The Founding
In
the mid 1800s the British merchant fleet had many shortcomings. The
Merchant Shipping Acts of 1851 and 1854 were designed to force
improvements and control. They required all deep sea vessels to be
commanded and officered by experienced, certified individuals who were
to sit examinations. Those making a career at sea now had to be trained
and educated in academic as well as nautical subjects.
The
merchant fleet owners, fearing further legislation and government
intervention, determined to take the initiative. Ship owners in various
main ports of the UK formed Mercantile Marine Service Associations
(MMSA). Liverpool was one of the earliest and in 1857 they decided to
set up a school ship specifically to train young boys for a life at sea.
After
much debate they petitioned the Admiralty for a ship to accommodate the
school which was to be moored in the Sloyne, off Rock Ferry, on the
River Mersey in Liverpool, England. The mooring was approximately a
quarter mile ESE of the river end of Rock Ferry Pier.
After examining a number of vessels (they very nearly chose HMS Vestal) they accepted a small Jackass Frigate named HMS Conway.
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