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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

and is of 825 gross and 775 net tonnage. This vessel is employed in cruising in the neighbouring seas.

A large sailing vessel, named the Taisei Maru, of above 2,000 tons, is now in course of building at the Kawasaki Dockyard in Kobe. When finished, it will be used as a training-ship in navigation. Not only will it sail to different ports in Japan, but also to those of Europe, America, Australia, etc.

Besides the Government Nautical College, the Nippon Kaiin Ekisaiwai (Japan Sailors’ Home) contributes to some extent towards the training of higher seamen. The association possesses branches at Tokyo, Kobe, and Nagasaki, where a number of ordinary seamen possessing some experience receive instruction in order to prepare themselves for the examinations for the officers’ certificates.

The following schools are the public institutions for training the higher seamen:

  • Hakodate Nautical School, Hakodate, Hokkaido.
  • HakodateOshima Nautical„ School,„ Oshima, Yamaguchiken.
  • HakodateYuge Nautical„ School,„ Ochigori, Ehimeken.
  • HakodateAwashima Nautical„ School,„ Mitoyogori, Kagawaken.
  • HakodateToba Nautical„ School,„ Toba, Miyeken.
  • HakodateSaga Nautical„ School,„ Sagagori, Saga.
  • HakodateHiroshima Nautical„ School,„ Toyoda, Hiroshimaken.

In the above institutions navigation and engineering courses may be taken. The institutions are open for boys who have finished their four years’ course of education in the high elementary schools, and for those who are regarded upon examination as of equal ability. The course is about six and a half years, the subjects taught being as follows:

Navigation Department.—Moral Code; Reading; Composition; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry; Drawing; Gymnastics; Elements of Surgery; Foreign Languages; General Principles of Seamanship, Navigation, Marine Meteorology, and Shipbuilding; Principles of Mercantile Marine Business.

Engineering Department.—Mechanics; Applied Mechanics; General Principles of Electricity; General Principles of Shipbuilding; Principles of Mercantile Marine Business.

The graduates of the above institutions are required to undergo the examination for officers. If successful, they become deck officers or engineers, but the graduates of the Nautical College are granted officers’ certificates without examination.

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