1905 battle flag to HMS Worcester when he attended the coronation of George V in 1911. In 1876 Queen Victoria confirmed her interest in the ship by establishing the award of an annual Gold Medal to the cadet who, in the opinion of his shipmates, was most likely to make the best officer. In the period up to 1946, two Victoria Crosses and one George Cross were awarded to former Worcester cadets. HMS Worcester was the London maritime interests' answer to HMS Conway which had been established in 1859 on the River Mersey as a training ship for Liverpool's burgeoning merchant fleet. Throughout their history Worcester and Conway were competitors, and the two met regularly on playing fields and in boats in keen sporting rivalry. See also School ship HMS Worcester for other ships of the same name The Marine Society College of the Sea References External links The Association of Old Worcesters Merchant Navy College, Greenhithe Training ships on the River Thames Training ships of the United Kingdom 1862 establishments in England