The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 45, 1736 / Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century

NAUTICAL SCHOOL

I

Royal order approving the new regulations for pilots in Manila

Ministry of the navy, commerce, and government of the colonies:

Your Excellency:

Her Majesty, the queen governess, in accordance with the opinion of the admiralty board, and with that of the General Division of Studies of the kingdom, has considered it fitting to approve, in all its parts, the new regulations for the academy for pilots in Manila, which your Excellency’s predecessor sent to this ministry for the fitting resolution in his letter of July 20, 1837, number 157. By royal order, I communicate this to your Excellency for your knowledge and for the corresponding results. May God preserve your Excellency many years. Madrid, May nine, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.

Chacon

II

[Concerning the professional nautical school, ArchipiÉlago Filipino says:]

This school, which was created at the instance of the consulate of commerce, by command of his Majesty, dated January 1, 1820, was ruled by the regulations of 1837, which were modified by the royal order of October 19, 1860. In this school was studied the profession of pilot of merchant marine. The theoretical teaching was given in it in four years’ time;1 while the practical teaching was given in vessels on the high sea, after the pupils had received, by virtue of examinations, certificates as deserving persons.

The total number of pupils was usually fifty or sixty. They were mostly Indians, who, as they did not master the Spanish language, did not derive all the profit which would have been reported under other circumstances, and many of them after the knowledge acquired in the first two courses, chose a more lucrative profession.

At first it was supported with its own funds and under the direction of the Board and Tribunal of Commerce, but later, upon the suppression of the Board and Tribunal, the school and its funds passed under the control of the state, which furnished its expenses, and gave the administrative direction to the commandant-general of the naval station and its immediate director.2

[Regarding the same school, Census of Philippines, iii, p. 613 says:]

As a consequence of the abolition of the tribunal of commerce existing in the city of Manila, which had charge of the school, the government undertook the supervision of it, by superior order, which provided that the personnel thereof should be considered as public officials, and that the funds on which it depended for its support should be turned into the treasury....

The nautical school3 was not very well attended by the young Filipinos, the cause for which is not understood in view of the fact that this is a country in which navigation is one of the most powerful mercantile resources, and whose inhabitants have special and exceptional qualifications therefor. The lack of interest shown in studies of this character can be attributed only to the little protection, lack of means and of opportunities, afforded upon the conclusion of the course.

1 See the program of these theoretical studies, in Census of Philippines, iii, p. 613.?

2 There was also at Manila, for many years, a military academy for the education of the sons of military men residing in the colony, as well as for soldiers and non-commissioned officers who desired to fit themselves for promotion. The son of a native needed great influence to enable him to enter, and such had generally to enlist as a soldier, more especially since the age-limit was lowered. Formerly, when the scale of ages was different in the colonies from the scale in Spain, officers graduated from this academy, but later when the scales were made uniform, this academy was closed, and opened again afterward under different conditions. Its candidates were eligible candidates for admission to the general military academy of Spain at Toledo, which annually gave notice to the academy of the number of scholars which it could accommodate. Many Filipinos took advantage of this and became efficient military men. The instruction given in the academy seems to have been superior to that afforded in many of the other institutions, and examinations were comparatively strict. Annual attendance was generally about 100. Since American occupation a military academy has been suggested for the Filipinos. See Report of Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 40, 1900–1903, p. 128; and Report of Commissioner of Education, 1899–1900, ii, pp. 1627, 1628.?

3 This is the oldest educational institution of the Philippines under the supervision of the Bureau of Education. The building of the school was destroyed by the earthquake of 1863. A nautical school was opened by the American government in Manila, December 15, 1899, with an enrolment of 22 pupils, and under the superintendency of Lieut. Commander V. S. Cottman, U.S.N., who was assisted by three instructors. He was relieved by Lieut. George F. Cooper, December 25, 1899. The course of instruction was at first for three years. At the beginning of the new term in June, 1900, four more instructors were appointed. There were five instructors at the opening of the first term in 1901. The instruction was first in Spanish, but for the sake of greater efficiency English was substituted. In July, 1901, the school opened with 83 pupils. In October, 1901, the course was extended to four years. The studies include English, mathematics, history, drawing, mechanics, and practical seamanship. The method of instruction and discipline are based upon those of the United States Naval Academy. The building, although well equipped in many ways, is not itself adequate for the purpose for which it is used. The school has not attained the excellence desired, due in part to the irregular attendance and lack of discipline, although attendance continues to increase. See Report of the Commissioner of Education (Department of the Interior), 1901, ii, pp. 1421–1423, and 1902, ii, pp. 2244–2246; Report of the Philippine Commission, 1900, i, p. 39, ii, p. 473, 1900–1903, p. 271, 1904, iii, pp. 826, 827, and 888, 889; and Census of Philippines, iii, pp. 663, 664.

The Philippine budget for 1880–81 included 4,397.33 pesos for the staff of the nautical academy, and those of painting and designing, history and bookkeeping, and the botanical garden; and 7,786.32 pesos for equipment. See Sanciano y Goson’s Progreso de Filipinas (Madrid, 1881), pp. 23, 24.?

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