With sixty tons of coal on board for cooking and heating purposes and casks of oil to fuel the lamps which had replaced the old-style candles in lantern holders, fire was always a possibility. In 1875, after an upturned oil lamp caused the loss by fire of a training ship in the Thames, the Akbar acquired leather hoses and a portable fire engine. Ten years later the ship received a gift of twelve fire extinguishing hand grenades. A lighted lamp ignited the curtains in the senior instructor's cabin in 1903 and the fire spread rapidly to the upper part of the portside of the main deck. It was just as well that a few months earlier the Committee had accepted an offer from the Birkenhead Corporation Fire Brigade to help extinguish any Akbar fires, on the understanding that the Salvage Association would convey their men and appliances to the scene, and that all expenses would be covered.

On board the Akbar rascally behaviour was combatted with a severity of punishment which showed little compassion for the youth of the offender. A 14-year~old Akbar lad, guilty of repeated thefts from the storeroom and cabins, was in 1859 tried at the Sessions and sentenced to seven years penal servitude! Eleven years later, a 13-year-old who broke into the store and stole onions was immediately sent to the Birkenhead "lock up" and subsequently despatched to Chester Castle to serve three months hard labour. Absconders were punished with 18 months hard labour, and boys who worked ashore and spent some of their wages instead of handing them over to the captain were flogged, locked in a cell at dark every night and released at daylight.

In 1862, for attempting to abscond, George was given "A dozen with the birch",Nelson, who absconded in fear of being flogged for a tobacco offence, was retaken and given a "double flogging".

The parents of free (uncommitted) boys were warned in advance of the severe retribution meted out to those lads who did not yield to the Akbar's brand of discipline. Cautionary messages were forwarded in 1858 to two fathers, one a captain of the Isle of Man Steam Packet and the other a surgeon. They were asked to contribute 6/- a week towards maintenance and 20/- for clothing and told that the Committee must be given their authority to detain the lads, both aged 11, for twelve months.

Most of the boys were controllable. They accepted without question the class structure of the time, which established their role in a society from which they expected little. They were naturally inclined to defer to persons in authority, especially to those of a higher social class whom they met in a situation designed to emphasis their difference.

Mutiny

There were a few boys, however, who were alienated against any form of control and when trouble broke out they excelled in leadership. The submissive were easily influenced by the bully boys and there were several examples of lads being persuaded to follow the road to lawlessness.

Such was the case on September 25th 1887, when mutiny broke out on board the Akbar. Captain Symons was on leave at the time and the 143 boys on board were under the care of the Chief Officer, Mr Callender. The first hint that trouble might be in the offing came when several "evil-disposed" boys suddenly downed tools and refused to obey orders. The leaders moved swiftly throughout the ship, enticing others to join them and arm themselves with sticks, belaying pins and pieces of wood. The officers were not equal to the threat and retreated from the army of belligerent, taunting boys, who were soon able toget the upper hand. Cheering lads hacked down the door of the stores and equipped themselves with clothing before breaking into the Captain's cabin and stealing, among other articles, his wife's jewellery. Seventeen of the ringleaders lowered a boat and enjoyed several days of freedom before being recaptured.

One of the ringleaders, Mullin, charged before the Stipendiary Magistrate with having wilfully damaged some of the ship's fittings, and disobeying orders, was sentenced to three months hard labour. Another lad, charged with stealing clothing, received the same sentence and both were refused re-admittance to the Akbar.

The revolt made newspaper headlines with criticism of the reformers and controversy regarding their system of control. When ten more of the ringleaders pleaded guilty to mutinous conduct before Mr Justice Day, at Liverpool Winter Assizes, he declined to punish them further, stating that "the discipline of the Akbar is defective, the staff of officers inadequate, and the whole matter characterises a want of firmness and determination on the part of the staff which, if exhibited at the right time, might easily have quelled the whole disturbance." The Committee was shocked by the comment of the judge, and authorised the Secretary to write to the newspapers explaining the object of their institutions.

