ChildhoodLiverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution
The Liverpool Seamen’s Orphan Institution was established in order to provide care and education for the many Liverpool children who lost families at sea. A group of Liverpool merchants and shipowners funded the establishment of the orphanage in 1869, in a temporary rented building on Duke Street. In 1870 Liverpool City Council donated land next to Newsham Park and a large building was erected to house and educate the orphans. It was opened in 1874. The building had separate wings for boys and girls but shared dining facilities, hospital and classrooms. All orphans were taught reading and writing. In addition girls learnt knitting and needlework and boys were instructed in carpentry. The Institution also made an agreement with the ‘Indefatigable’ training ship, to train boys after leaving the orphanage. During World War II, the orphans were evacuated to Frankby, Wirral but returned to Newsham Park in 1948. By this time family allowances and the National Health Service had come into effect, therefore families had the assistance to care for children at home – there was no longer the same need for the orphanage. In 1949 the decision was made to close it down and in 1951 the building was sold to the Ministry of Health and turned in to a hospital. Despite the closure of the orphanage, the institution still exists and continues to provide support for Liverpool families. A little girl named Eleanor ('Nell') Morris attended the Liverpool Seamen’s Orphan Institution for seven years, from 1930-37. She was only four years old when she was admitted. Her father was a quartermaster on board 'SS Minnedosa' but died at sea in 1927, leaving a widow and six children. Her mother also worked at sea, as a Cunard Line Matron, and was unable to look after her family at home. Nell stayed there with her older sister Joyce, and brothers Dan and Harry. Her brother George, being older, was immediately sent for training aboard the 'Indefatigable'. The photographs at the top of the page are from a collection that Eleanor donated to Merseyside Maritime Museum: Left: This shows Nell (aged 5), Joyce (7), Dan (10), Harry (11), George (13) and their mother. All the children are dressed in the orphanage uniform, apart from George in his ‘Indefatigable’ uniform. Centre: This is a group photograph of Nell, Joyce, Harry and Dan, once again in their orphanage uniforms. Right: This line-up shows (r-l) Nell (aged 8), Joyce (10) and Harry (14). Nell and Joyce are in their uniforms but Harry was now working as a bellboy on board a ship.
The two images above are from a recent visit to the Newsham Park building as it is today, including a photograph of Eleanor Morris (now Tunnicliffe). It was an emotional day for her, with many memories of her seven years at the Orphanage flooding back. In this section
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