The ‘Sobraon’ industrial / training ship
On November 8, 1892, the Sobraon took over from the Vernon as the training ship for the Industrial School for Boys. it was three times larger than the previous ship and, by 1893, accommodated an average of 263 boys throughout the year.
By July 1911 the last of the Sobraon boys were rehoused at the and the and the Sobraon was abandoned.
An Act for the relief of Destitute Children" [30 Victoria, Act No, 2, 1866] ... authorised the Governor to proclaim "any ship or vessel or any building or place together with any yards, enclosures grounds or lands attached thereto to be a 'Public Industrial School' ".[the Act stated] Any vagrant or destitute child under the age of sixteen could be directed by two Justices of the Peace to attend an Industrial School and to remain the responsibility of the Superintendent until the age of eighteen, unless apprenticed out or discharged. A child could be apprenticed out from twelve years of age but if twelve or over when admitted, was required to attend the School for a year before becoming apprenticed. Each child was to receive instruction in the religion of his family. The Superintendent was authorised to discipline any child who absconded from the School. Males and females were to attend different Institutions. Parents could be required to pay for the upkeep of their child while attending the Industrial School...
Related
Child care and protection guide
Major sources from the collection relating to child care and protection, in the 19th and early 20th centuries
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
The splendid clipper 'Sobraon'
The forlorn hulk of the HMAS Tingira features in several 1930s drawings of Berrys Bay by celebrated artist Lloyd Rees