Section 216(6) of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended states:
The Commission is hereby authorized to train American citizens to become licensed officers of the Merchant Marine of the United States in a status of Cadets and Cadet Officers on government-owned and subsidized vessels and, in cooperation with other governmental and private agencies, on other vessels and in shipyards, plants, and industrial and educational organizations, under rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission and upon such terms as the Commission may arrange, and expenditures incident to such training are hereby authorized.
Under this authorization the Section of Cadet Training of the United States Maritime Commission was set up in 1938 by Rear Admiral H. A. Wiley, U. S. Navy (Retired), as Commissioner in Charge of Training for the commission, and is administered by a staff of experienced merchant marine officers under the direction of a Supervisor of Cadet Training.
The personnel of the Cadet Training Section of the Division of Training and the Maritime Commission Cadet Corps are not a part of the Maritime Service.1 The regulations governing the Maritime Service are prescribed by the Maritime Commission and the expenses are paid by that independent government agency. Although the Maritime Service is administered for the Commission by the U. S. Coast Guard, it is not a branch of the Coast Guard.
The Cadet Training Section, the Maritime Commission Cadet Corps, the State Maritime Academies, such Civilian Nautical Schools as come under the commission’s jurisdiction, and the United States Maritime Service are under the supervision of the Maritime Commission’s Division of Training, which has charge of the commission’s entire program for training personnel for the Merchant Marine of the United States.
All men on the staff of the Cadet Training Section of the Division of Training of the U. S. Maritime Commission are naval reserve officers, with ranks established by the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation of the Navy Department as follows:
Supervisor of Cadet Training |
Lieut. Commander or above if selected for higher rank |
Assistant Supervisors of Cadet Training |
Lieut. Commander |
District Cadet Training Instructors |
Lieut. Commander |
Cadet Training Instructors in Charge of Cadet Schools |
Lieut. Commander |
Cadet Training Instructors |
Lieutenant |
Associate Cadet Training Instructors |
Lieutenant (j.g.) |
As part of their training, cadets are instructed in such basic naval science subjects as are prescribed by the Bureau of Navigation for qualification as Cadets, Merchant Marine Reserve, U. S. Naval Reserve. Ships built by the Maritime Commission for the Merchant Marine are so constructed as to be readily convertible to naval auxiliaries. This naval science training gives the cadets a status similar to that possessed by these ships. They are primarily intended for the Merchant Marine, but may be, if the necessity arises, converted into navy personnel. Under date of June 18,1941, the Secretary of the Navy authorized active duty afloat as Midshipmen, M.M.R., U.S.N.R., for those cadets of the United States Maritime Commission serving in merchant vessels taken over by the Navy. (The rank of Midshipman, M.M.R., U.S.N.R., applying to seagoing midshipmen as differentiated from Midshipmen, U.S.N.R., who are in training at the various reserve Midshipmen’s Schools.) Within the next few months many cadets will be on active duty afloat in merchant vessels commissioned by the Navy.
In authorizing duty as Midshipman, M.M.R., for Cadets of the Merchant Marine ample precedent can be found in the British Navy, whose Admiral Nelson laid the foundation for the Royal Naval Reserve in 1802. The Royal Naval Reserve is composed entirely of British merchant marine officers and men, and ranks in precedence directly after the Royal Navy. While the United States has utilized merchant officers and men in all wars at sea, the present Merchant Marine Naval Reserve was not organized until 1925. Probationary midshipmen are appointed in the Royal Naval Reserve from the ranks of those young men between 16 and 18 who have had certain specified previous sea experience. After they have completed four months’ training in His Majesty’s Ships, and have been recommended by their commanding officers, they are confirmed in the rank of Midshipmen, R.N.R. Throughout their merchant career, they are obliged to spend certain lengths of time on duty in His Majesty’s ships of the Royal Navy in order to qualify for promotion.
