Transcriber's Note
Bold text is marked with =equals= symbols. Italic text is marked with
_underscores_.
THE STORY OF
THE "BRITANNIA"
THE TRAINING SHIP
FOR NAVAL CADETS
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF PREVIOUS
METHODS OF NAVAL EDUCATION,
AND OF THE NEW SCHEME OF 1903
BY
COMMANDER E. P. STATHAM, R.N.
CASSELL and COMPANY, Limited
LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK AND MELBOURNE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED MCMIV
[Illustration: THE "BRITANNIA" APPROACHING PORTLAND, FEB.
7TH, 1862.]
PREFACE.
[Illustration]
The principal object of the preface in a volume of this nature is to
acknowledge the assistance received from various persons; the title
speaks for itself, and but little is necessary by way of introduction.
The material for the account of the Naval Academy and the old Naval
College has been obtained, with very little exception, from official
documents. There is, unfortunately, a considerable period which is not
covered by any papers to be found in the Record Office; possibly the
records of this period are in existence somewhere, but I have not been
able to discover them.
I hope, however, that such information as I have succeeded in
obtaining about this establishment, of which so little is generally
known, may be of interest.
In dealing with the _Britannia_, I have thought it necessary to
include some account of the various modifications which have taken
place from time to time in the examinations and general regulations
affecting the entry of cadets, as illustrating the official ideas
which have prevailed at different periods concerning the education of
young naval officers.
Personalities in a book of this kind are inevitable, but I hope that
none will be found which could give offence to anyone.
All the "yarns," etc., which appear have been obtained from authentic
sources, including my own reminiscences.
To return to the chief object of the preface, my thanks are due for
valuable assistance to the following:--
The Admiralty, for special facilities for access to documents;
Vice-Admiral Sir Robert H. Harris, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Vice-Admiral Noel
S. F. Digby, Admiral W. H. Edye, Captain M. P. O'Callaghan, Captain
C. H. Cross and the officers of the _Britannia_, Captain A. W. Warry,
Captain G. Mainwaring, Captain G. S. MacIlwaine, Commander G. E.
Bairnsfather, and other officers who so readily supplied information;
Captain G. H. Inskip, for the loan of interesting papers and
photographs; Professor J. K. Laughton; Mr. A. C. Johnson and Mr.
J. L. D. Barton, former naval instructors on board the _Britannia_;
Mr. Aston Webb, R.A., for the use of his original drawing of the
College at Dartmouth; and Messrs. J. Gieve and Son, for the use of old
prints.
E. P. Statham.
_Arundel,_
_March, 1904._
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE GOOD OLD TIMES.
PAGE
A Youthful Diplomat--Old Methods of Entry--Captain's
Servants--King's Letter Boys--Lord Dundonald--A Warrior at
Eight--Sir P. W. P. Wallis--Absurd Regulations--Education at
a Discount--Midshipman Easy--Peter Simple--The "Pitchfork"
System--The Royal Naval Academy--Letter to the Navy
Board--Commendable Promptitude--The Scheme Approved--Delay
in Building--Scheme of Instruction--Uniform Instituted--
Scholars' Expenses--Rules and Orders--"They are cursed
troublesome"--Commissioner's Report--Entry and Final
Certificates--Captain Broke's Work Book--A Comprehensive
Course--A Successful Institution 1
CHAPTER II.
THE ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE.
New Brooms--Radical Changes--The Academy Closed--Wanted, a
Professor--James Inman--An Enthusiastic Scholar--His Love of
Fair Play--Senior Wrangler--Antarctic Astronomer--Appointed
Professor--"Inman's Tables"--The College Opens--A Master's
Untimely Optimism--A Poser for Their Lordships--The New
Course of Studies--John Irving, Silver Medallist--A
Mathematician's Device--The Rod and the "Black Hole"--New
Regulations--Commissioned Officers Admitted--Elastic Hours
of Study--The End Approaches--The "late" Royal Naval
College--Inman's Pension--Sir H. Keppel's Recollections--The
Box Seat--A Retaliatory Cascade--Sir W. R. Mends--Alleged
Toadying--Sir G. R. Mundy's Letters--Keeping a "Mess"--The
"Black Hole" in Being--"A Blow-out," and After--Sir B. J.
Sulivan--Bullying Studious Juniors--A Discouraging
Experience--The Captain Converted--The College and the
_Excellent_--Professor Main--The "Pitchfork" System Again--A
Slender Equipment--Naval Cadets--Haphazard Methods--A Little
More Detail 16
CHAPTER III.
THE "ILLUSTRIOUS."
