Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/521
Meanwhile the naval dockyards have not been idle. The number of the cruisers and gunboats finished at these dockyards during the period of twenty-six years from 1876 to 1901 inclusive was twenty-three, with the total tonnage of 35,021 tons. The largest of these warships is the Hashidate, 4,278 tons, constructed at Yokosuka. The total number of torpedo-boats finished by the end of 1902 was twenty-two.
The cruisers and gunboats now building or to be built are eight in number, with a total tonnage of 12,272, while the number of torpedo-boats in course of construction is sixteen.
III. Nautical Education
By the Principal of the Shosen Gakko (Government Nautical College), Tokyo
Before entering into the details of nautical education in Japan, let us first glance at the increase of tonnage and number of seamen up to the end of 1902, in order to gain some idea of the present condition of the shipping trade.
In 1897 the total tonnage of the vessels in this country did not exceed over 400,000 tons, including steamers and sailing vessels; but with the expansion of national industry the number and tonnage of vessels rapidly increased, and by the end of 1902 the tonnage amounted to 934,961 tons, out of which 605,122 tons represented steamers, and 329,839 tons sailing vessels. It must, however, be acknowledged that the number able to handle the vessels—namely, the skilled officers of certified ability—were few in proportion. At the present time there are only properly certificated officers, as shown in the following table:
| Japanese. | Foreigners. | |||
|
920 | 213 | ||
|
981 | 118 | ||
|
1,901 | 331 |
Such being the case, the necessity of producing good seamen is urgently felt at present, and the Government is making efforts to make the nautical education more effective.
In Japan the only complete establishment for the training of the higher branches of sailors is the Nautical College of Tokyo. It is attached to the Department of Communications. The institution was first founded in 1875 by the Mitsu Bishi Company, but was later transferred to the Japanese Mail Ship Company. In 1885 it was taken over by the Government and reorganized, and has developed into the present Nautical College.