The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-05-08 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE LIVERPOOL SHIPMASTERS'

ASSOCIATION.

On Wednesday last, at two o'clock, a public meeting of
the Shipmasters' Association, merchants, and others, took
place at the Clarendon Rooms, South John-street, for the
purpose of appointing officers, of agreeing to a code of rules
.and regulations, which had been drawn up by the Commit-
tee ; and for the transaction of other business connected
with the establishment of the Society. _ _ _ .

The meeting was most respectably attended, there being
present about forty captains of vessels, and several merchants
of.the first respectability.
•JosEPII BnooKEs YATES, Esq., who had previously taken
a warm interest in the formation of the Society, was unani-
mausly.called to the chair.
The'CHAIRMAN said,—" Gentlemen,—Although I am of
opinion that it would he more for your advantage in-many
respects if some other individual were appointed to the chair,
yet I have consented to accept of the office with a view to
follow up the observations which I made at your last meet-
ing held on the 28th of March. I think it very desirable that
you should enlist in your association as many of the mer-
chants as you.possibly can. You have all had an opportu-
nity, in the interim that has elapsed since you last met, of
considering the benefits that will arise from such an associa-
tion, and it is therefore unnecessary for me to expatiate on
the subject. At that meeting you appointed a committee
for the purpose of drawing up a code of rules for the regula-
tion of the society. A series of rules have accordingly been
prepared, and will be brought forward for your approval by
some of the gentlemen whose names I have now before me.
Looking at the association as a whole, I feel assured that it
will, in the result, be of great benefit, not only to the mem-
bers themselves, but to this great commercial community at
large. Some societies bearing a semblance to this have been
established in other ports, but by no means on so extensive
a scale as you propose. I trust that hereafter it will not be
said, or supposed, that the master mariners of this port are
not as competent to conduct their vessels to any quarter of
the globe, and to transact all the mercantile business that
might be entrusted to their care, as those of other countries;
but that they will, in every point, compare with the master
mariners of America or elsewhere. I may, gentlemen, sti-
mulate your exertions by calling your attention to what has
already been accomplished by master mariners. Who, I
would ask, was Columbus,—a man who, by an ardent and
enterprising spirit, carried out the valuable studies to which
he had devoted a great portion of his life, and was enabled
to make the discovery of a New World, which gave an addi-
tional impulse to commerce, and employment to thousands
of shipmasters ? Columbus was himself a master mariner. I
shall not endeavour to enumerate those in a similar sphere of
life, who have gone from Hull, London, and this port, and
have benefitted their country, and done honour to themselves,
by their acquirements, their,energ,y, and. their enterprise. 1
shall confine myself to a port which, though once much lar-
ger than Liverpool, is now greatly surpassed by it in mag-
nitude and wealth.- Sebastian' Cabot, a native of Bristol, by
his perseverance and activity because the discoverer of North.
America. He was certainly the real discoverer of that coun-
try, which ought to have been called Cabotia, in honour of
his name. The same city produced Wood Rogers, another
master-mariner, who not only circumnavigated the globe,
adding much tb former discoveries, but, by his exertions,
opened the South Sea trade, and dispossessed the Spaniards,
then our enemies, of the pernicious monopoly they then pur-
sued. I could name many other distinguished and noble
characters who were master-mariners. In forming this as-
sociation, you are about to elevate yourselves to a scale com-
mensurate with that march of intellect of which we have
heard so much. It will raise the character of shipmasters in
this and in other ports, in the general estimation of the coin-
munity at large. At present they have not, in my opinion,
the credit given to them that is due to their merits ; they
have not that full trust reposed in them which they deserve ;
and, I must add, they do not receive that emolument to
which they are so well entitled. By the means proposed by
you, gentlemen, you will be improved both morally and phy-
sically. There are certain resolutions which will be submit-
ted to you, and I now call upon Mr. Rowett." (Cheers.)