Captain Robert Harris--His Birth and Career--Appointed to
the _Illustrious_--"Jemmy Graham's Novices"--A Model School
for Seamen--A Visit to the _Illustrious_--Why not Train
Young Officers?--Opposition of Old Officers--Cadet Robert
H. Harris--A Successful Experiment--Institution of Cadets'
Training Ship--Captain Harris Suffers for His Zeal--
Commendatory Letters--He is Superseded--The New Admiralty
Circular--General Approval of the Scheme--The Staff of the
_Illustrious_--Lieutenant George S. Nares--Disciplinary
Methods--The Cadets' Corporals--Withering Sarcasm--
Old-fashioned Seamanship--Cricket--"Sling the Monkey"--Rev.
R. M. Inskip--His Sea Yarns--Mr. Kempster Knapp--"Knapp's
Circles"--Penalty of Fidgeting--Prince Alfred--Enter the
_Britannia_--Her Predecessors 35
CHAPTER IV.
THE "BRITANNIA" IN THE 'SIXTIES.
A "Three-decker"--Arrangements on Board--The Morning Drum--
Persuasive Corporals--"Cockpit Mess"--"Cheeky New Fellows"--
Important Modifications--Sea-going Training-ship--A Dead
Letter--The Question of Locality--Portland Selected--Its
Numerous Drawbacks--Preparing for Sea--Voyage of the
_Britannia_--She Asserts Herself under Sail--Arrival at
Portland--Great Monotony--A Sad Accident--Good Education--
French and Drawing--Sample of a French Lesson--Messroom
Songs--"The King of Otaheité"--Going Aloft--A Foolhardy
Feat--A Swift Descent--Fatal to Clothes--Reading at the
Yard-arm--Captain Powell Appointed--Departure of Commander
Nares--Corporal Punishment--A Cool Young Hand--The Royal
Marriage--Another Change Decided Upon--Voyage to Dartmouth--
A Busy Time--Sailors as Navvies--The _Hindostan_--Captain
Randolph Appointed--A Futile Complaint--Stern Measures--
Parliamentary Interference--Humanitarian Fads--Flogging
Abolished--Cadets' Sailing Cutters--Gymnasium Built--The
_Bristol_--Competition on Entry--Reduction of Numbers--A
New _Britannia_--Statistical Results 53
CHAPTER V.
THE "BRITANNIA" IN THE 'SEVENTIES.
Mr. Inskip Departs--His Statistical Diagram--Vindication
of _Britannia_--Final Examinations a True Test--A "Facer"
for the Old Salts--Mr. Inskip Triumphant--Captain Warry's
Recollections--Lieutenants' Duties Ill-defined--"Goose"
Dinners--Fighting by Authority--The _Dapper_--The
_Ariadne_--A Tragic Incident--A Plucky Boatswain--The
_Ariadne_ Abolished--A Possible Explanation--Mr. Knapp
Resigns--An Unexpected Successor--A Generous Appreciation--
Committee of Enquiry--Recommends Abolition of Competition--
An Academic Proposal--Unanimity of Cadets--Admiral Ryder's
Evidence--Dr. Woolley's Evidence--A Plausible Contention--
New Regulations--French at a Discount--Site for a College--
Dartmouth Recommended--A Dissatisfied Parent--The
_Britannia_ in Parliament--The Royal Cadets--Lieutenant
Mainwaring--Beagles Started--The Grave of "Jim"--A Phenomenal
Admission--_Britannia_ Regulations--The Officer of the
Day--The Cadet Captains--No "Hampers" Allowed--Punishments--
A Drastic Health Regulation--Captains in the 'Seventies--
Statistical Results 82
CHAPTER VI.
THE "BRITANNIA" IN THE 'EIGHTIES.
Competition Reintroduced--Reduction of Numbers--A Ferocious
Examination--The _Britannia_ in the _Times_--"Rule of Thumb"
Instruction--"Fire" and "Sword"--"Veritas" at Sea--The
_Britannia Magazine_--Editorial Introduction--The Politics
of Naval Cadets--Editorial Difficulties--A Questionable
Pseudonym--Popular Advertisements--The _Wave_--A True
Prediction--An Original Poem--Jones Takes a Lesson to
Heart--The _Wave's_ Holiday Trip--A Warning to the
Reckless--"First Catch Your Cadet!"--Ambulance Lessons--
How to Tell a Toadstool--The Electric Light--Another
Committee--It Makes Recommendations--Also Suggestions--
Very Unpractical--Captains in the 'Eighties--Statistical
Results--A Rapid Rise 118
CHAPTER VII.
THE "BRITANNIA" IN THE 'NINETIES.
