There is now but one merchant training vessel on our whole seaboard— the one forming part of the public-school system of the city of New York, and which is doing most valuable work.

The English, alive to the great interests involved, have established. training ships on every part of their coast, though the number of men supplied is still totally inadequate to the demands of their service.

In 1876 the number of men employed in British merchant ships (exclusive of masters) was 198,638; these were distributed as follows:

Of these men 125,811 were in sailing vessels and 72,827 in steamers; 10 per cent. of the former were estimated as stewards, &c., and 50 per cent. of the latter as firemen, coal-heavers, stewards, and servants; leaving a total of the seaman class of about 150,000.

The number of men employed in sailing ships has been steadily decreasing and the number in steamers increasing since 1860. This is not due to any decrease in the number of sailing vessels, but to the fact that fewer men are carried per 100 tons than formerly; the increase in the mechanical appliances in working ship diminishing the number of hands.*

The estimate of the annual waste in this number of men reaches the astonishing number of 16,000. Nearly one-third of this loss arises from death; the deaths in some years reaching as many as 5,000. The remaining loss is occasioned by desertion, giving up the sea, &c. But the fact is that 16,000 men are required yearly to replace those that have disappeared from the English merchant marine, and how to furnish these of a good class is a question which comes home to all thinking Englishmen, closely bound as is the prosperity of their country with that of their shipping interests. That it does receive the attention it deserves is, I think, without question.

A parliamentary report, giving the returns of the training ships employed, was printed in 1875. I give this in full, as it embodies many details which can only be given in such shapes. There are later reports published under the auspices of the board of trade, which are by no means so full, and which differ so slightly that I have not considered it necessary to take them instead.

TRAINING SHIPS

Statement showing the number of boys sent into the merchant service as apprentices, &c.; and several vessels, between September

*Clarence.-The receipts and outlay are those for the year 1873.

Cumberland.-The committee of the Cumberland have. on the whole, had favorable accounts of the any greater proportion than amongst boys of other and the better classes. The boys sent as ordinary seation with owners and masters of ships, and each boy is specially inquired after and reported on for a the period of apprenticeship for boys educated in a training-ship should be shortened to three years. during the last year, and he is thus incited to desert, more especially if he be about 20 years of age.

also the place where established, accommodation, class, staff, and working expenses of the 1, 1873, and August 31, 1874.

Cornwall. The figures are the averages for the years 1871, 1872, and 1873.

boys who have been sent to sea. A few of those sent as apprentices have absconded abroad, but not in men, with few exceptions, are doing well and earning fair wages. The committee are in communicaperiod of three years after being discharged from the Cumberland. The committee are of opinion that A four years apprenticeship, as now insisted on, makes a lad discontented with his indenture wages

*FORMIDABLE.-Parents' character at a low ebb. Character best told by sections 14, 15, and 16 of industrial schools act; section 14 chiefly.

We feel sure that a good one-third of the apprentices have run, but they are still afloat as O. S., and generally are the smartest lads.

We have received, on the whole, most favorable accounts of lads left. The chief and almost only throwback is that of lads not serving out their indentures.

All nautical staff; have been in Royal Navy; schoolmasters certified.

S GOLIATH.-Besides the boys sent to sea

56 boys were drafted into the army, as musicians, between September 1, 1873, and above date.

34 boys were claimed by their friends between above dates.

4 boys sent to situations on shore between above dates.

11 boys were returned to their schools; and

3 boys died between above dates.

108, and 156 to sea=264 total discharged; and 302 boys were admitted between the above dates.

|| INDEFATIGABLE.-The average cost per head is calculated over a period of about five years. Early in last year the vessel broke loose from her moorings, and was in dock for eight months. During this period no new boys were admitted, so that the numbers were considerably diminished, and the expenditure increased in consequence of repairs to the ship while in dock.