To be eligible for enrollment as a cadet in the Maritime Commission Cadet Corps the most important qualifications are that a candidate must be between the ages of 18 and 23 and must possess at least 16 units or credits from accredited schools, 8 of which are required as follows: Algebra (1); Plane Geometry (1); Chemistry or General Science (1); Physics (1); English (3); and Foreign Language (1); and eight of which are elective. Approximately 40 per cent of the cadets have had one or more years in college. Those cadets who are graduates of recognized schools of technology or engineering are eligible for licenses as Second Assistant Engineer of steam vessels after 12 months of training at sea as Cadet (£), and of motor vessels after 6 months as Cadet (E) in such vessels. Candidates for Engineer Cadet appointments may substitute a unit in a subject within the category of mechanic arts for the required foreign language credit. After submission of the necessary papers the candidates are given a national competitive examination in algebra, plane geometry, and physics. From the results of this competitive examination, an eligibility list is set up and this list drawn upon until exhausted. The cadets must specify their preference as Deck or Engine Cadet and this training designation is adhered to throughout the courses, except that, in some cases and only during the first year, the Supervisor of Cadet Training may authorize a change from one class to the other. This system allows any young male American citizen, with the required scholastic training, to compete for appointment as cadet, regardless of his political beliefs or financial standing. Passing of the standard physical examination for a commission in the Naval Reserve is, of course, another compulsory requirement.
Immediately upon reporting to the office of the District Cadet Training Instructor in New York, San Francisco, or New Orleans, the eligible candidate submits an application for enrollment as Cadet, Merchant Marine Reserve, passes the navy physical examination, and acquires the necessary uniforms and textbooks. He is then assigned to one of three U. S. Maritime Commission Cadet Schools, located at the New York State Merchant Marine Academy, Fort Schuyler, New York; U. S. Naval Station, Treasure Island, San Francisco; and at the U. S. Naval Station, New Orleans; for a period of instruction and observation of aptitude. This is a minimum 8-week course and the cadet is given instruction in basic naval science by a naval officer attached to the school, at which strict naval discipline is enforced. He is also instructed in merchant subjects and drills as shown by the following table of hours required for the preliminary course:
(A) Naval Science—Classroom (Deck and Engineer Cadets) |
|||
U.S. Naval History, Traditions, and customs |
24 hours |
||
U.S. Naval Regulations—Administration |
16 hours |
||
Ordnance and Gunnery |
32 hours |
||
Naval Communications |
16 hours |
||
Total |
88 hours |
||
(B) Naval Science—Drills (Deck and Engineer Cadets) |
|||
Infantry, Gunnery, Small Arms Practice, Gas Protections, and other drill which the naval science instructor may consider necessary |
32 hours |
||
(C) Merchant—Classroom |
|||
Deck Cadets |
Engineer Cadets |
||
|
Hours |
|
Hours |
General Knowledge and First Aid |
24 |
General Knowledge and First Aid |
24 |
Seamanship III |
16 |
Marine Steam Engineering III |
24 |
Mathematics (Deck) I |
16 |
Electrical Engineering III |
16 |
Elementary Marine Engineering and Electrical Engineering III |
16 |
Mathematics (Engineer) I |
8 |
Total |
72 |
Total |
72 |
(D) Merchant—Drills and Practical Work |
|||
Deck Cadets |
Engineer Cadets |
||
|
Hours |
|
Hours |
Boat drill |
32 |
Boat drill |
32 |
Inspections and General Drills |
16 |
Inspections and General Drills |
16 |
Visual Signaling |
48 |
Practical Work |
72 |
Practical Seamanship and Practical Work |
24 |
|
— |
Total |
120 |
Total |
120 |
Deck Cadets must, while at the School, obtain the U. S. Maritime Commission Visual Signaling Certificate awarded upon obtaining a proficiency of eight words per minute by blinker and by semaphore, together with a proficient working knowledge of the International Code Book (H.O. #87). An interesting application of this training was the occasion on June 10, 1940, when the SS. Washington, homeward bound on the North Atlantic with a full list of refugees and evacuees, was stopped by a submarine and the insistent sending of a message by blinker finally persuaded the submarine commander to allow the vessel to proceed. The man at the blinker key on this occasion was Cadet (D) William F. O’Reilly, Fourth Class, now Midshipman O’Reilly, M.M.R., U.S.N.R., on active duty with the fleet.
