*MARS.-The number of boys, ex the Mars, who actually go to sea is much greater than is shown here; about three-fourths of those discharged to shore employments come back in order to get ships. We don't encourage apprenticeships for good boys, unless they are taken for a short period on liberal terms. They obtain good wages as ordinarys, in consequence of the practical seamanship they obtain in the Mars sea-going tender. The tender adds considerably to the expense. G. J., Secretary to Mars, November 7, 1874. SOUTHAMHTON.-The usual term of apprenticeship is for four years 40l., with a bonus of 51. at the expiration of the time; 45l. for five years, with a similar bonus. There is one instance of 621. for five years, and one of 481. for four years. The boys seldom remain above one year in their apprenticeship and then desert, the owners and masters taking no trouble to recover them. Apprenticing from an industrial school creates a "final discharge." Boys take advantage of this, volunteer to be apprenticed, and, in some instances, abscond within twenty-four hours after being bound. Boys not apprenticed receive from 178. 6d. to 25s. a month as working boys in sailing-vessels, and usually 308. a month as cabin and engineer servants in steamers. The accounts received of boys so sent out are generally satisfactory. ‡ WARSPITE.—138 boys were sent into Royal Navy during this period. It was the exception for apprentices in the coasting trade to serve out their time, and the committee in consequence now send no boys into coasters. Those now in foreign-going ships do much better, but it is a great temptation to an apprentice to run when he sees boys of the same age as himself getting, after one or two voyages, ordinary seamen's pay of 21. or 27. 108. a month. Boys prefer not being apprenticed as a rule. Very favorable accounts, on the whole, are received of the boys sent to sea on monthly wages; most of them have V. G. on their discharge certificates. When there is much desertion going on, as at present in New Zealand, the boys sometimes go with the seamen, and, like the seamen, engage eventually for the return voyage in another ship. There is always a percentage who, after one voyage, dislike the sea and return to former occupations on shore. In consequence of the competition among the training-ships in the Thames, it is necessary to employ an agent to solicit boys for the ships. TRAINING-SHIPS Statement of the time boys remain in training on board training-ships; also the number ashore from the time the ships were FOR SEAMEN. who have joined the Royal Navy and merchant service, respectively, and the number draftel first established to September 1, 1874. Southampton.. September 24, 1868.. Till 16 years of age.. 11 and 14. 14 and 16 Warspite...... 1756. About 9 months; 14 and 16 fit for Royal Navy long. SO The boys leave in turn, as soon as a certain course of training has been gone through. Wellesley.. January 17, 1868..... Until 16 years of age. Minimum now 12 years; formerly 10 years. 16 |