The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-02-26 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL SAILORS' HOME

Yesterday an adjourned meeting of shipowners, merchants,
and others interested in the welfare of the British aeaman,
was held in the Underwriters' Committee Room, Exchange
Buildings, for the purpose of taking the steps preliminary to
establishing a " Sailors' Home" in Liverpool. Sir JouN
SALUSBUU.Y, chairman of the provisional committee, pre-
sided.

The CHAIRMAN said it gave him very great satisfaction to
meet on this occasion so many influential merchants of the
town—a circumstance which, he trusted, might lead to the
expectation that the objects for which they had met would
be fully carried out. It must be universally allowed that if
a Sailor's Home were established it could not fail hav-
ing a very important OINK upon his general condi-
tion of life, by elevating him from that degraded con-
dition in which he was too often found. (Hear, hear.)
They were aware by the circular which had been issued that
a meeting had been held in that room on the 15th instant,
when, in consequence of the attendance being small, it was
deemed expedient to adjourn till to-day. The interval had
afforded him an opportunity of writing to Capt. Henry Hope,
of the royal navy, who took a deep interest in the welfare of
the London Society, and he, in his reply, mentioned that his
friend Capt. Elliot had been in communication with Mr.
Tomlinson [of this town], and that it was his intention to
attend the present meeting; but he (the chairman) did not
see him present. It might appear presumptuous in him (the
chairman) taking a prominent part on this question, as he
was, perhaps, the only individual present who was neither
directly nor indirectly connected with the mercantile and
shipping interests'of this town, and some apology might there-
fore be necessary from him. His experience in committees
generally had taught him that the merchants of the town
were so fully occupied in their several avocations, that it was
quite incompatible with their business to devote much time
to other objects. He had, however, always found them most
ready and willing to promote every charitable institution with
their, money; and the least that any private gentlemen like
himself could do in return for their generosity was to devote
as much of their time and energy as they could in promoting
their wishes, by seeing that their kind benevolence was pro-
perly applied. If therefore he could render himself of ser-
vice in this respect, it would afford him the highest gratifica-
tion to be so usefully employed. (Hear.) The Chairman
concluded by reading the correspondence between Captain
Hope and himself.

ROWETI enquired whether there was any definite plan

for raising money ?

Mr. VATsoNreplied, that could be done only by raising
subscriptions.

Mr. TYRER said the first resolution had been placed in his
hands. From the great interest he had always felt in the esta-
blishment of such an institution as a 'Sailor's Home, be had
pleasure in moving the resolution. He had seen a great deal of
the vice and fraud with which the poor sailor had to contend,
and he believed that this proposed institution would be tha
means of removing at least a part of it. He was not sanguine
enough to imagine that it would remove even that in a short
time, but nevertheless it would immediately effect much
good. When we considered how unacquainted with the
world the poor sailor was, it was their duty to give him the
benefit of all the experience which they had had. (Hear.)
The poor sailor was taken advantage of by every one in one
shape or other. Mr. Tyrer concluded by moving the first
resolution, which was to the effect " That a Sailor's Home be
erected, which should have for its object the providing of
sailors with a comfortable and well-regulated home, where
they might be lodged and provided for at a reasonable charge ;
medical advice furnished ; encouragement given to deposit
their wages at interest, and opportunities afforded of avoid-
ing vice and extortion, of which they were now too often the
victims, and the means afforded of improving their moral
condition by providing religious instruction, according to the
Church of England."

Mr. C. S. P

kßxna seconded the res

put it was carried

Dlution, and on being

- Mr. DUTTON said that after the able remarks of Mr.
Tyrer, there was little left for him to say in moving the
second resolution. They were all agreed upon the necessity
for such an institution as a Sailor's home." It was ene
which could not fail to be very valuable to such an useful body
of men as the mariners of this nation. Let Liverpool not
be backward in giving a good example in this respect to
other ports : let Liverpool show, not only in theory, as she
was about to do by a code of laws and regulations, but by
the activity and exertion she could bring into exercise what
she could do ; and let Liverpool sailors be a pattern to all
others for good conduct in their profession, and for all
matters relating to their social welfare. (Applause.) Mr.
Dutton then moved the resolution, which provided for the
-”went of the institution being in a president, vice-

President, and chaplain [of the Church of England] &
Mr. Row Err said he should not like to hold up his hand
for the building of an institution, until he knew from where
the funds for that purpose were to be obtained? Many
gentlemen in the room were of the same opinion. His own
motion was that the " •Home" should be a self-supporting
one, seeing that the one in London had not answered so
well.

