290 



NA TURE 



[JANUARY 29, 1903 



(5) Geometry (to include the subject-matter of the 



first book of Euclid, or its equivalent in experi- 

 mental geometry and mensuration. The use of 

 instruments and of algebraical methods will be 

 allowed). 



Part II. 

 (One only to be taken.) 



(6) Latin (easy passages for translation from Latin into 



English and from English into Latin, and simple 

 grammatical questions). 



(7) A second modern language (of which, if not French 



or German, notice must be previously given), or an 

 advanced examination in the language selected 

 under Part I. 



(8) Experimental science (easy questions with the 



object of testing practical knowledge and powers 

 of observation). 



The cadets are to remain four years in the Britannia, 

 the instruction comprising an extension of the present 

 course there, and we rejoice at the promise that the 

 present one hour a fortnight for physics is to be replaced 

 by a "thorough elementary instruction in physics and 

 marine engineering, including the use of tools and 

 machines." This, of course, means that there are to be 

 laboratories and practical work, for book-work alone in 

 such subjects is next to useless. Part of this instruction 

 is also to be carried out afloat. 



Such a course as this must not only give the cadets 

 a good grounding in the subjects necessary to their pro- 

 fession, but such a mental training as is sure to lead to 

 that brainpower which lies at the root of all good 

 organisation and administration. 



After these four years, the cadets will go to sea and 

 become midshipmen. We are told in Lord Selborne's 

 memorandum, 



" Special attention will then be paid to their instruction 

 in mechanics and the other applied sciences and to 

 marine engineering. The instruction of the midshipmen 

 in seamanship will be given, as at present, by an executive 

 officer deputed by the captain ; otherwise it will, under 

 the general responsibility of the captain, be supervised 

 by the engineer, gunnery, marine, navigating and torpedo 

 lieutenants of their respective ships ; they will be examined 

 annually as to their progress in seamanship, navigation 

 and pilotage, gunnery, torpedo work and engineering, all 

 set papers being, as at present, sent Irom the Admiralty." 



At the end of three years, every midshipman who has 

 passed the qualifying standard at the last annual ex- 

 amination and the final examination in seamanship will 

 become an acting sub-lieutenant, and if abroad return to 

 England and proceed to the College at Greenwich for a 

 three months' course of mathematics, navigation and 

 pilotage, followed by an examination, and afterwards to 

 Portsmouth for a six months' course in gunnery, torpedo 

 and engineering, at the close of which he will be 

 examined, and on passing out be confirmed in the rank 

 of sub-lieutenant. 



How the cadets are to be sent to sea is not yet settled. 

 Either they will serve for the whole three years as 

 midshipmen to battleships and cruisers, ordinarily com- 

 missioned, or the first part of this period will be 

 passed in specially commissioned training ships. It 

 is quite decided that at whatever period they are posted 

 to ordinarily commissioned battleships and cruisers, 

 compulsory school on board these ships shall cease. 

 NO. 1735, VOL. 67] 



The young officers who will pass out of the college at 

 Portsmouth between the ages of nineteen and twenty 

 will all have received exactly the same scientific training, 

 and will have had opportunities of displaying their 

 powers of organisation and of dealing with men. 



We are not yet told what the common training is 

 to be at Greenwich or at Portsmouth. We believe the 

 present course for sub-lieutenants is somewhat as 

 follows : — 



Part I. 

 Length of course ... ... ... S weeks. 



Subjects. 



/'Trigonometry, 

 I Mechanics, 



alhematics ... - - T ,- 21 nours a week. 



Navigiuon, 



(.Instruments. 



Steam ... 



French 



Surveying 



Physics 



Fart II. 

 Length of course ... .. ... 11 weeks. 



/■Advanced Pure Maths , j 

 Statics, 

 Mathematics -' Hydrostatics, I 27 hours a week. 



I Dynamics, 

 I Navigation. 



r,, ■ / I hour lecture. 



Physics ... ... ... ... . . 



' ( 3 ,, practical. 



Length of course 



Pilotage. 

 28 hours a week. 



6 week-. 



Now the differentiation begins. It seems to be as 



follows : — 



("Special navigation, 



r* ii gunnery, 



Executive officers - p ,' 



,, torpedo, 



(.Unspecialised, 



Engineer officers, 



Royal Marine officers, 



and the object to be kept in vie.v is stated to be to 

 make them tit to perform those specialised duties which 

 are the product of modern science ; nothing is said about 

 those officers who have no specialised duties. 



T/ic Executive Branch. 



On this differentiation, all officers ranking as sub- 

 lieutenants will go to sea for two years. 



The next phase is that after two years at sea all the 

 executive sublieutenants will b; promoted to the rank 

 of lieutenant on gaining the same qualifying watch- 

 keeping certificate as at present. All those who have 

 passed their examinations exceptionally well will, as 

 now, receive accelerated promotion. Then comes a 

 selection by the Admiralty of those among them who are 

 to be tra'ned as specialists in gunnery, torpedo work or 

 navigation ; these will go to the Royal Naval College 

 at Greenwich for special courses. We presume that this 

 "selection" for training as specialists represents a 

 promotion for those so selected. 



After five years' seniority in the rank of lieutenant, all 

 officers will have to pass an examination for promotion to 

 the rank of commander in certain technical subjects. 