Upon completion of preliminary training cadets are assigned to merchant vessels and start their actual sea service. The remainder of the first two years is spent at sea in “learning by doing,” and in self- study. The policy is to shift cadets around in different type vessels and trade routes of the world to give them the varied experience necessary for the successful merchant marine officer. Cadets are assigned to both old and new vessels, to vessels with short turn-arounds and to those making long voyages. Engine Cadets are assigned variously to steam vessels and to Diesel vessels to qualify them as Third Assistant Engineer in both types.
Aboard ship the cadets are allowed two hours off on the company’s time for study and must devote a minimum of two hours of their own time daily to study. The study is guided by the Educational Unit of the Section of Cadet Training. These courses are different from most self-study courses, however, in the fact that at the end of each year the cadet is given a written examination in the office of the District Cadet Training Instructor and must receive a grade of at least 70 per cent in each subject. The cadet is obligated to return all quizzes for grading under penalty of having ½ per cent deducted from his annual examination average for each unsubmitted quiz.
The following are the courses, assignments, and hours to be devoted to each during the remainder of the fourth class and the third class year:
Fourth Class (D) |
|
Subject |
Study Hours |
Mathematics |
180 |
Seamanship III |
144 |
General Knowledge and First Aid |
36 |
Cargo II |
90 |
Elementary Marine. Engineering |
90 |
Electrical Engineering III |
180 |
Total |
720 |
Fourth Class (E) |
|
Subject |
Study Hours |
Mathematics |
108 |
Marine Stream Engineering III |
288 |
General Knowledge and First Aid |
36 |
Machine Shop III |
108 |
Electrical Engineering III |
180 |
Total |
720 |
Third Class (D) |
|
Mechanics |
36 |
Metallurgical Processes |
18 |
Ship Construction II |
72 |
Seamanship II |
108 |
Navigation II |
108 |
Cargo I |
72 |
Commerce II |
90 |
Spanish II |
72 |
Communication II |
144 |
Total |
720 |
Third Class (E) |
|
Mechanics |
36 |
Metallurgical Processes |
72 |
Ship Construction II |
72 |
Marine Steam Engineering II |
108 |
Diesel Engineering II |
90 |
Electrical Engineering II |
108 |
Mechanical Drawing II |
54 |
Chemistry II |
36 |
Refrigeration |
72 |
Machine Shop II |
72 |
Total |
720 |
For the third year, the cadet is taken ashore for further instruction in merchant subjects and in advanced naval science. This year of training is set up as follows:
|
Deck |
Engineer |
I—At Cadet School |
36 weeks |
36 weeks |
II—At Gyro School |
2 weeks |
2 weeks |
III—Special Training |
12 weeks |
12 weeks |
|
(Dock and offices of Steamship Company) |
(Repair and shipyard) |
The 36 weeks at Cadet Schools are divided as follows:
Hours |
|||
|
Merchant |
Naval |
Total |
Classrooms |
630 |
144 |
774 |
Drills and practical |
594 |
36 |
630 |
Study periods |
|
|
648 |
Totals |
1,224 |
180 |
2,052 |
Merchant (Classroom only) |
|
Deck |
Hours |
Seamanship I |
108 |
Navigation |
108 |
Ship Construction I |
72 |
Meteorology |
36 |
Communication I (Radio) |
72 |
Mechanical Drawing I |
36 |
Commerce and Law I |
72 |
Spanish I |
72 |
2Review for license examination |
54 |
Total |
630 |
Engineer |
Hours |
Marine Steam Engineering I |
108 |
Diesel Engineering I |
108 |
Electrical Engineering I |
108 |
Engine Room Chemistry I |
36 |
Ship Construction I |
72 |
3Machine Shop I (Text) |
36 |
Commerce and Law I |
72 |
4Review for license examination |
54 |
Total |
630 |
Merchant |
|
Drills and Practical Work |
594 Hours |
Advanced Naval Science Cadets (D) and (E) |
|
Classroom |
Hours |
Naval Regulations and Administration |
20 |
Military Law |
20 |
Ordnance and Gunnery |
32 |
Naval Leadership |
16 |
Naval Communication |
16 |
International Law |
16 |
Elementary Tactics |
24 |
Total |
144 |
Drills |
36 |
Total |
180 |
