Cadet

Cadet, NAVAL, is the lowest grade of officer of the military branch of the royal navy. The entry is by limited competition, except a few cadetships which are given annually to the colonies and to the sons of officers of the services. Nomination is made by members of the Board of Admiralty. Each flag-officer on hoisting his flag, and captain on first appointment to command a ship, is allowed one nomination. The age for entry is 13 to 14½ years. Candidates are examined twice a year in London. If successful, they are sent for two years to the Britannia training-ship at Dartmouth, where they study mathematics, languages, navigation, seamanship, &c. The cost of this tuition to the cadet's parent or guardian is £70 a year. At the conclusion of the course cadets are placed on the Navy List according to their position in the final examination, those who take first-class certificates becoming midshipmen at once. Cadets receive further instruction on board sea-going ships, and also keep watch, do duty aloft, in boats, &c. They mess in the gun-room, and are paid a shilling a day.