A History Of The Merchant Navy by H Moyse Bartlett

Published in 1937 by George Harrap, London (there is a copy in the Book Barn in Glastonbury!)

Several mentions of the Conway (Worcester and Pangbourne) and their role in supplying officer cadets. Interestingly, even at this early date, the author suggests that shipping lines were finding it cheaper to recruit direct and not from the training ships. Also has a section on the role of the RNR and a suggestion that the newly introduced rank of Midshipman RNR was filled only by OCs OWs and OPs.

Adventures of Captain Kettle by Charles John Cutcliffe Wright Hyne

Publisher by M A Donohue & Co (Chicago) in 1899

A series of short stories originally published in Pearsons magazine. The author was not an OC but, according to a review in The Cadet seveal of his characters were trained in Conway. He did not visit the ship but may have had an OCs as advisor. The full text can be read online here but there is only one Conway reference. The Conway references is "I'm an old Conway boy, and was brought up to respect discipline". The author eventaully wrote a series of Cpatain Kette book so perhaps he included Conway references in those as well. The series was "..soon as popular as Conan Doyle...". It was turned into a movie released in 1922 , clips viewable hereKettle was based on the real life British sailor "he was a renowned British adventurer and lecturer" who also starred in the film

 

The Antigone by Richard Woodman.

Published by Severn House Publishers Ltd; New Ed edition 27 Mar 1997. 224 pages. ISBN-10: 0727851780

This is a fictional account of life aboard a fictitious Blue Funnel 'A' Class ship, the Antigone. It is set in the 60s. There is mention of Conway in the book.

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The Art of Swimming by A.G. Payne and M Webb

Originally published by Webb himself (then re-published in 1999 by Prior Publications, Whitstable and Walsall, England with the new author (A G Payne) adding extra material

Described as an account of Captain Webb's epic swim, his instructions on swimming, and details of other feats of the period. This is a curious book in terms of its authorship. The last chapter of 43 pages on Recent Remarkable swimming Feats are actually signed by the editor, A.G.P. The book is an interesting description of Webb's childhood and swimming strokes of the time and is an important historical document. An important book for the historian and collector.

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Battle Honours Of The Royal Navy by Oliver Warner

Published by George Philip and Son, 1956 in London. Currently out of print. Lists the battle honours of all 3 HMS Conways.

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Bonner VC, The Biography of Gus Bonner: VC and Master Mariner by Sue Satterthwaite,

Privately published in November 2008 ISBN: 978-0-9554840-1-8. Hardback, A4 size, with a dust jacket, 140 pages and 88 illustrations. RRP: £19.99. Order online at http://www.bonnervc.co.uk/store.html All profits made from the sale of this book will be donated to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

"A superb biography of a modest hero whose remarkable career reads as if from the pages of ‘Boys’ Own’. Sue’s perceptive writing skillfully portrays the many facets that comprised the life of ‘Gus’ Bonner V.C. D.S.C. Not to be missed!"

British Seamen by David Matthew

Published by Collins in London in 1943

Mentions Conway's H.M.S. Winchester and H.M.S. Nile

British Warship Names by Capt T D Manning RN & Cdr C F Walker RN

Published by Putnam, London 1954. Currently out of print.

This is a comprehensive dictionary of Royal Navy ship names, has a description of the names derivation. The name of every war-ship of importance which as served in the navy since early formation days is listed with dates of service.Names all 3 HMS Conways.

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Canada's V.C.s by Lt Col George Machum

Published by McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, 1956

Captain Webb By J Randell

Published by Salop County Council

Captain Webb Channel Swimmer by David Elderwick

Published by in 1987. ISBN 0-947731-23-7

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The Changing Years by Rock Ferry Local History Group. Published by Wirral Metropolitan College.

Brief mention of the ship and photo of boats at the Pier Head, wrongly identified as Conway cadets.   Second article also mentions Conway and pictures the ship from the entry to the Pier.

The Chart of the H.M.S. Conway's Tracks on the South American Station in 1820 1821 & 1822 by Lt. A. B. Becher, and Mr. H. Foster R. N.

Published by A. Constable & Co., Edinburgh, in 1824   9.6 x 12.5".

Sea chart that shows the Conway's positions around South   America in a three year period. Extends north into Mexico, to about Puerto Vallarta.

