Appendix I — Rules and Orders for the Naval Academy (Issued From the Admiralty, November 1st, 1773)
Article I.
Sons of noblemen and gentlemen only are eligible for admission, not under twelve or over fifteen; except fifteen sons of commissioned officers of H.M. Fleet, who are to be educated at the public expense, and (by Order in Council of October 8th, 1773) may be admitted from eleven to fourteen years of age.
Article II
Every scholar is to pass a preliminary examination, to show that he is qualified to enter upon the plan of education adopted at the Academy.
Article III
The master, ushers, and scholars are to be appointed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, who may dismiss them at any time.
Article IV
The Commissioner of the Dockyard for the time being is to be governor of the Academy.
Article V.
The master is to reside in quarters provided in the building.
Article VI
Teachers are also to reside in the building, provided there is room, and are to furnish their quarters at their own expense.
Article VII
The scholars are to have separate chambers, and to board with the master, who is to receive £25 per head per annum, and no more; to keep a decent table, find washing, fire, candles, towels, table and bed linen, and necessary utensils.
Article VIII
The master is to keep a register of the scholars, showing the day of their first appearance, times absent, and day of discharge.
Article IX
The master is to treat all scholars alike, and to see that the teachers do likewise, except in the matter of such encouragement as may be due to those who distinguish themselves by diligence.
Article X.
No scholar is to keep a servant, but is to content himself with the attendance provided.
Article XI
Every scholar is to be provided yearly, at his own expense, with a new suit of blue clothes against his Majesty’s birthday, conformable to a pattern lodged with the master, except sons of sea officers, who are to be allowed £5 to provide the said suit.
Article XII
The master is to see that the scholars are neat and decent in dress, and that they pay due respect to the officers of the yard when they meet.
Article XIII
The scholars are to be instructed in writing, arithmetic, drawing, navigation, gunnery, fortification, and other useful parts of mathematics; also in French, dancing, fencing, and the exercise of the firelock. The master is to settle a plan for a regular course of studies, subject to the approval of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Article XIV
The hours are to be the same as those of the shipwrights, except half an hour for breakfast and one and a half hour for dinner; no intermission or holiday being allowed except such as are observed in the Dockyard, and Saturday afternoon.
Article XV
The scholars are constantly to go to church on Sundays and other days of public worship.
Article XVI
A complete set of arms and accoutrements is to be provided for each scholar at his Majesty’s expense, to be kept by the fencing master until issued.
Article XVII
After one year scholars are to be taught fencing and the use of the firelock.
Article XVIII
The fencing master is to see that the arms, etc., are kept in good order.
Article XIX
If any of the scholars shall lose or spoil their arms or accoutrements, the master is to provide others for them at their parents’ expense, and to give them due correction.
Article XX
Scholars when at drill are to wear their blue clothes, unless dispensed by the Governor.
Article XXI
The Commissioner is to visit and inspect the studies and behaviour of the scholars and methods of instruction, and report to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Article XXII
No scholar is to be allowed out of the Dockyard without the Commissioner’s leave, after obtaining written permission from the master to apply for it. A second offence against this rule is to be reported to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Article XXIII
During the first year punishments shall consist of the rod, task, or confinement, at the discretion of the master. More serious faults to be punished by expulsion by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Article XXIV
After one year punishments shall consist of task or confinement by the master, confinement under sentry’s charge by the governor, loss of time for passing, or expulsion.
Article XXV
A scholar who has been expelled shall never be admitted into the Royal Navy.
Article XXVI
The Commissioner, upon application of parents or guardians, may give leave either at Christmas or Whitsuntide for three weeks. Any scholar who absents himself at other times, even by leave, or breaks his leave, shall lose the time. Absence without leave shall be punished by expulsion or otherwise by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Article XXVII
After one year scholars shall be excused from school two afternoons in each week, and the Commissioner shall direct one of the masters attendant to carry them one afternoon into the rigging house, storehouses, and sail lofts, and to take them afloat, etc.
Article XXVIII
On another afternoon the master shipwright is to instruct them in ship construction, etc.
Article XXIX
The Commissioner may order a vessel of small size to be placed near, and make the scholars rig and unrig her; and two guns are to be placed on board, with powder and shot and all accessories, with an experienced gunner from a ship-in-ordinary to instruct them.
Article XXX
No scholar is to remain less than two, or more than three, years, except the sons of sea officers, who must remain three, and may remain five, years, unless they have finished their plan sooner and their parents desire them to go to sea. But they are not in any case to remain beyond the age of seventeen. In the first week of March each year an account of the qualification of each scholar is to be sent in, with a view to sending him to sea if qualified.
Article XXXI
On a scholar being discharged to sea the master is to give a certificate of the time spent in the Academy, deducting times of absence (except three weeks each year), and time forfeited as punishment.
Article XXXII
A scholar on leaving is to leave his arms with the fencing master.
Article XXXIII
On scholars leaving, vacancies are to be filled and numbers kept up in each class.
Article XXXIV
Scholars on joining his Majesty’s ships shall be kept to the duties of seamen, but with the privilege of walking the quarter-deck, and shall be allotted a proper place to lie in, but no cabins; and shall be rated on the ship’s books as “Volunteers by Order,” and receive able seaman’s pay.
Article XXXV
The captain shall make Volunteers keep journals, and draw the appearance of headlands, coasts, bays, and such like; and the master, boatswain, and schoolmaster shall instruct them.
Article XXXVI
After two years at sea the captain shall rate them midshipman ordinary—or midshipman, if qualified.
Article XXXVII
Scholars shall have liberty while at Portsmouth to visit the Academy and be instructed there, and in the yard, gratis.
Article XXXVIII
On returning from a foreign voyage they shall bring their journals to the master of the Academy for his inspection, and he will also examine them and represent to the Secretary to the Admiralty how he finds they have improved.
Article XXXIX
The captain shall give a certificate on their leaving the ship as to sobriety, obedience, diligence, and skill; and also of the time they have served as Volunteer or midshipman.
Article XL
When a Volunteer by Order is paid off, upon bringing his certificate of good behaviour to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty they may, if he desires it, give orders for him to have free use of the Academy.
Article XLI
Volunteers educated in the Academy, and sent from thence by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to serve in his Majesty’s ships, shall be qualified, in point of time, for lieutenants after so many years’ service at sea as, together with the time specified in the certificate given them upon leaving the Academy (not exceeding three years for the sons of sea officers before mentioned) shall complete the term of six years, provided they have served two years thereof as mates, midshipmen, or midshipmen ordinary in his Majesty’s ships, and are not under twenty years of age, but shall pass the usual examination of their abilities before they can be preferred.