After completion of the 36-week shore course, the following additional training ashore is given. Two weeks at a gyro school for all cadets and 12 weeks of practical training as follows:
Deck |
|
Steamship Company Shore Operation |
Weeks |
On Dock—Cargo and Stowage |
4 |
Office—Marine Department |
4 |
Office—Operating Department |
2 |
Office—Claims Department |
2 |
Total |
12 |
Engine |
|
Shipyards and Repair Gangs |
Weeks |
Machine Shop |
2 |
Boiler Shop |
3 |
Welding Shop |
2 |
Foundry Shop |
2 |
Machinists, outside |
3 |
Total |
12 |
The time devoted to working for various steamship companies on their docks, in their offices, and in shipyards or repair gangs, is particularly advantageous in giving the cadet an understanding of the problems of the shore staffs with a view toward closer co-operation when he becomes a licensed ship’s officer.
After three years, the cadet should have a total of one year, ten months aboard ship and one year, two months at Cadet Schools. When he has fulfilled these requirements and the Supervisor of Cadet Training certifies to his successful completion of the course, the cadet is eligible to take the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation examination for a license as third mate or third assistant engineer of ocean vessels of any tonnage. Due to the irregularity and unevenness of merchant vessel runs, it may be necessary, in some cases, for cadets to be sent back to sea after completion of the shore course for further sea time.
The pay of the cadets is a minimum of $65 per month for the first three years and $80 per month for the time spent at sea as cadet, thereafter. In addition he is quartered and messed with the officers. Every year each steamship company selects an outstanding Deck and an outstanding Engine Cadet and this selection carries an added $10 per month pay for the following year. Cadets who receive scholastic awards from the Maritime Commission for attaining an average of 85 per cent or more on their annual examination are entitled to $10 per month extra pay for this achievement, unless they are already receiving the extra pay for outstanding cadet. The Maritime Commission pays this $65 while the cadet is at shore schools and during the 12 months shore training for second classmen. In addition it pays five cents per mile to accepted cadets from their home to the school, from the school to ships, and between ships and schools when transferred. The only financial outlay for cadets is a deposit of $50 for the initial part of the cost of uniforms and textbooks required during the first month. The remainder of the textbooks and uniforms necessary are taken from the pay of the cadet. This deposit may be returned in the form of pay due after successful completion of the preliminary course of at least eight weeks.
Cadets receive no textbook instruction from ship’s officers while aboard ships. They do, however, receive much assistance in practical work and are inspected each time they come in to the home port from a voyage. The cadet must then prove to the Cadet Training Instructor who inspects him in port that he has been applying himself diligently. This he does mainly by means of well-kept and complete notebooks and answers to numerous questions by the instructor. He is also required to keep a daily log of the amount of time spent on each phase of shipboard activity; this is an indication to the instructor that he is or is not obtaining the varied practical experience he should have. If he has encountered difficulty with parts of the text the instructor assists him to understand it. The progress of the cadet is also discussed with all the ship’s officers. A detailed report of the cadet’s progress is made up from the results of the inspection by the Cadet Training Instructor. In addition, masters submit quarterly fitness reports on all cadets serving under them. Much of the credit for the success of the program to date is due to the splendid co-operation received from masters, chief engineers, and other ship’s officers.