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Mr. ROWLTT said he should content himself with reading
several documents, which he doubted not would be heard
with satisfaction. He regretted to say, however, that the
provisional committee had been delayed considerably by not
having yet received replies to several letters which they had
addressed to individuals requesting them to become officers
of the association. He would now read to them a letter
from Lord Sandon. (His lordship's letter was read. It was
to the effect that in compliance with the wish of the com-
mittee, be should be most happy to be a patron of the
and he regretted that he had not had an earlier
opportunity of replying.) He next read the reply of Mr.
Cresswell to a similar request; it being thought desirable
that the members for the borough should be patrons. Mr.
Cresswell's•reply was—" simply, that he had much pleasure
in becoming a patron of the association." Mr. Rowett said
that a similar• application had also been made to John Crop-
pea, Esq., who it was hoped would comply ; but the com-
mittee had not yet received his reply. He hoped, however,
Mr. C. would allow his name to appear a patron.
The CHAIRMAN thought that as they had not Mr. Crop-
per's authority, it might be well to content themselves in the
meantime with the names of Lord Sandon and Mr. Cress-
well, as members for the borough. In this suggestion the
meeting acquiesced.
Mr. Row Err said they had also written to Mr. Walmsley,
the mayor, requesting him to become president of the asso-
ciation, and that gentleman had, in a polite letter, accepted
of the office, not as mayor, but in his private capacity, which
was satisfactory to the committee. He (Mr. Rowett) then
read the following letter from Captain Beaufort, of the Admi-
ralt, in reply to a letter written to him by the chairman of
the committee, requesting him to become a vice-president :
" Admiralty, 28th April, 1840.
" Dear Sir,—Your communication of yesterday gives me
great pleasure. I augur from it a happy increase in the cir-
culation of nautical information of every description ; and I
hope you will make it the business of your secretary to com-
municate to some daily paper every useful fact that may be
collected, so that it may at once reach the public.
'" I shall be delighted to render you all the assistance in
my power, and occasionally to send you copies of such new
charts as maybe interesting.
" I am, dear sirs,
" Very faithfully yours,
" F. BEAUFORT."
Mr. ROWETT said the committee were much gratified by
this letter.
The CHAIRMAN said,—lt is an excellent letter. I cor-
respond with Capt. 8., and the association will find bins a
very valuable acquisition. He is at the head of the hydro-
graphic department. . ,
Mr. ROWETT then read the names of the other officers
who had consented to act, and concluded by reading the fol-
lowing list of the whole :
PATRON—LORD SANDON.
VICE-PATRONS—CRESSWELL CRESSWELL, ESQ., M.P.,
JOHN CROPPER, ESQ.
PRESIDENT—JOSHUA WALMSLEY, ESQ.
VICE-PRESIDENTS—
JOSEPH BROOKS- YATES, ESQ.
W ILLIAM POTTER, ESQ.
JAMES STITT, ESQ.
ROBERTSON GLADSTONE, ESQ.
LAWRENCE HEYWORTII, Emit.
HENRY C. CHAPMAN, ESQ.
RAYMOND HAUGHTON, ESQ.
CAPT. FRANCIS BEAUFORT, R.N.
SECRETARY—GEORGE DUNCAN, ESQ.
TREASURER—THOMAS ALSTON, ESQ.
CommirrEE—
Mr. Murray Gladstone
William Bannon
Joseph. Nickels
Price
S. W. Oldham, R.N.
Joseph Penn
J. B. Weller
Jas. H. Christy
Wm. H. Moore
J. A. Farrall.

Mr. Ingledue, R.N.
W. Rowett
Joseph Pinder
R. J. Fayrer, R.N.
John Hind
James Rosewall
R. Trownson, R.N.
Beasley
Sutton
Thomlinson
William Ashley
HONORARY SECRETARIES—john Middleton, Henry Steele
AUDITORS—W. G. Leete, John Rounthwaite.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Mr. ROWETT said that the provisional committee having
drawn up the rules more with a view of forming a starting
point for other advantages to seamen besides those proposed,
than to consider them complete, a rule will be observed
among those provided, by which improvements can be ad-
mitted : for instance, it may be deemed advisable to establish
a " Sailors' Home," a " Savings Bank" for sailors, and an
insurance system, such as that now in existence at Plymouth,
called the " Shipmasters' Society," which, I am happy to
say, has worked admirably under the gratuitous management
of the officers of that institution. Other valuable branches
may also emanate from this association, if the committee of
management take care to pull together, which I have no
doubt of. My own humble services, I may add, shall always
be at their command. (Cheers.) Mr. Rowett then read the
rules and regulations that had been prepared by the com-
mittee.
