Figure 1.--Here we see the boys of 'HMS Mercury' enjoying a swim in 1914. At the time 'Mercury' was at Southampton. As the ship was replaced in June of that year, if the date is correct, the water must have been really cold. We are not sure what the ship was behind 'Mercury'. The photograph might have been taken after 'Mercury' was replaced. As there is no nowbow in site, the instructors must have had a reat deal of confidence in the boys' swimming ability. Notice that they are not staying close to the ship.

The training ship HMS Mercury was used as both a school and a training ship. Yhje ship became a training ship in 1885 and was decommisioned in 1968. It was originally the Illovo built in 1867 in Aberdeen. It was renamed Mercury when it was converted to a training ship (1885). As a training ship it was moored off the Isle of Wight. At the time it was still sea worthy. It made a cruise to France with a crew that included 132 boys (winter 1888-89). Later the ship was moved to Hamble, near Southampton (1892). The school subsequently acquired land facilities and esentially moved ashore. The ship continued to be used as dormitories and as a focus for activities such as boating and drill. Mercury just before World war I was replaced by HMS President (formerly Gannet) (June 1914). We are not sure what happened to Mercury after she was replaced as a training ship. [Old Boys' Association] The school maintained the the name TS Mercury although the ship was replaced in June 1914. We suspect thst the boys were pulled off the ship during the World War II Blitz (1940). The Luftwaffe heavily targetted British ports. The school was finally closed in 1968. The ship Mercury (formerly Illnovo) remained some time near the new vessel. Finally Mercury was lost during World War I off Cardiff (1917). We are unsure of thge circumstanceds.

Sources

Source: Old Boys' Association.

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Created: 6:58 AM 10/17/2011
Last updated: 6:58 AM 10/17/2011