Captain Digby--Alleged Gross Bullying--A Lively Correspondence--
Various Uninvited Opinions--A Gleam of Light from Within--"Old
Etonian" and Admiral Richards--Captain Digby Sums Up the
Case--"Navilus": His Book--Morning Amenities--"One Day's
'Four'"--A Typical Day--The Hardships of "Four"--A Day in
the _Wave_--"A Nice Fresh Breeze"--Reefing Topsails--"Man
Overboard"--Comfort for Mothers--A Trip in a Skiff--Forbidden
Joys--A "Slippery Hitch"--A Half-holiday--Tea with "Ma Fox"--A
Sunday Outing--"Fearful Fagging"--The "Baby's" Final
Aspirations--Captain Moore--A Hot Reformer--Lieutenants as
"Sea-Daddies"--Abolition of Cadets' Corporals--Chief of the
Staff--Naval Warrant Officers--New Admiralty Regulations--The
_Racer_ Arrives--Ship Struck by Lightning--Jubilee Day--The
Queen's Medal--Captain Marryat's Spectacles--Cadets' Food--A
Hard Case!--Remarkable Physical Development--Influenza
Epidemic--An Ill-informed Parent--Ridiculous Allegations--
Visit of the King and Queen--John Gilpin--"Ye Mariners of
England"--Captains in the 'Nineties 144
CHAPTER VIII.
"BRITANNIA" GAMES.
Scanty Early Records--Practice _v._ Precept--Officers _v._
Cadets--Presumptuous Juniors--A Close Match--Football--
Penalty of Punning--A Decisive Victory--A Demon Bowler--Two
Curious Innings--Sports and Regatta--The Rushworth Seal--The
Editor is Sarcastic--His Feelings are Soured--An Excited
Timekeeper--Why Williams Didn't Win--The Pro's Average--
Teignbridge Victorious and Vanquished--W. G.'s Eleven--Some
Fatherly Advice--The Editor is Appeased--A Close Sculling
Match--Foreign Football Matches--A Dry Cricket Season--The
Editor and the Beagles--Lord Harris's Maxims--The Bold Sir
Bedivel--Big Third Eleven Scores--Seventeen Years' Athletics--
Huddart Shows the Way--The Editor on "Stodge"--A Hot Run for
the "Footmen"--Youthful Boxers--Glasgow to the Rescue--An
Afternoon's Cricket--Splendid Playing Fields--And Plenty of
Cricket--Teignbridge's Small Score--_Britannia_ Wins All
Round--Third Eleven Makes a Record--A Question of Time--Keep
Your Ground Clock Right--Remarkable Results of the
Season--Money Well Spent 190
CHAPTER IX.
CONCLUSION.
Forty-six Years' Record--Internal Arrangements--Swimming
Baths--"On Their Honour"--No More Sails--The _Revenge_ as a
Picture--The _Isis_ and _Aurora_--Lieutenants' Adventure--
Scotch Hospitality--Shooting Instruction--"Good Fishing"--A
Creditable Record--The Cost of the _Britannia_--The
Instructional Staff--An Excellent Arrangement--A Heavy
Responsibility--Discharged Right Well--The New Scheme--
Utilitarian Buildings--The _Racer_ Again--Popularity of
Practical Mechanics--No Half Measures 230
APPENDICES 251
INDEX 271
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
The "Britannia" Approaching Portland, Feb.
7th, 1862 _Frontispiece_
Cadet of 1849 1
The Royal Naval Academy, Portsmouth 9
The Title-page of Broke's Book 12
A Page from Broke's Book 13
First and Second Class Volunteers 14
A Plan from Broke's Book 15
West Front of the Naval College in Portsmouth Dockyard 17
Billiard-Room, Naval College (Formerly the Large Study) 20
The Courtyard of the Naval College 21
"Jack Tar" Expounds 34
Captain Robert Harris 36
Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Harris, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., as
a Midshipman 38
Rev. R. M. Inskip and Mr. K. Knapp 48
Model of the First "Britannia," Built in 1682 50
Model of the Third "Britannia," Built in 1762 51
The Fourth "Britannia," Built in 1820 57
Officers and Cadets, 1861 67
Captain R. A. Powell and Officers, 1863 73
Captain John Corbett 77
The Fourth "Britannia" as Training Ship 81
Reading Off the Sextant 82
The "Ariadne" Disaster 89
Rev. J. C. P. Aldous 94
Mr. A. C. Johnson 95
Captain the Hon. F. A. C. Foley 97
Royal Galley. Prince Albert Victor (Duke of Clarence),
Coxswain; Prince George (Duke of York), Port Bow Oar 101
The Royal Cadets at Seamanship 105
Prince Albert Victor 106
Prince George 107
"Jim the Pioneer's" Grave 108
Lieutenant Mainwaring and Cadet Captains 109
A Class at the Seamanship Instruction Model 113
The "Britannia" and the "Hindostan." Cadet Racquet
Courts in Foreground 121
A Beagle Meet 126
The Kennel 127
Cadet Messroom 129
Captain N. Bowden-Smith 137
Poop of the "Britannia." Cadets at Prayers 139
