Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-12-11
United States Shipping Board
Establishes One in Chicago.
MEN NEEDED FOR F|RENOOMS
Chicago Hotel Converted Into School
at Which Young Americans by Hun
dreds Are Prepared for Scientifically
Keeping Fires Burning on Nations
"Bridge Of Ships to Europe"-Inten-
slve Course of Study Is Laid Down.


Among the training projects of the
various branches of the government
that have grown out of the war, the
United States shipping board an
nounces the launching Of one that has
the distinction of novelty.
1t is a technical school, or college,"
for merchant marine firemen. Holding
that the marine fireman's Job is more
than merely shoveling coal on a fire,
the shipping board has prepared for
intensive, scientific training of its fire
men before they are placed behind the
shovel on our bridge of ships to Eu-
rope.
One aim in this training is to secure
conservation of coal. 1t is believed
that fireman who knows the heat
value of the fuel he is handling, the
laws of combustion and the principles
of operation of the boilers under which
he maintains fires, can save at least
ton of coal week, as compared with
the unframed man, or one who has
been trained only by rule of thumb
AS there are estimated to be 1905
American and allied ships in service
at this time, the Importance of this
principle of saving is apparent
Use Hotel as School,.
The Chicago school for firemen was
decided upon as means of employing
to the fullest the high-grade material
which was coming into the fire-room
service of the merchant marine in the
middle West, in common with other
sections.
In order that the young men should
have proper care while studying, the
idea of an official community was.
adopted. A disused hotel, in a down
town section, was secured and fitted
up on the lines of seminary, with liv-
ing quarters for 500 students, and
spacious lecture hall, all under one
roof.
Here, under the direction of instruc-
tors and proctors-the latter are kind
of glorified master-at-arms-th stu
dents lead busy and wholesome life.
1t Is case of plain living and high
thinking with them, for their time is
limited at the school to one month at
the outside, and there is much for
them to learn. Some of the men having
fired boilers before attending the
school, find the instruction valuable
postgraduate course.
The main subjects are: Materials
Of
tom TYPES of Boilers" Boiler
Parts and Accessories and "Ol Burn
ers for Marine Boilers"
Get Practical Experience.
There are also talks on fre-room
practice and the relations of the fire.
man to the engineers, oilers and water
tenders with whom he works at sea.
Part of each day is devoted to actual
firing. Some of this firing is done at
power plants, and some on lake steam
ers, making short trips.
When student has absorbed the
book learning" in the Chicago course
he is sent to a seaport for final
course of instruction and to get his
sea legs" on one of the shipping
boards II training ships.
Volunteers are being signed up in
every state in the Union. Candidates
accepted are from eighteen to thirty
five inclusive, and must weigh at least
40 pounds. The board viii pay the
fare to Chicago of volunteers from
Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wis
consin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Ne
braska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas,
and thence to a seaport, and also give
them their board at Chicago. The
fare of men from other states will be
paid direct to seaport. where they
will be trained. In either case the vol
unteer will receive $50 a month train
ing pay. When he gets behind the
shovel at sea he will be given SIS a
month, with so per cent added for voy-
ages through the European war zone.