Links
IOBA Links Pages
If you were an ‘Indefatigable OB or Member of Staff’ we welcome your own ‘LINKS’ here too: IOBA Members will have preference and priority.
Steve Humphries (IOBA Vice Chairman: steve_c_humphries@btinternet.com) will be responsible to vet.
Sites affiliated to the IOBA;
JSMTC Indefatigable
The old school is now owned by the MOD as the ‘Joint Services Mountain Training Centre (JSMTC) Indefatigable’.
For information on AT or other activities visit ArmyNet at https://www.atga.mod.uk or www.nuffieldanglesey.org.uk
You can also find them at www.facebook.com/JSMTC
The Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool
Tel: (0044) 0151 478 4424
Email: maritime.archives@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Web: http://www.merseysidemaritimemuseum.org.uk
Child Growth: The Long View
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/childgrowth/index
Training Ships
Based on the extensive records from two training ships, the Exmouth based in London (1876-1925) and the Indefatigable based in Liverpool (1865-1995).
- The Boys’ Record Books and Admission and Discharge Register of the training ship Exmouth, held at the London Metropolitan Archives, contain 14,000 boys.
- The Cadet Records for the training ship Indefatigable, held at the Maritime Archives and Library (MAL) in Liverpool, contain 10,450 boys.
Both training ships were founded to prepare working class and pauper boys for careers in the Navy or the merchant marine, but unlike the earlier Marine Society data, there do not appear to have been minimum height requirements for boys entering the ships. The boys generally entered the ships at age 10 to 14 and were discharged by the age of 15 to 18. Critically, their height and weight were recorded at entry onto and at discharge from the ship, providing a longitudinal measure of their growth. In addition, the ships’ records were incredibly consistent over the 50-150 year period.
The Marine Society & Sea Cadets
Website www.ms-sc.org
Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) working with the IOBA – Awarding ‘The TS INDEFATIGABLE CUP’ to the ‘MOST IMPROVED UNIT, in the whole of the UK, annually.
http://www.sea-cadets.org/
The Marine Society
http://www.ms-sc.org/Marine%20Society/Content/Welcome The Marine Society – dedicated to providing education, training, and
general support to all professional seafarers of all ranks and rates from all sea services. Its beneficiaries include serving, former, and prospective seafarers.
Of local interest to the IOBA on Anglesey;
Maritime Volunteer Service: Menai Bridge Unit seek new recruits and feel TS Indefatigable alumni, who are either retired or still active but in either case residing in the area, would make splendid Unit members. Indeed any alumni near any of our Units nationally would be welcome members there. Their organisation is a very worthy cause.
www.mvs.org.uk
Tel: 01248 353 732
St Mary’s Church: http://parish.churchinwales.org.uk/b021/
A more modern stained glass window in the north wall of the nave commemorates the work of the Indefatigable Nautical Training School which was located nearby from 1864 until its closure in 1995.
Anglesey MON – WEB http://www.anglesey.info
http://www.anglesey.info/TS%20Indefatigable.htm
Traffic Web Cams View traffic Web Cameras covering the A55 from Abergele to Holyhead, plus the Menai Suspension Bridge. Click on the road junctions on the map (right – requires Flash) http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/trafficcams/
Llanfairpwll & Menai Bridge
Informative or entertaining websites of special interest to the communities of Llanfairpwll and Menai Bridge
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/webguide/pages/llanfairpwll.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest
Geoff Pike 44/45
I was in the 1944 intake: After several years at sea – from bridge boy on the Arundel Castle, D B to AB on coal burning Tankers and Caribbean tramps .
I remember those who taught me well about life to come, as well as seamanship – Dad Mash, seamanship – Doody, the quartermaster – Dad Highway , Master at Arms – Dad French – Dad Wells – Chief Jimmy Unwin, who delivered the cane … how could anyone forget Captain Hard-line Bambra.
I became a novelist and have written 20+ bestsellers in various counties.
My publishing agent in New York is preparing a ‘Legacy’ web-site of my books and Life story … I am 85 this year and still writing.
My books can be aquired from Amazon – I have one in progress and when ready for publishing i’ll give you details. Meanwhile May I give you my Website in case any of the boys a still with us may want to get in touch: paikitfai.com … it is my Chinese name.
Nigel Firman 68/69
My wife and I now own a guesthouse in North Devon, and really keen to, to offer accommodation for Old boys from Inde. We have a total of 8 rooms & can accommodate 14 people, we are too small for re-unions, but we are in a really quiet part of North Devon! www.sinaihouse.co.uk
Joe Earl 56/57
Great verse to life: joesverse.simplesite.com/160596375
Joe’s Story: joesverse.simplesite.com/160596378
Joe’s Ships: joesverse.simplesite.com/160596381
Indefatigable OBA – Wikipedia page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TS_Indefatigable
Patrick McNelis 57/58
Upon retiring, I returned to school at the University of Windsor to study history.
