TRAINING SHIPS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4302, 5 January 1875, Page 3

TRAINING SHIPS.

The following account of what the Americans are -doing for the purpose of training seamen for their mercantile navy will be read with interest, and may be of use, as NOW Zealand is just entering on a similar course and for the same reasons. We take it from the New York Herald of the 18th of October last;— The announcement that the Secretary of the Navy had detailed a United States man-of-war—the St. Mary’s—as a school ship for the use of the Board of Education of this city has created a feeling of agreeable surprise among the shipping men and all those taking an interest in the subject of nautical education. There were many who doubted at first whether the plan of the Board of Education, of establishing a nautical school, would ever be executed ; but it uow bids fair soon to become un fait accompli. The lack of thoroughly trained young seamen fully competent to take charge of American ships has long been felt by shipping men in New York, and they hail with satisfaction this laudable attempt at supplying so great a want. There are those who sneer at it, of course, saying that, as American ships are fast disappearing from the seas, there will be very little use for American seamen; but the vast majority of our shipping men are still in hopes that tho American mercantile marine will once again revive and flourish as it did of old. DESCRIPTION OP THIT SCHOOL SHIP. The St. Mary’s, which has been designated by the Secretary of the Navy as the school ship for New York, Is a rather old sailing vessel of good proportions, her tonnage being 766 and her displacement 1025. She carrier 16 guns, and has of late been stationed at the Norfolk Navy Yard. She is now in Boston, where she will probably be repaired. The Board of Education have given this project in charge of the special committee appointed for the purpose, and which is composed of the following gentlemen ; David Wetmore ; Joseph Seligman, the well-known banker; William Dowd, A. J. Matthewson, and J. D. Vermilye. Mr. Wetmore and the other members of the committee are of opinion that the St. Mary’s will require considerable repairs and alterations before she will be suited for the objects in view. It is confidently hoped that the Government will cause these repairs aud alterations to be made, as a delay in the opening of the school might otherwise ensue from the limited means at tho command of the Board. The appropriation which was asked by the Board of Education was 50,000 dels, for the first year ; but the Board of Appropriation have as yet failed to fix any amount, although required to do so by law. The Board, however, will undoubtedly make an adequate appropriation, and it is not expected that any obstacles will be encountered in this quarter. THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS. Mr. Wetmore, who devotes much of his time to this project, hopes that tho St. Mary’s will arrive here by the 12th of November, and then the school will be opened at once. Some of the necessary preparations have already been made. The commander and executive officer have been appointed ; two excellent men for these positions having been found in Commander Pithian, one of the examiners at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and Lieutenant Wadleigh, who enjoys a good reputation as a naval officer. Where the St. Mary s will be stationed it is as yet impossible to tell, and will necessarily be the subject of conference between the committee andtheHarborCommissioners. It will be desirable to place her at some point where the approach in the winter will not be interfered with by ice drifts. THE STUDIES. The branches which are to be taught on the school ship will be such as to give the scholars a good knowledge of seamanship. Gunnery, the use of small arms, cutlass exercise, and the management of boats under oars and sails and all collateral branches will be taught by a competent staff of instructors. Great attention will be paid to the development of the body through swimming and other muscular exercises, “so as to make men out of these boys,” to quote the apt language of Mr. Wetmore. Their English education will go on at the same time. The boys will not be trained for service in the navy, but for the merchant marine, and by their knowledge of gunnery, &0., it is simply intended to, secure to the people an efficient reserve for the emergencies of a naval war. CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION. The school will be open to any respectable boys not under fifteen who feel a desire to go to sba. They will he examined by a surgeon, who will have to satisfy himself of their soundness of body, and they will also be required to give evidence of having received an ordinary common school education. The term of study will embrace from eighteen months to two years, according to the pupil’s ability. It is, of course, not to be expected that the committee will admit to the nautical school any robust boys who have received a lair education; but it is their aim to select those who show a special aptitude for sea life. While under tho charge of Captain Pithian the scholars will receive full hoard. They will have to live on board the St. Mary’s and wear a cheap but neat uniform of a naval pattern. The education will he free of charge, and Mr, Wetmore is also of the opinion that those desiring to pursue their studies after their terms have expired will be taken care of by the Board and fitted for tailing positions as mates and captains. The education on board the St. Mary's is simply intended to train them in the rudiments of seamanship, so as to make good sailors of them. It is expected, however, that shipping- men will not take the graduates of the nautical school to place them among the common sailors, but will allow them to mess separately. THE SHIPOWNERS’ VIEWS. Mr. Wetmore and the other members of the committee are thoroughly convinced that the execution of this admirable plan will tend to greatly elevate tho standard of American seamanship. That such an elevation is needed any one who is acquainted with the characteristics of our sailors will readily admit. Shipowners who have conversed with Mr. Wetmore on this subject have generally expressed their sincere gratification at the probable execution of this plan, and given himassurauces that they would gladly take such youths as had graduated in this school. The committee will soou publish a prospectus giving full information in regard to the scope of studies and various details of more remote interest. The school is to number 200 pupils, who can be easily accommodated on board the St, Mary's. In tho summer tho St. Mary’s will probably cruise in tho Sound.