The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-02-28
Al Ancient Mariner" Heartily
Endorses PnjgGt
,nflusnoe OF an English Cisrsyrnt n
helping the Boys Sailors asa
Cias.-Cood Wishes.
nonolnln. Fehrnary 20. lssg

Honolulu. February %. 1899.
EDITOR p. G. A.:--The Advertiser Of
this day contains an announcement
that "seamans Club" has been es-
tablished in building near the water
front. Similar institutions under diff
ferent names but having the same OBJ
ject In view, have been established In
various places in many parts Of the
world.
Amongst others ] may mention the
"Seamen's Institute" of San Francisco,
which. in spite OF its humble begin
ming and hard struggles In the first
year or two of its existence, is now a
well established and successful institu-
ton.
Started originally through the ener-
getic efforts OF the Rev. Mr.. Fell, "a
Church OF England clergyman for the
benefit OF the officers and apprentices
OF British ships. OF which there are
generally a great many In San Fran
cisco, It has exten.ed its sphere OF use
funess so much that now seafaring
men OF all nations visit the place and
partake OF It's benefits and privileges,
and It's almost weekly concerts and en-
tertainments, to which some Of the
best society people OF San Francisco
contribute their time, talents and
money. All are welcomed with much
interest and pleasure by those for
whose benefit they are gotten up.
These concerts are now looked upon
as one OF the established features of
the city front of San Francisco.
This institution Is supported entirely
by voluntary contributions. The ship
owners of Liverpool contribute some
thing towards its support.
We have not the field of operation
nor the material to work with as in
San Francisco, but the shipping bust
ness OF this port Is rapidly growing
and will continue 10 increase In a
greater ratio than 1t has done, and II
either the Nicaragua or Panama canal
ever gets cut through | see nothing TO
prevent this from becoming one OF the
greatest shipping ports In the Pacific,
and the establishment of such a place
as a "Seamen's Club" Is in TIE line Of
progress.
IL is impossible TO estimate the in
fuence for good that the Rev. Mr.. Fell
exerted amongst the officers and crews
Of the British ships visiting San
Francisco, but amongst the young lads
apprentices he was almost wor-
shipped. He had the happy faculty Of
putting himself in their place. as II
were, teaching them, and helping them
to uphold their self-respect. winning
their confidence and esteem, until they
actually looked upon him as one OF
themselves. lie organized and Joined
in their games and sports, such as
cricket, football, base ball. and many
are the hearts and homes in old Eng
land that have been made glad by the
receipt of letters from their wandering,
hayward, careless sons, which but for
the kindly influence of the Rev. Mr..
Fell never would have been written.
We sometimes hear IL said that II Is
thankless task TO do anything for
the amelioration of the lot in life OF
those who go to sea in ships and that
sailors as class are incapable OF APP
preciating a favor or kindness done TO
speaking, a degraded class of men,.
As seaman and one who has had
nearly forty years association with sea-
men, ! am willing 10 admit that there
are exceptions to all cases, but | am
not willing to admit that seamen as a
class are Incapable of approaching a
Kindness or favor done to them. Nor
Will j admit that seamen are any more
degraded than people in their station
in life who live on shore. look upon
sailors as mere babies in wickedness
compared TO people of their class on
shore, the proof Of which Is the easy
game they are TO the clever rogues they
fall in with when they make landing.
The average seaman Is OF a coniiding
nature, easily led, whether for good or
eyil-taking not much thought OF to-
morrow, generous to his friends, for
giving TO his enemies, not much OF a
church-goer. His toys" as he calls
them, are generally of an outlandish
cut, sufficiently odd 10 draw the atten-
ton OF the other worshippers, who the
thinks look upon him as a being made
from some other kind of clay.
This is the kind of seaman that the
proposed Seaman's Club will be a great
help TO. IL should not be for the ex-
elusive use OF merchant seamen: all
seamen should be made welcome. II is
TO be hoped that 1t may prove a sue
cess. II certainly deserves the help
and support OF all who are interested
in shipping and seamen.
Yours very respectfully,
WIN. G.. GOODMAN.