Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/202

174 bells, occasionally repairing a small mo- tor, putting in electric light fixtures — these are practically the limits of his experience. On every battleship, how- ever, are to be found the most delicate and complicated of electrical apparatus, huge dynamos of enormous horsepower, delicate signaling and recording instru- ments; every kind of electrical appara- tus is there. How to make and how to repair this apparatus is a part of his mil- itary education, progressing from the simpler work to that requiring the great- est skill, and with this training will go a thorough education in the fundamental principles of electricity as well.

Every Recruit is Trained to Become a Skilled Artisan

When he leaves the service he will be too proficient as an electrical expert to be in any danger of being compelled to spend the rest of his days as he began — putting up bell wires or installing elec- tric lights in a small town. He will be a welcome addition to any of the great electrical and manufacturing establish- ments, with good wages, and perhaps a place at the very top.

This is true of all the other vocations, and fifty of them are taught in the Navy. There has just been established, for in- stance, a new class at Charleston for in- struction in gasoline engines, where the enlisted men will be taught not only the theory but the practical handling of the largest gasoline engines now in use. Ma- chinery of all kinds is used in these schools for enlisted men, and, in addi- tion, what is known as the yeoman branch affords an opportunity for those who desire to become expert stenogra- phers, typewriters and accountants. Here is a partial list of the schools for enlisted men at present maintained by the Navy. It is interesting as showing the wide range of subjects covered.

1. Navy aviation school,

Pensacola, Fla.

2. Electrical schools.

Navy Yard. New York ; Navy Yard, Mare Island.

3. Artificers' school

Navy Yard. Norfolk.

4. Oil burning school,

Navy Yard, Philadelphia.

5. Machinist's mates' school and school for

gas engines, Charleston, S. C.

��6. Seaman gunner school and school for

diving.

Naval Torpedo Station, Newport,

R. I.

7. Yeoman schools,

Newport, R. I.,

San Francisco, Cal. S. Musicians' school,

San Francisco, Cal.

Norfolk, Va. 9. Hospital training schools,

Newport, R. I.,

San Francisco, Cal.

10. Commissary school (for ship's cooks,

bakers and commissary stewards), San Francisco, Cal., Newport, R. I.

11. Mess attendants' school,

Norfolk, Va.

12. Naval Training Stations for apprentice

seamen,

Newport, R. I. Norfolk, Va. Great Lakes, 111. San Francisco, Cal.

How thorough the instruction is, can best be shown by the course of instruc- tion in the Navy Electrical School at the New York Navy Yard, which follows.

During the first week of instruction, the recruit studies machine- shop work, such as forging, welding, tempering, an- nealing, brazing and soldering, and thread cutting.

In the second week, his machine shop instruction continues, the novice becom- ing familiar with the hand operated tools such as the lathe and lathe tools, the shaper and shaper tools, the drill press, the milling machine and mill-cut- ters, and the emery wheel. He also learns the rudiments of machine shop work, such as bench, lathe, drill press, milling machine and emery wheel work.

For the third week, he studies recip- rocating steam engines, the various courses being in simple and compound reciprocating engines, also in the auxil- iaries, viz., separators, traps, pressure regulators, all kinds of valves, condens- ers, pumps, gages, revolution counters, tachometers and indicators. Practical operation of engines and practical work also occupy much of his time. He learns assembling and dissembling engines, lining up engines, resetting and adjust- ing valves, reading indicators, overhaul- ing and repairing engine and pumps and the regrinding of valves.

The subject of steam turbines is taught during the fourth week. The