Captain F. G. D. Bedford 141
The Schooner Yacht "Syren" 143
Captain N. S. F. Digby 146
A Group of Captains (Christmas, 1890) 148
First Term Sleeping Deck on Board the "Hindostan" 154
Chapel on Board the "Hindostan" 155
A Signalling Exercise 156
Pocket Money 157
H.M.S. "Racer," Tender to the "Britannia" 159
Captain A. W. Moore 164
The "Victoria and Albert" at Dartmouth 165
The Cadets' Hospital 168
On the Sick List 169
Fourth Term Cadets on Board the "Isis" 171
A Lesson in Seamanship 174
A Typical Fourth Term Group: "Passing-Out" Cadets, 1893 175
H.M.S. "Isis," Sea-Going Training Ship 179
The King's Visit, March 7, 1902 183
The "Britannia" Dressed for the King's Birthday 187
The Cricket Pavilion 195
A Class at the Gymnasium 199
Regatta Day: Twelve-Oared Cutter Winning a Race 203
Cricket, Football, and Rowing Trophies, and the
Rushworth Seal 207
First Eleven, 1889: Opponents of W. G.'s Team 211
A "Britannia" Rugby Team 213
A "Britannia" Association Team 217
Boxing Class 219
The Beagle Whips 221
The Cricket Field 223
View from the New College 229
Captain C. H. Cross 232
Mr. J. H. Spanton 238
Mr. G. B. Mason 239
Officers' Quarters 240
Cadets' Dormitory 241
The Old Stable-yard, Osborne 246
The New College, Dartmouth 247
THE STORY OF THE "BRITANNIA."
CHAPTER I.
THE GOOD OLD TIMES.
A Youthful Diplomat--Old Methods of Entry--Captain's Servants--King's
Letter Boys--Lord Dundonald--A Warrior at Eight--Sir P. W. P.
Wallis--Absurd Regulations--Education at a Discount--Midshipman
Easy--Peter Simple--The "Pitchfork" System--The Royal Naval
Academy--Letter to the Navy Board--Commendable Promptitude--The
Scheme Approved--Delay in Building--Scheme of Instruction--Uniform
Instituted--Scholars' Expenses--Rules and Orders--"They are cursed
troublesome"--Commissioner's Report--Entry and Final Certificates--
Captain Broke's Work Book--A Comprehensive Course--A Successful
Institution.
A young aspirant to naval honours, seeking a nomination for entry
under the regulations of 1903, was summoned not long since to appear
before a committee at the Admiralty, to be tested by a sort of
common-sense, _vivâ voce_ examination as to his probable fitness for
the Royal Navy; and among other questions propounded to him, by way of
ascertaining his general acquaintance with historical facts and
personages, was the following: "Who do you think were the greatest
naval lords?"--a question which might perhaps require some
consideration even by a more mature individual.
[Illustration: CADET OF 1849.]
Our aspirant was, however, more than equal to the occasion, for he
replied without hesitation, "Lord Nelson and Lord Selborne, sir." If
this boy was not accepted, it must have been because Destiny had so
clearly marked him out for a career in the diplomatic service.
In any case, his cheerful selection of a great Admiral and a First
Lord a century apart suggests reflections on the vast changes which
have occurred in the constitution and administration of the Navy
during this period; and particularly, having regard to the subject of
this book, in respect of the manner of entering young officers of the
executive branch.
Let us see, then, what were the conditions under which a lad could
enter the Navy, in the executive branch, in the eighteenth century.
The method--if method it can be called--was grotesquely haphazard; and
the only marvel is that it produced so many good officers and seamen:
_men_ who could take their ships anywhere, and win against odds when
they got there. Indeed, it was the men who were feared by our enemies;
our ships were often inferior to those of the French, but they were
handled in such a masterly, cocksure-of-victory style, that
inferiority of size or metal appeared to be of little account.
These mighty sea warriors, who made the British flag an emblem of
fear, were, as a rule, entered as "captain's servants," their friends
making interest with some captain about to commission a ship, who
would have perhaps eight or ten such youngsters on his books; their
pay all went into the captain's pocket, forming, in fact, a
considerable proportion of the emoluments of his office. After a time
these lads were, entirely at the will and caprice of the captain,
rated as midshipmen or able or ordinary seamen.
