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 vertu
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. In conjunction with this department, it is purposed
to'encourage donations of models of vessels ; of machinery
connected with steam proimlsion ; charts or plans of shores
and places little known, or of rocks or islands that may
be discovered.
The advantages of such an institution, in diffusing useful
information-affording an agreeable and improving means Of
spending that leisure which even the busiest individual has
pornetimes at his disposal—and, above all, in inspiring cap-
tains with a spirit of inquiry and an emulation to excel,
that will not only adorn them in private life, and render
them more valuable in their profession, but will enable them
to assume that proper and dignified station in society to
which their skill as seamen, and the respect that attaches
to' their perilous- vocation, so eminently entitles them ;
these advantages appear to us so obvious, that it would be
superfluous to seek for arguments.

We shall from time' to time notice the progress of this
laudable institution (which isby no means commencedas anta-
goniqt:to the other newsrooms Of the town) ; and, in conclu-
sion, supply the names of the principal officers, in proof of its
high respectability :—Patron—Lord Sandon ; Vice-Patrons
—Cresswell Cresswell, Esq. M.P., John Cropper, Esq. ;
President—Sir Joshua Walmsley ; Vice-Presidents—Joseph
BrookNatvs, Esql, William Potter, Esq., James Stitt, Esq.,
Robertson Gladstone, ,Esq., Henry G. Chapman, Esq.,
Raymond- W. Houghton, Esq., Captain Francis Beaufort,
R.N. ; Searelary—George Duncan, Esq. ; Treasurer—
Thomas 'Alston, Esq.

Amongst the Committee are—W. Rowett (chairman),
Messrs. J. Engledue, R.N., Joseph Pinder, R. J. Fayrer,
R.N., John Head, llugh Price, S. W. Oldham, R.N., Jas.
H. Christy, Win. 11. Hoore, and many others. Honorary
Secretaryr—Mr. John Middleton.

STEAM COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
LIVERPOOL AND BRISTOL.
THENCE TO ALL PARTS OF CORNWALL, BRISTOL CHAN-
NEL, &c
Freight of Bales and Cases.

4d. per foot

2s. 6d

PASSAGE MONEY
.... 20s. I Steward's Fee
Deck or Steerage..
The new and powerful iron Steamer
BRIGAND,
HENRY VOOLE, Master,
And TOWN OF WEXFORD,
ANDREW JONES, Master,
Are intended to sail from the Trafalgar Dock, with Goods
and Passengers, for BRISTOL, every SATURDAY NIGHT,
and from BRISTOL for LIVERPOOL, every THURSDAY
EVENING, calling at WEXFORD each way.

1, -

LIVERPOOL AND WEXFORD

One of the above Vessels will leave the Trafalgar Dock, for

WEXFORD, every TUESDAY, as herekore
Tuesday, 24th November, at 9 o'clock, Night

And from WEXFORD_ for LIVERPO.OI. every FRIDAY

and SATURDAY.

Apply to ROBERT BRUCE and Co.,_ Bristol ; JOHN
LEARED, Wexford ; JOHN WALKER, 111, Market-street,
Manchester ; or to

THOS. M`TEAR, 25, Water-street

For DUBLIN and BELFAST.
"-1\ Tian CIT OF DUBLIN STEAM-PICKET
totyto--COMPANY,
- Incorporated by Act of Parliament.
The above Company sail their Vessels, (with or without
Pilots,) taking Goods and Passengers to the following Ports,
namely,

For DUBLIN,
Mrs DAY,November 20, at 7 o'clock v.m
SATURDAY, „ 21, 8 „ -
MONDAY. 9 11
TUESDAY, 9 „
WEDNESDAY, 10
THURSDAY, 10

23,
24,
25,
26,

The Company's new and splendid Vessels, the ROYAL
WILLIAM, the PRINCESS, the PRINCE, the QUEEN
VICTORIA, or the DUCHESS OF KENT, (with Cabin
Passengers only,) sail EVERY EVENING, at Seven o'clock,
from George's Pierhead, LIVERPOOL. to KINGSTOWN
HARBOUR, carrying HER MAJESTY'S MAILS.

For BELFAST,
Every Wednesday, with Goods and Passengers,
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25, at 10 o'clock P.M.

The principle of this Company is that of attaching all
Importers and Exporters, by a Division of the Profits among
them, after payment of the Dividends, thus creating a com-
munity of Interests between the Shippers and Shareholders,
a principle which will best guarantee to its Proprietors a
certainty of their Dividends, and to Shippers of all descrip-
tions of „goods and Live Stock the having a well-supported
Establishment of first-class Steamers, and the lowest rate of
freight compatible with due attention to their maintenance.
Further information given at the Company's Office, 24,
Water-street. SAMUEL PERRY, Agent.