[Concerning the professional nautical school, Archipiélago Filipino
says:]
This school, which was created at the instance of the consulate of
commerce, by command of his Majesty, dated January 1, 1820, was ruled
by the regulations of 1837, which were modified by the royal order
of October 19, 1860. In this school was studied the profession of
pilot of merchant marine. The theoretical teaching was given in it
in four years' time; [116] while the practical teaching was given in
vessels on the high sea, after the pupils had received, by virtue of
examinations, certificates as deserving persons.
The total number of pupils was usually fifty or sixty. They were
mostly Indians, who, as they did not master the Spanish language,
did not derive all the profit which would have been reported under
other circumstances, and many of them after the knowledge acquired
in the first two courses, chose a more lucrative profession.
At first it was supported with its own funds and under the direction of
the Board and Tribunal of Commerce, but later, upon the suppression
of the Board and Tribunal, the school and its funds passed under
the control of the state, which furnished its expenses, and gave
the administrative direction to the commandant-general of the naval
station and its immediate director. [117]
[Regarding the same school, Census of Philippines, iii, p. 613 says:]
As a consequence of the abolition of the tribunal of commerce existing
in the city of Manila, which had charge of the school, the government
undertook the supervision of it, by superior order, which provided
that the personnel thereof should be considered as public officials,
and that the funds on which it depended for its support should be
turned into the treasury....
The nautical school [118] was not very well attended by the young
Filipinos, the cause for which is not understood in view of the
fact that this is a country in which navigation is one of the most
powerful mercantile resources, and whose inhabitants have special
and exceptional qualifications therefor. The lack of interest shown
in studies of this character can be attributed only to the little
protection, lack of means and of opportunities, afforded upon the
conclusion of the course.