In a third year project I had to find a Wikipedia page that is not well written and edit or create a new page. I looked into the Indefatigable and found that the only mention was in a paragraph relating to HMS Phaeton. I decided therefore to create a new page for the TS Indefatigable. It was difficult to find non web- site sources, which was part of the criteria for creating the site in the class, it had to be a historical record. As of today the site is up and running, I have listed the main historical information that I was able to locate. It obviously needs much fleshing out, particularly how the school finished up closing.
I have sent an e-mail to Steve Humphries to enlist his help through the Old Boys Association for any additional information on the school. If you take a look at HMS Conway’s Wikipedia page you will find it is several pages long, my goal is to exceed what they have done.
I often stopped in at the Inde whilst travelling from Nottingham to Ireland via Holyhead and saw the slow decline of the school. When it changed to a more academic school I thought it might have a chance of survival. However, in the summer of 1995 on the way to Ireland I spent two days in Bangor with a view to exploring Snowdon and visiting the school. The hotel owner informed me that he thought the school might not re-open for the fall term, and when we visited the school the gates were locked and we were not able to get into the grounds.
I live in Canada now and have only been able to attend one reunion, the 25th anniversary reunion which was also the 50th anniversary of my leaving the Inde in 1958.
I have a Wikipedia page up and running for the Inde: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TS_Indefatigable
To add to the site you must first create a Wikipedia account, then you are able to go on to the Inde site, press edit and add additional information.
An item that the Old Boys Association could add, for example, is the list of captains at the Inde, and I am sure there is much more that all the ex-Inde boys throughout the world could add. All you have to do is create an account with Wikipedia, go to the Indefatigable page, press edit and add information.
I am really excited about this and look forward to seeing all of you getting involved.
So, spread the word through the IOBA and lets get the ball rolling.
Best regards,
Patrick McNelis (Rodney Division #, 1957-58)
Julian Stockwin 58/60
In the hope of having the nonsense knocked out of me my father sent me at the tender age of fourteen to the Indefatigable, a tough sea-training school.
This only strengthened my resolve for a life at sea, and I joined the Royal Navy at 15, before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy, where he served for eight years in the Far East, Antarctic waters and the South Seas. In Vietnam I saw active service in a carrier task force.
After leaving the Navy (rated Petty Officer), I went on and practised as an educational psychologist. We lived for some time in Hong Kong, where I was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. I was awarded the MBE and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. I now live in Devon with my wife Kathy. I soon realised there were things from my time in the Navy that I wanted to bring to my writing; small things but evocative to this day ‑ a shimmering moonpath glittering on the water, the sound of voices from invisible night watchkeepers, the rich stink of land after months at sea, the comfort of a still hammock when the ship rolls about… There were darker moments, too. Savage storms at sea when you feel the presence of nature like a wild beast out of the cage…
New useful-maritime-links
The Danny (Daniel Adamson Preservation Society)
The Daniel Adamson (the Danny) is the last remaining steam powered, passenger carrying, tug tender in the UK and she has been lovingly restored by a team of dedicated volunteers.
In April 2017 the Danny will begin her first full season of sailing which will mainly be along the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver as well as opening to the public at Ellesmere Port, the Albert Dock and Salford Quays. She is crewed/staffed by volunteers, the Preservation Society has asked us whether any of our members would be interested in any of our volunteer positions. They are looking for skippers, stewards, chief engineers, assistant engineers, firemen, trimmers and deck crew.
Sally Dobbing: Volunteer Manager (Wed-Fri)
07983 653692
Daniel Adamson Preservation Society
UK Registered Company NO:05088619
UK Registered Charity No:1104681
A selection of links for Indefatigable research;
Prince of Wales Sea Training School Society
www.pwsts.org.uk
Old Ship Picture Galleries
www.photoship.co.uk
National Defence Medal
www.nationaldefencemedal.webs.com
Navy Blue Memorabilia
www.navybluememorabilia.co.uk
Poartcities Liverpool
http://www.mersey-gateway.org (Click on search ‘Indefatigable’)
Royal Naval Museum
Website of the Royal Naval Museum, in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard – the only museum devoted to the ships of the Royal Navy and the men and women who served in them.
