The Story of the "Britannia": The training ship for naval cadets. With some account of previous methods of naval education, and of the new scheme of 1903.Statham, Edward Phillips
History
The Story of the "Britannia": The training ship for naval cadets. With some account of previous methods of naval education, and of the new scheme of 1903.
Statham, Edward Phillips
Britannia (Ship); Great Britain. Royal Navy; Naval education -- Great Britain
In 1876, however, and for a good many years afterwards, the cadets'
corporals had so large a share in the discipline that the captains did
not come in very much. The cadets before the committee were unanimous
as to their dislike of the corporals, though it must be acknowledged
that they had no very definite reasons to adduce. At this time a
"cadet sergeant-major" had taken the place of the master-at-arms,
probably with beneficial results, for a soldier is a more
"understanding" sort of man in such a position, and would know how to
assert his authority with tact and discretion.
The regulations for the cadets were such as would exist in any
schools, substituting seafaring words where necessary. They received
one shilling per week pocket-money--the captains and chief captains
two shillings and half-a-crown respectively--and were not allowed to
have in their possession at one time a larger sum than ten shillings;
nor were they permitted to receive parcels containing eatables, or to
bring sweets, fruit, etc., on board when returning from leave.
Those who recollect the earlier days of the _Britannia_ will
understand how this prohibition arose. Cadets were allowed at that
time to receive "hampers" from home, and of course the lucky recipient
felt bound to share the good things with his friends. The offer was
usually delicately couched in the words, "Bring your plate to my table
at tea," and as there were frequently a good many hampers, with a
circle of chums to each owner, there was a great deal of running about
the messroom at tea-time, also some jealousy and searchings of heart.
Some lads who were general favourites might be seen visiting three or
four tables, returning with their plates heaped with a curious
assortment of jam, sardines, potted meat, cakes, etc., all elbowing
each other in one indigestible conglomeration--if, indeed, anything is
not digestible by a naval cadet. No doubt the confusion to which this
practice gave rise was the chief reason for its suppression.
[Illustration: A CLASS AT THE SEAMANSHIP INSTRUCTION MODEL.
_Photo: Smale & Son, Dartmouth._]
Bullying or annoying other cadets is laid down as one of the most
serious offences that can be committed, and subject to the most severe
punishment.
The heaviest punishment was reduction to the third class for conduct.
Cadets under this penalty wore a white stripe on each arm and were
obliged to conform to the following rules:--
Get up at 6 a.m. in winter and 5 a.m. in summer, and half an hour
later fall in and drill until prayer time (8 o'clock).
Stand apart from other cadets at all musters.
One and a quarter hour's drill every afternoon; leave stopped,
except one hour on shore under charge of a corporal.
Stand on the middle deck one hour after evening prayers.
Alternate days in cell, on bread and water; other days to take
their meals at cockpit mess table. Not allowed soup, beer, or
second course.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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