History (4)

When the clipper 'Cutty Sark' was given to the College in 1938, a partial solution was found for the future, with her use as a 'boating station' moored off the Greenhithe estate coupled with thoughts of a possible shore building to house the College. However, the advent of the Second World War changed the future of the 'Worcester' as with so much else.

During the war years, the College was evacuated to nearby Foots Cray Place - see 'History (5)' - and inevitably a shortage of men and materials meant both ships deteriorated badly. The 'Worcester' was used as a training base by the Royal Navy and by 1945 was in a very poor condition, had lost most of her masts and only kept afloat by a large salvage pump. Happily, a replacement for the 'Frederick William' was found in the form of the 'Exmouth' - of which more later - but, following her war service, largely spent at Scapa Flow, she clearly needed all the financial resources and manpower the College could muster to recommission her as a replacement 'Worcester'.

The 'Cutty Sark' alongside HMS 'Worcester' (II) in 1939.

As a result of the acquisition of the fine new ship, the potential role of the 'Cutty Sark' diminished, and with the approval of the original donor, Mrs Dowman, she was given to the nation through the National Maritime Museum. After restoration, she was moved to a permanent dry-dock at Greenwich where she remains to this day visited by many thousands every year.

Sadly, the final fate of the former 'Frederick William' was less happy - in accordance with the terms of the original loan, in 1945 she was returned to the Admiralty who were busy running down the vastly expanded war-time Navy. She was moved to Thurrock prior to being broken-up, but cheated the shipbreakers by sinking at her moorings a few weeks later having broken her back.

HMS 'Worcester' (II) anchored off Grays in 1947,
two years after she had been returned to the Admiralty.