The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-20 00:00:00

THE SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION.

It does not appear to be so generally known as it deserves,
that an institution of a most important nature has recently
sprung up amongst us, through the enterprising spirit of a
few individuals, who have devoted themselves in a most laud-
able manner to its establishment. We allude to the Ship-
masters' Association, which we had the pleasure to visit a
few days ago, and which, we rejoice to say, is progressing in
a manner that leaves no doubt of its future success. When
we contemplate the benefits which such an institution is cal-
culated to confer on a large and useful body of men, whose
services are indispensible to our commercial and maritime
prosperity, as well as, through them, on this flourishing port,
we are only astonished that an establishment of such obvious
utility was not originated many years ago; and while we ad-
mit the skill of those who are entrusted with the guidance
of our mercantile marine, we hail its commencement as af-
fording promise, by diffusing scientific and general informa-
tion, of elevating these gallant men in the scale of intelli-
gence, and leading them on to still brighter achievements of
energy and enterprise, for the melioration and enrichment
of the human race.

The objects which the projectors of the Shipmasters' As-
sociation are desirous of effecting, are—first, by means of a
Reading-room, Library, Museum, and Coffee-room, to receive
and diffuse information tending to promote the interests of
shipmasters generally ; secondly, to render such assistance,
from time to time, in case of distress, to masters and seamen,
as the state of the funds will permit ; and, thirdly, to excite a
spirit of inquiry, by the delivery of Lectures on Nautical
Astronomy, Geography, History, and other subjects interest-
ing and useful to shipmasters at large. They have already
succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations, having,
in the short space of little more than three months, enrolled
the names of seven hundred individuals as subscribers. The
institution is not exclusively open to shipmasters, though
they are mainly contemplated, and the public are consequently
admitted at a small annual subscription. It is expected that
by this comingling of landsmen engaged in commercial and
other pursuits with the generous tars who navigate our ships
to all parts of the world, the interchange of the civilities and
" experiences" of each, will beget a feeling of reciprocal
good will, promote a general spirit of inquiry, and become
mutually advantageous and agreeable. The rooms, which
are central, also afford the advantage to persons engaged in
maritime trade of meeting any captains during 'Change hours,
with whom they may wish to communicate.

The Coffee Room, which is now in progress, will, in a
short time, accommodate those who reside at a distance with
coffee, dinners, &c. On the tables of the Reading Room
are placed all the leading newspapers, metropolitan and pro-
vincial, as well as magazines and other periodicals. The
Library is also progressing, several valuable works having
already been presented. A commencement has also been
made with the Museum, to which several articles of verlu
have been contributed. These form the nucleus of what, we
trust, will soon become a valuable and interesting collection;
for no class of men have such opportunities as masters of
vessels to procure. foreign curiosities, and an occasional con-
tribution from each of them will, it is evident, form an am-
ple museum, at a comparatively trifling expense, in a short
time. 'ln conjunction with this department, it is purposed
to encourage donations of models of vessels ; of machinery
connected with steam propulsion ; charts or plans of shores
and places little known, or of rocks or islands that may
be discovered.