Working of the system of apprenticeship,
Notwithstanding these proofs of naval energy on
the first outburst of the late war, and of the important
help derived from the merchant service, the number
of men obtained was, after all, inadequate to the wants
of the country. The merchant service, suddenly
drained of so many thousands, could, afterwards, give
only a comparatively small and occasional supply as
ships arrived from foreign ports, or as apprentices
grew out of their time. Now this continued, though
insufficient succour to the navy, Admiral Martin
thought, could never have been maintained throughout
so long a war but for the provident provisions of
the Navigation Laws in making it compulsory on
shipowners to take a certain number of apprentices,
and thus to keep up a constant replenishment of
seafaring men.[1]
He expressed himself of quite a different opinion to those who were sanguine in believing the abrogation of the Navigation Laws would increase our shipping; and stoutly combated the notion that we could retain the same quantity of tonnage after we had entered on a system of rivalry with foreign countries in cheap carrying. But, assuming that we retained 4,000,000 tons[2] of shipping, it might be well*
- ↑ One of the most remarkable incidents of the manning of a ship of war is that of Sir Edward Pellew and H.M.S. Nymphe. When war was declared by the French in February, 1793, it was unexpected; and the navy was on a peace establishment of only 16,000 sailors and marines. It was necessary at once to increase this number to 60,000. Pellew, finding it impossible to get seamen for his frigate, at once put eighty Cornish miners on board his ship, and a few months later fought and won the celebrated action with the Cleopatra—most of his crew never having seen a shot fired before. (See Osler's 'Life of Viscount Exmouth.')
- ↑ There belonged, in round numbers, to the United Kingdom and her colonies and possessions on the 1st January, 1875, 7,500,000 tons