Mr. MAYNARD observed that one of the rules would pro-
vide fora charge being made upon each.

Mr. RowaTi observed that they were now actually voting
for building an institution without having first provided the
means.

Mr. TIMER did not think that funds would be wanting.
Mr. ROWETT, in continuation, said the Sailor's Home in
London had worked very badly. It commenced gratuitously,
and its operations had shown that without some other prin-
ciple decay would be the result. It was established in the
year 1827 ; and he held in his hand the report for 1838.
The Cu AIRMAN apprehended that there was some irregu-
larity in proceeding with this discussion, as the res-Aution
had not been seconded.

Mr. RowETT, in consideration, said that in the report of
the London Sailor's Home for 1838, great cries were made
for more means to work it. They had no means of working
it but by voluntary subscriptions, and it had been found that
when we came before the public so often for any object they
were tired.

Mr. TYRER.—So they might say of any other institution.
Air. RowETT admitted that, if the institution was worked
on the same plan. He thought the Sailor's Home should be
a self-supporting institution. It was certainly a very easy
matter to talk about erecting a building for the purpose, but
the question where the money was to come from, was some-
what more difficult to solve.

Mr. TOMLINSON wished to put Mr. Rowett right with re-
gard to the working of the London institution, and he would
read from the report of the committee for 1840. During the
first year of its existence only 500 sailors passed through the
institution, but during last year (1840) there had been no
less than 2183 ; and a great advance in steady and decorous
principles had been made amongst the sailors. He men-
tioned this fact to shew that the remarks of Mr. Rowett did
not apply. The amount raised by subscription was £3100._

Mi.liowETT said he had read from the report of 1838,
the only one in h►s possession. A large building had been
erected at great cost, with comparatively little use, and the
funds for which might have been applied to do the sailor
good in other ways. He should say, congregate the sailors
first, and then let a building be erected.
- Mr. AIKEN thought they were getting on a little too fast.
He did nut see how they could with propriety speak of having
a building until they saw whether they could obtain the re-
quisite funds. The meeting last week was adjourned upon
his motion, for the purpose of inducing a larger attendance,
and from that larger attendance to form a committee for the
purpose of getting up a public meeting under the auspices
of the Mayor, to raise funds to as great an extent as possible.
When that public meeting had been held, and a committee
formed, that committee should act according to the extent
of the means they might be able to raise. He was at a loss
to know, having taken a considerable share in the attempts to
get up a Sailors' Home for several years, why he had been
overlooked and dropped on the present occasion ? He was in-
clined to attribute it to the fact, that he had ventured to suggest
a more practical manner of forming a moral and religious es-
tablishment for the benefit of the sailor. lie presumed that the
cause why he was not consulted had arisen from the fact that
in the last public meeting he suggested that they should
guard ag inst those dangers which had caused the breaking
up of previous attempts. His suggestion was this, that they
must, in the first instance, chew a great temporal benefit to
the sailor himself, and then found, upon that that moral and
religious instruction which he had before stated and now re-

pea-fed, he was as anxious to give to the sailor as any indi.
vidual present. But he wished to take the most practical

means for bringing about that end ; he wished to shew the
sailor that by having an establishment where his wages might
be paid, where he might have a bank in which to deposit his
earnings, and from which he might draw £1 or £2 to suit
his convenienc*r meet his wants, he would have more time on
shore, andlo which, at the end of another voyage, he might add
£5 or £lO more. From that moment his character would
change, and he would become more attentive to moral con-
duct and religion. He (Mr. Aikin) believed that according
to the working of the present mode, neither the shipowner
nor the captain knew what sort of crew they had on board,
whether they were sailors or lubbers, till they got off Holy-
head. But think if the character of the sailor were improved,
the shipowner would be glad to pay him £3 per month, and
the lubber 305., instead of paying both £2, as at present. If
a sailor was a good hand and character, he would at once
get from him (Mr. Aikin) and other shipowners £3 per
month ; and when one sailor was found so well paid, the
example of improvement would speedily be followed. But
if they proposed to make this an almost exclusively religious
establishment, he feared it might be very unjustly be called
by the sailor " A Psalm singing Shop," and avoided on that
account. On the other hand, he was satisfied that if they
began by extending to the sailor the great temporal advan-
tages which such an institution was capable of affording, they
would thereby lead him into moral habits, and established in
him by an institution generally of a moral character. Mr.
Aikin, in conclusion, repeated the proposition with which he
set out.

