
time was the fastest sailing ship In the
United States Navy. h has been through
a good many stirring experiences In the
sixty-three years Of her history:
In the Mexican War she cruised on Panama
To protect the railroad across the lsthmus.
During the civil war she was sent in 1885
down the South American coast to protect
certain American merchantmen.
For the last thirty-four years, however,
the Government has devoted the vessel
entirely to educational purposes, and she
is the school and home Of New York boys
who are fred with ambition TO become
officers In the American merchant service.
IL il probable that the cruise OF 1908 will
be made In n new ship built by the Board
Of Education with the most modern and
complete equipment for teaching nj viga;
ton. The -. Mary's IL a sailing vessel
only. The modsrn ~schoolship should have
an auxiliary steam plant and electrical
equipment. The nautical school should
A.. kx....l Ia an an In data uauaal