1890 Training Ship

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

I have a Cabinet Card of what I think is a Midshipman. On the reverse it stated ''Eward on board Training Ship 1887-1990, taken about 1889.'' There is also a set of enitials which look like 'EWZ' or 'EW' written after the above, in the same hand. It was an Edinburgh photographer who took the photo. Was there any Training ships on the River Forth at this time?

Thanks for looking,

Stewart

[spithead]

Hi Stewart

The following is taken from the RN website

The first Royal Navy ship to be based in the Firth of Forth bearing the name HMS Caledonia started her naval career as HMS Impregnable. A wooden-walled second rate of 2406 tons built in 1802, she became HMS Caledonia Boys' Training Ship in 1891 when she was anchored a few cables to the west of the Forth Bridge. The ship accommodated 1000 boys and crew, the trainees being drawn from Scotland and the North-East of England. She was withdrawn from active service in 1906.

Regards

John

[Malcolm]

From the description it looks like Port Edgar as the likely base. The name HMS Caledonia was eventually given to a stone frigate at Granton, Edinburgh.

Aye

Malcolm

[FAAAEd]

From the description it looks like Port Edgar as the likely base. The name HMS Caledonia was eventually given to a stone frigate at Granton, Edinburgh.

This after the use of the ex-Majestic (White Star Line), ex Bismark impounded after WW1 as HMS Caledonia in 1937 until burnt in 1939. Caledonia was the training establishment for ERAs (Engine Room Artificers) and Shipwright Artificers.

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

Thanks for all these replies. I will try and post an image of the card this evening. Maybe his uniform will reveal something to those in the know, I only have a very basic understanding of naval uniforms.

Regards,

Stewart