HARD TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 9

HARD TRAINING.

JAPANESE MARINERS. YEARS TO MAKE OFFICERS GUNNERY COURSE INCLUDED. It takes 10J years to train an officer in the Japanese mercantile marine. Beginning at the tender age of seven years, the young Japanese passes through six different forma cf training, including a course at a naval gunnery school and a year in a sailing ship. These interesting facts wore given by Mr. K. Taimira, chief officer of the visiting Japanese Government training barquentinc Shintoku Maru, and a professor of the Kobe Nautical College, before the ship left Auckland this afternoon. ".After the preliminary selection of the children at the age of seven years they spend six years at a primary school," said Mr. Tamura. "Then follows five years at an ■ intermediate school. Difficult examinations have to be passed before the, cadet may enter one of the nautical colleges, where he spends three years. Then follow six months at the* Naval Gunnery School, a year in a sailing ship and a year as an apprentice officer on a steamer. Then the cadet is considered qualified to become a fully-fledged junior olliccr."

Mr. Tamura said that among the many subjects studied at the Kobe Nautical College were navigation, seamanship, the principles of shipping and trading, astronomy, meteorology, elementary surgery and medical treatment, magnetism and electricity and the international laws governing shipping, customs and harbours. Instruction in Gunnery. "At the Naval Gunnery School they also have to gain a sound knowledge of all branches, of naval gunnery, torpedo shooting and the laying of mines and protection against mines. The training is similar to that which officers of the English Royal Naval Reserve have to pass through. Thus every officer in the Japanese mercantile marine is capable of being transferred to a warship in the event of war. "Of the hundreds of candidates who pass out of the intermediate school only about one in ten is successful in passing into the Kobe Nautical College. Twice a year, in April and October, 35 new cadets are admitted to Jio college, and a similar number pass on to the Shintoku Maru. Thus the senior class of 35 on the Shintoku Main, having completed : two voyages, go on to a mercantile ship and the former junior class becomes the new head class and the 'greenhorns' from the college form the new junior class. In this way the vessel changes half its students each six months and makes two voyages each year, generally across the Pacific to American ports. Strict Discipline. "While on the Slyntoku Maru the cadets are under strict discipline. They I arc supplied witli every tiling necessary lin the way of clothes and uniforms by the Japanese Government. Brace and halyards are their playthings and yards and gaffs are their gymnastic apparatus. Holystoning and washing the decks are their every morning sports. Knotting, splicing, sailmaking, chipping and paintin-, are their fine day's play. Even at night, however dark and stormy, they must work hard at tacking and wearing the ship and handling the huge sails. Drills for lire and hoat stations and leakage protection are ordered without warning from time to time. '■in short, the students have to work hard at all kinds of ship management, in addition to practising navigation and seamanship. At tlie end of two voyages they are examined by the training Oflicere and it" they pass they are sent on to merchant vessels to < ain further experience in the handling of cargo, the treatment of passengers and other duties of a mercantile officer. After another ! year the cadets return to their Alma Mater to take their graduation examination. The graduation diploma of the ! college carries with it special privileges 'and the Government grants certificates I of competency without further cxaniina- | tion, except for health and eyesight."