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 Edward Phillips Statham

Leaving a balance, either dead or removed from the Navy List, of 629, or 51 per cent.

The number of cadets who passed out of the Illustrious and Britannia from 1858 to 1861 was 559, which are accounted for thus:—

Active List.

Admirals, 29.

Retired List.

Admirals, 22; captains, 61; commanders, 66; lieutenants, 54.

Leaving a balance of 327, or 58 per cent.

THE FOURTH “BRITANNIA” AS TRAINING SHIP.
Photo: Smale and Son, Dartmouth.

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.