Edward Phillips Statham
The Story of the "Britannia"
The training ship for naval cadets. With some account of previous methods of naval education, and of the new scheme of 1903.
"The Story of the 'Britannia'" by Edward Phillips Statham is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book provides a detailed narrative about the evolution of naval education in Britain, particularly focusing on the training ship, the 'Britannia', and the various methods employed in the training of naval cadets over the years. At the start of the book, Statham reflects on the historical context of naval officer entry into service, emphasizing the haphazard and often absurd methods of the 18th and early 19th centuries. He recounts the experiences of young aspirants like the son of the renowned Captain Robert Harris, who was one of the first cadets trained under a newer, more structured system that aimed to improve the qualifications of naval officers. The opening portion highlights the challenges of past training regimes while setting the stage for the transformations that were necessary for the future of the Royal Navy.