The number of cadets on board at this time was about 230; but this number proved insufficient to keep up the supply of lieutenants required, so the entries were considerably increased, with the result that the number, after a few terms, reached 306, causing inconvenient crowding on the sleeping decks and in the messroom, to say nothing of the studies.
After many representations from Captain Powell, the Admiralty in 1864 decided to supplement the Britannia with another ship, and the Hindostan, an old two-decker, was selected for the purpose, and sent round from Devonport. She was one of several vessels built of Indian teak, a wood which far surpasses British oak in durability and freedom from rot; it is, in fact, practically everlasting.
CAPTAIN R. A. POWELL AND OFFICERS, 1863.
The new ship was moored ahead of the Britannia, a bridge being constructed between the two, making them practically one vessel, which proved to be of the greatest value.
There was not much history made during the next year or two. There was, of course, a great deal done in improvement of arrangements and organisation after the advent of the Hindostan; and, as a proof that the extra accommodation was needed, it may be mentioned that the number of cadets entered in 1864 was 217, as compared with 122 and 183 of the years 1863 and 1862 respectively. This large number was not maintained, however; for it fell to 159 in the following year. The sudden and temporary augmentation of entries was due, no doubt, to a state of alarm in which the authorities found themselves as to the probable paucity of lieutenants during the next few years.
In 1865 Captain Powell was succeeded by Captain George Granville Randolph,[5] an officer who enjoyed a great reputation for strictness, and of whom his subordinates always stood in awe. Though disposed to err, perhaps, on the side of severity, Randolph was always perfectly fair and just, and was a most capable officer. The frigate Orlando, which he commanded in the Mediterranean before he went to the Britannia, was a marvel of smartness, and some of the performances of her crew in handling spars, sails, etc., still remain as time-records for the very smart Mediterranean Fleet of those days.
[5] Now Admiral Sir George G. Randolph, K.C.B.