22. SCHOOLS ON BOARD HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS.

Schoolmasters on Board Ship.-For many years some provision has been made on board the larger men-of-war, such as Flagships and First and Second Rates, for the education of the boys belonging to the crew. For these ships, a Schoolmaster was generally included among the staff of Petty Officers. His nominal duties were to give instruction to the boys at certain. hours during the day; and in the evening to attend to those men who wished to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded for improvement. As a matter of fact, however, the Schoolmaster's work was very nominal, and in not a few instances amounted to little more than keeping up the officers' Logs and Watch bills, and helping in any clerical work that might be required on board.

Origin of System-Deficient Condition. It is difficult to arrive at the date at which this plan was commenced, but it evidently originated very many years ago, and was possibly in operation at the commencement of the present century. As with the Regimental Schools in the Army, whose efficiency at that period was almost entirely dependent on the energy and ability of the Commanding Officer, so the character of the instruction given on board ship, and even the appointment of a Master, depended almost entirely on the interest taken in educational matters individually by the Captain. The Schoolmaster was at this time inducted into his office without having had any previous training or possessing any special aptitude for the work of teaching. The selection for the post rested entirely with the Captain, and, usually, one of the crew, who, in his judgment was the most eligible, was appointed to fill it. It often happened that a man who was hardly fit for any of the regular work of the ship was on that account, made Schoolmaster, if he only

knew his letters. With such a system it may readily be understood that the improvement of the boys and sailors on board was not satisfactory; nor was the work of the school looked upon as a very important part of the day's duties. It is probable that considerable impetus was given to the work of education in the Navy by the interest taken throughout the country in the cause of Popular Education from 1808 to 1812, resulting principally from the labours of Dr. Bell and Joseph Lancaster.

Improvements in 1862. Since 1862, however, much improvement has taken place. At that date, the system of appointing Trained Masters on board all sea-going ships, came into force. All who had previous to that date been doing duty as Schoolmasters were then ordered to undergo an examination at one of the Training Colleges, and on their failing to present themselves or to come up to the required standard, they were deprived of their appointment, and either left the Navy or went into other lines, such as the ship's Steward, Police, &c, This gave the Schoolmaster a regular standing; his calling being recognised as a branch of the service. He now receives his appointment after having passed through a regular Training College, and obtained a certificate of competency from the Committee of Council.

Mode of Obtaining Teachers Payments.-The Admiralty never attempted to train their own teachers, but always appointed those who thought fit to volunteer from the ordinary Normal Colleges in the country. Before being accepted, the candidates were subjected to the regular Medical examination, and if passed, were bound to serve Her Majesty in the capacity of Naval Schoolmasters for a certain period, viz., ten years from date of entry. The scale of payment for Schoolmasters, in addition to the ordinary allowance for rations, is fixed as follows:

Change in Mode of Supplying Teachers-To come from Greenwich. Within the last few months the plan of training Schoolmasters has been somewhat changed. In future, promising boys from the Greenwich School, and from it alone, are to be sent as Pupil Teachers to one of the Training Ships, described in another chapter. When they have gone through the regular course of instruction there provided, for three years, they are to be sent

to an ordinary Training College for two years, at the charge of the Admiralty. The pupils themselves are to receive a salary at the rate of 237. per annum during that time. When they have completed their period of instruction, they will then be appointed direct as Navy Schoolmasters. This change, will, it is hoped, enable them to acquire the habits and feelings necessary for a life on board ship, at an earlier age, and more efficiently, than they could under the old plan.

Branches of School Work-Chaplain. The educational work at present carried on on board sea-going ships, is conducted by the trained Teachers above referred to, under the superintendence of the Chaplain. It divides itself into three branches, namely:

The Boys' School.

The Adult Evening School.

The Sunday School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL.

Admiralty Regulations. This is limited to the lowest rank on board, that is, to those of the crew styled 'boys.' They are obliged to attend the instruction, which is gratuitous, as long as they continue in their rank of 'boys.' The time they thus have to devote to school work is necessarily subject to the varying requirements of the ship. The Admiralty orders are that each boy shall attend school at least three half days each week. In order that this shall disturb the arrangements on board as little as possible, the boys are divided into two watches, each of which takes its turn to be at school. The Admiralty allows a sum of 1l. 10s. per quarter, for each ship for stationery, &c., and supplies of lesson books are furnished when required. The subjects of instruction are Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic; with Geography to the upper boys. Doubtless the standard of instruction afforded will gradually be raised, when the training system through which the boys now have to pass before going to sea has been longer in operation.

Occasional Difficulties in Attendance-Influence of Captain.—A good deal of difficulty is felt in securing the regular attendance of the boys; not because they themselves object to going to school, but because the numerous duties on board render it impossible at times to prevent interruptions. Besides this, the

boys are more or less immediately under the Petty Officers, whose orders they are required to obey. As the ship's work is necessarily the first consideration, it is easy to understand that plausible reasons may be alleged for requiring the services of the boys, when they ought to be attending school. If the boys' time is thus unnecessarily taken up, however, the Chaplain generally complains to the Captain. Here, as in the Army and under the old system, it will be seen that very much must depend on the Captain's estimate of the value of the instruction. If he care but little for it, the excuse that the ship's duties are paramount may be so often allowed as to render the school almost inoperative, but if he believe in the importance of education, it is usually not difficult for him to arrange the work under ordinary circumstances of weather &c., so as to allow time for the boys to attend their classes. The same dependence on the Captain is experienced with reference to the accommodation for the school-room, which is generally at best rather limited as to its arca.

The Adult Evening School.

General Mode of Conducting. This is conducted also by the Navy Schoolmaster, who receives a salary from the Admiralty, and is not allowed to take any fee from the men. The hours are from six to half past seven every evening but Saturday and Sunday, except when the exigencies of the ship's work require the services of the crew. No one is obliged to attend. As a rule those of the ship's crew usually avail themselves of the instruction who know that their hopes of promotion depend on their improvement in Reading and Writing, and who find themselves deficient. They are aware that without further knowledge of these matters they would be unable to perform the duties of a higher rank. No regular classes are carried on, but the instruction is generally arranged according to the requirements of each individual pupil. One man works at Arithmetic, another at Writing, and so on. The Admiralty pays the cost of lighting and heating, but does not allow any aid towards the purchase of school material for these evening classes.

The Sunday School.

General Regulations. This is carried on for the boys only. One hour is devoted during the day to general religious instruc

tion and Bible history. The Roman Catholic boys and others who do not belong to the Church of England are not required to attend, but upon the others attendance is compulsory. This branch is more immediately under the charge of the Chaplain, who, as before stated, is also actively engaged in the duties of the Week-day School.

Conclusion. The general provisions made for the improvement of the sailor after he has entered Her Majesty's service, though not as complete as could be desired, nor taken advantage of as they should be, yet they are usually sufficient to secure to all who wish to improve themselves ample means of doing so, and that free of any cost. When the present plan of giving instruction to all who enter the Navy has been established a few years longer a complete change may be anticipated in the educational aspect of the sailor. It may further be presumed that as education advances throughout the country generally it must follow as a necessary consequence that the instruction at these schools will be of a higher character, and in conformity with the degree of education with which all sailors will then, it is hoped, commence their career.