The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-20 00:00:00

SAILORS' HOME, AND DESTI-
TUTE SAILORS' ASYLUM, AND EPISCOPAL

FLOATING CHURCH.

The Annual General Meeting of the Members and
Supporters of these Charitable Institutions, which have
for their object the providing of an asylum and re-
ligious instruction for healthy, destitute sailors when
on shore, was held yesterday, at the Hanover-square
Rooms. The Rooms were not nearly filled, and by far
the greater part of those present were ladies. Amongst
the gentlemen on the platform we observed—Admiral
Lord Radstock, Lord Mandeville, R. N., General
Orde, the Rev. Sir William Dunbar, Bart., Captain
Elliot, It. N., Captain J. W. Bazalgette, It. N., Cap-
tain Chapman, R. &e.

On the motion of Lord Radstock, Admiral Sir
Robert Stopford, G.C.8., was unanimously votel to
the Chair.

The Rev. Sir Wir.mAm DUNBAR opened the pro-
ceedings with prayer. .
The CHAIRMAN then rose ; he said, that every word
which the Rev. Clergyman had expressed in the very
excellent prayer which he had just read, pointed out
most clearly how small beginnings, grounded in ge-
nuine Christianity and true philanthropy, in spite of
any obstacles and objections, numerous as they had
been on this occasion, ultimately succeeded . when
faithfully persevered in. This Institution, amongst the
many others in this favoured part of the globe,
was one which deserved their particular support.
'When he daily saw from his windows at Greenwich
the finest ships in the world passing up and down
the river, he could not but look forward to the ulti-
mate support and maintenance of those noble men,
the seamen of this country, who navigated those
splendid ships. They must all be aware
of the many unavoidable accidents to which
our seamen • were liable. They had many in.
stitutions, however, for the reception of those who
were overtaken by these unavoidable calamities ; but
this Institution was one established for the receptipn
of men in perfect health, to • keep them so and to
snatch them from those roads of ruin which were
ready with open jaws to swallow up their hard-
earned gains. This Institution afforded a safe and
comfPrtable residence for seamen during the time
they remained on shore, in the intervals between
1 the termination of one engagement and the com-
mencement of another—knowing as he did, during
the experience of half a century, that sailors would
run into extremes, after having been deprived during a
long voyage of the comforts of shore, he did think it
desirable that an instituiion should be established for
affording them shore comforts, without ruin resulting
to their minds and bodies.—(Hear, hear.) He would
now proceed to the business of the day, with many
thanks to the respectable and numerous company
before him ; and he hoped they would do all in their
power to promote the objects of that Institntion.
Captain R. J. 14.11,Li0r, R.N., and Captain PIERCE,
R.N., the Secretaries, read the Report and Balance-
sheet of the Sailor's Home, from which it appeared
that the numbers of men received into the Sailor's
Home from the Ist February, 1841, tothe 30th April,
1842, were, new Boarders 2,885, old Boarders 744, sent
by the Shipwreck Society 204, making a total of 3,833,
including 210 apprentices. The greatest number of in •
mates at one time was 208, and the daily average
throughout the year was 126 ; being a very consider-
able increase over the numbers received last year ; and
the total number received into the House since its
commencement in May, 1835, was 12,953. The total
sum received by the Institution, in donations and
subscriptions since May, 1841, was 1,6391., and the
money paid into the account of the Institution for
hoard by the seamen was 4,3931., making the
whole receipts 6,032/. ; the total expenditure
(luring the year was 5,6681., leaving a balance
of 6441. in the hands of the Treasurer. The Report
also spoke in very high terms of the general conduct
of the sailors in the asylum.
The Reports andlfinancial statements of the other
Institutions were also read, whence it appeared that
more funds and renewed exertions were necessary to
the carrying on of the institutions with proper vigour
and activity. They were not otherwise interesting.
Lord R&DsTocK said he deeply regretted that this
meeting had taken place on that peculiar day, which
had been set' apart for the commemoration of her Ma-
jesty's birth-day.--(Cheers.) There was one thing
in which he rejoiced, and that was at seeing the
distinguished officer there that day who presided
over them.--(Cheers.) This was the second time
1 that the annual meeting had been held on the
anniversary of her Majesty's birth-day. This
meeting, however, was a happy mode of commemo-
' rating the birth-day of her Majesty. Her Majesty was
greatly attached to the seamen of the country, and
they were greatly attached to her, and if there was
another reason why they should feel joy, it was in having
the distinguished officer amongst them, who then filled
the chair, who had reaped so many laurels and con-
, ferred so many-benefits on the country, and whose name
'he (Lord Radstock) was sure woud be handed doivn
to the latest posterity. With regard to the resolution
he had to propose, he was sure that it would pass una-
nimously; it was, " That the Reports just read be
'printed, and circulated under the direction of
the Directors of the Sailors' Home." In the
prayer at the outset, it said, " unless the Lord
worketh, the labour of the workmen was in vain."
.The labour in this cause had not been in vain, for