The boys who were returned on board were severely punished. They received 18 cuts apiece of the birch, and a sojourn in solitary confinement in a darkened cell situated in the bowels of the old ship, on a diet of ship's biscuit and water.

There was little consolation for the reformers in the report of HM Inspector Colonel Inglis, despatched by the Government to investigate the happening, which was rapidly developing into a nationwide scandal. He reported: "Eighteen eighty-seven has been a year of great trial for the Akbar. The good discipline which has for so many years distinguished this ship, almost entirely broke down. The cause may readily be traced to a want of firmness and energy in dealing with a mere handful of vicious and depraved youths who would have at once succumbed to a resolute and determined effort to bring them to their senses.

Good order had been secured for so long on board this ship by moderate measures that it was supposed that there never could come a moment when violence and tumult would have to be met by a display of superior force physically as well as morally. Such a moment arrived, and the officers were unable to handle the occasion. The boys were in command and this ought never to have been allowed. In the absence of the captain, a mutinous spirit was shown and the officers were completely defied. The staff have now been strengthened accordingly but it will be some time before the ship recovers its ordinary tranquility, and probably not without complete re-organisation and a new commander." Captain Symons was ordered to report on the sufficiency of all his staff to enforce order and their capability for their duties. An additional officer and two night watchmen were appointed.

At the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Liverpool Reformatory Association Mr R S Blease referred to the Akbar mutiny in his Secretary's report: "It is hoped that good conduct and order will soon be restored. These cases of unruly behaviour arise from the influence and example of older lads, some very big boys of fourteen, fifteen or sixteen, who, owing to their advanced age when received on board, are in fact young men, before they become eligible for licence at the age of eighteen or twenty.

Being vicious and ill-disposed, their example is injurious to the younger boys. This state of things points to urgent need of a separation of classes of boys in Reformatory schools according to age and character, which at present is impossible. When Reformatory boys prove too much for those in authority, it is very desirable that they should be sent to a school with a discipline of a somewhat more penal character, and more qualified to deal with boys of this order."

In spite of extra precautions and tightening up of discipline, the mischievous state of affairs continued throughout the winter and into 1888, with much insubordination, defiance of officers and frequent abscondings. There was a further setback on November 2nd when the ship broke adrift from her south moorings in a heavy gale and collided with the Conway, resulting in a claim for damages. The Akbar was docked in Birkenhead while her moorings were repaired, and the New Ferry Company sent in a bill for 30/- for services rendered by the SS Firefly during the gale. An extra watch was maintained while she was in dock to cut off the more convenient escape route for the mercurial lads!

Some ship's biscuit and a clog were thrown at one of the instructors who, being unable to trace the culprit screened by the other boys, mustered all the boys on deck, where they were forced to stand to attention for three hours. Two boys who wrenched the clock off the main deck and threw it overboard were punished with 18 cuts of the cane and two days in the cell. A boy of bad character was refused admittance owing to the unsettled situation on board ship.

On January 2nd 1888, when there were 146 boys on board, the Superintendent received a tip that serious violence was intended by the boys on visiting day. The River and Cheshire police were alerted and placed in readiness to board at the first hint of trouble. It was noted "the precaution so cowed the boys that no disturbance took place." Two weeks later, 13 lads absconded in dense fog. They became lost and were rescued by a passing ship. After spending a week in prison on remand, nine were sentenced to three months hard labour and the remainder returned to the Akbar for severe punishment.

It had all been too much for Captain Edwin C Symons RN, who, although he had been exonerated from any blame in connection with the mutiny, had decided to resign his command. His successor, Captain Edward Hicks RN, entered upon his duties in April 1888 at a salary of £300 a year and £42 6s for rations, with residence on ship and gradually restored order and discipline after sporadic outbursts of trouble.

