Reformatory ships were one solution devised to tackle juvenile crime. Victorian England was a maritime country with a constant need for sailors. The new steamships led to a surplus of old wooden sailing ships, ideal for housing many boys. With a lack of space in prisons on land and rising numbers of juvenile delinquents, a ship would be ideal to train these boys for a life at sea.
Boys found guilty of a crime could be sent to a reformatory ship after a short time in prison. They were mainly found guilty of theft, most often money, clothing or food. These ships held 200-300 boys aged 14-19 for up to five years.
There were three reformatory ships in England. Established between 1856-64, the Akbar and the Clarence were in the Mersey at Liverpool, with the Cornwall in the Thames near London. The ships were a harsh environment, with a high death rate and a demanding work regime. However, they also clothed, fed and educated the boys and trained them to become sailors. The rate of reoffending after leaving the ship was low.