It having been agreed that the rules about to be read and
passed separately,
The Chairman read the rules seriatim, and several of
them were discussed at considerable length, with a view to
their amendment, so as to meet contingencies, or to their
greater accuracy and effect. The parties who took the prin-
cipal part in the discussion, were Mr. I'. M. Gladstone, Mr.
Rowett, and Captain Engledue. The Chairman was inde-
fatigable in giving the benefit of his long experience in such
matters to the meeting. In the course of the conversation,
Mr. Rowett, in reply to a question, stated that there were
already about 200 subscribers on the books of the Associa-
tion, and that there was a daily and promising accession.
It was finally moved by Mr. ROWETT, and seconded by
Captain FAYRER, that the rules 'and regulations read he
adopted by the association. This was unanimously agreed to.
THE NEWS-ROOM, &C.
The principal object of the Association being to establish a
News-room, Library, and Coffee-room,
Captain ENGLEDUE said, that it was desirable that imme-
diate steps should be taken to procure rooms pro tempore,
so that they might make a beginning, leaving the providing
of larger and more suitable premises for future considera-
tion. He trusted that now that they had embarked in so
good a cause, the captains would all 'exert themselves to the
utmost, and by their individual exertions, bring it to a
glorious issue. He begged to urge upon them also the pro-
priety. on their arrival from foreign parts, of bringing any
nautical or commercial information of which they might be
possessed, to their own News-room, in the first instance.
By this means they would render it the first room for ship-
ping and other information, and thus render imperative upon
many who would not otherwise join them, to become mem-
bers of this Association. He concluded by stating, that the
rooms (pro tern.) which the committee had at present in
view, if none more suitable could be found, were those in
Old Hall-street, corner of Exchange-alley North, recently
occupied by Messrs. Taylor, Potter, and Co. He moved
that the committee be authorised to procure rooms.
Several gentlemen concurred that the situation was central
and near the Exchange, and the motion was agreed to.
BUILDING OF A NEWS-ROOM, &C.
Mr. GLADSTONE took occasion to remind the Chairman
of what he had proposed on this subject at the former meet-
ing of the Association.
The CHAIRMAN said lie had the land then proffered still
vacant„ but it would not remain so long. It was situated in
King-street, which was a quiet street. He was still open to
the proposition he had made. He would, if they thought
proper, build them a place, and leave the rent to be fixed by
any respectable builder who might be appointed.
Captain ENGLEDUE said the offer was liberal, but they
were not yet in sufficient funds to enter into any extensive
arrangements. They must first try what they could accom-
plish by taking the rooms proposed.
The CHAIRMAN said that that was certainly the only course
they could pursue in the first instance.
Captain ENGLEDUE said, that before they appointed a
master to the rooms, it was proposed that one or more of the
committee should attend and give their assistance in the
management. •
There being no other business of importance the Chairman
left the chair, when
It was moved by Mr. Boum', and seconded by several
Gentlemen,
That the cordial thanks of the meeting be given to
Joseph Brooks Yates, Esq., for the benevolent and able sup-
port he had given in the formation of the association, and for
his kindness in presiding over that meeting.
Mr. YATES said—l feel greatly obliged for the very favour-
able notice you have been pleased to take of me ; and can
only add, that, if anything I have done, or may be enabled
to do hereafter, will contribute to promote the prosperity
of your association, I shall consider this one of the brightest
days of my life. (Cheers.)
Several gentlemen then paid their subscriptions, and the
meeting dispersed.