By July there was an indication that matters were finally improving. Reporting one lad called Donohue, caught in the act of breaking into his cabin, the Captain noted with satisfaction that "the conduct of the other boys who would have dealt with him roughly if permitted, proves that the general feeling Is at present strongly opposed to such conduct."

HM Inspector Colonel Inglis summed up the situation at the end of the year: "I found the ship restored to its old condition of peace and obedience, and all promising well. The boys are, under firm and kindly discipline. There is a good tone prevailing with no indication now of discomfort or ill-feeling. On the contrary, 1 found officers and boys working together and all going on well. The ship has entirely recovered its old form, and is now under careful, firm and judicious management... 1 examined the starboard watch. 24 in standard five: a most intelligent class; work excellent, not one failure; 20 in navigation class; 32 standard four, reading and spelling very good; writing excellent; two failed in dictation; all passed arithmetic. 22 in standard three, very creditable work. 12 in standard two, 4 dunces here. 7 in standard one, fair results. Conduct excellent. Boys mostly ordered and eager to please."

Future flareups were quickly doused. In August 1892, the Captain reported a disturbance on board. "I visited the sleeping deck at about 10pm and was surprised to find a good deal of whistling and insubordinate shouting which the Chief Officer was unable to stop. 1 was very surprised to hear that it had been going for over half an hour and that 1 had not been informed. The moment 1 was on the Deck there was most perfect silence but when 1 left there was a light noise which ceased the moment 1 returned and was not repeated during the night.

The noise resumed at 6.45am and as 1 could not fix it on any individual, 1 at once filed the boys on the upper deck and kept them at 'attention' for two hours and cancelled all leave. The usual routine was then proceeded with and the work done in a willing and orderly manner. At noon, two Petty Officers asked permission to address me on behalf of the boys and reported that the boys promised that if leave was resumed there would be no more noise. 1 at once assembled the whole of the boys and told them 1 would make no terms, that the leave would be stopped as long as 1 thought fit and that 1 would have order and discipline maintained as well. Privately 1 took all precautions necessary in case of fire or to defeat force if necessary."

By 1900, smoking accounted for much of the punishment on board The Captain reported: "Our record of punishment would be so much lighter if it were not for the extraordinary passion for cigarette smoking among young boys. The cigarettes they smoke contain filth of the vilest description, and can be bought for ten a penny. They do incalculable harm both physically and morally. 1 do not believe that we at all realise the mischief that is being done to our children by this vicious habit."

A Dangerous Climate

There were many days in winter when fog blanketed out the Mersey scene, and the wail of the distant fog horns and the repeated echo of the Akbar fog bell were the only sounds to fracture the eerie stillness. At such times the ship was gloomy and many a nervous boy swore he had seen the ghostly outline of a former seaman lurking in the shadows out of range of the old oil lamps. It was on April 6th. 1905, that the lamps were replaced with acetylene gas at a cost of £143 10s. The atmosphere on board immediately became brighter and more cheerful and the menacing apparitions seen by the timorous disappeared. Electric lighting was installed in the Akbar and Farm School in March 1913.

Dense fog on December 30th 1888 prevented the Lord Bishop of Liverpool from boarding to attend the boys' prize distribution, and many of the visitors who had travelled out on an earlier boat for this special occasion were unable to leave and had to spend the night on board. Those who attempted to return to shore could not find the Rock Ferry slip in order to land but "providentially made a good hit of the 'Orion' Light Ship, where, with the boat crew, they remained until the next morning." It was agreed that in future "Prize Day" should be arranged at an earlier date when the weather would be less severe.