The Conway Heroes by Canon Bob Evans

Published by Countyvise Ltd in 2009. £8.50. 241pages paperback. SBN-10: 1906823162 ISBN-13: 978-1906823160

This book honours the outstanding contribution made by the young men who were trained in HMS CONWAY. It spans the 150 years that have passed since CONWAY was inaugurated. It is written by Old Conways. There are stories of the four Victoria Cross holders, the Albert Medal, the George Cross and George Medal recipients. The memories of countless acts of gallantry across the world are noted. Of special interest are the memories of the Falkland War, written by men who were there. Above all, they pinpoint the task of the Merchant Navy in the conflict and a remarkable story unfolds. HMS CONWAY started its life on the Mersey in 1859 and was finally 'paid off' in 1974 on the Menai Strait ...during its 115 years it is estimated that some 11,000 cadets received their training for a career at sea. The proceeds from this book are dedicated to the CONWAY Chapel in the Scriptorium of Birkenhead Priory.

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The Crossing by Kathy Watson

Published by Headline. Price £14.99 or £13.99 from the TLS website. ISBN: 0742 2341 6

Described as "The curious story of the first man to swim the English Channel". It describes Webb's memorable feat and subsequent career. A review of the book was published on page 8 of the Times Literary Supplement of 21 July 2000.

Diaries of Oswald Tuck 

Tuck was born in 1876 and educated at Greenwich Hospital School. In 1896 he joined Conway to teach astronomy and navigation. His Conway diary for January 1898 - August 1898 is held in the Churchill Archive Centre link to Centre

Diving Stations By Peter Dornham AM

Published in 2011 by Pen & Sword Books Ltd, ISBN 9781848843219  Hardback with photos

Price £13.99 from Amazon, free UK delivery - click onn the Amazon icon above.

The inspiring story of Captain George Hunt DSO DSC RN (30-32). Born in Uganda and then educated in Glasgow he was determined to join the Navy and at 13 years old he entered HMS Conway. His pre-war years saw him serving worldwide. In 1939, on the outbreak of war he was already serving in submarines. Over the next six years he was rammed twice, sunk once and had hundred of depth charges dropped around him. He gave more than he got! While in command of the Unity Class Submarine Ultor, mainly in the Mediterranean he and his crew accounted for an astonishing 20 enemy vessels sunk by torpedo and 8 by gunfire as well as damaging another 4 ships. His fifteenth mission was described by the Admiralty as unsurpassed in the annals of the Mediterranean Submarine Flotilla . After the War George continued his distinguished naval career becoming Senior Naval Officer West Indies (SNOWI). He emigrated to Australia where he lives today.

The Dragons Who Roared by Alan Evans

Published by Daffodil Publishing in 2006. 120-page fully illustrated hardback book. Review here

David Johnston (54-56) played for the Welsh Youth team in 1956 including their tour of South Africa. This book describes that tour. On their return home the Western Mail - the national newspaper of Wales - hailed the team as ‘true rugby heroes’ and the tour as ‘an historic campaign in the game’s history’. He scored the winning try against South Africa in a match at Cardiff Arms Park.

Flashman's Lady by George MacDonald Fraser.

Publisher Penguin Books 1988. ISBN 0-452-26489-8.

This work of fiction has "tars from HMS Conway" on a "four day mad ride" on the plains of Madagascar on remounts rescued by them after a failed coup attempt. ( do not try a Flashman book if you easily get short of breath!)

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Halifax Squadrons of World War II by Jon Lake.

Publisher by Osprey Publishing in 1999. Paperback, 112 pages

Mentions Group Captain Basil Robinson(28-29) who was lost on 24th August 1943 flying a Pathfinder mission in one of 35 Squadron’s Halifax aircraft.

 

HMHS Britannic "The Last Titan" by Simon Mills

Publisher: First published by Waterfront Publications. Re-published by Shipping Books Presson 1 Jun 1996 ISBN-10: 1900867001 ISBN-13: 978-1900867009

Describes the actions of Captain Herbert James Haddock CB RD RNR (1875-77) master of Britannic at the time to rescue survivors from the sinking HMS Audacious in October 1912 in the North Sea

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The Illustrated Companion To Nelson's Navy by Nicholas Blake and Richard Lawrence

Published by Stackpole Books in January 2000. ISBN: 0811708640

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Kings and Commoners: Studies in British Idealism

Published by George Frederick Timpson in 1936

Brief mention of Conway on pages 142-4.

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John Clint - Autobiography

Publisher not known.

He was influential in establishing the 'Akbar' reformatory ship (moored on the Mersey near Conway), the Conway, and the Indefatigable.

Also made into a film

 

The Last Of The Square Rigged Ships by Joseph Ferral Colton

Published by Colton of New York in 1937

This book includes an entry on the Conway and a picture (plate 13).

