TRAINING SEAMEN

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3666, 10 February 1940, Page 3

TRAINING SEAMEN

THE NAVAL RESERVE DOMINION VOLUNTEERS Perhaps it is the most neglected of the services—or assistant services—but the fact is that the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is doing the work that ensures safety for ships of the mercantile marine. Since the war began 65 men from the Auckland branch of the R.N.V.R. have been drafted to merchant ships. A viajtt to headquarters one night revealed something of the training that these men go through under the watchful eye of Lieutenant I. Howard. Certainly it was recruits’ night, but it explained why these men eventually measured up to such a standard that they were able to pass an examination conducted by the Royal Navy itself and qualify in the particular specialised branches they have chosen. 'For the first year of service (with the R.N.V.R. training is generalised. After that the young recruits take up the particular section in which they show interest and ability. Eventually they are expert units of mine-sweep-ing crew's, gunners, signallers and general nautical experts. Imitation Convoy System.

In one room there is an ingenious arrangement of ships set on an adjustable stand capable of moving in any direction to assume all the possible formations of a convoy system. Each of the vessels carries masthead and yardarm lights, which may be operated by telegraph keys. Here the recruits learn the various code signals neetjisary for a change of formation, and adjust the model accordingly. In the “buzzer room” alongside earphones and telegraph' keys are the main items of furniture. Here, the naval signallers of the future master the intricacies of “dits” and “das.” Down in the main hall busy “flagwaggers” were getting in some practice. So keen were they to learn that even in the “stand easy” period they practised to gain speed. An intriguing semaphore operated by one of the men sent messages to other groups, who seemed to have little difficulty in understanding what was ju'st so much Greek to the uninitiated. An arrangement made by the men themselves was a huge circular board set against the wall with a light behind it. ißy turning the board around a series of holes was brought against the light. Each set of these denoted the type of light carried by different classes of ships. In the gunroom a breech-loading and a quick-firing gun were surrounded by recruits. At the command they stood to positions, loaded, trained the gun, fired, and ejected the shells. Each man of the gun crew is given experience in every position. Attached to the breech-loader is the Lege training apparatus, which produces

the effect of being at sea and trains the marksman in g'etting the correct aim. Then there was the mine-sweeping* section where lectu?*es were being* given to a class of interested recruits by Lieutenant J. G. Hilliard. Actual models made every point clear, and a blackboard at the far end of the room was used to explain technical details. Depth charges, torpedoes, and the art of laying and lifting* mine's soon to be secrets to the future naval men. In other sections of their training* members of the force are taught all that is required in the way of seamanship and are shown how to do everything* from heaving the lead—not “swinging the lead”—to boxing the compass and rowing a boat, One of the quaintest arrangements in the building was an electricallycontrolled “steering machine,” built and operated to duplicate the action of a vessel at sea. The idea is to keep a straight course by the compass card —but it isn’t just as simple as it looks. A reporter who tried his hand went right off his course and, theoretically at least, wrecked the vessel, though the press photographer displayed the skill of an old hand. This is an excellent instrument, and teaches the lads just how many turns of the wheel are necessary to “straighten up.” Then there is the knotting and splicing class, where a thorough training is given in one of the oldest and most essential phases of seamanship. The men here, too, can give a fine display of sabre fighting or fencing or show their technique at gas drill. Infact there is nothing necessary to naval seamanship that is left out of the curriculum. A permanent staff of skilled ratings is resposible for the training of the young recruits—and they do their job thoroughly.