HMS Impregnable. When the warship became a steam and electrically powered ship there was less and less use for the "white wings" which made the old time frigate, one of the loveliest sights in the world, and in the handling of which British sailors had been pre-eminent. Much of the true seamanship was involved in the proper use of sails and on the training ships great importance was attached to the education of youngsters in this respect in the early 20th century. She was an old 121 gun ship of 1860, initially named HMS Howe. The ship still had the figurehead of Lord Howe, and then renamed HMS Bulwark, until 1886 when she was named HMS Impregnable, the training ship under the command of Captain D. H. Bosanquet.

1891 Census

The Lads of the Training ship HMS Impregnable in 1896

Boys joined the navy between the ages of 15 and 16.5 . photo shows boys at various stages of their training. some 1100 boys in total

Reefing Topsails on board HMS Impregnable