nded
chiefly to supply officers for the merchant navy. Boys are received from
12 to 16 years of ago. The average number of boys on board was 138, of
whom 54 joined the merchant service. The number of boys received since
the commencement up to 1877, was 1290, of whom 40 entered the Royal Navy,
and almost all the others went into the Merchant Service.

The report gives no balance-sheet, but says that the school fees (40
guineas per annum for each boy) "covered the expenses" (presumably the
ordinary expenses), and left a balance of 283 pounds.

'CORNWALL.'--(PURFLEET, _Thames_.)

Established 1859.

This is a Reformatory Ship, managed by "The School Ship Society." The
boys enter between 13 and 15 years of age, sentenced to 3 years'
detention under the Reformatory Schools Act. The average number of boys
maintained on board in 1877 was 218. Comparative cost per head on
ordinary maintenance and management 32 pounds. Industrial profits, 329
pounds. Of cases discharged in 1874, 1875, and 1876, there were doing
well (December, 1877) 198, doubtful 5, convicted of crime 4, unknown 18,
dead 12. In July, 1878, the Captain had heard of 114 boys at sea
service, all doing well, and 26 boys visited in June, equally
satisfactory, one of them in command of a large ship.

An epidemic in 1875-76 caused much trouble and expense.

'CUMBERLAND.'--(CLYDE.)

Established June, 1869.

This is an Industrial School Ship. At the beginning of 1877 there were
385 boys on board, and during the year 133 were admitted, 105 were sent
to sea, 11 to shore employment, 5 to their friends, 1 to a school, 6
absconded, and 1 died, leaving 389 on the roll for January 1, 1878. From
the establishment up to that time, 1343 boys had been admitted, and 954
had left. Of 432 discharged in 1874, 1875, and 1876, 345 were known to
be doing well, 10 indifferently, 3 convicted of crime, and 16 died of
disease and casualties. The receipts for the year were 7280 pounds,
including 500 pounds on contingency account. The ship is managed by a
committee, of which the President is Mr. John Burns, of Castle Wemyss,
who is well known for his important position as chairman of The Cunard
Company (Limited), and for his hearty liberal efforts on behalf of boys
who need a friend.

'ENDEAVOUR.'--(FELTHAM, _Middlesex_.)

Established 1866.

This is a "land ship," with boats on the river, and the following
description of it is from a paper by Captain Brook