‘WARSPITE.’—(Charlton, Thames.)
The Marine Society established its first ship the ‘Beatty,’ with a crew of 40 boys, 120 years ago, and it has since sent to sea about 60,000 boys trained for sailors’ life. The new ship, a fine two decker (late ‘Conqueror’), in substitution for the old ‘Warspite’ (which was burned), and rechristened with that name, had 156 boys on board in January, 1877. 304 were afterwards admitted, 43 were sent to the Royal Navy, and 137 to the Merchant Service, leaving 269 on board at the beginning of the year 1878. Most of these are orphans or boys deserted by their parents. Out of 123 boys who returned in that year from first voyages, 117 had “very good” on their certificates. The age for admission is from 13 to 16, height from 4 feet 8 inches; 93 boys learned to swim last summer. The expenditure during the year was £11,000, including £3000 for fitting up the new ship.
‘WELLESLEY.’—(South Shields.)
Established 1868.
This vessel is for homeless and destitute boys unconvicted of crime, but who are sent under the Industrial Schools Act, at the instance of one of the ten or more School Boards which have agreements with “The ‘Wellesley’ Training Ship Institution,” or who come individually. From the report in June, 1877, it appears that in the twelve months preceding, 91 boys had been received, and 59 were discharged, of whom 45 went to sea. This left 307 boys on board. Of the boys discharged during 3 years, 83 per cent. were “doing well.” Since the commencement of the Institution 702 boys had been received. About £1000 had been contributed by the School Boards during the year, and £90 for “voluntary boys,” each of whom is received for £20 per annum. The maintenance account for the year was about £5000.
‘WORCESTER.’—(Thames.)
This vessel was moored at Greenhithe in 1862; a larger vessel, a 72-gun frigate of 5000 tons, and rechristened ‘Worcester,’ was substituted in 1877. The ‘Worcester’ provides properly qualified officers for merchant vessels, and accommodates 200 boys. The terms are, for boys from 13 to 16 years old, 50 guineas, and for boys from 11 to 13 years old, 45 guineas per annum.
The Board of Trade allows two years passed on the ‘Worcester’ to count as one year’s sea service, and Her Majesty gives annually a gold medal to the boy most noted for good conduct. About 30 boys passed through the ship last year.
SUMMARY OF TRAINING SHIPS DESCRIBED.
| Ships | Boys | |
| Royal Naval (besides those for young Officers, see page 306) | 5 | 3400 |
| Voluntary, including two for Officers and one land ship | 7 | 1500 |
| Poor-law ship | 1 | 600 |
| Industrial School ships, including one “School Board” ship and two “land ships” | 11 | 2800 |
| Reformatory ships | 3 | 640 |
| Total | 27 | 8940 |