http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/index.htm
The Navy League
In the late Victorian reign, imperialist tendencies were more pronounced in several countries, including Germany and other European “Great Powers”. In Britain, the “Pax Britannica” was a popular conception that held the firm belief in Britain’s status as world peace-keeper and a superior empire. Fundamental to this belief was the strength of the Royal Navy. In 1889, the Naval Defence http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/info_sheets_navy_league.htm
Royal Navy
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/
RN Multimedia Centre
This multimedia centre aims to provide visitors with an insight into the range of activities on which the RN is involved. The images, video and interactive features demonstrate the range of environments the RN operates, extending from training through to frontline working conditions including images from recent conflicts.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Media
British Shipping: http://www.british-shipping.org/home/
Liverpool Connections, a web site devoted to the history, up to the present day, of Liverpool.
http://home.clara.net/ronsmith/liverpool/livships.htm
Merchant Navy Officers A site dedicated to MN officers and matters nautical
http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/indexframe.html
British Pathe Film Clips Of Just About Everything: go to this site enter a key word and search their huge database of film clips, you’ll be amazed what you can find. http://www.britishpathe.com
Historic Naval Ships Association http://www.hnsa.org/index.htm
Marine Art Emporium http://www.fineartemporium.com/se-Adam-E.htm
Merchant Navy Officers – a site dedicated to MN officers and matters nautical
http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/indexframe.html
National Maritime Museum http://www.rmg.co.uk/
The Red Duster a site for Merchant Navy enthusiasts. The Red Duster was conceived and designed to preserve our merchant maritime heritage and as a tribute to the men and women who, especially in time of war, served on merchant vessels and gave so much in return for very little thanks or reward. http://www.red-duster.co.uk/
Royal Navy Historic Flight Lt. Andrew G. Linsley RN (52-54) is involved with these sites. For information on available lectures and a diary of events contact him at http://www.fnht.co.uk/
Sailing Ships Directory 2 http://www.schoonerman.com/
Ships Quiz: think you can recognise old warships, harbours…? http://www.hazegray.org/mysteries/
Society for Nautical Research:
http://pc-78-120.udac.se:8001/www/nautica/snr.html
Internet TV / Tallships:
http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/tallships/
The Mother OF All Maritime Links – huge!
http://www.boat-links.com/boatlink.html
World Shipping Directory
http://www.wsdonline.com/
USA – Coast Guard Academy
Academy: http://www.cga.edu/
Training Ships Web Sites:
Naval Training Ships for Poor Law Boys – The Workhouse
www.workhouses.org.uk/trainingships/
Arethusa
Previously based aboard the ‘Peking’ now moored in the South Street
Seaport, New York, USA.
Arethusa Old Boys Association web site
http://www.pbase.com/john_cooper/arethusa
http://www.squidoo.com/growing-up-on-ts-arethusa-a-school-ship
H.M.S. INDEFATIGABLE Association. Fleet Aircraft Carrier 1939 – 1957. Norway to Ceylon & the BPF. Enter http://www.hmsindefatigable.co.uk/index1.html
HMS Conway Association
Conway web site
www.hmsconway.org
HMS Ganges Association
www.hmsgangesassoc.org/links
UK – Indefatigable (UK)
Founded in 1864 HMS Indefatigable was fitted out by the Bibby family. In 1914 she was replaced by HMS Phaeton which became the second Indefatigable. She was moored close to the Conway off Rock Ferry Pier. In 1941, as with Conway Cadets, Indefatigable boys were moved away from the Mersey and ashore. The ship was renamed Carrick II and moved to Glasgow where she still lies. Like Conway in 1944 Indefatigable moved to shore accommodation in Plas Menai below the Tubular Bridge on the Menai Straits, Wales, UK. She survived until 1995 when dwindling numbers forced her closure. Her last Headmaster was a Conway.
UK – Pangbourne Nautical College (UK)
Pangbourne was established in 1917 and still survives to this day in Pangbourne, near Reading by the Thames. Whilst she is no longer a nautical training establishment there is a strong seafaring tradition and nautical roots. Pupils wear dark blue Royal Navy dress, attend Divisions on Sundays. The college clock chimes the bells of the watch.. They are erecting a Falkland Islands Chapel (the relocated and rebuilt Elim Church from Salisbury) in memory of those seamen who gave their lives in the Falklands. This includes 14 OPs.
http://www.pangbournecollege.com
http://www.gibbltd.com/facil/fimc.html
UK – Warsash Maritime Centre http://www.warsashacademy.co.uk/home.aspx
UK – Worcester
Conway’s (younger) ‘sister’ organization and life long competitor! Based on the River Thames below London. Now closed. http://www.hms-worcester.co.uk
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