“And now you feel like an officer in her Majesty’s service?”
“Yes.”
This question was put, no doubt, on account of the view, expressed by two witnesses, that it was a bad thing to have a training ship, as the boy’s first acquaintance with a captain would place him, to them, in the light of a schoolmaster; but this is surely a fantastic idea, and one which no one who has been through the Britannia would endorse. “The captain” is always a distinct and novel personality to them, while the naval instructor is as distinctly a schoolmaster.
The evidence of Admiral A. P. Ryder was very interesting. He was well known in his time as a good mathematician, and his views in regard to the examination papers were characteristic. He did not see anything in them to frighten anybody, especially as many of the questions which appeared difficult for boys of this age were in reality based on what was learnt in the text-books in use.
The most instructive part of his evidence, however, was in connection with the establishment and maintenance of a training ship or college. He was of opinion that the need of a training institution of some kind arose in great measure from the fact that, after the abolition of the college course in 1837, a very large percentage of young officers came to no good, either voluntarily or involuntarily leaving the Service; and he quotes some of Mr. Inskip’s figures in support of the view that a very great improvement has ensued in this respect after the institution of the Illustrious and Britannia. Furthermore, he related how, when he was private secretary to the First Lord—the Duke of Somerset—in 1863, a letter was addressed to every captain then serving, or who had been serving within six months, asking for their opinions, as follows:—
Are you in favour of a naval educational establishment, or should boys go straight to sea?
Thirty-nine were in favour of it, and two against it; thirteen did not reply.
Shall it be on shore, or afloat?
The captains were only asked for a reply to this in case they had any decided view; twenty-four were in favour of a college, and one only of a ship: the remainder did not reply.