Last Update: 16 March 2010

MOBA © 2009

Training Ship Mercury in Pictures

The Buildings

When TS Mercury moved from the Isle of Wight to Hamble in 1892, the school acquired substantial land and the school effectively moved ashore leaving the ships (Illovo and, later, President) to act as dormitories and as a focus for activities such as boating and drill. These photographs show the school’s buildings. Some buildings were inevitably replaced or modified over the years but the two constants were the ‘House’ which was the administrative centre of the school and the Theatre (or ‘building’ as it was know as during the Fry era) which staged many productions especially prior to World War II. The 25-room ‘House’ was designed by Charles Hoare, the school’s founder. The Theatre was also built about this time and was modelled on the Wagner theatre in Bayreuth.