The Story of the "Britannia" The training ship for naval cadets. With some account of previous methods of naval education, and of the new scheme of 1903.

CHAPTER IV.

Chapter 4111 wordsPublic domain

THE "BRITANNIA" IN THE 'SIXTIES.

A "Three-decker"--Arrangements on Board--The Morning Drum-- Persuasive Corporals--"Cockpit Mess"--"Cheeky New Fellows"-- Important Modifications--Sea-going Training-ship--A Dead Letter--The Question of Locality--Portland Selected--Its Numerous Drawbacks--Preparing for Sea--Voyage of the _Britannia_--She Asserts Herself under Sail--Arrival at Portland--Great Monotony--A Sad Accident--Good Education-- French and Drawing--Sample of a French Lesson--Messroom Songs--"The King of Otaheité"--Going Aloft--A Foolhardy Feat--A Swift Descent--Fatal to Clothes--Reading at the Yard-arm--Captain Powell Appointed--Departure of Commander Nares--Corporal Punishment--A Cool Young Hand--The Royal Marriage--Another Change Decided Upon--Voyage to Dartmouth-- A Busy Time--Sailors as Navvies--The _Hindostan_--Captain Randolph Appointed--A Futile Complaint--Stern Measures-- Parliamentary Interference--Humanitarian Fads--Flogging Abolished--Cadets' Sailing Cutters--Gymnasium Built--The _Bristol_--Competition on Entry--Reduction of Numbers--A New _Britannia_--Statistical Results 53