TS Indefatigable was founded in 1864 by 
      one John Clint, who set up a committee to raise funds to offer naval 
      training to poor and destitute boys, and the sons and orphans of sailors. 
      Financial assistance was rendered by James Bibby, of Bibby Line Shipping, 
      whose family helped support the `Inde` for many years to follow. At that 
      time the trainees actually lived on the ship, which was moored off Rock 
      Ferry, on the Birkenhead side of the Mersey. The ship at that time was an 
      ex Royal Navy wooden frigate, and the gun deck was converted to hold 200 
      boys in hammock accommodation. The ship lasted through to 1914, when it 
      was scrapped and replaced by a masted cruiser named H.M.S Phaeton, 
      subsequently renamed Indefatigable. 
  
  1941 the Inde and another training ship - Conway - 
      for lads from more well off families- were ordered evacuated due to the 
      severe bombing that Liverpool had been forced to endure. It was decided by 
      the committee that it was safer to find a shore base, and initially they 
      moved to Clawdd Newydd in Ruthin, North Wales -a disused holiday camp. 
 1944 the TS Indefatigable was relocated to a country 
      home named Plas Llanfair in Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, on Anglesey, where it 
      would remain for the next 51 years. The choice of Plas Llanfair was 
      &nbsp;perhaps very apt as it was once the home of Admiral Lord Clarence 
      Paget - commander in chief of the Mediterranean fleet. Admiral Paget was 
      the fourth son of the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, whose column towers above 
      the site. He was also the person who had the statue of Nelson 
      erected&nbsp; in 1873 on the banks of the Menai Straits&nbsp; as an aid to 
      navigation. 
    Many new buildings were erected to house classrooms 
      etc, and of course there was a parade ground. Near to Plas Llanfair there 
      is a rock called Nozzers Rock. It measures something like 40 feet wide and 
      30 feet high. Many an Inde lad will remember clambering to the top and 
      spending some moments pondering their lot. New entrants were called 
      `Nozzers` to show they were `Fresh Meat`
     Training generally took part from the age of 14 
      to the age of 16 years of age. The Inde was split into four divisions, 
      named Drake, Hood, Raleigh, and Rodney. Each division had about 30 lads, 
      with 3 eventually being promoted to Leading Hands, and one to Petty 
      Officer. A Chief Petty Officer boy held overall responsibility for 
      discipline amongst the boys, in much the same way as a Head Boy. 
      Inde still had its 
      own boats, including big Whalers, and Cutters - one per division - for 
      pulling oars. Life was hard for the lads, but with no exceptions amongst 
      those that have helped with my research, each has a strong belief that the 
      Inde stood them in good stead and would do so for the rest of their lives. 
      Most that I have spoken to have done well, and a surprising number rose to 
      the rank of Master, surely a tribute in itself to this amazing 
      establishment. 
  
Since the closure of 
      the Inde the ships bell was bought by the Marine Engineers Guild and 
      returned to Plas Llanfair, where I believe it is on loan to the present 
      MOD establishment JSMTC - Joint Services Mountain Training Centre. It also 
      operates as a place where members of the forces can take a low cost 
      holiday.
    As I researched 
      more into the history of the TS Indefatigable, I realised that many ex 
      Inde lads would have paid the supreme sacrifice serving in the Royal or 
      the Merchant Navy, indeed all of the Armed Services. They would have given 
      their lives during the Great Wars War, and in later conflicts such as the 
      Falklands, where the Royal Navy took some heavy casualties. God Bless Them 
      &amp; Remember Them.
   for some 150 years. In the 1930`s it became a hotel, and this 
      was commandeered by the War Office until D Day. in 1944 it became the TS 
      Indefatigable, which as we know it remained until 1995. It was bought by 
      the MOD for the sum of £732,000 and a further sum of 4.2 million was spent 
      on its upgrade.