The “Royal Naval Asylum,” for 680 boys and 200 girls, aided by Parliamentary grant, was amalgamated in 1821 with the other (the Royal Hospital School), forming a “Lower School” and “Upper School” for 1000 boys, in the quadrangle now occupied opposite the Royal Naval College. In 1841 the girls’ school ceased. In 1860 the distinction between “Upper” and “Lower” School was given up.
In 1870 industrial work was introduced in addition to the other instruction, and the splendid land ship ‘Fame’ was erected in 1872, which, with boats on the river, large sized moveable models in lofty halls, and a fine swimming bath, gymnasium, class-rooms, and workshops, are the means for instructing 1000 boys most admirably under the supervision of Captain Burney, C.B., and an energetic staff. From the report of July, 1878, it appears that there were 39 pupil teachers, and 958 boys between 10 and 15 years of age. Total 997 in the school. The number of boys admitted during the year was 334, number discharged 333, of whom 99 went into Her Majesty’s Service, and 4 died; 329 boys between 13 and 15 years of age now in the School, have signed continuous service engagements to serve in the Royal Navy for 10 years from the age of 18. The boys’ industrial work in about 30 departments of useful labour is of great value to the school, so that the annual cost (exclusive of new buildings, but including all repairs) is under £18 per head.
The punishments are under 1 per cent., and 45 per cent. of the boys can swim.
‘FORMIDABLE.’—(Portishead, Bristol Channel.)
Established 1869.
This is an “Industrial School Ship” for boys between the ages of 11 and 14 years. During the eighteen months ending December 31, 1877, 84 boys had been admitted (including 41 from the London School Board), 18 from Bristol, and the rest from ten other towns, with 2 “volunteer” boys.
Of these there had been discharged during the eighteen months, 81 to the Merchant Service, 2 to the Royal Navy, 26 to friends, 5 to the Army, 13 elsewhere, and 2 died. The number of boys on board December 31, 1877, was 324. From the commencement of the ship, 800 boys had been admitted, including 50 “volunteers,” and of these 366 had gone to the Merchant Service, and 27 to the Royal Navy, while 11 died. The receipts for the year, including £1500 from the Treasury, and £600 from annual subscriptions, amounted to £8213.
‘GIBRALTAR.’—(Belfast.)
Established 1872.
This Industrial School Ship for Protestant boys is called “The Ulster Training Ship for Homeless and Destitute Boys.” The number on board the 31st of December, 1877, was 289, of whom about half could read, write, and cipher well; 64 had been admitted during the year, nearly all of them from Antrim, and of these, 33 could not read or write at all, while only 7 could read, write, and cipher well; 32 of these had lost their fathers, and 18 were orphans.