CALL OF THE SEA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19783, 26 April 1934, Page 6

CALL OF THE SEA

NEED FOR TRAINING FACILITIES IS BRITAIN LAGGING BEHIND? (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 4. “In spite of the fact that the founder and chairman of the “Sea Lion” Sail Training Ships Society has continued his propaganda work in order to obtain adherents,” says the annual report of the Society, “the movement to provide England with a deep-sea sail-training ship has not made any material progress.” The chairman of the Society (Sir William Garthwaite, Bart.), reported that he had made a business trip around the World in 1933, via South Africa, Mauritius, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Japan and Canada, and wherever he went in British Possessions what he had to say on the matter of sail training was eagerly listened to and met with practically universal approval. Conversations with the captains and officers on the nine different steamships he sailed on were also of an encouraging nature. In Japan he was received by the honorary vice-president of the Society, Captain Sampei Ozeki. president of the imperial Japanese Nautical College at Kobe. He showed Sir William round the College near Kobe, and what he saw there caused a deep impression and made him very sorry indeed to think that no such institution exists in England. What Japan is Doing; “This College,” says the report “which can turn out 500 young men annually, is fully equipped with every scientific and technical detail, both practical and theoretical. There is no department either on deck or under deck which is neglected and in addition there are language classes, classes on international marine law, commercial classes in connection with the duties of ships’ officers, and owners’ liability in connection with loading and discharging, bills of lading, charter parties, etc. They have a fixed square rigged training ship in the college grounds. Apart from this college at Kobe there is a sister college at Tokyo, which practically duplicates the Kobe institution. In addition to the two fixed training ships, the colleges have at their disposal four deep sea going sail training ships in commission. These colleges are kept in being thanks to the help which is given by the Imperial Japanese Government.” Efforts to Arouse England On his return via New York Sir 1 William Garthwaite had the opportunity of seeing two sail training ships of the Royal Italian Navy, which were then in port, their arrival having been timed to coincide with that of General Balbo with his fleet of seaplanes. While the present position is not encouraging, Sir William says he has no intention of relaxing his efforts to attain the object which he has in view, convinced as he is of the merits of the English scheme. Every year fresh sympathisers come forward and between them it is hoped to develop, as soon as general conditions become more normal, a practical proposal to start sail training in England, even if it be on a modest scale.