Naturally, in making a selection from numerous applicants the captain
would give the preference to his own relatives: sons, young brothers,
nephews, and so on; failing these, the sons, brothers, or nephews of
his friends would come in, or youngsters recommended to him by persons
of rank or influence.
By far the greater number of young officers were entered in this
manner up to near the end of the eighteenth century; but there was in
the early part of the century an alternative which was probably open
to those who could command a certain amount of interest. These were
entered under the authority of a letter from the Admiralty--the
forerunner, in fact, of the present Admiralty nomination.
It is probable that youngsters entered in this fashion were regarded,
as a class, with a certain amount of jealousy, both on the part of the
captain and that of their contemporaries. There is a decided spice of
spiteful cynicism both in the curiously anomalous official designation
by which they were distinguished--"Volunteers per Order"--and also in
the more common and popular appellation of "King's Letter Boys"; and
it is quite conceivable that, when a captain had sailed from England
with his snug little assortment of young brothers, nephews, and what
not, the arrival of a smart frigate with a batch of King's Letter Boys
to be placed on his books would be decidedly unwelcome; but being
"Volunteers _per Order_," he had no option but to accept them.
No sort of qualifying examination was imposed upon these candidates,
and regulations as to age were conspicuous by their absence. Indeed,
it is here that the most absurd incongruities existed; for it was not
considered in the least degree necessary that the applicants should be
of an age to perform any kind of duty when they were entered on the
ship's books, or that they should even put in an appearance on board.
There are numerous instances of children in the nursery being borne on
ship's books, and shifted from ship to ship until they were old enough
to embark.
The famous Thomas Cochrane, tenth Earl of Dundonald, whose name is
associated with more daring and successful exploits than that of
almost any naval officer, was born in December, 1775, and entered as
captain's servant when five years old, being kept on various ships'
books for years. His father, meanwhile, having originally intended him
for the Army, had obtained for him a _captaincy_ in the 79th Foot, and
he did not join his first ship until he was nearly eighteen.
Some youngsters, through interest, were entered direct as midshipmen,
at a very early age. Sir Edward Hamilton, for instance, born 12th
March, 1772, was entered as midshipman on the 21st May, 1779, when he
was only seven years old; and it is stated that he actually took part
in an action on board his father's ship, the _Hector_, in 1780! What
part this warrior of eight years old performed in action is not
stated.
Another officer, Sir Provo W. P. Wallis, whose long life bridged over
the gulf from the days of Nelson's victories to the last decade of the
nineteenth century, was borne on a ship's books from the age of four,
until he actually joined his first ship, the _Cleopatra_, as
midshipman, at thirteen.
Sir William Symonds, born in 1782, was actually entered at three years
of age, and eventually embarked as midshipman at twelve.
Instances of entries at seven, eight, and nine years old are quite
numerous; and, of course, the captain drew their pay, whether they
joined or not.
This appears, at first sight, to reflect some discredit upon the
captains, who, it may be said, must have been aware that they were, in
a sense, obtaining money under false pretences. It is not fair,
however, to saddle them with responsibility for the results of absurd
regulations, which it was well known at headquarters must tend to such
abuses; the whole system was a farce, and any little additional
absurdities on the part of the captains were usually winked at with
the forced leniency which is one of the inevitable accompaniments of
inadequate legislation.
Here, then, we find a sad lack of method in regard to the majority of
entries in Nelson's time, though that great man himself was of the
relatively mature age of twelve when he went afloat in 1770.
If there was little or no method in regard to entry, how did the
youngsters of those days fare as to education?
Well, as a matter of fact, there was rather less system in this
respect than in the other. It depended in a great measure upon the
sort of captain a boy shipped with, and also, in a lesser degree,
upon the junior officers. The seamanship of those days was pretty
readily picked up by a lad who kept his eyes open and was eager to
learn; a state of war was far more frequent than quiet times; ships
were always on the move, and seamanship came of itself; the navigation
required was of a rough and ready description, and the master and his
mates were as a rule the only people who took any trouble about it.
Marryat, indeed, gives us some vivid and entertaining pictures of the
process of education of a certain kind, as applied by the midshipmen
and others to a new comer; also of what may be termed preliminary
instruction.
Jack Easy, it will be remembered, received some valuable preliminary
training at the hands of Mr. Bonnycastle, who literally "licked him
into shape" with a good pliant cane, and who, having inculcated
obedience by this stern method, took care that his scholars should
know how to use their fists; an accomplishment which proved of great
service to Master Jack when Vigors, the bully of the mess, attempted
to ride roughshod over him.
Mr. Midshipman Easy is, however, far too great a favourite of fortune
to be accepted as a typical example.