Fog was not the only problem; some of the visitors found themselves shipwrecked when gale force winds churned up the Mersey into mountainous breakers. One such incident was reported under the headline "A Shocking Adventure% in the March 1884 issue of the "Reformatorv and Refuge Journal":

"A dreadful story of suffering was revealed at an inquest held at Frodsham on the body of a young man named Duckworth, who had come from Blackburn to see his brother, a lad on board the reformatory ship 'Akbar'. At four o'clock a crew of 12 boys, in charge of the coxswain, were about to land two officers, the boy Duckworth, and the letters, when they were caught by a sudden gale. After gallantly struggling for an hour and a half, they found themselves being gradually carried up the Mersey, past Bromborough and Eastham, on the Cheshire shore. Luckily they were in charge of the stoutest boat on board the Akbar, or they would have been inevitably drowned as the waves repeatedly dashed over, drenching them to the skin.

No less than 8 out of the 12 available oars were broken in the terrible struggle against wind and tide. To add to their misery the night became pitch dark and the boat was completely at the mercy of the waves. Four hours later the boat was washed close in shore on the desolate Frodsham Marsh, situated between Frodsham and Ellesmere Port. By wading breast high in water they managed to reach the shore in the most exhausted and forlorn condition. They were without a particle of food, and were almost perished with hunger and cold. Under the advice of the officer in charge, all the lads kept close together to live out the night.

The wind swept across the bleak and desolate marsh with terrific fury, bringing on the icy blast of hail, which cut up the lads' hands and faces in a shocking manner. A little later on, Duckworth was found to be missing, and despite the shouts and calls, which were unfortunately drowned by the roar of the gale, nothing further was seen of him until daylight broke upon the miserable group. To get off the marsh is impossible at night, it being several thousand acres in extent, and intersected at every hundred yards by wide and deep dykes full of water. There is not a stick or tree upon it, and here for 10 hours through that awful night the poor boys bore the full brunt of the storm. One by one they succumbed to sleep, and were with difficulty roused by their comrades in misery.

When day dawned, despite every exertion, four had fallen apparently dying. The chief officer set off to obtain assistance. Unfortunately, no conveyance could reach the spot, and the helpless, almost lifeless lads, had to be carried a mile and a half to Frodsham, where they were put to bed in the Queen's Head Inn, and every attention was paid to them by the medical men of the town. In the meantime, searchers were looking for Duckworth. and he was soon discovered about a quarter of a mile from the spot where the lads had fought out the gale. lying on his side cold and stiff, having perished from exposure. The officer in his evidence told the coroner and jury that they would never forget the awful agonising experience during the storm all night to which they were exposed, without food or shelter. for fourteen hours. The coroner said the fact that any of the boys survived the terrible exposure spoke highly of their stamina, and the treatment they received on board the Akbar. The Jury returned a verdict of death from exposure."

Mr Allen, the Instructor, who lost his teeth in the disaster, was granted five guineas for a replacement set.

All the year round hazards were revealed in various entries in the old Minute Books. "March 1867: In consideration of many services rendered to us by the Rock Ferry Company, it has been decided not to press a claim for damages to the galley when run into by the steamer 'Bee'." "1886: Captain reported the 'Great Eastern' to be anchored in a dangerous position to the ship Akbar. Owners were warned that they would be held responsible for any damage and the Admiralty informed." "1887: Offensive smell from the cargo of 'Locksley Hall', nuisance and source of danger to health of those living on board. Dock Board reports they will do everything to remove cargo with least possible delay." '1887: During a violent gale ship parted from her moorings and breaking adrift was driven on the mud between New and Rock Ferry slipway."

The lifespan of the ageing Akbar was lengthened by constant repairs and renewals, carried out in the main bythe ship's carpenter. A master craftsman, he was responsible for all repairs and building and proved his worth as one of the most valued men on board. When dry rot threatened the stern of the ship in 1872, it was Mr Wilkinson, the ship's carpenter, who cleared out the rotten wood and filled the gaping cavity with a ton and a half of rock salt. In that year he renewed the front part of the poop, extending it four feet to protect the tanks and water pipes ,and built a new cutter, repaired the skylights to the galley and the baths and washing facilities. In 1878, the carpenter weatherproofed the upper deck by sheeting it with two-inch planking, and in 1889 he improved the accommodation on the orlop deck to create more space and ventilation for the boys who slept there in hammocks.
In that year too he created a new water closet for the Captain,
who had complained to the Committee. "My water closet is 8 years-old and on the side of the ship, and during a storm proves quite dangerous to use." Each winter the topsail yards were downed and the top masts struck.