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Legend Of Moulin Huet by Lizzie A. Freeth.

Published by Le Lievre (Guernsey) in 1872. Project Guttenberg eBook #14118, online at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14118/14118.txt
https://www.wattpad.com/16931-legend-of-moulin-huet

The book has no Conway content but is dedicated to "THE CONWAY BOYS." The author writes: ?Though the story contained in the following pages has no connection with them, yet it is my wish to dedicate this little work to "The Conway Boys," and all those connected with that most invaluable institution, "H.M.S. Conway," lying at Rockferry, Birkenhead.

I have particular reason to speak well of the "Conway," as any "Boy" may know who may have been on board for the last five or six years, from the fact that two of my brothers, after passing a successful career under the careful teaching of the Rev. Henry O'Brien; L.L.D., Cork, continued to build on the good foundation laid, and left the "Conway" with credit both to their teachers and themselves. I shall always have pleasure in meeting with any "Conway Boy," and hearing of the good old ship to which I wish a long continuance of her success in preparing Boys creditably for one of the great sources of our national strength and wealth--"Our Merchant Navy."

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Liverpool to North Wales Pleasure-Steamers - A Pictoral History 1821-1962 by J B Cowell

S.B. Publications (Loggerheads) 1990, ISBN 1 870708 350

Photograph (from 1948) and potted history of HMS Conway.

Log of HMS Conway For 1820-21 is held by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archive Service: Staffordshire County Record Office (Record Reference D1778/V/1433). NRA catalogue reference NRA 5197 Legge

Log of HMS Nile For 1860-64     Held by the National Archives of Canada Record Reference MG24, F49

The Maiden Voyage by Geoffrey Marcus

Published by Buccaneer Books in 1977. ISBN: 0899667929. Currently out of print

Contains a reference to Officer Moody's last known actions aboard the Titanic.

Man of Mafeking: The Bechuanaland Years of Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams (1884-1901) by Elizabeth Main

Re-published by The Botswana Society (Botswana) in 1996.ISBN 9912 60 15 3
Soft cover only, pp205 + xv, 180 x 240

This is the story of Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, who served 25 tough years in the 19 th century Southern Africa, primarily as a key figure in the Bechuanaland Border Police seconded from the Royal Scots, but also as negotiator, topographer, civil servant and advisor for the British Government. His daughter, Elizabeth Main, who was only two when he died, tells his story. Through years of painstaking research in the U.K. and Botswana, however, she has bought the man back to life.

 

Merchant Shipping (Certificates of Competency as A.B.) Regulations 1970

Published by HMSO

Regulation number 294 allows 6 months reduction of qualifying period to obtain A Certificate Of Competence for Old Conways

http://www.seamanship.hostinguk.com/legislation/UKSTATINS/newstats/STAT%20INSTR/03%20Crew/1970_0294.htm

Mischief Goes South by Bill Tillman .

Hollis & C (Aug 1968). 190 pages. ISBN-10: 037000275X

Recounts the voyage of his Bristol sailing pilot cutter Mischief to Antarctica in 1966. It describes the loss overboard on early on August 27th 1966 of David Shaw (approx 54-56) somewhere off the Cape Verde Islands. It was just 10 years after leaving Conway and he had joined for a change of pace and to sample the delights of a voyage to Antarctica in a small sailing boat.

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More Than Shadows: A Biography of Sir William Russell Flint, P.R.W.S., R.A by Arnold Palmer

Published by The Studio in London and New York in January 1943

This well-illustrated biography which documents his remarkable career to1943. It contains 136 full colour illustrations of his work including a splendid watercolour of the Ship with verbatim notes written on many of them by Russell Flint himself. His son "Tinker" was a Conway cadet and when his father visited the Ship he offerred to paint a picture of her. His notes from the book and seven photos are here. The painting is reproduced below. It is 26' by 16'. It was hung in the Captain's cabin (later flat then house) and eventually sold to an OC who holds it safe to this day.

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The Navy 1939 to Present Day by Max Arthur

Published by Hodder & Stroughton. ISBN: 0340684690.

Contains a description of how Fraser won his VC.

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The Navy List

Section X111 covers the Conway from 1815 to 1845

The Old Whaling Days: A history of Southern New Zealand from 1830 to 1840 By R McNab

Original publisher not known. Re-published in Auckland byGolden Press in 1975.

Includes details of HMS Conway's (the first ship) visit to New Zealand in October 1837

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Rock Ferry, New Ferry & Bebbington by Dave Mitchelson.

Publisher SB Publications 1989

Contains photos and a brief description of the ship.

