| T.S. Vindicatrix was the final chapter in the chequered career of a ship built on the Clyde in 1893 and named “Arranmore”. |
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1903, Wrecked at Algoa Bay, ashore for five months then towed 6,800 miles to the Clyde.
1910, Sold to Germany, re-named “Waltraute”.
1913, Dismasted, became Hamburg Seaman’s Mission.
1915, German Naval Auxiliary U Boat crew’s rest ship.
1918, In Leith Roads, repatriation depot for German M.N. crews.
1920, Surrendered to British.
1923, Bought by the Shipping Federation, re-named “Vindicatrix”.
1926, Became Gravesend, Sea School.
1939, Towed from Thames to Sharpness on the river Severn.
1939 to 1966 Training Ship at Sharpness
1967, the Vindicatrix was towed to Cashmore's Yard, Newport, Gwent in Wales to be broken up for scrap.
As a training vessel, in excess of 70,000 boys between the ages of 15 and 16 trained here for a career in the merchant navy. Strong worldwide ties still exist between “Vindi Boys”, as they became known. Annual reunions are held at the nearby Dockers club.
Waypoint COMPLQ is near the position occupied by Vindicatrix while she was at Sharpness. The commemorative plaque contains the information to find the final cache.
The lock gates nearby were the original entrance to the docks, and were maintained to an operational standard until hostilities ceased in order to provide a secondary entrance to the docks in case bombing made the main entrance unusable. Much of the gear remains in situ today.
Presently, S.A.R.A. the inshore rescue organization operates from the original harbour buildings at the entrance lock. This fast response service uses inflatable craft and hovercraft to respond to emergencies on the river as far downstream as Avonmouth, and upstream to Upton on Severn.
Using the numbers in the order they appear on the plaque, the final cache is at
N (24th–22nd)3rd ° 19th5th.(24th–22nd)5th(22nd+25th)
W 2nd ° 2nd(22nd+25th).4th1st14th