Manuscript Prospectus for the Establishment of an Academy of Naval Architecture.

MANUSCRIPT. (WARREN, Sir John Borlase)

Verlag: [c.1803], 1803

Beschreibung

21pp neat ms. on 11 folio leaves watermarked 1803, with two additional blanks, sewn; old folds. First published in A View of the Naval Force of Great Britain (1791) by the Royal Navy officer, politician and diplomat Sir John Borlase Warren, 1753-1822; this document outlines a proposal for 'an establishment or academy of naval architecture. I should therefore propose that an institution of this sort be immediately set on foot'. The intention was that graduates from such an institution 'should be allowed, upon having a licence or patent from this Board, to engage as builders and every ship of consequence that is built, the master builder should be obliged to send a draught to the Board for their opinion, so as to encourage emulation in this branch, and for which purpose proper rewards should be distributed by the commissioners'. Sons of gentlemen were to be admitted between the ages of 11 and 13 (with exceptions made up to 15) and trained for two years upon sloops of war located at all major ports. Those who progressed were to be schooled at the 'three major ports' in four subjects: Manoeuvres, navigation, artillery and the construction of ships. Those who graduated in the first class were to receive £20 annually and were to command all warrant officers. Those of the 3rd class were to be 'under the warrant officers and shall be upon deck with the sailors applying their hands to every thing and shall be exercised in going aloft upon the yards, in the tops and to the mast heads'. Warren concludes that 'by this means the French endeavour to form officers who at least possess the theory; how much more advantageous would it be to us to unite both, which might be done in a much greater degree, and easier manner than our rivals'. Written 12 years after Warren's printed proposal, this appears to be a document intended for distribution amongst the officer class for the reenergising of the campaign to establish such an institution. Despite an urgent call for such an establishment, the Academy of Naval Architecture was not established until 1811 and even then it was located at only one major port, Portsmouth, rather than the far broader proposal made here. Its curriculum was also far narrower, concentrated on the science of shipbuilding rather than the rounded education put forward by the author. It was abolished in 1832 having trained only 42 graduates. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 79146

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Manuscript Prospectus for the Establishment ...

Verlag: [c.1803]

Erscheinungsdatum: 1803