Seamen Boys Replaced By Junior Seamen

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31236, 7 December 1966, Page 13

Seamen Boys Replaced By Junior Seamen

"The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, Dec. 6.

The last draft of seamen boys will pass out of H.M.N.Z.S. Tamaki on December 16, closing a chapter in the history of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Regulations which come into force next year will lift the mimimum age limit for entry into the Navy from 15 to 16. At the same time the term “seamen boys” will be replaced by "junior seamen.” Seamen boys have made a major contribution to New Zealand’s fleet since the scheme was introduced in 1921.

The, one to achieve highest rank was George Davis-Goff, now living in Australia, who served as Commodore, Auckland.

Other boys to reach prominence have been the first commanding officer of H.M.N.Z.S. Waikato, Captain S. F. Mercer, the commanding officer of H.M.N.Z.S. Taranaki, Commander P. R. H. Silk, and the commanding officer of H.M.N.Z.S. Blackpool, Commander J. I. Quinn. Surviving members of the first classes in 1921 have been invited to attend the final passing-out parade, which will be taken by the Commander of the Northern Military District, Brigadier R. B. Dawson.

The scheme was originally instituted to provide opportunities for high-grade youngsters to attain the education level they might not otherwise have reached. However, more boys are now staying at school to sit their School Certificate and University Entrance examinations, and by the time they

emerge they are often outside the boys’ age limit of 15 years three months to 16 years three months. The other factor which influenced the Navy to change the seamen boy training was the possibility of the schoolleaving age being raised to 16. The 19 boys to pass out later this month have spent a year at the navy’s shorebased training establishment at school studies and also learning elementary seamanship. Some will go for further training at H.M.N.Z.S. Philomel and others will be posted to ships for sea experience.