Seamen's Schoolmaster

MEMORANDUM.

Admiralty, May 15th, 1837.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty being anxious to extend the advantages of education to the Petty Officers, Seamen, Marines, and Boys of the Fleet, are pleased to authorize one additional rating of First Class Petty Officers in every Ship of His Majesty's Navy, to be called " Seamen's Schoolmaster."

The person to fill this rating is to be entered or selected by the Commanding Officer of the Ship, with the approbation of their Lordships. Vacancies occurring abroad may be filled up from the ship's company, it a person properly qualified be found on board ; if not, one may be taken from any other ship, with the consent of his Commanding Officer, and the approbation of the senior Officer present.

The Seaman's Schoolmaster is 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.

He is to be examined as to his fitness by the Naval Instructor of the Flag Ship of the port where his ship may be fitted out, or by some other competent person to be named by the Port Admiral. who is to give a Certificate of his fitness, which is to be transmitted to this Office before the appointment is approved.

Any Petty Officer, Seaman or Marine who may wish to avail himself of this means of education is to be taught by the Seaman's Schoolmaster, and all the boys are to be put under his instruction.

Arrangements are to be made by the Commanding Officers of His Majesty's Ships so as to allow the men and boys to attend, consistently with the proper discharge of the duties of the ship.

The pay of the Seaman's Schoolmaster is to be:

Note:
Although by 1843, if not earlier, the pay of Seaman's Schoolmasters serving on board 2nd rates and below had been revised - click here.

By Command of their Lordships,

C. WOOD.

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