An additional phase of activity of the Section of Cadet Training deals with cadet officers as differentiated from cadets. These young men already hold licenses as Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer under which they have not served. At present about 85 per cent are graduates of the State Maritime Academies and of the Maritime Commission Cadet Corps. The purpose of this phase is to serve as an introduction of these young men to watch standing responsibilities. To date, cadet officers have averaged about six months as such, when they are promoted to watch officer positions in their respective companies. Their rate of pay is $100 per month. After 3 months of service as cadet officer he is eligible for a commission as Ensign (D-M or E-M) U.S.N.R. During the past year many of these young men received active duty orders as ensigns and are now with the fleet. Cadet Officers (E) may request assignment to shipyards for four months of special training which is divided into three periods involving machinery maintenance and repair, electrical maintenance and repair, and welding. Special training of Cadet Officers (D) is conducted on vessels of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey over a period of three months and includes the following: hydro- graphic surveying; practical navigation; chart reading and construction; ship routine and maintenance; bridge and hydro- graphic watches; plotting and interpreting weather charts.
Certain outstanding Deck Cadets are assigned to a course of instruction at Bath Iron Works and, while there, undergo instruction in ship construction and, in connection with trial runs of destroyers and other vessels built there, receive much experience of value. As mentioned above, the majority of these Cadet Officers are graduates of the State Maratime Academies and a short history of these schools and their aim and purpose is included here as additional in formation.
In 1874 Congress passed an Act to provide any state, desiring and able to support a nautical schoolship for the training of officers for the Merchant Marine, with a suitable vessel to be assigned by the Navy.
The first state to take advantage of this offer was New York, which commenced this important work in 1875. Then followed Pennsylvania in 1889, Massachusetts in 1893, and California in 1929.
At the present time these four schools have a total enrollment of over 500 young men between the ages of 17 and 23 years.
The period of training at all of the State Nautical Schools is three years, with three cruises of about 100 days each during this time. In most cases the cadets on these training ships are high-school graduates.
Generally speaking, these cadets are required to study the same subjects as prescribed by the U. S. Maritime Commission for its Cadet Corps, the difference between the two systems being twice the time at sea for cadets of the U. S. Maritime Commission Cadet Corps in ships in which they will later serve as officers.
The Navy Department is co-operating with the State Maritime Academies by furnishing competent instructors in naval science subjects. These schools have an excellent record for number of graduates on active duty during the national emergency. Of the total merchant officers presently serving in the Navy almost half are State Maritime Academies graduates. A minimum of 80 hours in these subjects each year is required for students to qualify for Cadet, M.M.R., U.S.N.R.
The State Maritime Academies are all commanded by retired United States Navy captains and the rest of the officers, in most cases, are schoolship graduates who have served a number of years as officers on board merchant vessels and are well qualified to teach the subjects assigned them.
Upon graduating from the schoolships and obtaining their federal licenses, these young officers are assigned to merchant vessels as Cadet Officers or Junior Officers.
Up to June 30, 1940, the training ships were owned by the United States Navy, and on that date they were turned over to the United States Maritime Commission under the President’s Reorganization Plan No. IV. The Maritime Commission is now responsible for furnishing the vessels to the various states, for keeping them in repair, and for granting federal aid in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per year for each school. Under the provisions of an Act of Congress, approved July 29, 1941, the Maritime Commission will build and furnish to each of the states mentioned above a new training ship; will prescribe minimum standards and regulations for them; and will increase the amount of annual federal aid from $25,000 to $50,000 providing out-of-state students are admitted on scholarships paid for by the Maritime Commission in numbers not to exceed one- third.
A picture of the steady development of the Maritime Commission’s Cadet Corps is shown by the following figures:
Cadet Officers and Cadets |
Date |
99 |
March, 1938 |
412 |
June, 1941 |
Legal Limit 600 |
Within next few weeks |
This program is one which, in the long run, should really attract promising young men. With nearly two years actual sea service, and more than one year of shore training, they should turn out to be thoroughly competent merchant marine officers with enough knowledge of naval science to make them readily convertible to naval officers during times of national emergency.
1. For details of Maritime Service see article of Lieutenant Commander Francke, U.S.N.R., in June, 1941, issue of the Naval Institute Proceedings.
2. During last 18 weeks.
3. At least 108 hours additional in practical machine shop at the school and 12 weeks at repair or shipyard.
4.During last 18 weeks.