CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
| THE GOOD OLD TIMES. | |
| PAGE | |
| A Youthful Diplomat — Old Methods of Entry — Captain’s Servants — King’sLetter Boys — Lord Dundonald — A Warrior at Eight — Sir P. W. P.Wallis — Absurd Regulations — Education at a Discount — MidshipmanEasy — Peter Simple — The “Pitchfork” System — TheRoyal Naval Academy — Letter to the Navy Board — CommendablePromptitude — The Scheme Approved — Delay in Building — Scheme ofInstruction — Uniform Instituted — Scholars’ Expenses — Rules andOrders — “They are cursed troublesome” — Commissioner’s Report — Entryand Final Certificates — Captain Broke’s Work Book — A ComprehensiveCourse — A Successful Institution | [1] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| THE ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE. | |
| New Brooms — Radical Changes — The Academy Closed — Wanted, a Professor — JamesInman — An Enthusiastic Scholar — His Love of FairPlay — Senior Wrangler — Antarctic Astronomer — Appointed Professor — “Inman’sTables” — The College Opens — A Master’s UntimelyOptimism — A Poser for Their Lordships — The New Course of Studies — JohnIrving, Silver Medallist — A Mathematician’s Device — TheRod and the “Black Hole” — New Regulations — CommissionedOfficers Admitted — Elastic Hours of Study — The End Approaches — The“late” Royal Naval College — Inman’s Pension — Sir H. Keppel’sRecollections — 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 — SirB. J. Sulivan — Bullying Studious Juniors — A DiscouragingExperience — The Captain Converted — The College and theExcellent — Professor Main — The “Pitchfork” System Again — ASlender Equipment — Naval Cadets — Haphazard Methods — A LittleMore Detail | [16] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| THE “ILLUSTRIOUS.” | |
| Captain Robert Harris — His Birth and Career — Appointed to the Illustrious — “JemmyGraham’s Novices” — A Model School for Seamen — AVisit to the Illustrious — Why not Train Young Officers? — Oppositionof Old Officers — Cadet Robert H. Harris — A Successful Experiment — Institutionof Cadets’ Training Ship — Captain Harris Suffersfor His Zeal — Commendatory Letters — He is Superseded — The NewAdmiralty Circular — General Approval of the Scheme — The Staff ofthe Illustrious — Lieutenant George S. Nares — Disciplinary Methods — TheCadets’ Corporals — Withering Sarcasm — Old-fashioned Seamanship — Cricket — “Slingthe Monkey” — Rev. R. M. Inskip — HisSea Yarns — Mr. Kempster Knapp — “Knapp’s Circles” — Penalty ofFidgeting — Prince Alfred — Enter the Britannia — Her Predecessors | [35] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| THE “BRITANNIA” IN THE ’SIXTIES. | |
| A “Three-decker” — Arrangements on Board — The Morning Drum — PersuasiveCorporals — “Cockpit Mess” — “Cheeky New Fellows” — ImportantModifications — Sea-going Training-ship — A Dead Letter — TheQuestion of Locality — Portland Selected — Its Numerous Drawbacks — Preparingfor Sea — Voyage of the Britannia — She AssertsHerself under Sail — Arrival at Portland — Great Monotony — A SadAccident — Good Education — French and Drawing — Sample of aFrench Lesson — Messroom Songs — “The King of Otaheité” — GoingAloft — A Foolhardy Feat — A Swift Descent — Fatal to Clothes — Readingat the Yard-arm — Captain Powell Appointed — Departure ofCommander Nares — Corporal Punishment — A Cool Young Hand — TheRoyal Marriage — Another Change Decided Upon — Voyage toDartmouth — A Busy Time — Sailors as Navvies — The Hindostan — CaptainRandolph Appointed — A Futile Complaint — SternMeasures — Parliamentary Interference — Humanitarian Fads — FloggingAbolished — Cadets’ Sailing Cutters — Gymnasium Built — TheBristol — Competition on Entry — Reduction of Numbers — A NewBritannia — Statistical Results | [53] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| THE “BRITANNIA” IN THE ’SEVENTIES. | |
