‘HAVANNAH.’—(Cardiff.)
Established 1855.
This is an old “man-of-war,” banked round, so as to be a “land ship,” with a causeway to the shore, and it accommodates about 70 boys, many of whom have industrial employment in gardening and as porters, &c. Of the 66 boys discharged in the three years, 1874, 1875, 1876, 58 were known to be earning honest livelihoods, 2 were convicted, 2 unknown, and 4 have died. According to the report of August, 1878, 68 boys were in the ship, of whom 61 were sent under the Industrial Schools Act. There were 2 on license, and 7 appeared to be voluntary cases. The expenditure in 1876 was about £1500, but £200 was earned by the Industrial Department. In that year 3 boys went to sea, and in 1878 6 boys.
‘INDEFATIGABLE.’—(Mersey.)
This vessel was established in 1864 to train orphan and destitute boys for sea—boys from the port of Liverpool having a preference. The report issued in March, 1878, shewed the average number on board to be 250, of whom 80 had lost both parents. About 50 boys go out to life each year. The funds are from voluntary contributions, and about £5000 a year is expended.
‘MARS.’—(Dundee.)
Established 1869.
This is an “Industrial School Ship,” under the Act of Parliament, and it has a “tender,” “which makes men of the youngsters; she has just brought 100 tons of coals to us from Shields (July 5, 1878).” The accommodation is for 350 boys. In 1877, 122 boys were admitted and 95 discharged, leaving 350 on the register, while “there is great pressure for admission.” Of the 95 boys, 6 entered the Royal Navy, 55 the Merchant Service as first class boys, 27 went to shore trades (but seven of these returned and went to sea), and 7 died. One-third of the boys admitted were unable to read at all; of 309 discharged during 3 years, 248 were “doing well.”
The expenses in 1877 were about £6800.
Donations and subscriptions about £1700.