Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-07

Thread, Needles, Wax, Tape. Thimble
and Buttons, together with such other
articles as he may need during the
term. is
The above articles may be procured for
500 or $40, and, with the exception of
shoes and a few other articles, should,
with proper care, last two years, which
is the length Of the term. In addition,
parents or guardians are expected to fur
nish the lads with spending money and a
fair allowance would be from $3.50 to $5
for each foreign port visited on the winter
cruise and the same for the summer
cruise, with an additional allowance of
| from $15 to S25 for those youngsters who
are expected to visit London or Paris.
This spending money is not absolutely
necessary, as they can remain on board
the ship and just make short shore visits
I but by having little money it enables the
boy to broaden his knowledge by making
side trips under the direction of the ships
officers, who very carefully see that the
lads do not get into mischief and who
point out thelplaces OF interest. III the
parent has any doubt as to what use the
money will be put, the superintendent of
the ship will take charge of 1t and see
that 1t Is issued judiciously.
Granting that boy has passed bis ex-
animation and is ready to begin the max
ing of a master mariner, he reports. to the
ship for duty. The superintendent of the
Saratoga Is Commander Charles Nelson
Atwater, u. s. NJ, man who Is deeply
Interested in the merchant marine of this
country, who is not only a thorough sea-
man, but who is fond of boys and always
willing and ready to give them an addi-
tional lift in their studies.
The lad may be from the inner part of
the state and never seen any body of
water except a creek, but that does not
matter-such boys often make the best
seamen and officers. After seeing that all
his belongings are marked with his name
and a number, he is given his ships kit.
He Is first taught how to swing his ham
mock, how to lie in 1t and how to trIce 1t
up in the morning
OF course, he is made familiar with the
rules of the school, which are about the
same as any institution, with the excep-
tion that 1t Is navy discipline, and 1t de-
pends entirely upon the boy himself
whether he makes good There is no brig,
bread -andwater punishment or anything
of that kind, for If the boy is bad and
creates disorder he is merely sent ashore.
and that ends his career as far as the
nautical school is concerned.
While the ship is fitting out for her
cruise the boys turn to and study sea-
manship from the lowest rung on the
ladder. They make the acquaintance of
the ships bible, the holystOne and then
put in the remainder of the day studying
what they do not know and brushing up
their mathematics, etc.
At last the time approaches when the
ship Is about to go to sea, and then
comes on board dozen husky merchant
sailors, who Will help run the vessel and
who will work side by side with the boys
showing them just how to do, and when
there is a. gale, and the work aloft eS-
ceedingly dangerous, the professionals will
take the duties, at least until the boys
have learned how TO have one hand for
themselves and one hand and two feet
for the ship.
Sailing day is always interesting, for
then of the 40 or more boys on board
fully half bid their parents good-by at
the gangway and many a frail lad, has
his mother cling to him until the last
moment. The commander gives the word.
the lines are cast of and the ship, in
tow OF tug, starts on her long Journey.
To go aloft and furl or set the royal
In breeze is the height Of ambition
of every boy, and were boy to embark
in a regular merchantmen 1t would be
his first duty. II he did so, we'll and
good; II he fell and broke his neck II
made no difference, for such is the law
OF. the sea, but on the Saratoga the lad
reaches royal by easy stages becoming
accustoped to the roll and pitch OF the
ship.
Seasickness and homeslckness2 oh, yes,
there is plenty OF II, and the first two
or three days out of sight of land are
usually sad ones for about one-half of the
rockies" ana both the commander and
surgeon have their hands full. the former
administering words OF encouragement
and the latter pills and powder until the
mental and physical storms blow over
and the sunshine OF life breaks through
the clouds.
In good weather when the ship Is on
her course, with steady wind, the boys
are taught how 70 reef and splice. set
up rigging, take down and place spars
and a hundred and one things the
seaman should know. From doing deck
work the new boys 90 aloft, and by the
time land has been sighted there are few
who cannot nam the upper topsail yard.
while the more agile think nothing OF
wrestling with the main royal.
In the dog watch the boys have their
fun. Youngsters are discouraged IN