Diet and Health

In the early days the ship's water supply presented many problems. At the start, the Akbar boats ferried the water in containers from Tranmere, each trip with ten tons of water costing £4. In 1863, a new pump was fitted to make more efficient the collection of rainwater. By 1879, the water was delivered to the ship at a service charge of £45 yearly plus 2/6d per 1,000 gallons. Captain Hicks complained in 1894 that "Liverpool is certainly the only large Port in the world where there is no public water boat." By 1900, Birkenhead Corporation was making a charge of 31~ per 1,000 gallons.

The boys were always hungry in those early days. The food they ate, although considered adequate, contributed little towards their bodily warmth. In the winter months they were continuously chilled, and whenever the opportunity arose for a lad to snatch an extra ship's biscuit, he would gladly risk his punishment of 18 strokes across his backside with a birch rod.

Food. was locked away and it was a puzzle in April 1864 as to how Matthew, one of the 203 boys on board, managed to obtain and hungrily wolf down a great deal of porridge. So unaccustomed was his stomach to food in such quantity that the lad collapsed and died! The body was handed over to his mother for burial.

Meat was an expensive item and there was consternation among the Committee in 1871 when the supplier reported that he was compelled to raise his meat prices.

HM Inspector complained in 1875: "The boys are not very robust and there have been three deaths in the year. Salt beef, soup and biscuit comprise too large a part of the dietary. 1 recommend two or three slices of fresh cooked meat in the week, more bread instead of biscuits, and a supply of potatoes and vegetables." Five years later the boys were being given soft bread twice a week. In 1895, they received a 2 ounce smear of margarine four times instead of twice a week, and a meat dinner to replace one dinner of bread and cheese. The possibility that they should have milk in their tea and coffee was deferred for further consideration. Breakfast then consisted of 4 ounces of biscuit with porridge.

HM Inspector reported in 1904.. "The boys in the mass look far from well. There are too many puffy ' pasty faces and skin eruptions. The boys are being dosed with lime juice, but what is wanted is not the means to deal with trouble when it does arise, but measures to forestall the trouble." Under his watchful eye, the situation gradually improved with the addition of fresh fish twice a week, doses of cod liver oil, vegetables, and in 1914, the feast of bread and scouse dinners! By 1924, the results of the more satisfactory balanced diet were reflected in the quarterly reports showing weight increases of three pounds a lad and a growth in height of half an inch, with the observation that "the boys are now looking healthy and stout."

Extremes of temperature were felt more severely on board the Akbar than in any of the shore schools. The suffering from the elements in winter was acute, with chilblains, diseases of respiratory organs, consumption, pneumonia and asthma. Colds, influenza and hacking coughs spread like wildfire among both lads and staff in the cramped confined area, so that infections at times debilitated 50% of those on board. Ventilation on the sleeping deck as late as 1904 was appalling, especially in winter when ports could not be opened as freely as in fine weather. In summer, the boys were berthed midships in a sort of sweat box but even this discomfort was preferable to the horrendous cold of 1894, the year Queen Victoria opened the Manchester Ship Canal. The weather in that winter was so severe that the Canal remained frozen for about 13 weeks, and some of the river as well.

