In 1901 he was at the Boy Seaman Training Establishment HMS Boscawen (formerley HMS Trafalgar).

The original Boscawen at Portland left in 1873 and was replaced by HMS Trafalgar, which took on the name Boscawen and remained at Portland until she was sold in 1906.
The design of warships changed dramatically in the last half of the nineteenth century with iron and steel taking the place of the 'wooden walls' and armour plate and with heavier breech loading guns in turrets taking the place of cannons. Much of the training of the boys, however, still reflected life under sail and activities ashore and on board prepared them for life at sea. They were required to set up topmast rigging and cross upper yards, and they learned to scrub and wash hammocks and to make and mend clothes. They also cleaned boats, took lead line instruction, engaged in physical drill, including dumb bell exercises and gymnastics, landed field artillery, learned rifle drill and, at the turn of the century, went ashore to receive machine gun and ammunition instruction. They coaled and painted ship, and formed a fire brigade which could be called ashore in an emergency. For this the 520 boys in 1872 received 3d per week pocket money. Supplies of food, regularly taken aboard, included fresh vegetables, beef, 'mouton', suet, corned pork and bread. Fresh water was also supplied. On Sundays the boys attended divine service. During the summer they were given leave and this provided an opportunity for dockyard men to join the ship to make good defects.