AN A.B. IN THE MAKING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10752, 27 April 1911, Page 6

AN A.B. IN THE MAKING.

There is no need for the modern mother to share tho venerable Mrs Kasy's fears if her sou decides to enter the Navy of to-day. No'doubt that good ,lady jvas quite justified in lier , lamentations, hut the life offered to the sixteen-year-old boy of 1911 is very difference from that which the boy of 1800 had to undergo. In view of the fact that the Navy is to be increased by three thousand men, according to the programme for 191112, I will indicate how the modern seaman is trained. The "old times" boy. went to join his ship completely ignorant of what would be required of him; tiie modern youth goes aboard with an understanding and insight of naval matters, a strict code of honor, and, above all, a keen sense p¥ discipline. ? fhe modern youth is not sent at once to sea. To begin with he serves two or three years in a training ship or establishment, and is there equipped with knowledge tor liis seafaring life of the future. There are, besides several land establishments, nautical training sliips where the youths learn to become good and efficient seamen.

Let us take, for example, tlie healthy and strenuous life in the Exmoutli training ship, off Grays, in the Thames. Here the boy is instructed in mathematics, English, and seamanship, including knotting and splicing, boxing the compass, heaving the lead, coxing and boat-pulling, field-gun and rifle drill, cutlass, and aiming rifle, the latter being a special feature with regard to Admiralty training. When the boy passes - tests in his knowledge of these lie is entitled to wear a gold badge—much prized among his messmates. A further training is given in stoking and carpentering, as well as cooking and servant work. Before leaving the. ship the boy must pass a satisfactory examination in each subject for which lie has specialised, and if lie fails in any one he is not admitted to a sea-going ship; and must needs return to the "alma mater" for further studies. This ensures the inflow of capable seamen. Training-ship life is by no means dull. In the case of the Exmoutli a. lanre swimming bath, heated in winter tinie, is visited daily by the boys, while afternoon siiore leave Tor games is granted every day.

Challenge cups have been presented by members of the committee for proficiency in swimming, cricket, and lifesaving. .Fourteen days' leave is granted twice a year to give the boys a "spell" from their training-ship existence. Wow that tlie "training squadron" is abolished, the hoy on leaving the training ship is drafted hitoa commissioned man-of-war. He is rated now : Boy, second class, and receives as pay £9 2s 6'd per year, or Gd per day. Now lie. is called upon to display the knowledge which h<> has gained, and to put his various specialisations to the proof. He will have a number at one of the guns, be placed in a certain Match, be pari; of a certain boat's crew, and will in all probability spend some few hours at "school." Though his duties are not 'responsible ones, they are important as regards his future promotion, and if he shows proficiency in these little niatters he will speedily rise to the higher ranks of the service.

Ho spends his spare time "yarning" with mon older than himself both in ago and service lore and shakos down generally. At the age of eighteen the boy is eligible for promotion to the rank of. ordinary seaman, this, rank being given without the passing of an examination. And now is the time for him to make a name for himself on the lower deck and gain promotion, or to form a part of those hapny bands of individuals who inevitably get 10A (detention) and oan always-be seen "facing paint work"—■ "trying to chase the flies off," as Jack puts it. :

His liext step in promotion after O.S. will be to A.B. To. gain this rating lie must bo efficient in seamanship and torpedo work, Tiiust know the drill at all. guns in his ship, and the stripping and assembling of all those guns ,and their mountings. Ho must pass in the dotter, deflection teacher, swinging target, and loading ■ teacher, and be able to lire twenty -rounds aiming rifle and six rounds of the 3pr-Vickers quick-firing gun. He must'also have'a thorough knowledge of rifle, squad, and company drill, and in addition to these must know how to sweep out tubes and "backs," be proficient in bunker work and firing, cleaning fires, and general stoke-hold watchkeeping. Thus our O.S. has plenty of work on his hands until he can pass his A.B.'s examination. Also the would-be A.B. must know how to use tools (some of them with weird name), such as levers, jacks, purchases, Spanish windlass, hammers, drifts and wedges, files, braces and bits, ratchet brace, tommies, the hatchet, and many other such weapons which are used in the routine of everyday sea life. But the young seaman is not dismayed. He is earning £2 10s 83d per month ; he is well fed, seeing the world, has good messmates, and can gain oxt.ra pay by - winning good-shooting badges. The warrant officer's ranks are always open to. those who care to work and have a little knowledge of educational matter. The new Admiralty scheme for lower-deck promotion will benefit the trainingship lad on account of his educational course, and lie is entitled to compete for commissions granted to the'lower deck. This scheme is that the more brilliant men of the lower deck shall be able, while still young enough to adapt themselves tea new atmosphere, to be raised to commissioned rank and put on an equality in the service with the officers who entered, by way of Osborne find Dartmouth or H.AT.S. Britannia. Anyway, whether, prizes be won or not,' good pay, good food, and good companions help to make life for our young seamen both pleasant and durable.