In an effort to keep out the chill the boys were fed oatmeal gruel before bedtime and had their calico shirts replaced by jersey frocks. Deaths on board were not uncommon, with as many as six in one year, and four in others, usually the result of consumption, pneumonia, pleurisy and brain disease. In 1896, a nurse hired from the Women's Hospital lived on the ship to care for the seriously ill. "I am sorry to say your nephew/son is very ill and sinking fast" - many such messages were despatched to relatives. The Committee at one stage seriously considered buying a private burial plot before deciding it would be more economical to bury the lads in a public grave at a cost of 12/6d a body. There were serious cases of typhoid and osteomyelitis, and minor cases of scalds, broken limbs, hernias and housemaid's knee. During the annual painting of the ship, "painter's colic" (lead poisoning) was an additional problem. In 1915, 234 boys had diarrhoea, and the Medical Officer recommended a more suitable store place for the meat supply.

In December 1894, when smallpox broke out on the Clarence, all the Akbar boys were vaccinated at a cost of I/- each. There was so much sickness in Liverpool in 1865 that Captain Borland suspended all leave. Epidemics of sickness and a wave of smallpox and cholera ashore frequently left the ship in isolation.

Staff often requested leave to "recoup my health", and the failing health of others forced them to resign. Typical examples were the Chaplain and the Chief Officer who quit in 1860. In 1866, the Schoolmaster moved on for "a change of air", and in the year following the Bandmaster stated that, in consequence of the damp cold state of the orlop deck, he would not be able to remain on board another winter. Captain Borland resigned in 1868, because "rny ill heaith will not permit another winter on board," and his replacement, Captain Urmston RN from Kingussie, Inverness, accepted the £300 per annum plus £42 6s allowance position on the understanding that he would not bring his wife and family on board until after the winter months. A year later he was dead of "congestion of the lungs brought on by typhoid fever." All applicants for the position of Captain were told: "The post is not an easy one. It requires tact, knowledge of character, patience and habits of order and the Committee will not consider it right to appoint and retain anyone who does not conduct the duties of the Vessel in a successful as well as a diligent manner." They might well have added the importance of a strong constitution!

In 1893 a grievous attack of pleuro-pneumonia which assumed an infectious character brought the following criticism f rom HM Inspector. "The one weak point in the ship is her record of sickness. The fact that health on board during the past ten years, as judged by the vital statistics, does not appear to be up to the level of other ships, demands the careful consideration of the Committee."

This censure resulted in action and the boys were despatched for a fortnight's holiday to the Cholera Hospital at New Ferry, empty at the time and loaned by the Liverpool Corporation. In their absence all the decayed wood of the Akbar was replaced and the ship thoroughly fumigated, cleaned, ventilated and lime-washed throughout. Reported the Captain: "The result of the experiment was most successful, not only has the condition of the ship been improved but the boys benefitted greatly from the change and the run in the grass field during the magnificent weather. Relaxation of discipline was unavoidable in such a place but the lads could not have behaved better and in no instance did they take advantage of the almost absolute freedom. They returned in the best of hqalth and spirits."

Bed-wetting was a problem. In 1858, Captain Fenwick was ordered to refuse admission to any boys with this tendency, and the Gaol Warder informed that it was his duty to report all such cases to the Medical Officer. Nevertheless, boys with this weakness were always on board, and in 1863 there were 31 recorded cases. Boys who soiled their cloth blanket were deprived of water. This inhuman attempt to control the nuisance was hell in high summer for thirsty lads enduring a heat which frequently zoomed to the level of a Turkish bath!

Physical punishment included birching and caning. Henry was so fearful of his chastisement in August 1872 that he clambered down to the bottom of the accommodation ladder in the still of the night, and whilst attempting to wash out his blanket before official inspection, overbalanced and fell into the Mersey. His body was never found.