The Royal Navy: A History From Earliest Times To The Present by William Laird Clowes

Originally published by Sampson Low, Marston & Co in 897 in 7 volumes. Our refernces are in the 1903 edition, volume 6, pages 279-304.

Reprinted by Chatham Publishing in October 1996. ISBN-10: 1861760108      ISBN-13: 978-1861760104 

This major history of the Royal Navy from earliest times to the close of the Victorian era was originally intended to be complete in five volumes, then six volumes were envisaged, and finally a seventh volume was produced in order to bring the study down to the death of Queen Victoria and to include recent naval actions during the South African War and during the Boxer Rebellion in China.

Several mentions of Conway including that she departed the Pearl River (before other ships) for the UK carrying that part of the indemnity money of $6,000,000 paid by Canton.

Full text is here, or you can buy a copy of the first edition for circa £1,880 click here

Royal Navy Day By Day by Capt A B Sainsbury

Published by Ian Allen in 1992. ISBN-10: 0711021236 ISBN-13: 978-0711021235

Lists daily actions etc by RN ships over a huge period. Copy in the library at the Royal United Services Institute used to obtain/validate some entries in the various ship histories.

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The Secret Flotillas - Clandestine Sea Lines to France & French North Africa 1940-1944 by Sir Richards Brooks Rucgards

Original publisher not known. Re-published by HMSO in 1996. ISBN-13: 9780116309600 ISBN: 0116309601

Mentions Capt B K Fraser (38-40) and his undercover work in the 115th MGB Flotilla out of Dartmouth during the WW2.

The Ship of the Line by Brian Lavery

Published by Conway Maritime, ISBN 0851 772 528

This is a two-volume study, regarded as the definitive work in the area. It outlines the history and technical development of the battle fleet from 1650 to 1850. The second volume deals with hull design and construction, rigging, armament and fittings. The early history of HMS Nile, up to the time she became the third replacement 'HMS Conway' on 23rd June 1876, is to be found in some detail in the book.

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Skeleton Coast by John H Marsh

Published in 1944. Re-publihed by Namibia Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft available form them online here.

A full electronic copy, including many photographs, can be obtained from: http://rapidttp.co.za/skeleton/index.html

Records the loss of the Dunedin Star and the experiences of Captain Jim Thompson (39-41) MNI on his first voyage when the ship was wrecked off the infamous Skeleton Coast of SW Africa. One reviewer said "...The story is true in every particular, incredulous as many a reader is likely to find the amazing series of events related. There were some who labeled it "the wildest fiction" when first they read it."

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Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams (1858 – 1920) by D. J. Murphy

Published by Melbourne University Press in 1983.

A profile in the Volume 9 of the Australian Dictionary of Biography. See his entry in Notables

 

Smuggling Days and Smuggling Ways by H.N. Shore, Baron Teignmouth

Published in 1892 by Philip Allan and Co. Ltd. in their Nautilus Library. Reprinted 1929. ISBN-13: 9780854099313.

Mentions HMS Conway in Havanna in the 1830s on page 219:

"July 1834. It is ascertained that the man who was at Mevagissey lately in the Mary Ann smuggling boat, of Cawsand, and called himself Chas. Chapple, is young John D----, who was taken in the Susannah and convicted for five years, and went out in H.M.S. Conway to Havannah, where he deserted. If caught he is to be sent to the flag-ship at Devonport as a deserter. From which it may be inferred that John junior prefers the uncertain profits of the Mary Ann to the hard work and small pay of a man-of-war. Everyone to his hobby!"

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The Training Ships of Liverpool by Canon Bob Evans (ex. Mersey Mission to Seamen Seafarers Chaplain).

Published by Countryvise in 2002.

ISBN 1 901231 31 3.

All proceeds go to the Mersey Mission to Seafarers. Cost ?7 + UK Post Packing ?2 for 1

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TS Mt Edgcumbe: Training Ship For Homeless & Destitute Boys by Bruce Hunt

Published by BEH publications in 2007. 96 pages A4 fully illustrated. £12.95 include., postage in the UK. Contact number 01752 845983

http://www.brucehunt.co.uk/Training%20Ship%20Mount%20Edgcumbe.html
http://www.brucehunt.co.uk/page%205/book%20Edgcumbe.html

When Conway 2 (ex Winchester) was replaced by Nile she was returned to the RN who renamed her Mount Edgcumbe and loaned her as a training ship moored at Saltash under the railway bridge. This excellent history contains many photos of the ship and interesting comparisons with Conway's daily routine.