The officers of the marine artillery are liable to be sent on board ship to study naval gunnery, so as to be in a position to report upon alterations or improvements in this science.
Naval Architects.—(Génie Maritime.)
The naval architects are charged with the construction and repair of vessels of war, and with the manufacture of all the machinery required in the ports and dockyards. The factories of Indret and La Chaussade are under their direction.
The pupils of the Polytechnic enter the corps of naval architects with the rank of élève du Génie Maritime. They are sent to the School of Application of Naval Architects at L’Orient. After two years’ instruction they undergo an examination, and, if successful, they are promoted to the rank of sub-architect of the third class, so far as vacancies admit. They may be advanced to the second class after a service of two years.
Hydrographers.—(Ingénieurs Hydrographes.)
The hydrographers are stationed at Paris. They are sent to the coast to make surveys, and the time so spent reckons as a campaign in determining their pension. On their return to Paris they are employed in the construction of maps and charts.
The hydrographers have the same rank and advantage as the naval architects.
On leaving the Polytechnic, the pupils enter the corps of hydrographers with the rank of élève hydrographe. After two years’ service, and one season employed on the coast, they become sub-hydrographers without further examination.
Roads and Bridges.—Government Civil Engineers.—(Fonts et Chaussées.)
The Polytechnic furnishes exclusively the pupils for the Government Civil Engineer Corps. On leaving the Polytechnic, the pupils enter the School of Application in Paris. The course of instruction here extends over a period of three years. It commences each year on the first of November, and lasts till the 1st of April. After the final examination, the pupils are arranged according to the results of the examination and the amount of work performed.