NEW CHARTS. Published by the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, and Sold by J. D. Potter, 31, Poultry. ... ... s. d. ENTRANCES TO THE BALTIC, 4 sheets, Royal Danish Navy, 1846, each 2 6 LANCASTER SOUND AND BARROW STRAIT, with the recent discoveries of Captain Austin and Mr. Penny, 1851 SOUTH AMERICA, South-East Coast, Sapitiba and Isle Grande Bays, by Com. Tatham, R.N., and Mr. Engledue, 1850 EAST INDIES, Borneo, North-West Coast, sheets No. 1 to 9, by Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B, and Lieut. Gordon, R.N., 1844 to 1848, each Ditto 1845 ... ... ... Majico-Sima Group, Captain Sir E. Pelcher, C.B., R.N. 2 6 0 6 2s. or 1 6 1 6 1 0 Ditto Pantai and Buloungan Rivers, Capt. Sir E. Belcher, C.B., Kept at Croom's Hill, Greenwich, by Mr. Rogerson, of the Royal Observatory, From the 21st of February, to the 20th of March, 1852. February 1852.--Mean height of the barometer = 29.989 inches; mean temperature degrees; depth of rain fallen 1.16 inches. Hunt & Son, Printers, 6, New Church Street, Edgware Road. 40-1 SUGGESTIONS FOR MANNING THE NAVY WITH VOLUNTEER SEAMEN.By Captain W. L. Sheringham, R.N. A conviction of the importance of devising some sound and practical plan for manning the Royal Navy, and raising a constant supply of seamen proportionate to the demand, has drawn from many quarters, particularly from professional men, various schemes and suggestions; and it is only bare justice to acknowledge that many of them are well worthy of consideration. One of these appeared in a pamphlet from a very intelligent young captain, in the year 1847, and attracted more than ordinary attention; and I was induced at the request of an old and valuable officer, now no more, to comment on it in writing. By a mere accident my remarks fell into the hands of the senior naval Lord of the Admiralty, and afterwards into those of the first Lord and first Secretary, in the month of January, 1848. The substance of that paper will be found in the course of the following, and is here alluded to, as being introductory to the important subject before us. The pamphlet alluded to recommended:1st. A reserve of 5,000 men over and above the number then employed in the navy. 2nd. The enrolment of so large a body of seamen, at the mercantile ports to be called "Naval Militia," as would at any moment insure a supply of 15,000 men, &c. 3rd. An improvement in the state of our seamen by increase of NO. 4.—VOL. XXI. 2 H wages, and a radical change in the condition and constitution of the petty officers class. Lastly. Keeping up a constant change of men on board of our ships by an annual shift or draft of one-fifth part of the crew. Of the necessity for organizing a reserve of seamen, I apprehend no one can entertain any reasonable doubt, and it is to be regretted that neither the author nor any one else, as far as I know, has pointed out how so large a body of men should be employed when in "reserve," so as not only to be available when required, but also the least possible expense to the State. The opinion which I then expressed, (and which I have since found no reason for altering,) was as follows, viz. 1. That a large proportion of our naval officers under a certain rank, and a considerable number of men should constantly be attached to our advance and reserve ships as the incipient organization of a considerable fleet;-in fact that we should not only have reserved ships, but reserved officers, and reserved seamen. 2. In addition to the service of the ordinary, which might with advantage be performed by a part of the reserve force, all dockyard duty whether as riggers or such other labour as could with propriety be imposed upon our sailors should devolve upon them, and that the reserve should in all respects be under the immediate orders of the superintendents;* most of our young officers might be appointed to the reserve ships, to the steam factories, or to the college. 3. On paying off, each officer might be granted a long leave of absence, at the expiration of which he should join the reserve. 4. The men also, as at present, should receive a similar indulgence of leave, and at its expiration, be invited to enter the "reserve," to replace those drafted into newly commissioned ships. 5. The anxiety with which our officers voluntarily flock to the college and steam establishments, for the laudable purpose of instruction, would lead to the belief that the reserve service would not be unpopular. Active and intelligent young men would surely be glad of the opportunity of increasing their professional knowledge, and acquiring those scientific attainments, which from time to time would be so usefully ap plied when called into active service. I say it not offensively, but it is lamentable to observe, how unfit many of us are for the high and responsible office we fill-not from any distaste for the service or culpable indolence, but really from a long absence from all professional pursuits. But let us return again to the seamen. 6. After all that has been said and written, tending to increase the prejudice against impressment, we can scarcely expect to be able to rely upon it, as an advisable mode for manning the navy; although beyond a doubt, if all others fail it must be resorted to as a pis-aller. Hence the *The seamen riggers were established by the Admiralty on May 28th, 1848. I find by a recent regulation, warrant officers, engineers, and stokers, are to be appointed to our reserve steam navy. I trust ere long, that officers of a superior grade will also be appointed, not only to the reserve steamers, but to advance ships in general. objection for depending on a Naval Militia for seamen, in a case of emergency. It is evident they can only be drafted from thence by a voluntary or forced enlistment; and should the first fail, it would be difficult to apply any milder term to the other than impressment, and I apprehend under aggravated circumstances, inasmuch, that every enrolled man would be kept in a state of anxious excitement, from the conviction that bon gré mal gré being a militia man, he might be called upon to serve at a week's notice. I am not amongst those who anticipate insurmountable difficulties in procuring men for our ships in the hour of need. It may be true that the country will have to make some sacrifice to obtain them, for it is but reasonable to suppose that men in all conditions of life, consider their own interests paramount to every other. 