the admiralty are about to take a lease of lord ashburton's mansion and grounds on the shore of stokes bay, which have recently been purchased by the war department. it is the intention of the admiralty, when they house and grounds are handed over to them, to fit the mansion up as a college for naval cadets.in 1870, a naval college was established at bay house, which became known as ashburton house. prince alfred ernest, duke of edinburgh, who was queen victoria's second son, attended the academy. he stayed at alverbank house while he was studying there.