He was transferred to the boy seaman training ship HMS Boscawen at Portland on 18 April the same year.

The design of warships changed dramatically in the last half of the nineteenth century with iron and steel taking the place of the 'wooden walls' and armour plate and with heavier breech loading guns in turrets taking the place of cannons. Much of the training of the boys, however, still reflected life under sail and activities ashore and on board prepared them for life at sea. They were required to set up topmast rigging and cross upper yards, and they learned to scrub and wash hammocks and to make and mend clothes. They also cleaned boats, took lead line instruction, engaged in physical drill, including dumb bell exercises and gymnastics, landed field artillery, learned rifle drill and, at the turn of the century, went ashore to receive machine gun and ammunition instruction. They coaled and painted ship, and formed a fire brigade which could be called ashore in an emergency. For this the 520 boys in 1872 received 3d per week pocket money. Supplies of food, regularly taken aboard, included fresh vegetables, beef, 'mouton', suet, corned pork and bread. Fresh water was also supplied.

On Sundays the boys attended divine service. During the summer they were given leave and this provided an opportunity for dockyard men to join the ship to make good defects. On some occasions the boys were prevented from going ashore by bad weather, and there were times when the ship was quarantined due to scarlet fever and other infectious diseases. Conditions were harsh and punishment could be severe. In 1866, for example, two boys each received 24 ‘cuts’ of the birch.

Morning Watch At 0340 his day began. With his rigging knife and splicing fid, the mid topman joined his watchmates on deck ready for muster or inspection. Then he climbed 100 feet above deck to his position on the main topgallant yard. From there he could see the horizon for miles around. He was keeping a sharp eye out for shapes along the horizon; another ship could mean anything from news of home to a heated battle. Mustered again at 0545 the watchmates had to scrub and swab the deck, cleaning it before the day’s work. Breakfast At 6 bells on the morning watch, or 0700, the sailor worked his way down to the mess deck. Nine other crewmen joined him for oatmeal and coffee at breakfast. Dinner At 7 bells in the forenoon watch, 1130, it was dinner time. Usually, a bowl of beef lobscouse, a thick stew of salt beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions and a ship’s biscuit. All washed down with grog made with three parts water to one part rum, with lime juice and a little sugar mixed in. Afternoon Watch The entire ship’s crew was called to muster at 1315, and then the sailors returned to their daily duties. The mid topman again climbed aloft into the rigging and kept a keen eye out for other ships. If the ship’s course was to be changed, it was the watchmates’ job to move the sails expertly. Each weighed hundreds of pounds and had to be moved quickly with the help of crewmen hauling on deck. Relaxation, Supper, and another Watch At 8 bells in the afternoon watch, 1600, it was time for the mid topmen to stand to and relax. Stories, songs, and jokes were shared about, until 1830 when all hands were piped to supper. Afterward, it was back on watch again until 2000 and time for some sleep. At midnight, they were back on deck again, and the process repeated. It was a tightly regulated schedule, run by the stroke of the bell and the call of a pipe and was the only thing many 18th and early 19th century sailors could be certain of. The weather changed, battles were fought, officers and friends came and went, and ships too, but the bells, the routine, and the work were always constant. Brave and stalwart men they endured the routine, whether by choice or impressment.

George remained on Boscawen until 11 April 1874 when he is recorded as having run at Portsmouth. However, he returned to the ship 2½ weeks later on 29 April and remained there until 14 October 1874.

On 15 October 1874, George was transferred onto HMS Victory at Portsmouth and remained with her until 3 November 1874. Victory had been retired from duty in 1812 and anchored in Portsmouth Harbour, thereafter remaining moored there fulfilling a combination of practical and ceremonial roles, latterly as a floating depot ship.

He was transferred on 5 November 1874 onto HMS Monarch the next day but absconded again at Portsmouth on 4 August 1875. George returned to the navy and was taken onboard HMS Duke of Wellington, but the date is unclear. It is also unclear how long he remained with this ship but it was not long. He was belatedly discharged on 18 June 1886, it is believed having been bought out by his father.