Frank Mildmay, in his new uniform, tumbling up against the Port
Admiral, whom he failed to salute, and so humbled by the rebuke he
received that he went about touching his hat to everyone he met, is a
truer picture. Another valuable piece of education was imparted by
Murphy, his senior, in the form of a hiding for not comprehending the
significance of the captain's hint at the dinner table, "Go and see
how the wind is." Poor Mildmay went out, and returned, in all good
faith, with the required information; whereupon Murphy was instructed
to "show him the ropes," and Nemesis supervened.
Peter Simple, joining as a more than usually verdant specimen,
intuitively obeyed when someone said, "Hand me that monkey's tail,
youngster"; from which it was argued that he was not such a fool as he
looked, and much was expected of him afterwards.
In such fashion, for the most part, were our future admirals and
captains pitchforked, as it were, into the Service, to swim or sink as
best they might; and many were the anomalies which prevailed also in
the senior ranks. Captains barely out of their teens, with grey-haired
first-lieutenants to dry-nurse them; so-called midshipmen of any age
up to thirty-five; and so on. Looking back on those days through the
perspective of years--those days when our position as a naval Power
was a-making year by year, and was completed at Trafalgar--we are apt
to say that "the world went very well then."
Curiously enough, there existed for many years, side by side with this
rough and ready "pitchfork" system, "another way," as the cookery
books have it, of getting into the Navy; and a way, moreover, which
was fenced about with very precise regulations as to age, and involved
a course of pretty hard study. That this mode of entry should have
been made entirely optional, and consequently partial, seems strange;
but such was the case.
Anyone who is acquainted with Portsmouth Dockyard is familiar with the
appearance of the old Naval College, standing just to the southward of
the Commander-in-Chief's house; but comparatively few people, even
among naval officers, know very much of its history, or when and why
it was built.
It is not clear at the present time at whose suggestion the Royal
Naval Academy was instituted, but there is in existence in the Record
Office a letter from the Lords of the Admiralty to the Navy
Board--which was a kind of executive commission for carrying out all
naval construction, etc.--dated March 3rd, 1729, which reads as
follows:--
Gentlemen,--His Majesty having been pleased to direct, by Order in
Council dated the 21st of last month, upon an humble memorial from
this Board, that an Academy shall be erected in the Dockyard at
Portsmouth for the better education and training up of forty young
gentlemen for His Majesty's Service at sea, instead of the
Establishment now in force for Voluntiers on board His Majesty's
ships; We do hereby desire and direct you to consider and lay
before us, as soon as conveniently may be, a draught or plan of
such a building as you shall judge may be proper for the reception
not only of the aforesaid forty young gentlemen, but also of a
Mathematical Master, three Ushers, and a French Master, by whom
they are to be instructed, together with an estimate of the charge
thereof; and you are also to give us your opinion at what place in
the yard the said building may be most conveniently erected.
The allusion to "the Establishment now in force for Voluntiers" is
clearly intended to include the King's Letter Boys only, as no other
youngsters were shipped at that time under this title; and, in fact,
the completion of the Academy was followed by the abolition of the
King's letter, but not of the term "Volunteers per Order."
No time was lost over the business: the Lords of the Admiralty wrote
their letter, as we have seen, on March 3rd, ten days after the Order
in Council was signed; and the Navy Board, with most commendable
promptitude, posted their letter, with plans, estimate, and
recommendation of site complete, on the 12th; that is to say, allowing
for Sunday, they took only seven clear days about it! Probably,
however, the matter had been under consideration previously, pending
the approval of the scheme by the King in Council; but even so, there
is an object-lesson to corporations, Government boards, and committees
of all sorts and conditions of men; for the Admiralty date their
second letter on March 13th, and the whole thing is put through:--
Gentlemen,--You having, with your letter of yesterday's date,
transmitted to us the draught of a building which you judge may be
proper for an Academy for the reception and better education and
training up of forty young gentlemen for His Majesty's Service at
sea, instead of the Establishment now in force for Voluntiers on
board His Majesty's ships, as also for the reception of a
Mathematical Master, three Ushers, and a French Master for their
instruction, with a plan of proper outhouses for their
accommodation; and you having also transmitted to us an estimate
of the charge of the said building, with the plan of the south
part of His Majesty's Dockyard at Portsmouth, wherein is described
a place in the south-east angle of the said yard, where, in your
opinion, the said building may be most conveniently erected; which
estimate amounts to Five thousand seven hundred seventy-two
pounds, four shillings: We send you the said estimate confirmed by
us, and desire and direct you to cause the aforesaid buildings to
be gone in hand with, and finished as soon as conveniently may
be, at the place and in the manner you have proposed; and herewith
we return you the aforesaid draught and plans, &c.
