History Of The Development Of Naval Education

But the reforming hand of the early Victorians soon raised the schoolmasters' status. In 1836 he was given warrant rank and a uniform. His title now became Naval Instructor and Schoolmaster. His duties were still to teach the young gentlemen, but, as we have seen, he had also to concern himself with "the other youths of the ship". It was quickly realised that more staff was needed to undertake the instruction of both officers and men. So, on 15th May, 1837, the Admiralty "being anxious to extend the advantages of education to the Petty Officers, Seamen, Marines and Boys of the Fleet", were "pleased to authorise one additional rating of First Class Petty Officers in every ship of His Majesty's Navy, to be called 'Seaman's Schoolmaster''' He was to be competent to teach "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, viz , the first four rules, the Rule of Three, vulgar and decimal fractions, Logarithmic Arithmetic, Plane Trigonometry and to keep a ship's reckoning at sea". It was to avoid confusion that the title of Naval Instructor was first instituted and the education branch split into two. The Chaplain was made responsible for educational work on the lower deck and the seamen's schoolmaster became his assistant. He appears to have assisted him in his other duties also, for there is one case where he carried out burials and others where he taught the catechisms. It was laid down in the regulations that he must be prepared to play the harmonium at divine service.

On 11th March, 1842, an Order in Council instituted the titles of "Naval Instructor" and "Chaplain and Naval Instructor'. The age limits for a warrant as Naval Instructor were from 20 to 35 years. Candidates were required to pass an examination in mathematics and navigation, and have "a competent knowledge of the classics". Although the knowledge of French," ran the regulations, "as well as of other modern languages, and of the principles of drawing, is not 'considered as indispensable, it is very desirable that Naval Instructors should be able to give instruction in these branches of education, and preference will always be given to such as possess these attainments" The pay had been improved, ranging from 7s a ay on first entry to l0s after ten years' service. The bounty was discontinued but the contributions from the young gentlemen continued, and half pay ranged from 2s to 5s per day. Chaplains appointed as Naval Instructors received, in addition to the £5 a year from each young gentleman, three fourths of the Naval Instructor's pay, in addition to their pay as Chaplains. In this year there are 39 Naval Instructors, 11 of them graduates. The senior had entered in 1836, when warrant rank was first instituted.

The rise in their status coincided with another decline in the fortunes of the Royal Naval College. In 1816 it had been laid down that the number of students was to be 100 during war end 70 during peace. But unfortunately the conclusion of the long wars with France and the lack of any organised system of retirement, resulted in the Service being overstocked with officers of all ranks. A number of "non-collegian" officers were also still being entered and it was generally considered that the curriculum of the college was too complicated. In July, 1837, the college was closed. It had achieved good work and produced some distinguished officers. But there was a feeling in the service that a mere practical training was required. In 1832 the "Excellent" had been commissioned under Captain Thomas Hastings as the Naval Gunnery School. Captain Hastings, who persevered in his work in spite of some opposition, was strongly supported by King William IV and the Board of Admiralty. In 1839 he was appointed Superintendent of the Royal Naval College, which re-opened as a training college for commissioned officers and mates. Candidates for commissions in the Royal Marine Artillery were also prepared. "It is impossible to estimate the advantages the Naval Service has derived from those two establishments," wrote a previous Captain of HMS. "Britannia", in 1863. "By giving officers of all ranks, from Captains to mates inclusive, an opportunity of studying the scientific parts of their profession, many were enabled to gain the instruction they had missed in their youth". Many were the tributes paid to the Rev. Main Professor at the College. By becoming an institution for adult students, it was the predecessor of the present Royal Naval College at Greenwich, to which it was transferred in 1873.