Reproduced with permission of Johnny Walker's Scouting History website http://www.scoutingmilestones.freeserve.co.uk

TS Northampton

ON November 30th, 1888 HMS Sharpshooter was launched. A torpedo gunboat displacing 875 tons, 235ft in length and 36ft in beam, she was the last word in modern warship design and gave rise to the 'Sharpshooter Class' of twelve Royal Naval Torpedo Boats.

In 1904, HMS Sharpshooter was leased from the Royal Navy to the Marquis of Northampton, who wanted to use her as a floating technical night-school to train "poor boys in handicrafts." Surprisingly, their Lordships of the Admiralty allowed the engines and other gear to be removed, so that lathes and training equipment could be installed. She was moored at Temple Pier on the Victoria Embankment of the Thames, renamed HMS Northampton, and the training of the "poor boys" began.

The Marquis of Northampton died in 1914 and his son, although on Active Service abroad, did his best to maintain the venture, but clearly he could not personally supervise activities. By 1918 the then Lord Northampton determined to hand the ship over to some other organisation that would most closely continue with his father's charitable objectives. He chose the Scout Association. The Association's Committee of the Council, in accepting this donation, decided that the Northampton should to continue with its present name in honour of the late Marquis. The new Lord Northampton was offered and accepted a role on the Sea Scout Committee.

In April 1919, Headquarters Gazette carried news of the hand-over of the Northampton and outlined its future use. "Thanks to the generosity of Lord Northampton, we have now acquired the training ship the Northampton to serve as the head centre for Sea Scouting, and as such to supply a training school for officers, as well an intensive course for those Sea Scouts who may desire a career at sea." It would appear that the donation had caught the Scout Association somewhat by surprise, as the same issue proclaimed that as far as the Northampton was concerned, there was a need to, ". . .rope in good men for Scoutmasters and instructors. An energetic local campaign is the best for this . . . will you try it?" There were rumours that Northampton might just be the first of such Scout Training Vessels and that another similar donation might be forthcoming. "Is this the start of a squadron round our coast (for wonders never cease)?" As far as I am able to discover however there were, at that time, no other 'ship-sized' donations to the Association.

Provisional Objectives were soon drawn up:

"Use as residential school for those wishing to follow a career in the Merchant Navy

For short-term and weekend Patrol-training

For technical evening classes

Training centre for Sea Scout Officers

As a centre for higher instruction in Physical Education"

The last objective may seem a little out of place, but the latest craze in Scouting at that time, (they were called 'isms' by the sceptical) short-lived though it was, was Athleticism. This was no doubt prompted by various official reports, often quoted by Baden-Powell, that concluded that the youth of the nation would not be fit enough for active service should the need ever arise.

In August 1919, Lieut. G Malzard R.N. was appointed Captain and by January 1920, the Training Ship TS Northampton was a going concern. Course-work took place through the week, but Saturday afternoon was reserved for boatwork with Northampton's two cutters and two whalers. Later on that year she was used as a floating hostel to house 115 Sea Scouts whilst they attended the Imperial Jamboree.

The Headquarters Gazette of September 1921 was a 'Sea Scouting issue', and tucked away amongst all the good news was a short article by Lieut. Malzard. He began dramatically - "The Northampton will very shortly be only a memory to Sea Scouts. . . " It would appear that whilst some training courses did take place, there was never the demand to justify the Northampton's expense. In moving the adoption of his AGM Report to the Council in 1922, Baden-Powell wrote:

"One reverse we have been forced to suffer has been the closing down of our Training Ship, the Northampton, as a matter of economy. She was doing good work but at a cost we could not afford under present conditions and I can only hope that with the coming of better times we shall be able to able to revive the organised training which the Northampton made available to the Movement."

Regrettably, the Northampton went to the breaker's yard in 1922. A further nine years were to pass before B-P's dream of a replacement became a reality.