The silver medal was awarded at Midsummer, 1830, to John Irving, who, when he went out in the Terror with Sir John Franklin’s expedition in 1846, had it with him. It was buried with him in King William’s Land, when, in common with all the members of the ill-fated expedition, he perished, in 1848 or 1849; was found and brought home by Lieut. Schwatka, U.S.N., in 1880, and is now in the Museum of the Royal United Service Institution.
The periodical reports show that the programme was carried out regularly; and after some years Inman introduced a novel system of recording progress. The total number of marks obtained by each student was supplemented by a second column headed “number expected”; this was arrived at by multiplying the number of hours at each subject by twenty; this number denoting the progress expected to be made in one hour, if the student completed his course in the full term of three years. If the number obtained exceeded the number expected, the student might be expected to finish his course in a proportionately shorter period.
This was a genuine mathematician’s device, and was very instructive. A glance at the two final columns of a report practically told the whole story; and it is satisfactory to note that a large percentage of the lads usually exceeded expectations: in one report, for instance, the number was forty-seven out of sixty-five.
Notions of discipline were severe, according to the spirit of the times. The Professor on one occasion, reporting the misconduct of some of the students, deplores the abolition of the rod; and mentions that, though a dark cabin is used for confinement, a “black hole” is much needed! There is no mention of such a place of confinement being instituted; but the Admiralty revokes the abolition of flogging.
In 1816 the regulations for entry, the composition of the staff, and the course of study were modified.
The number of students was augmented to one hundred in war time, and seventy in time of peace: thirty sons of naval officers to be admitted free, the remainder at £72 per annum; and the age of admission was altered, 12½ to 14 being substituted for 13 to 16. Two lieutenants, a clerk, two sergeants of the Royal Marine Artillery, and a matron were added to the complement; and Latin and Greek were introduced as part of the plan of study.
In 1821 further changes were authorised:—
1st. That the age of admission be from 12½ to 13½.
2nd. That no student remain more than two years, whether he completes his course or not.
3rd. That any student completing his course within two years shall be discharged.
Some examination papers which are extant, dated February and April, 1822, are of the size and form familiarly known in later years as the “College sheet”; and Inman strongly insists that these papers should be circulated in the Fleet, for the benefit of midshipmen at sea. There was evidently a strong feeling among the authorities during the “twenties” of last century that the College was behind the times; for in February, 1828, we find more alterations.
The sons of naval officers are to pay £40 per annum, and others £100.