This is a Reformatory Ship, managed by “The School Ship Society.” The boys enter between 13 and 15 years of age, sentenced to 3 years’ detention under the Reformatory Schools Act. The average number of boys maintained on board in 1877 was 218. Comparative cost per head on ordinary maintenance and management £32. Industrial profits, £329. Of cases discharged in 1874, 1875, and 1876, there were doing well (December, 1877) 198, doubtful 5, convicted of crime 4, unknown 18, dead 12. In July, 1878, the Captain had heard of 114 boys at sea service, all doing well, and 26 boys visited in June, equally satisfactory, one of them in command of a large ship.
An epidemic in 1875–76 caused much trouble and expense.
‘CUMBERLAND.’—(Clyde.)
Established June, 1869.
This is an Industrial School Ship. At the beginning of 1877 there were 385 boys on board, and during the year 133 were admitted, 105 were sent to sea, 11 to shore employment, 5 to their friends, 1 to a school, 6 absconded, and 1 died, leaving 389 on the roll for January 1, 1878. From the establishment up to that time, 1343 boys had been admitted, and 954 had left. Of 432 discharged in 1874, 1875, and 1876, 345 were known to be doing well, 10 indifferently, 3 convicted of crime, and 16 died of disease and casualties. The receipts for the year were £7280, including £500 on contingency account. The ship is managed by a committee, of which the President is Mr. John Burns, of Castle Wemyss, who is well known for his important position as chairman of The Cunard Company (Limited), and for his hearty liberal efforts on behalf of boys who need a friend.
‘ENDEAVOUR.’—(Feltham, Middlesex.)
Established 1866.
This is a “land ship,” with boats on the river, and the following description of it is from a paper by Captain Brookes, Royal Marines, the Superintendent of the “Middlesex Industrial Schools at Feltham,” where about 800 boys sent by magistrates are trained for the Army, the Navy, and various other modes of life:—
“The 150 boys composing the Nautical Section are dressed as sailors, and their everyday life is assimilated as much as possible to what it would be in a stationary Training Ship—they sleep in hammocks, live in messes, and are daily exercised in seamanship on board the full-sized model brig ‘Endeavour,’ built on play-ground. Boats are provided on the river at Staines for instruction in rowing, and the boys are taught to swim in a large swimming bath in the grounds.
“The brig was built in 1866, between which date and the end of last year 748 boys (about an average of 70 per annum) have been trained and sent to sea.