20 May 1867 - Vernon nautical school admissions

On 20 May 1867 applications for admission to the nautical school-ship, the Vernon, commenced.

The Vernon was purchased by the Colonial Secretary in January 1867 and moored in Sydney Harbour. It was intended that vagrant and destitute boys would receive moral, nautical and industrial training along with elementary schooling.

The Vernon was replaced with the Sobraon in November 1892.

Source: Dunn. M. (2008). Dictionary of Sydney. Vernon nautical training ship

More information

Search the index

School girls in white smocks stand in a large group outside a brick building

Child care and protection index 1817-1942

21,000+ entries from Mittagong Farm home for Boys, Randwick Asylum for Destitute Children, Orphan schools & Industrial schools

Published on 
Boys in nautical school uniforms line up on the deck of a ship holding bayonets

Sobraon, nautical training ship

Browse more photos in the State Archives catalogue

Boys in nautical clothing sit at long tables in a ship's lower deck

Child care and protection guide

Major sources from the collection relating to child care and protection, in the 19th and early 20th centuries

Children in a playground in the sandpit, on a slippery dip and other equipment

Children in care in the 19th and early 20th centuries

This webinar explores the records of institutions, schools and asylums that housed orphan, destitute and other children placed in the care of the NSW Government

This is a pencil drawing of a ship moored near a headland

The splendid clipper 'Sobraon'

The forlorn hulk of the HMAS Tingira features in several 1930s drawings of Berrys Bay by celebrated artist Lloyd Rees