7. I know the happiest results are anticipated from a large entry of apprentice boys into the service, the premium of which is to be certain length of servitude. With great deference for an opinion coming from high authority in naval matters, I entertain considerable doubt of the perfect success of this experiment. Not however to be misunderstood, I must add that I would by all means encourage the introduction of fine lads into the navy as a measure of great importance; but my meaning is, we must not place too much reliance on these apprentices for a supply of sailors. Let us take care that we are not raising seamen at great cost for the merchant service or the foreigner, instead of encouraging the merchant service to rear them for us. If we take into consideration all the casualties they are liable to, death, sickness, crime, incompetence and desertion, I am afraid our loss will be great before they become valuable servants to the State. No fact is more conclusive to my mind, than that it is to the merchant service, we must look for a useful and hardy race of sailors. From boys they are accustomed to endure privations and hardships, and taught to turn their hands to every part of a seaman's duty. I am persuaded that a thorough sailor, I care not from whence he comes, will in a well disciplined ship, make a good man-of-war's man in six months. There is good ground for the belief that the royal navy is daily be. coming more popular amongst sea-faring men, although it must be admitted there are strong prejudices yet to be overcome; but they are fast disappearing, as I know from experience; indeed it can scarcely be otherwise, when the fact of the laudable and anxious exertions the Admiralty is making for the seaman's amelioration is becoming notorious in every port in the kingdom. It is inconceivable how much depends upon commanding officers in attaching men to the naval service. I am convinced that it is more from petty annoyance and irritating punishments than from a certain and severe visitation for crime, that disgust and discontent arise amongst our sailors. 8. It is hinted that an increase of pay will be given to the men according to length of service, of course accompanied by good conduct. If such be the case, I firmly believe that it will prove a most successful cast for nothing can work with better effect on the human mind than the anticipation of solid advantages within reasonable reach.* 9. In addition to the above a liberal pecuniary allowance in lieu of spirits would be a measure acceptable to the men, and more likely to induce them to forego that pernicious indulgence, than a mere exchange of tea, &c.; but still they might be allowed, nay, even encouraged to substitute a proportion of those articles, and they should have the option of receiving the equivalent either in money, or kind, or both.† 10. The condition of the petty officers should certainly be improved by an increase of pay and pension, together, with certain immunities not hitherto granted. With such an improvement in the condition of this useful class, it is natural to suppose that there would be a corresponding anxiety on the part of the men for promotion. It should be therefore, the most anxious study of every commanding officer to promote able and deserving men only to a position of such importance. 11. My next step I am aware, is on tender ground, but I take it in the full confidence that, no good and patriotic officer will begrudge a small sacrifice to promote so desirable an end, as a certain supply of good men for our navy. In a word I would recast the division of prize money and assign a larger proportion to the petty officers and men.§ 12. I submit with some confidence the following proposition as an inducement for merchant seamen to enter the royal navy. Volunteers for the navy from the merchant service, should be allowed to count time served in the merchant service, in the proportion of two years for one, towards servitude for a pension, under the following restrictions. 1. No man to be allowed to reckon more than five merchant service. years from the 2. He must have served an apprenticeship to the sea, except under particular circumstances, half of which should be in a square-rigged vessel. 3. The time towards a pension not to commence until his apprenticeship has been completed, or until he has attained the age of nineteen years. For instance-suppose a merchant seaman to enter the navy at thirty years of age, having been eleven years at sea after his apprenticeship had expired, or after he had attained the age of nineteen, he would bring five years servitude with him into the naval service. Thus at forty-five years of age he would have served the State fifteen years out of twenty, the remaining five years being but a fair equivalent for his experience and education as a seaman.¶ * Carried out by the Admiralty in the shape of good conduct pay. + See Admiralty regulations on that head, dated 1st Oct., 1850. An excellent regulation on this head dated Jan. 16th, 1849, is in force, viz: that men entitled to the good conduct badge, are exempt from corporal punishment. § An order in council, making provision for a new distribution of prize money came into operation 1st January, 1850. In the last clause of the Admiralty letter to the Treasury on the subject of manning the navy, dated the 10th February, 1852, the adoption of this suggestion is recommended. |