(Signed),
Torrington, Jo. Cokburne,
Cha. Wager, T. Lyttleton, A. Hamilton.
These letters are given _in extenso_, as inaugurating a new departure
of great importance: a recognition of the necessity for some
preliminary scientific training for young naval officers before
sending them to sea. The death-knell of the "pitchfork" system is here
sounded, though faintly; like many another long-lived system, it died
hard, and even struggled into life again, as we shall see, more than a
hundred years later.
Promptly as the institution of a Naval Academy was decided upon, and
plans prepared, the completion of the building appears to have dragged
on heavily. Improvements and additions were carried out meanwhile, and
it was not until the early summer of 1733 that it was actually
opened--a very long period to be occupied in the erection of such a
building.
The original plan appears to have included the present west front,
with the cupola--intended for, and for a long time used as, an
observatory--with the north wing, and a very short wing on the south
side, which, however, was prolonged during the process of building,
the large study, now the billiard-room, and a small infirmary, being
added. Over the latter were subsequently built some more rooms,
including that now used as an observatory and chronometer room. A
large number of minor alterations have since been made from time to
time, so that it is not easy to identify the rooms frequently alluded
to in letters, engineer's plans, etc.
Some important alterations and additions were made about 1807, when
the whole scheme was reorganised, and the name changed to Royal Naval
College, of which more hereafter.
The original curriculum appears to have included the following
subjects: Geometry, navigation, writing and arithmetic, French and
drawing, fencing and dancing, for which purposes the following staff
was maintained:--
Head mathematical master £150
Second mathematical master 100
Drawing and French master 100
Fencing and dancing master 80
Dockyard surgeon (for attendance) 20
Seamanship and ship construction were taught by the master attendant
of the Dockyard and master shipwright respectively, who received 10s.
per lesson (presumably to a class), while a boatswain and gunner
received 5s. each per lesson, and a sergeant the same amount, for
teaching the use of the "firelock."
[Illustration: THE ROYAL NAVAL ACADEMY, PORTSMOUTH, 1806.]
The Commissioner of the Dockyard was _ex officio_ Governor, and
received £100 a year additional for his duties in connection with the
Academy. He was bound to pay frequent visits thereto, and to satisfy
himself that the masters were carrying out their duties in a proper
manner, and the pupils duly attentive and of good behaviour.
Each student was to have a room, or cabin, to himself, and a warrant
to the Clerk of the Cheque, in the Dockyard, authorises him to expend
the following amounts for furniture:--
33 Bedsteads, if plain, or "field" £1 0 0 £33 0 0
33 Bedsteads, if to turn up 2 9 0 80 17 0
33 Buroes (_sic_)? bureaux 3 0 0 99 0 0
8 Stoves 2 0 0 16 0 0
The gentleman who made out this warrant was evidently either a
stickler for phonetic spelling or a rabid "Francophobe"; a long time
afterwards the Governor of the Academy advocates the abolition of the
"buroes," gunpowder having been found in one of them.
The existing records are for a long period very incomplete, but the
Academy appears to have flourished on the whole, and to have fulfilled
very fairly the purposes for which it was established.
In March, 1748, a "blue uniform" was first introduced for the
students, and about the same time a detailed account of the expenses
incurred by two individuals, designated as "A. B." and "Hon. C. D.,"
is given, evidently as a guide for arriving at an average expenditure.
All the students paid £25 per annum for their board; the total
expenses of the "Hon. C. D.," however, amounted to £68 12s. 4d., as
compared with £48 16s. 9d. for "A. B.," the excess being practically,
as might be expected, in the amounts for "mercer" and "taylor."
Many, it is stated, fell short of "A. B.'s" total, while few, if any,
equalled "Hon. C. D."; but in these accounts "ale-house" scores are
not included. This is explained by the fact that a brewery formed part
of the establishment.
On November 1st, 1773, a very complete set of "Rules and Orders"
relating to the Academy was issued by the Admiralty, consisting of no
less than forty-one articles or paragraphs. The whole scheme had
apparently been under revision, and the entire conduct of the
establishment is provided for in great detail.
This scheme is of considerable interest, embodying, as it does, the
matured ideas of naval authorities at that period concerning the entry
and education of young naval officers; and it is, therefore, given in
the Appendix practically _in extenso_, only the tedious verbiage being
somewhat modified.[1]
[1] See Appendix I.
It will be noticed, in Article XXXIV. of these regulations, that
these sons of noblemen and gentlemen, on going to sea, were made to
perform seamen's duties, but had the privilege of walking the
quarter-deck; while the term "Volunteers by Order" is still retained.
