Industrial School Training Ship HMS Gibraltar. Belfast Lough
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Industrial School Training Ship HMS Gibraltar. Belfast Lough
The Ulster Industrial School Ship Gibraltar on Belfast Lough. Date: circa 1873
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Media ID 14408214
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
1873 Belfast Gibraltar Lough Services Ulster Welfare
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Industrial School Training Ship HMS Gibraltar anchored in Belfast Lough, circa 1873. The HMS Gibraltar was a unique institution in the British welfare system, designed to provide industrial training and education to neglected, delinquent, and orphaned children. Sponsored by the Ulster Branch of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), the ship served as a floating industrial school, offering these children a chance at a better future. The image reveals the ship's imposing presence, with its tall masts and rigging, as well as the various structures built on its deck. Boys in uniforms can be seen working diligently, engaged in various tasks such as rope making, woodworking, and blacksmithing. The girls, dressed in simple dresses, are likely to be found in the sewing room or the laundry. The ship's crew, composed of experienced mariners and dedicated teachers, oversaw the children's education and training, ensuring they gained essential skills for a productive and self-sufficient life. The HMS Gibraltar was a testament to the social services and care provided by the British government during the Victorian era. It offered a unique blend of industrial training, education, and maritime experience, preparing these children for a brighter future. The ship's presence in Belfast Lough not only provided a vital service to the local community but also played a significant role in shaping the lives of countless children who might have otherwise faced a bleak future.
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