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

This is in accordance with the views expressed by the committee of 1885, who were of opinion that the subjects taught in the Britannia could not be properly learnt by boys so young. If this new arrangement was in recognition of the correctness of these views, it was certainly tardy!

However, this was not the only alteration; there were to be, as before, four terms spent by a cadet in the training ship; but instead of there being two terms in each year, involving two years’ training, there were to be three in each year, thus reducing the time spent on board to about fifteen months.

THE CADETS’ HOSPITAL.
Photo: Smale & Son, Dartmouth.

This would appear to involve the assumption that the increased age would render it possible not only that a cadet should learn the subjects better, but that he should do so in nine months less time.

There are, however, some slight modifications in the “Course of Studies,” as set forth respectively in the former regulations and the new ones. In the latter astronomy, pneumatics, light, and electricity disappear from the regular tabulated curriculum; English—including English history, naval history, and geography—is also omitted; but all these subjects still find their place under the heading of “Lectures,” so the alteration is more in theory than practice. Euclid is modified to a certain extent; but, taking it all round, the course is a pretty stiff one for fifteen months.

However, it does not appear to be too hard for the boys; it is still in force, and, out of 979 cadets presenting themselves at the final examinations since 1897, only twelve, or 1·2 per cent., have failed. In 1902 and 1903 (to anticipate a little) there have, up to August last, been no failures, which is highly creditable both to the boys and their instructors.

In 1896 (as an improvement upon the brigs formerly suggested), the Racer, a barque-rigged screw sloop of 970 tons, was attached to the Britannia for the purpose of taking out the third and fourth term cadets cruising in the Channel. She had accommodation for one class at a time, and was in command of a commander for navigating duties.

The usual routine was that the class should embark from Monday to Friday; the lieutenant of the term went with his boys, assumed the duties of executive officer, and instructed the cadets in seamanship; the engineer taught them steam, and the commander practical navigation. The vessel cruised under sail as a general rule, using steam as necessary to make her ports.