The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-21 00:00:00

The Training Ship Worcester, Erith.

Yesterday being the day fixed for the annual dis-
tribution of prizes to the cadets of the training ship
Worcester, a large number of the friends of the boys
and others interested proceeded to Erith to witness
the ceremony. A special steamer left Blackwall Pier
at noon, under the superintendence of Mr. W. M.
Bullivant, and accompanied by Mr. 11. Green's band;
and several gentlemen, including Lord Harris, who
was to distribute the prizes, arrived by rail from
Charing-cross and London-bridge. About 2 o'clock
the entire assembly collected on board, when the pro-
ceedings commenced, and Mr. Henry Green was ap-
pointed to the chair. The Chairman expressed the
great pleasure and satisfaction he felt on being called
upon to preside on such an occasion. He could not
help making allusion to the sad accident which
occurred in consequence of the capsizing of one of
the boats, and whereby ten valuable lives perished.
The committee of management made it their busi-
ness not only to institute private inquiry on two
occasions, but to attend at the public investigation,
where they heard evidence, and gave it themselves.
In either case the conclusion came to was, that the
accident was purely accidental. It became a serious
question whether boat sailing should be continued,
but the committee decided that the practice was a
part of the education of the youths. They had, how-
ever, adopted resolutions which the parents of the
cadets and others would be glad to hear. In the
first place, they had condemned the boat to which
the accident happened, and procured instead a life-
boat, which incurred considerable expense. It was
also decided that the boat should not leave the ship
unaccompanied, and the boys selected as the crew
should be those who had proved themselves expert
swimmers. It was agreed that there should be a pro-
per proportion of water ballast. Letters of regret
were read from Lord and Lady Clarence Paget,
Admiral Hall, K.C.8., Sir James Duke, Sir John
Awdry, , and others. The reports of Mr. May-
nard, of the Royal Naval Reserve, and Captain
Domett, Local Marine Board, were read, and
spoke favourably of the education and training
of the boys. It stated that ninety-five boys were in
the ship at present, and that 28 had been provided
with first-class ships during the year. Lord Harris
then rose amidst applause to distribute the prizes,
which consisted of metal sextants, case mathematical
instruments, pockets compasses, binocular glasses,
telescopes, books, &c. Silver medals were given to
cadets Benjamin J. Beckwith, James Awdry, and
Chas. H. Holmes, for saving life at the Erith boat
accident. The following boats, who leave in midsum-
mer, and have been two years on board the Worces-
ter, and hold the Worcester Board of Trade certifi-
cate, have got appointments as follows :—By Mr. H.
Green, Thos. T. Parr and Jas. Awdry ; by Messrs.
Smith, Fleming, and Co., B. J. Beckwith and R.
M. Ethersey ; by Messrs. Lidgett and Sons, J. H.
Powys. Lord Harris said he considered it an honour
to have been entrusted with the principal duty on
such a gratifying occasion. Although he was not
connected with the marine of the country he had
lived in distant countries, where he had an oppor-
tunity of judging of the naval and mercantile ma-
rine, and he felt an institution of this kind was most
important to the country, and deserving the high
reputation of those who founded it. Other coun-
tries Were capable of competing with us in naval
and mercantile qualifications, and it was necessary
we should endeavour to improve ourselves and to
keep the position which we had so long held. He
impressed on the cadets the wisdom and self reli-
ance of the utility of availing of the knowledge
which the profession imparted to those who desired
to obtain it. A vote of thanks having been passed
to Lord Harris and Mr. Green the company par-
took of some refreshments which were provided by
the committee, and subsequently enjoyed them-
selves by dancing on the deck.