school ship

a vessel used in training students for nautical careers.

Origin of school ship

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

This school-ship is kept by the City of New York for the purpose of teaching boys how to become sailors.

The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 30, June 3, 1897 |Various
Why, the school-ship has given the Huascar a thoroughly nasty mauling!

Under the Chilian Flag |Harry Collingwood
Harry Darrel, having received a nautical training on a school-ship, bent on going to sea.

Gascoyne, The Sandal Wood Trader |R. M. Ballantyne
She is now used as a school-ship for the training of seamen.

Stories of Heroic Deeds for Boys and Girls |James Johonnot

The school-ship is an object of interest to me, and I often perch on the mast-head, to see how the lads are getting on.

Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag |Louisa M. Alcott

school ship

a ship for training young men in seamanship, for a career in the regular or merchant navy