Of the plan of education devised by the master of the Academy there
are no official details, except in the periodical reports of the
qualifications of the scholars, which are rendered with great
regularity and exactness, the remarks of the head master being
sometimes very quaint. One pupil is described as being "much too
volatile in writing and arithmetic"; on another occasion, when
reporting some irregularities, he remarks that "they are cursed
troublesome."
The Commissioner of the Yard, in his capacity as Governor of the
Academy, either voluntarily or by prescription adopted a stereotyped
form of report to the Secretary to the Admiralty, which is repeated,
word for word, with unfailing monotony, with each report of progress,
as follows:--
"I pray leave to remark that at this juncture there is a pretty good
harmony and agreement among the Scholars and the several Masters; and
that upon my frequent visiting the Academy I find the latter are very
diligent, and give due attention to their business, and the methods
used by them in educating the young gentlemen are very regular,
familiar, and instructive, and agreeably to the plan approved by their
Lordships."
Every candidate, before admission, was examined by the head master, in
the presence of the Governor, and a report made to the Admiralty
whether he was "found to have made such progress in his education as
qualifies him to enter upon the Plan of Learning established for
Scholars in the Academy."
Similarly, before a scholar could be sent to sea, the head master gave
a certificate in the following form:--
"Mr. ---- has in two years eight months and fifteen days finished the
Plan of Mathematical Learning, and made a manuscript copy thereof; in
consequence, he is judged qualified to serve in H.M. Navy."
There happens to be in existence at the present time, in excellent
preservation, one of these manuscript copies of the Plan of Learning,
by no less a person than the celebrated Captain Philip Bowes Vere
Broke, of whose exploit in the _Shannon_, when he captured the
American frigate _Chesapeake_ after an action lasting only twenty
minutes, the well-known verses tell in such graphic style:--
Brave Broke, he waved his sword,
Crying, "Now, my lads, aboard,
And we'll stop their playing Yankee-doodle dandy, oh!"
[Illustration: THE TITLE-PAGE OF BROKE'S BOOK.]
This book, which is very appropriately lodged on board the
_Britannia_, is a heavy volume of portentous size and thickness,
filled from end to end with problems in various subjects, beautifully
written and worked out, and illustrated by neatly executed sketches,
diagrams, etc.
The title page is elegantly inscribed: "A Plan of Mathematical
Learning taught in the Royal Academy, Portsmouth; performed by Philip
B. V. Broke, a Student there: 1792." The subjects comprise arithmetic,
geometry, plane trigonometry, the use of the terrestrial globes,
geography, chronology, spherics, astronomy, latitude, longitude, dead
reckoning, marine surveying, fortification, gunnery, mechanics.
[Illustration: A PAGE FROM BROKE'S BOOK.]
In addition to this very comprehensive mathematical course, the
students, as we have seen, were taught French and drawing, fencing,
dancing, seamanship, and ship construction.
A considerably longer period was allowed for this than for the
somewhat similar course now in force on board the _Britannia_, the
maximum time being three years; and as Broke did not get through under
this, he was evidently not among the most brilliant scholars, for not
a few finished in two and a half years, and some in considerably
less. The master, certainly, says of Broke, in his last report, that
he "has a good capacity, and is very diligent"; but the fact remains
that his time in passing places him below the average, and his work
book therefore speaks well for the Academy.
[Illustration: FIRST AND SECOND CLASS VOLUNTEERS, EARLY NINETEENTH
CENTURY.
_From an old print in the possession of J. Gieve & Sons._]
Broke was sixteen when he went to sea; and twenty years afterwards,
having worked his ship's company up to an admirable state of
discipline and efficiency, he fought the famous duel with the
_Chesapeake_, in connection with which his name is familiar to every
schoolboy.
There is every reason for supposing that the Naval Academy was a
complete success, but it is remarkable that so few of our most famous
admirals and captains went through it; and there is no means of
ascertaining how the Academy boys compared eventually with those who
were entered in the haphazard fashion above described--some of them
from the nursery. It appears probable, however, from later evidence,
that many captains maintained a prejudice against these lads, as
being still Volunteers per Order; and we do not need, as will be seen,
to go back as far as the eighteenth century to find many who held that
a lad sent straight to sea from school was likely to become more
speedily efficient than one who had been previously trained. This
curious paradox was as tenacious of life as might be expected among so
conservative a body of men as our old naval officers. Some time during
the last decade of the eighteenth century the term "captain's servant"
was replaced by that of "volunteer of the first class," under which
all those who did not go through the College continued to enter. It is
not quite clear, however, what is meant by the title of "volunteer of
the second class."
[Illustration: A PAGE FROM BROKE'S BOOK: FORTIFICATION PLAN, WITH
BASTIONS, ETC.]