sailor's life.

The course of instruction takes two years, and during that time each boy
must pay $30 for the cost of his uniform and bedding.

In the winter the ship lies alongside the pier at the foot of
Twenty-eighth Street and East River, and there the boys are taught the
art of navigation and all the seamanship they can learn before they go
to sea.

As soon as the spring sets in, the _St. Mary's_ is towed over to a
suitable harbor in Long Island, and there the boys are thoroughly
drilled in the furling and unfurling of sails, and in all the practical
knowledge that will enable them to handle the ship when she puts to
sea.

When all is ready, she starts off on a cruise which lasts till Fall, and
returns to her pier in October.

Arrived in dock, the graduation exercises are held; and the graduates
are assigned to such ships of the merchant navy as are in need of them.

This year there are eighty-nine scholars on board the _St. Mary's_. It
is the intention of Lieutenant-Commander Reeder, who is in command of
the vessel, to sail across the Atlantic to Fayal, Lisbon, Gibraltar, and
Madeira, before he brings his ship back to winter quarters.

It is said that the young sailors who are turned out of this nautical
school are in great demand, and have no difficulty in finding good
berths as soon as they have graduated.