Wellesley Nautical School

The first T.S.Wellesley was a 3rd class ship of the line, 76 gun wooden walled battleship, built in Bombay, named H.M.S.Cornwall. The Admiralty "repossessed" the first T.S.Wellesley, and she was replaced by H.M.S.Boscowen and renamed T.S.Wellesley, and moored on the Tyne at North Shields, the ship was destroyed by fire in 1914. Became The Wellesley Nautical School,at Blyth, 1914-2002

The Wellesley Nautical School was based at Blyth in Northumberland, formerly H.M.S. Elfin. The School was run on Royal Navy lines, with officers and trainees in uniform. The boys had just two sets of uniform, number ones, for church parades etc. and number eights for work. In summer a white front would be worn, in winter a black front would be worn, these were tops worn under the uniform top. No over coats, water proofs or gloves, there were no pockets in the number eight denims. Discipline was harsh at the school, regular floggings were handed out, by an over zealous Commander. The trainee being flogged, would be made to bend over a chair, then up to eight cuts with a birch stick, would be delivered to the trainees buttocks, the witness in attendance, would give the trainee water if needed. The school also had it's own boat moored in Blyth harbour, The Wellesley, an ex fishing protection vessel, with large twin diesel engines, regular training was carried out at sea, the boys on board would be learning seamanship, cooking, and engineering. The training period ranged from 12 months to 3 years. Thousands of boys passed through the gates into their chosen careers, Forces, or ashore. For the boys who trained there, it left a profound impact on their lives. Poets, university graduates, professional entertainers, public servants, school teachers, freemason lodge masters, fire fighters, police officers, prison officers, business entrepreneurs, naval officers, and a Lord, passed through the gates. Sadly the school is no more, having been demolished to make way for a new housing development. "Click on this link' [http://www.tswellesley.co.uk] "The school had it's own drum and bugle band, and proudly marched to St.Cuthberts church in Blyth every Sunday morning. The band also played and marched at charity events, sports days, football matches, along with other display teams from the ships company. In 1960 a party of trainees and officers spent the month of November at Plas y Brenin mountain center, in Snowdonia, North Wales, where several of the boys attained the Duke of Edinburgh's gold award in expedition, some of the first to attain this standard. The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Wellesley Nautical School to give the Silver award to several of the boys. There is an active forum of old boys, and each year a reunion is held in Blyth at the old school gates. There is a mystery involving the figure head and the war memorial, there are no records as to where they have gone.