Training Dublin Sea Scouts-1912
The Sea Scout Branch of the Boy Scout movement was started in London eighteen months ago, where every family is afforded the lads to become efficient seamen. They have a 50 ton Ketch, presented by the Mirror, in which sea going trips are made periodically, and the movement is otherwise well supported. Sea Scouts are to be found in almost every seaport town round the coast of Britain at the moment, the idea having immediately “caught on” and boys are keenly raking up this new training.
The primary effect of Sea Scouting is to develop boys between the ages of 12 and 16 both mentally and physical, by means of sea training and sea discipline, it being a well-known fact that the seaman’s ordinary training ashore and afloat eminently entitles him to his well-known sobriquet of “the Handy man”. Boys so trained learn to be quick and handy, and to possess the physical strength and courage which is so thoroughly characteristic of our seamen.
The Sea Scout is trained on boat management, and has to prove his intimate knowledge of this subject before he can secure the Boatman’s Badge of crossed oars. He must be able to swim at least 50 yards with his clothes on, and be able to bring a drowning person to the shore, after which he must be competent to apply the Schaefer method of resuscitating the apparently drowned.
He must possess and intimate knowledge of the working of the Rocket Apparatus and of the coast for a distance of 4 miles in his district, must be able to signal by day or night by means of the Morse and Semaphore systems, and to know every vessel by the rig .Knotting, splicing, sewing, carpentry and navigation are subjects in which Sea Scout receives instruction, and his body is well cared for by exercise in rowing, sailing, swimming, and the various methods of physical culture. He is instructed in the rules of hygiene, and the care of his teeth, hair, and eyesight, and can render “first aid” to the injured. The training keeps the lad in the open air, and is a help to weedy youths to gain strength.
The movement is non-sectarian. There are Catholic and Protestants lads in every troop; all work together, and the subjects of religion and politics are tabooed. Religious training does not enter in to the Sea Sco9ut curriculum in any shape or form that is left to parents and pastors.
The Sea Scout movement was first started in Ireland at Bray, Co. Wicklow, early this year by Scout Master the Rev.Mr.Lefroy and in September last Scout master R.P.Fortune, who raised the first troop of Boy Scouts in this city for years ago, relinquished command of the 1st City of Dublin Troop Boy Scouts and organised the first troop of Sea Scouts in Dublin, to be followed shortly after by Scout Master Perrin with the 2nd Dublin Troop Sea Scouts; a third troop is now in formation. Dublin Sea Scouts are governed by a Sea Scout Sub-Committee, incorporated with the County Dublin Association (Baden Powell) Boy Scouts, and having for Chairman the Sea Scout Commissioner for Ireland, Lieut .Rundle, R.N., H.M. Coastguards, Malahide, and Hon. Secretary Sea Scout Master. R.P.Fortune.) Boy Scouts and having for Chairman the Sea Scout Commissioner for Ireland, Lieut .Rundle, R.N., H.M. Coastguards, Malahide, and Hon. Secretary Sea Scout Master. R.P.Fortune.
The Sea Scouts have to provide themselves with the uniform of the corps, which is supplied at cost price; there is no other expense. Instructors are drawn from volunteers from H.M Coastguard and receive no remuneration whatever. The expenses of running a troop of Sea Scouts is met by the Scout Master, who occasionally raise funds by means of a concert, display, etc. Boats have to be provided for the boys, and are a heavy item of expense .There is no general fund in existence, and help is needed to equip the troop properly, and so enable them to carry out a full course of sea training. The first Dublin Sea Scouts recently acquired a fine cutter, which is proving a valuable means of training the lads in boat management. Funds are required to wipe off the balance of the purchase money, and to purchase materials for a rocket apparatus to be made by the lads during the winter months.
Irish Times 23rd November 1912
Tran scripted in April 2012 from