The problem was nationwide and in the more enlightened and sympathetic days of March 1926, it was discussed at length at a Home Office Schools' Conference. Doctor Norris blamed bad ventilation, constipation, adenoids and unclean beds and told those who attended that other causes included "Dormitories that are often very cold, and in such cases when the child is moved to a well heated school hospital, the bed wetting ceases; on bath nights, when there is an increase in the number of bed wetters, brought on by the sudden cold of the water." He advised that windows should be closed one hour before retiring and opened after the children were put to bed; that each child should have a mackintosh, preferably red, over which should be placed a thin blanket, and once only, on the hour after retiring, should the children be called to empty their bladders. Wet-bed dormitories which had hard boards as beds should be abolished. He stated that children who feared punishment for bed-wetting became over-anxious and unable to control themselves, and )advised every Medical Officer to examine every child carefully for worms, kidney or bladder disease.

There was no sympathy or understanding for children of weak habits, particularly for those who indulged in masturbation. Reported the Captain in 1872: "Smith who is nearly blind through bad habits is being kept in the sick bay for security and put in a straight jacket. "

Epileptic lads and those with lunatic tendencies were discharged and more often than not despatched to the workhouse. Such a case was Saville in 1886, on whose discharge papers the Superintendent recommended, "he is daft and unfit for industrial training." A problem lad who, after trying to drown himself, hid away in the hope that he would die of starvation was discharged on the grounds that he was too much of a problem.

A dentist was appointed in 1861 and there were several examples of boys absconding in preference to treatment. Toothbrushes were introduced in 1913. Other improvements over the years included separate towels in 1863, to avoid the rapid spread of inflamed eyes which had resulted in nine of the 154 boys on board being taken to hospital. In 1893, there were straw beds in the sick bay and bread and milk for the patients; in 1905 knives and forks instead of spoons; in 1906, collapsible beds instead of hammocks; in 1922, undergarments were supplied and in 1924 shoes, to relieve continued use of boots. Strict hygiene regulations were later imposed by HM Inspectors to wipe out infection and each evening the order of the day was: "Last post and gargle!"

End of an Era

By the turn of the century anxiety regarding the ship'j worsening condition was justified. Several leaks were stemmed te no avail, and by 1906 the Akbar was making a ton of water every 24 hours. As the pounding of the Mersey tides took its toll, it became obvious to all concerned that the days of the old ship were numbered.

A final repair to the ship's side at a cost of £2 10s was attempted but the ship still continued to make a great deal of water through her bottom. Captain Powley reported that he did not consider it safe to rig the main sail again, and Messrs Clover, Clayton & Company recommended the use of Condy's fluid to disinfect the objectionable ooze in the ship's midst.

Captain Hicks had reported in 1900, "Over 2,500 boys have passed through the Akbar since her establishment forty-six years ago ' and we know from official returns that 23 of these were under detention in prison in 1900. This is less than one per cent. The respectable appearance of the old lads who have visited the ship and who have been otherwise heard of is the best evidence of the success of our work. In the many letters 1 have received from old boys, kindly reference is made to the Akbar. It is a good sign when boys speak well of their old school."

By 1906, fifty years after the first boys came to the Akbar, the number of admissions had increased to 3,177. Of these: 127 died, 87 were transferred, 1,787 sent to sea, 286 to other employment, 381 returned to family or friends. 33 enlisted, 14 emigrated, 61 absconded, 4 were sent to prison, 78 were discharged on account of disease and 25 by special warrant. 312 were under detention in December 1906.

The Akbar remained in use until Monday December 2nd 1907, when the old sailing ship, unable to weather any further service, was towed away to the breaker's yard. The school transferred to Heswall on the Wirral, under the new title of a Nautical Training School, where it continued to function until its closure in 1956.

The Akbar had broken a few hearts and spirits with discipline which at times chilled the entire hulk, and she had claimed a fair number of deaths, but for many she had provided a one-way ticket to a decent life, considerable success and the chance, for some, to slot into the comfortable confident strata of the middle classes. As the lads rowed ashore for the last time on that cold December morning, there were more than a few who took a backward glance at the outline of the crippled and dying hulk through misty eyes. It was the end of an era for floating reformatories.

The Akbar then became a shore Training Ship at Heswall , and the story of Herswall is next.