The Coolidge examiner., 1933-06-23

headed and well-traned. For this reason, It was
pointed out unusual care Is exercised in
lecting merchant marine academy candidates.
Boys must be United States citizens, have high
school education or its equivalent be phys
cally, mentally, morally sound as a new dollar
and must have the qualities that make for lead
ership-courtesy promptness in obeying com
mands and correct seamanlike habits
The wheel and chart house come next for In
spection. In the afternoon sun the compass
steering apparatus, engine room telegraph and
other bright work cleaned and glinted from ell
bow-greased high polish. 1t was exactly like any
other American merchantman's bridge except
that there were two large, long tables extending
the width of the enclosed space. upon which
diets. studying navigation while summer
cruise, work out the ships course. huge flag
locker located nearby. bulging with neatly
rolled multi-colored bunting. Atop the bridge was
the diamond shaped radio direction finder loop,
open air bsnnacle and steering wheel
Nine times out of ten the U. S. S. Empire
State is steered from the enclosed bridge or
the flying bridge by a helmsman, generally a
Quartermaster. But Captain Green went below
and pointed out the line of steering apparatus
to a room far astern in the ship. where the
rudder tiller is swung by automatic devices and
where cadets are instructed. at times, in blind
steering. A bridge lookout may be the eyes of
the ship on such occasions. but cadets are taught
to navigate safely by using inside compass and
wheel
The engine room, deep in the bowels Of the
vessel, was fragrant with hot oils. Here maze
OF shining iron ladders wind up. around and
about the powerful driving equipment of the
training ship. All brightwOrk was spOtless and
the ship could cast off on short notice for steam
te in tba hill of tbo Tn,
tricacies Of this department prohibit elaborate
description. 1t is a world of machinery in itself
the pride of engineers who undergo exhaus.
tive instruction and training aship and ashore
and who are charged with the mechanical wei
fare of their vessel.
1t is interesting TO note that, in most cases
the captain and chief engineer of ship hold
nearly equal rank Both wear four gold stripes
They are associates in command. although in
the last analysis the captains word is supreme
The cadets have abundance of recreation
Many are amateur musicians, have their instru
ments aboard and make use of the ships piano
And when some one tears off a large amount o
'In the Evening by the Moonlight a flood OF
barber shop harmony generally haunts the ship
Captain Green pointed out a number of ca
dets engaged in infantry drill the concrete
docks below. This gives them taste Of mill
tary activity. Such military schooling will auto
matcally entite cadets to become members o.
! the naval reserve.
Cadet instructors are capable, efficient anC
painstaking in their work. For them specia
training is required The skipper said that sew
eral had taken not one but numerous instruc
ton courses A number of them are graduate
of the New York Merchant Marine academy
preferring teaching to life aboard ship where
they start in as third class officers.
Over sandwiches cakes and orange pekoe II
the captains quarters plans for summer wer
explained.
1--WE will have our regular training cruise
said the skipper, twinkle of anticipation in hi
eyes, adding that I'VE expect to shove off som
time in June, take in bit of the Atlantic fo
cruising purposes and touch at several European
ports"
These cruises are duck soup for cadets TIL
boys get their fingers into navigation and Ell
gineering and, in addition, see the world frs
hand. Stops include many Continents: and Med
terranean ports.
One leaves the q. s. S. Empire State with tn
impression of having seen a number of spler
did, clean-cut, ambitious young fellows eagerl
carving out their maritime careers, on & smar
merchant training ship under the watchful, kline
II supervision of -four striper who knows hi
stuff" Similar activities are pursued at tn
other three nautical schools.
&c by Western Newspaper UnionA