Vindicatrix
History |
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The
ship "TS Vindicatrix" has had a long history, being built
in Glasgow in 1893 as the "Arranmore" for Thompson, Dickie
& Co. (Maiden City Line). She was a three masted, square rigged
and built of steel without an engine other than a boiler to run steam
driven winches. |
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In 1910 she was sold to the Germans and renamed the "Waltraute". In 1914 a boiler/generator and electric lights were fitted as well as two extra decks provided from cargo hold areas. The covering of her original deck made a large enclosed area, which could be used for many purposes (later to become the Vindi mess deck), also made another deck.
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In 1919 she was surrendered at the end of WW1, the British Shipping Federation acquired her and was again renamed this time as the "Vindicatrix". In 1939 as the dark clouds of WWII loomed she was towed to Sharpness on the River Severn and commissioned as the National Sea Training School for merchant seamen.
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Over
time the school was built up with hut accommodation and other camp facilities
for young trainees who came from all corners of England, Ireland, Scotland
and Wales. |
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The
TS Vindicatrix was but a hulk with the masts cut down and cockroach
infested, making for many jokes about the extra protein in the food
of which there seemed very little. |
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On the 12th January 1967 she was unceremoniously towed to her final resting ground, the ship wreckers at Newport (Gwent). After a historic 74 years and surviving several major mishaps she was no more.
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Take
a trip down "Memory Lane"  |
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