Apprentices are entered between the ages of 14 and 16, and engage to serve for twelve years. The first two years they are placed aboard cruising school-ships, and for another year they are under general harbor instruction. At the end of the third year they pass into the fleet, and if successful in their examinations they are promoted at once to seamen.
Officers of the Second Reserve are recruited from five different sources: 1st. From officers who have retired from active service and who are less than 31 years old. 2d. From masters of the merchant marine. 3d. From one-year volunteers who are seafaring people. 4th. From certain auxiliary officers. 5th. From young men who have successfully passed a master’s examination. Persons from the last three categories must serve for one year at least in the fleet, at the end of which time they receive the brevet of Sub-Lieutenant of Reserve. Officers of the Reserve may be promoted after a certain length of service to the grades of Lieutenant and Lieutenant-Captain, and if they are under 24 years of age they may pass into the active roster.
Machinists are recruited from volunteers and also from tradespeople of the inscription, and before entering the fleet they pass through a course of dock-yard instruction. In the permanent fleet there are 24 Machinist-Engineers, divided into 3 Superior Engineer-Machinists, 9 Engineer-Machinists, and 12 Sub-Engineer-Machinists. The total cadre of the dock-yard division, which includes machinists, petty officers, mechanics, firemen, and coal-heavers, numbers 1475 men.
In the Pay Department there are 26 Commissaries and 29 Sub-Commissaries.
The Medical Corps comprises 1 Surgeon-General, 5 Surgeon-Majors, 17 Surgeon-Majors (subs), and 22 Assistant Surgeons divided into three classes.
The Marine Infantry consists of a single battalion of six companies, organized in a similar manner to the line of the army, and comprising in its cadre 47 officers and 984 men, there being a Colonel in command. The officers are all recruited from regiments of the line.
The detachment of Marine Artillery is composed of three companies organized similarly to the Fortress Artillery of the army; 112 officers and 346 men. This detachment mans the batteries and coast-works under the control of the navy. In time of peace it is employed principally in the fabrication of munitions. The officers are all recruited from army artillery regiments.
Attached to the infantry battalion is a small body called the staff-guard, consisting of 52 Sergeant-Majors and Sergeants, who have charge of the police duties aboard ship and at the dock-yards.
The Technical Corps of Officers forms two divisions, one of Naval Constructions and the other of Engine Constructions, having grades not assimilated with those of officers of the fleet. There are 62 officers in the corps.
| CONSTRUCTION. | ENGINES. | |
|---|---|---|
| Directors | 3 | 3 |
| Superior Engineers | 4 | 3 |
| Engineers | 11 | 11 |
| Sub-Engineers | 13 | 9 |