I. A naval cadet must, on nomination, be not less than thirteen or more than fifteen years of age.
II. He must undergo the examination at the Royal Naval College within three months of the date of nomination.
III. He must produce a certificate of birth, or a declaration of the date of birth, made before a magistrate.
IV. He must be in good health, free from impediment of speech, defect of vision, rupture, etc.
V. The subjects in which a cadet is required to pass are as follows:—
Between thirteen and fourteen years of age:
(1) To write from dictation legibly and correctly.
(2) To read, parse, and translate an easy passage from some Latin or French author (the use of a dictionary is allowed).
(3) To have a satisfactory knowledge of the leading facts of Scripture and English history.
(4) Modern geography, including the principal countries, capitals, mountains, and rivers, etc.; and to be able to point out a place on the map if the latitude and longitude are given.
(5) Arithmetic, including the four first rules, proportion, and a fair knowledge of vulgar and decimal fractions.
(6) Algebra, including fractions.
Above the age of fourteen, in addition to the above:
(1) The use of the globes, correct definition of latitude, longitude azimuth, amplitude, and other circles.
(2) Vulgar and decimal fractions.
(3) Algebra, simple equations.
(4) The first book of Euclid.
(5) Plane trigonometry and its application to the solution of easy problems.
A knowledge of drawing is recommended.
VI. A cadet on passing will be appointed to a training ship at Portsmouth or Devonport for at least three months.
VII. Quarterly examinations will be held on board the training ship, and any cadet who considers that he is competent may present himself for examination in sheet No. 1 and seamanship. If found qualified, he will be sent to a sea-going ship.
VIII. Any cadet who fails to pass his examination within the periods stated below will be rejected:—
| 14 years 6 months on joining | The second quarterly examination. |
| 14 years and under 6 months | The third quarterly examination. |
| Under 14 years | The fourth quarterly examination. |
Any cadet of indifferent conduct will be reported by the captain to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, who may dismiss him summarily.
IX. No cadet will be allowed to count more than three months in the training ship towards sea-time.
Sextant, box of mathematical instruments, spyglass, French grammar and dictionary (including sea terms), a book on navigation, Euclid’s Elements, geography, book on the use of mathematical and nautical instruments, book on the steam engine, Colenso’s Arithmetic and Algebra, Jeans’ Trigonometry.
The examination on leaving the training ship is to include all the subjects of the examination on entry except Latin, and the following in addition:—
Arithmetic: involution, extraction of square root.
Algebra: simple equations.
The elements of geometry.
Plane trigonometry, including the solution of practical and useful problems.
Spherical trigonometry: solution of triangles, and application to nautical astronomy.
Navigation: day’s work—meridian altitude, longitude by chronometer, to be able to explain and use the sextant, azimuth compass, artificial horizon, and theodolite.
French: any selection from the first fifty lessons in Ollendorf, and to read, parse, and translate a passage.
A certificate must be obtained from the captain and the master of proficiency in rigging, seamanship, etc.; also one of conduct and attention from the naval instructor.