- FORMIDABLE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL SHIP, PORTISHEAD, BRISTOL.
- BRISTOL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL SHIP "FORMIDABLE", PORTISHEAD, NEAR BRISTOL
The ship was a 80 gun line-of-battle ship of the same named dating back to 1844. Tender to the Formidable is the "POLLY" which was certified 27th February 1875.
Capt. R.B. Nicholetts was Superintendent for 16 1/2 years until 1894.
Became shore-based and renamed
- NATIONAL NAUTICAL SCHOOL FOR HOMELESS AND DESTITUTE BOYS, PORTISHEAD, NORTH SOMERSET, BRISTOL.
Certified 19th December 1905 for 350 boys in new buildings ashore on the Bristol Channel.
Re-certified 1931 for 225 boys. From 1933 it became a Senior Approved School.
Records PRO 45/9898/B18641 1869-95 - PRO 45/9532/41970 1895
STAFF
1869 - Superintendent Captain Poulden
1872 - Captain superintendent, Lieutenant W. Poulden R.N., first officer; schoolmaster Mr Rice.
1884 - Captain-superintendent, Captain R.B. Nicholetts, R.N., ; chief officer Mr Glasspole; schoolmaster Mr W. Rice. Mr A.T. Bennett; master for the tender the "Polly"
1891 - Captain-superintendent, Captain R.B. Nicholetts, R.N., ; chief officer Mr Glasspole; chief schoolmaster Mr W. Rice; assistant schoolmasters messrs Davey, Wallis, Reece and Pierce. The master of the "Polly" training brig Captain Hall.
1893 - Captain-superintendent, Captain R.B. Nicholetts, R.N., ; chief officer Mr Glasspole; chief schoolmaster Mr W. Rice; assistant schoolmasters messrs Davey, Wallis, Reece and Pierce. "Polly" training ship, Captain Hall; clerk Mr Wells.
1900 - Captain superintendent Commander Willoughby E. Still, R.N.,; chief officer Mr Pearce; schoolmaster Mr Howes; assistant schoolmasters, Messrs Davey, F.S. Pearce, G.F. Wallis and D.L. Evans. The inspector noted " It is with regret that one learns of the illness of Mr John Hall, who has so long and successfully commanded the "Polly".
1902 - Capt. Superintendent Commander Willoughby Edward Still R.N.
1903 - Captain superintendent Commander Willoughby E. Still, R.N.,; chief officer Mr S.Pearce; Mr Howes, head teacher, left 12th July and was succeeded by Mr W.D. William, 14th August 1902; assistant teachers Messrs E. Davey. G Wallis, F.S. Pearce and A. Evans. Mr J. Dickens is skipper of the "Polly".