William Francis school of navigation
William Francis was an Amlwch master mariner of great
experience. In 1813 he was at Liverpool loading a general cargo for Gibralter in
a vessel called "Dublin" of Amlwch. He was both master and part owner of the
vessel. The journey to Gibralter was a hazardous one with risk of capture by
pirates so at the request of his wife, Francis decided to resign as the ships
master. He returned to Amlwch and set up a school in February of 1814.
His school not only offered the normal instruction in " spelling ,reading and
writing English" but also mensurations universally, land surveying, geography
and astronomy, the use of maps and charts, terrestrial and celestial globes" At
a higher fee of of 1/5/- per quarter students where also taught. " the elements
of geometry, plain and spherical, trigonometry, algebra and theoretical
navigation". An extra £2 per quarter was needed for "practical navigation with
the use and construction of sea charts etc". And for the highest fee of £3 per
quarter " theoretical and practical navigation, use of globes, quadrants and
sextants.
The school was open not only to children but also adults of both sexes and if
necessary Board and lodge was also available. His school was an immediate
success and by 1821 he was looking for larger premises. He initially attempted
to obtain a lease on the old assay house near to Parys lodge. It was not until
april 1824 with the help of Colonel Hughes of Llys Dulas that "Mount pleasant
school, Contagious to Parys lodge garden" was adopted as the new school. Francis
considered this an ideal location because of the view of the sea and the horizon
which was essential for his practical teaching.
Some of the exercises that William Francis developed and used have still
survived and show that he expected a high standard of understanding and workman
ship from his pupils.
In 1982 the Caernarfon Civic Society furnished on street frontages a series of
circular slate plaques as memorials to persons and institutions that have
enriched the history of the town.One of those honoured was MRS ELLEN EDWARDS, (Seiont
II), The daughter of Captain William Francis of Amlwch who himself ran a
navigation school on Anglesey. Since it seems that he had no sons, he passed on
his craft to his daughter who set up her own navigation school in Caernarfon
where she trained mariners from the town and its environs for up to sixty years.
She was helped in later years by her daughter. The infamous Blue Books (1847)
were typically scathing of her achievements, but her own pupils claimed hers was
the best navigation school in the world. The story of one of her pupils, Captain
Robert Thomas, can be read in 'SHIP MASTERS' by Aled Eames.
For more detailed information:-
A curious place by Bryan Hope
The Industrial History of Amlwch 1550 - 1950
ISBN
(Hardback) 0 9535268 0 1
ISBN (Softback) 0 9535268 1 X
Masts & Shaft
Eryl Wyn Rowlands
ISBN 1 902 565 04 5
Faster than the
wind
Frank Large
ISBN 0 9521020 9 9