| Mr. Inskip Departs — His Statistical Diagram — Vindication of Britannia — FinalExaminations 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 — TheDapper — The Ariadne — A Tragic Incident — A Plucky Boatswain — TheAriadne Abolished — A Possible Explanation — Mr. KnappResigns — An Unexpected Successor — A Generous Appreciation — Committeeof Enquiry — Recommends Abolition of Competition — AnAcademic Proposal — Unanimity of Cadets — Admiral Ryder’s Evidence — Dr.Woolley’s Evidence — A Plausible Contention — NewRegulations — French at a Discount — Site for a College — DartmouthRecommended — A Dissatisfied Parent — The Britannia in Parliament — TheRoyal Cadets — Lieutenant Mainwaring — Beagles Started — TheGrave of “Jim” — A Phenomenal Admission — Britannia Regulations — TheOfficer of the Day — The Cadet Captains — No “Hampers”Allowed — Punishments — A Drastic Health Regulation — Captains inthe ’Seventies — Statistical Results | [82] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| THE “BRITANNIA” IN THE ’EIGHTIES. | |
| Competition Reintroduced — Reduction of Numbers — A Ferocious Examination — TheBritannia in the Times — “Rule of Thumb” Instruction — “Fire”and “Sword” — “Veritas” at Sea — The BritanniaMagazine — Editorial Introduction — The Politics of Naval Cadets — EditorialDifficulties — A Questionable Pseudonym — Popular Advertisements — TheWave — A True Prediction — An Original Poem — JonesTakes a Lesson to Heart — The Wave’s Holiday Trip — A Warning tothe Reckless — “First Catch Your Cadet!” — Ambulance Lessons — Howto Tell a Toadstool — The Electric Light — Another Committee — ItMakes Recommendations — Also Suggestions — Very Unpractical — Captainsin the ’Eighties — Statistical Results — A Rapid Rise | [118] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| THE “BRITANNIA” IN THE ’NINETIES. | |
| Captain Digby — Alleged Gross Bullying — A Lively Correspondence — VariousUninvited Opinions — A Gleam of Light from Within — “OldEtonian” and Admiral Richards — Captain Digby Sums Up the Case — “Navilus”:His Book — Morning Amenities — “One Day’s ‘Four’” — ATypical Day — The Hardships of “Four” — A Day in the Wave — “ANice Fresh Breeze” — Reefing Topsails — “Man Overboard” — Comfortfor Mothers — A Trip in a Skiff — Forbidden Joys — A“Slippery Hitch” — A Half-holiday — Tea with “Ma Fox” — ASunday Outing — “Fearful Fagging” — The “Baby’s” Final Aspirations — CaptainMoore — A Hot Reformer — Lieutenants as “Sea-Daddies” — Abolitionof Cadets’ Corporals — Chief of the Staff — NavalWarrant Officers — New Admiralty Regulations — The Racer Arrives — ShipStruck by Lightning — Jubilee Day — The Queen’s Medal — CaptainMarryat’s Spectacles — Cadets’ Food — A Hard Case! — RemarkablePhysical Development — Influenza Epidemic — AnIll-informed Parent — Ridiculous Allegations — Visit of the King andQueen — John Gilpin — “Ye Mariners of England” — Captains in the’Nineties | [144] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| “BRITANNIA” GAMES. | |
| Scanty Early Records — Practice v. Precept — Officers v. Cadets — PresumptuousJuniors — A Close Match — Football — Penalty of Punning — A DecisiveVictory — A Demon Bowler — Two Curious Innings — Sports andRegatta — The Rushworth Seal — The Editor is Sarcastic — His Feelingsare Soured — An Excited Timekeeper — Why Williams Didn’t Win — ThePro’s Average — Teignbridge Victorious and Vanquished — W. G.’sEleven — Some Fatherly Advice — The Editor is Appeased — AClose Sculling Match — Foreign Football Matches — A Dry CricketSeason — The Editor and the Beagles — Lord Harris’s Maxims — TheBold Sir Bedivel — Big Third Eleven Scores — Seventeen Years’Athletics — Huddart Shows the Way — The Editor on “Stodge” — AHot Run for the “Footmen” — Youthful Boxers — Glasgow to theRescue — An Afternoon’s Cricket — Splendid Playing Fields — AndPlenty of Cricket — Teignbridge’s Small Score — Britannia Wins AllRound — Third Eleven Makes a Record — A Question of Time — KeepYour Ground Clock Right — Remarkable Results of the Season — MoneyWell Spent | [190] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| CONCLUSION. | |
| Forty-six Years’ Record — Internal Arrangements — Swimming Baths — “OnTheir Honour” — No More Sails — The Revenge as a Picture — TheIsis and Aurora — Lieutenants’ Adventure — Scotch Hospitality — ShootingInstruction — “Good Fishing” — A CreditableRecord — The Cost of the Britannia — The Instructional Staff — AnExcellent Arrangement — A Heavy Responsibility — Discharged RightWell — The New Scheme — Utilitarian Buildings — The RacerAgain — 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.