As stated by uptoncx, there where 4 training ships all at anchor in the sloan on the mersey. the Conway was a training ship for boys who where then to become officer cadets in the Royal Navy. The Indefatigable was a training ship for boys who where then to join the Merchant Navy.The Akbar which was the reformatory school for boys, later when the Akbar was no longer fit for purpose a land based reform scholl was established in Heswal there was a 5th training ship HMS Eaglet and she was berthed within the dock system of liverpool. over the course of the next few days or so i shall upload various photo's of the these various names ships
It was the other way round Jimbob, the Conway was Merchant Navy cadets, the Indefatigable was Royal Navy cadets
Yes, she did catch fire, on the 16th October 1956, during the dismantling of the remains of the ship, a workman's torch set fire to the vessel.
The ship's figure-head, a mast and her anchor were rescued, these went to the new shore based school at Plas Newydd. When this closed in 1974, the figure-head was moved to the Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, the anchor went to the Liverpool Maritime Museum, and the mast was put into storage. The Conway's colours were laid up in Liverpool Cathedral.
In 1989 the mast was refurbished, brought back to Birkenhead and assembled at the side of the old Egerton Dock.
I stand corrected as far as the Conway. She was the training ship for Merchant Navy Oficers. The Indefatigable was the training ship for Merchant Navy Sailors
Ships that pass in the night, seldom seen and soon forgoten
I stand corrected as far as the Conway. She was the training ship for Merchant Navy Oficers. The Indefatigable was the training ship for Merchant Navy Sailors
As you say, the Conway was a training ship for the Merchant Navy. There was, however, also a training ship for Royal Navy Officers moored in the Sloyne off New Ferry. This was H.M.S.Hastings. She arrived in 1857 and spent the winter months anchored in the Sloyne, and during the summer months she was sailed around the district. She remained until about 1866.
The Friends of HMS Conway was formed in 1996 as a Charity dedicated to preserving the memory of HMS Conway through the acquisition, maintenance and display of artifacts and memorabilia connected with the ship and the subsequent shore establishment.
The Friends is continuing the work started by the Centenary Appeal Fund but with wider objects. Its first task was to find a home for the Conway memorabilia that had been collected over the years, particularly the Memorial and Honours Boards from the Conway Chapel at Plas Newydd, and we were most fortunate to be granted the use of a small chapel in the Birkenhead Priory. The Priory is a 12th century building overlooking the River Mersey where the old ship used to lie and therefore an ideal resting place for items of "Conway" history.
In addition another important task is to make a list of all Conway cadets who lost their lives at sea other than in the two world wars. Some such as James Moody, sixth officer of the Titanic, are well known, but the majority who perished did so in the sailing ship era and have no known memorial
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
The school built at Plas Newydd on Anglesey to replace the lost Ship. Opened By Prince Philip in 1964. It was nicknamed The Stone Frigate by the cadets..
