The 'Success'

The Success was a hulk (ship) anchored in Hobsons Bay. From 1869 it accommodated children over the age of seven who had been convicted under the Neglected and Criminal Children’s Act of 1864. Later, the Success was used as the sleeping quarters for those boys described as ‘difficult’ who were living in the reformatory ship, the Sir Harry Smith.

In December 1868 the Success became an overflow for the Industrial Schools Department as a result of increased demand for accommodation for children convicted under the Neglected and Criminal Children’s Act 1864.

Formerly a convict hulk, stores ship and women’s prison, it housed children over seven years of age.

Overcrowding at the Immigrants Home, run by the Immigrants Aid Society at Princes Bridge, Melbourne and the Sunbury Industrial School necessitated such action.

The Success was anchored in Hobsons Bay and took in its first children in February 1869.

When the crisis in accommodation for ‘neglected’ children eased, The Success remained anchored near the Sir Harry Smith and was used as sleeping quarters for the more ‘difficult’ boys on the reformatory ship.