14. SAILORS.

The efficiency and success of a navy depends upon the common sailor. It is his hand that guides the man-of-war on the trackless deep, and defends it in the presence of the enemy. It is his skill and strength that manoeuvres, prepares, and fires the fatal cannon, and wields the deadly cutlass. He neither knows nor fears danger. He freely sacrifices his life in defense of his flag and in the protection of the officer he loves. He is always generous and polite to those entitled to respect. Although superstitious, believing that leaving port on Friday, or with a full purse, forebodes ill luck, and that certain vessels are doomed to disaster, he is the most careful and accurate of observers of every thing and every body about him. With a ship deemed unfortunate and officers believed to be unlucky, his fears are aroused, and he becomes essentially paralyzed. But with a ship of good repute and officers in whom he confides, he becomes a lion, and presses on to victory. The common sailor has done his full share in establishing the high character of our navy and common country.

15. NON-COMBATANTS IN THE NAVY.

In the navy, as well as in the army, there are many whose services are indispensable who are noncombatants. Among these are surgeons and their assistants, paymasters and their assistants, naval

constructors, chaplains, professors of mathematics, and engineers employed on steam vessels. Their titles sufficiently indicate the duties of these officers. Each has his duties to perform, and upon his capacity, skill, and fidelity much depends. Neither of these officers is expected to participate in the belligerent action of the navy, but, in various ways, they contribute to success.

16. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NAVY.

The rules for the government of the navy, sanctioned by law, are essentially the same as those established during the war of the Revolution. They are explicit and direct, highly rigid, and produce the most salutary effects, securing faithful service, and honorable and gentlemanly bearing. All offenses are defined, and the punishment prescribed is adapted to them. They insure the sailor his rights and fair treatment, as well as respect and obedience to the officers. The rights and interests of the government are amply provided for.

Sailors as well as officers are required to demean themselves as true gentlemen, on all occasions. It can be truly said that all who visit our ships and yards are not only civilly but politely treated by every one, from the admiral down to Jack Tar. Incivility toward a lady is a thing unheard of in our

navy.

CHAPTER XLIII.

1. BUSINESS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE NAVY

DEPARTMENT.

THE Navy Department has the management and control of many subjects incidentally connected with naval affairs. Some of these are designed to improve the character of the navy, while others furnish useful aids to commerce on the seas. Both are here given.

2. NAVAL APPRENTICES.

The want of competent and experienced seamen was long felt in the navy. By many seafaring men the navy compensation was deemed too low, and especially in time of peace when no prize money could be earned, and by others the discipline was considered too rigid when at sea. Our fisheries, often called the nurseries of seamen, even with the aid of bounties, failed to supply the wants of the navy and our commercial marine. In 1837, Congress sought to obviate the difficulty, in part, by adopting a system of navy apprenticeship. It was made lawful to enlist boys between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, with the consent of their parents and guardians, to serve

until they become twenty-one. The instructions concerning these enlistments are very minute and well considered. The examinations relate to mental and physical capacity, and elementary education in spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic, and as to moral character are very searching. Physical, mental, and moral objections are a positive bar to enlistment. None are received who do not furnish clear indications of becoming first-class seamen.

When first enlisted, they are rated in class third, and, on subsequent examinations, are promoted to the second and first class. Their opportunities for acquiring education and knowledge are quite ample, while they are thoroughly taught the performance of their appropriate duties. Those who are reported most worthy receive recommendations from their officers, and are often promoted to higher grades of service. The pay of class three is eight, class two nine, and class one ten dollars per month, one tenth of which is reserved as a resource at the end of the enlistment, and the remainder is expended for clothing and other necessaries. They are not permitted to attend officers as waiters and servants, nor required to perform any duties, except in cases of urgent necessity, not conducive to the object of their enlistment. This system has been attended with the most beneficial results, both to the naval service and to the apprentices themselves. First-class seamen are thus supplied, while individual merit has ample

opportunity for development, and suitable encouragement and reward.

3. NAVAL ACADEMY.

Our ships of war followed and protected those engaged in commerce to every part of the globe. Naval officers were called upon to act upon questions of the highest interest, without instructions from the department or advice from experienced and learned superiors. This called for higher instruction and more extensive acquirements among our naval officers. Teachers on board of vessels failed to bring midshipmen up to the standard which the exigencies of the public service required. It was left for the administration of President Polk, through the historian, Bancroft, then Secretary of the Navy, to plan and execute the needed improvement. A naval school for the thorough education of midshipmen was established by him at Annapolis, where they were concentrated, and a suitable superintendent for their government, and professors for their instruction, were employed. Thus, without the aid of an organizing act by Congress, an institution of great merit and high usefulness has sprung up under the general powers conferred upon the President as commander-in-chief of the army and navy, and the statute organizing the Navy Department.

The Naval Academy is governed by executive rules and regulations well adapted to accomplish the objects designed. The number of midshipmen ad