Mr. ROWF.TT said there was an institution in this town
called the Shipmasters' Association, the object of which was
the benefit of sailors, more particularly those of a lower dm-
racter. To begin with the lowest class of sailors, would, in
his opinion, be beginning at the wrong end; therefore the
!rs were adopted as a means to get at the sailors.
of the shipmasters into a body, it was easy to bring
-nto a body. With £5OO. or £lOOO. therefore, he
ch an institution might be carried on to a larger

the sail,

it than that in London, without erecting a building

Mr. COTESIVORTH said it was not from will that Mr.
Aikin had not been consulted : there had been no time for
it since the last meeting, as he had been out of town. The

resolution now proposed would give all that Mr. Aikin
wanted, inasmuch as it provided for all that was desirable by
the sailor, and moreover for giving him religious instruction.
He (Mr. Cotesworth) could not conceive how they were to
start upon the principle of making morality the basis of reli-
gion. That would not do : they must begin with religion.
The question of getting temporary provision for seamen in
the town, 'had been tried, and without 'effect. Let them
have an institution something similar to that in London, and
he had the fullest confidence that it would soon be found ne-

cessary to enlarge the building, if not to erect a new one

Mr. AI KIN repeated, that il,tneeting last week had been
adjourned for the purpose of the committee getting up a
public meeting, and to take other measures to secure the
establishment of a Sailors' Home. He was therefore rather
surprised to see that purpose departed from, and resolutions
brought forward, pledging them to do something before they
had a penny to begin with. Mr. Aikin then explained that
he had never hinted at religion being based on morality ;
and moved as an amendment, that the meeting do that for
they were convened, and for which they had been adjourned,
namely, to choose a committee to get up a public meeting,
and to take measures for raising funds.
Mr. TYRER thought that object could be accomplished
without another meeting.
Mr. COTESWORTH said, it was desirable this meeting
should avow the principle on which they had acted : with-
out it, the proposed committee could do nothing.
Mr. TYRER remarked, that unless gentlemen knew the
principle of the institution, they would not subscribe.
Mr. HENDERSON observed, that the end proposed by both
parties appeared to be the same, and he saw no great differ-
ence in the means. As Mr. Aikin had suggested the ap.
pointment of a committee, be could see no difficulty in at-
taching to it the objects of the proposed institution.

Mr. COTESW ORTR said, that one reason for coming for-
ward in the present manner was, the loss of time which had
occurred. Already three years had expired in the conside-
ration of the project, and no one seemed willing to make up
his mind. The first resolution embraced all that Mr. Aikin
required, inasmuch as it provided for the appointment of a
committee of management, and it was for those present to
say whether they approved of it. If the institution were to
be administered without regard to the religious instruction
of the seamen, he for one would have nothing to do with it,
and many gentlemen would separate from it upon the same
ground. •
Mr. HENDERSON mentioned that Mr. Aikin's objectiee
was to embarking in the affair without knowing where the
fends were to mute from 4

Mr. HENDERSON saw no objection to the
of the established church.
Mr. WATSON said the assurance of that f
would satisfy everybody, that there was no
tempt to establish the institution without reli
Mr. AIKIN had never hinted at or dream
sectarian; and he thought that if seats were
the sailor in the floating church, he ought to
he wanted was to go practically about the ma
After some observations from Mr. Row]
SON, Mr. HARBORD, and Mr. BOOKER, the
in the first resolution was altered into " estal....
Mr. AIKIN then moved his resolution, N
follows :

ntention to

rved f

Mr. \%

" That a committee be appointed t'
for a public meeting, and to take other r
the establishment of a Sailor'
Mr. BOOKER seconded the
The CHAIRMAN on puttinb _
carried unanimously.
The other resolutions were consequently witho.
Mr. HEN lIERSON.—.I presume it is understood t.
solution, that the institution should be upon the print
the Established Church ?

Home in Liv
•esolution.
it, declared

it to have been

Mr. AlKlN.—Certainly, it is so understood.—Mr.
then moved the following list of gentlemen as the c

mittee

Sir J. S. P. Saluabury, Messrs. Josiah Booker, Jamt
Aikin, Richard Harbord, Charles Cotesworth, C. S. Parke
William Potter, J. N. Wood, Wm. Watson, James Tyre
H. C. Chapman, C. L. Phipps, and Win. John Tomlinson.
The meeting then separated.

SECOND EDITION.

Standard Office, Three o'clock

TH tS DAY

qrs.; Beans,
, 326 sacks.

Pease. 10