History (2)

Starting with just 18 cadets, the numbers grew rapidly and there was soon a waiting list for entry. Official recognition soon followed - the Board of Trade allowed two years satisfactory 'Worcester' training to count in part towards a watchkeeping certificate, and in 1867 Queen Victoria instituted a Gold Medal for presentation annually.

HMS 'Worcester' (II) at the turn of the 20th Century.

By the mid-1870s the first 'Worcester' was clearly too small for the task and the Admiralty was approached for the loan of a larger vessel, and in 1876 the College was allocated the two-decked battleship 'Frederick William'. She was an unusual vessel in many respects; her tonnage of 4,725 and length of 214 feet made her very much larger than even the preserved 'Victory'. She had commenced building in Portsmouth in 1833 as a 110-gun three-decker to be named the 'Royal Sovereign'. Construction of wooden ships was always a lengthy process but particularly so in her case - renamed 'Royal Frederick' whilst still on the stocks the design was changed in 1859 to a two-decker to carry 116 guns. There was one final batch of changes before launching in 1860 - engines and boilers were installed and her armament was reduced to 86 guns. To add to the confusion her name was changed yet again as a compliment to the then King of Prussia and she was launched - 27 years after first laid down - as the 'Frederick William'.