AMERICAN" SHIPYARD APPRENTICESHIPS, EVENING SCHOOLS AND 



SCHOLARSHIPS. 



By Charles F. Bailey, Esq., Member of Council. 



[Read at the twenty-ninth general meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, held 



in New York, November 17 and 18, 1921.] 



The object of tliis paper is to review the present situation and to call out suggestions for 

 improvement. , 



Apprenticeship in shipbuilding is generally in vogue in the older, established shipyards 

 of this country. Some yards have had apprentice courses for many years, but only v^rithin 

 the later years has there been any considerable interest in the matter, and even at this time 

 there is an opportimity for advances which would be of benefit to both the apprentices and 

 the yards. 



At present the various yard apprenticeship regulations are quite similar and include a 

 considerable course of study, in most cases as a part of the system; in some yards indepen- 

 dent evening schools are maintained for the benefit of the apprentices and other employees, 

 both male and female. 



A movement is now under way to offer, as an incentive to apprentices, short scholar- 

 ships in higher institutions of learning, which may be won by competition. 



The various apprentice regulations in the shipyards of this coimtry embody the follow- 

 ing features, but no one yard includes them all. 



The purpose of the course is usually to secure home trained men familiar with the work 

 and methods peculiar to the individual yard. 



Trades in which apprenticeships are offered are as follows: Anglesmith, Blacksmith, 

 Boiler Maker, Coppersmith, Draughtsman (Construction), Draughtsman (Engineering), 

 Draughtsman (Hull), Electrician, Joiner, Machinist, Machinist (Steam Engineering), 

 Molder, Pattern Maker, Plumber, Saihnaker, Sheet Metal Worker, Ship Carpenter (includ- 

 ing shipwright work, boat building and spar making), Ship Fitter (including Mold Loft 

 work). Ship Rigger, Welder (Electric and Acetylene worker). 



Length of Course. — This is usually designated as four years, sometimes of a certain 

 number of hours per year. A number of companies have provisions for credits by which the 

 length of the course may be reduced to a minimum of three years by reason of special pro- 

 ficiency and all-round excellence. In one yard the credits on merit ratings are stated as 

 follows : 



"At the end of each year the apprentice's merit records in shop and in school are aver- 

 aged to get a total average merit rating for the year. In striking this average the shop rec- 

 ord carries twice the weight of the school record. 



"On the basis of this yearly merit rating the next succeeding year (2,240 hours) is 

 subject to reduction on a sliding scale as follows: 



