• Candidates for Engine Room Artificer
• Qualifications for Engine-room Artificers and Stoker Mechanics
• Creation of the rating of Chief Engine Room Artificer

Art. 109, p. 40, of Addenda to Queen's Regulations.

The candidate must be either an Engine-fitter, a Boiler-maker, a Smith, or a Coppersmith. His age must not be less than 21, or more than 35 years. He must be able to read and to write sufficiently well to be competent to note in the Register the particulars of the working of the engines and boilers ; and he must be generally acquainted with the names and uses of the principal part of a marine engine. He must understand the use and management of the various gauges - of the feed, injection, and blow off cocks. He must know how to ascertain the density and height of the water in the boilers, and what should be done in the event of priming. He must also know how to regulate the water admitted for condensation; what should be done in the event of water passing into the cylinders, or of a bearing becoming heated ; and how to act on the occurrence of any of the ordinary casualties of an engine-room.

On the foregoing points the candidate must undergo an examination by the Chief Engineer of the Dockyard. and the Chief Inspector or Inspector of Machinery afloat in the presence of the Captain of the Reserve, and if found to be duly qualified, he is, in the first instance, to be appointed as Acting.

He is not to be confirmed until he has served 12 months, and has passed an examination ; if at home, by a Chief Engineer of a Dockyard, and a Chief Inspector, or Inspector of Machinery - afloat, in the presence of the Captain of the Reserve ; or, if abroad, by an Inspector of Machinery, or if there is no Inspector, by 2 Chief Engineers, in the presence of the Captain of the ship in which he may be serving as Acting Engine-room Artificer. He must also obtain a Certificate from his Captain that he is fit to keep a watch in the engineroom, and is deserving of confirmation.

All engine-room artificers must enter for continuous service. They will be entered in the Steam Reserve, and employed as Mechanics, or on such duties as Assistant-Engineers are now em employed on ; and when on board ships in commission they will be employed in a similar manner. Entries are to be made by the Commanders-in-Chief at the Ports and confirmations, either at home or abroad, by the Commander-in-Chief, or Senior Officer.

Admiralty, 14th April 1873.

Qualifications for Engine-room Artificers and Stoker Mechanics

1. With reference to Art. 109, page 40, of the Addenda to the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, which prescribes as to the entry of Engine Room Artificers that:-

The candidate must be either an Engine Fitter, a Boiler Maker, a Smith, or a Coppersmith, my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased to direct that after the above sentence shall be added the sentence following:

"As an exception to this rule, in the Home Ports a Pattern Maker may occasionally be received."

2. With reference to Circular 18, N, of 21st March, 1871, which provides for the rating as Stoker Mechanic of any Stoker who shall obtain a certificate of ability to work well at any one of certain specified trades, one of which trades is that of " Tinsmith and Plumber," my Lords are pleased to direct that to the 3rd paragraph of that Circular shall be added the following sentence:

"In a Home Port the Commanding Officer of any Ship may, with the approval of the Commander-in-Chief, give the rating of Stoker Mechanic, with the additional 3d. a day, to any leading or other Stoker who, upon examination by the Officer' prescribed in the 1st paragraph, obtains a certificate of his ability to work well as a Tinsmith only."

By Command of their Lordships,

ROBERT HALL.

To all Commanders-in-Chief, &c.

Fleet Circular, No. 21.-N.

Admiralty, 26th June 1877

Engine Room Artificers

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having decided to improve the position of the Engine Room Artificers of the Fleet by increasing their pay and comfort and by giving them the means of Promotion to a higher grade, by creating a new rating of Chief Engine Room Artificer. The following Regulations are hereby established

1. Engine Room Artificers

Age for entry in future to be from 21 to 30.

Rank as at present (next below Chief Carpenter's Mate).

2

An Acting Engine Room Artificer must obtain, before being confirmed in the rating, a certificate from the Chief Engineer, or Engineer in Charge, approved by the Commanding Officer, that he is capable of taking charge of a watch in the Stoke-hold, and has proved himself an efficient workman, and is deserving of confirmation. Before receiving the first increase of pay, after 3 years' service, he must obtain a certificate from a Chief Engineer or Engineer in Charge, approved by the Commanding Officer, stating that he is capable of taking charge of a watch in the Engine Room.

3

Chief Engine Room Artificer

(Number to be limited to 100.)

Rank.-To be next above the Chief Carpenter's Mate.

Extra pay of 3s. 6d, a day to be granted only when employed on ships other than those to which they belong, executing repairs.

* On re-engaging for a further term of 10 years.

4

The new scale of pay to commence from 1st April last ;

In future no man is to be advanced from one scale of pay to the higher, unless he has maintained a " very good " character during the previous 12 months.

5. Advancement

Engine Room Artificers who have completed 10 years' service as such will be qualified for advancement to the new rating of Chief Engine Room Artificers, provided they have maintained a " very good " character during the previous 12 months and have re-engaged for a second period of 10 years. Fifty Engine Room Artificers will be advanced at once to Chief Engine Room Artificers, notwithstanding they have not completed 10 years' service, on condition that previous to advancement they enter into a new engagement to serve 10 years.

6. Uniform.

1. Blue cloth tunic, or close fitting Pea Jacket, with uniform buttons.
2. Blue Cloth Waistcoat,
3. Blue or White Trowsers.
4. Cap as at present.
5. Chief Engine Room Artificers to wear three buttons on each Sleeve of the Tunic.

7, Pensions

These Chief Petty Officers to be pensioned on the same scale and under the same Regulations as other Chief Petty Officers; and if (they are required or allowed to serve beyond 20 years, they will be granted the usual additions allowed to other Chief Petty Officers under similar circumstances.

They will not be allowed to receive their pensions while serving.

8. Mess, &c.

Engine Room Artificers and Chief Engine Room Artificers will all mess together in a separate Mess place which will be provided for them, and a Stoker will be allowed to take care of the Mess place, Hammocks, &c.

NOTE.- Although Chief Engine Room Artificers may be reduced to the grade of Engine Room Artificer for misconduct, Engine Room Artificers cannot be disrated unless they have previously served in another rating of a lower grade.

By Command of Heir Lordships,

Robert Hall

To all Commanders-in-Chief, &c.

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