An exhibition has opened at the Gwynedd Museum and Galley, Bangor tracing the history of the Clio training ship.
It is likely that many children in this area were, in the past, threatened with a visit to the naughty boys’ ship. Many probably thought that the story was entirely fictional, but the threat relates to a real ship which was moored on the Menai Straits from 1877-1920 – The Clio.
The Clio was an industrial training ship, its purpose being to provide shelter and training for homeless and destitute boys or boys who had become involved in petty crimes. They would be sent to the Clio from areas throughout Britain, but mostly from the north of England, where they would be clothed, fed, educated and trained for a life at sea.
This exhibition tells some of the Clio’s story and there are a number of artefacts on display including a young sailor’s uniform from the Clio period, a walking stick carved by the ship’s carpenter of wood from the Clio, an original poster for a meeting in 1876 aiming to secure the ship for the Menai Straits.
Alun Thomas, from the Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery said:
“The Clio is a fascinating part of the Bangor area’s history and we are delighted that we can remember the history here at Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery.
“The exhibition includes a great collection of photographs showing the boys and their home on the Menai Straits. You can even read a copy of their weekly food rations and their daily timetable.
“There are some other items we would like to see in the exhibition – we are still searching for the ship’s bell which was located in Bryn Mêl, Llandegfan until the early 1990s. Also, since the exhibition opened, we have received a photograph from 1924 showing a local mariner standing in the grounds of Bangor’s Union Hotel, next to the head portion of the Clio figurehead which we assumed had been lost in the Menai when the ship was broken up. We would be very interested should anyone know her current whereabouts.”
The exhibition continues until 17 September 2011.
The Gwynedd Museum and Gallery is open Saturday 10.30am- 4.30pm and Tuesday-Friday, 12.30-4.30pm. Admission is free. For more information telephone 01248 353368 or visit the website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/museums
