The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-02-25
An Ancient Mariner Heartily
Endorses Project.
GRAND WORK AT SAN FRANCISCO
Influence Of an English Clergyman.
Helping the Boys-5 sailors as
Class-Cood Wishes.
Honolulu, February "a, 1899.


EDITOR p. c. A:-The Advertiser of
this day contains an announcement
that 'Seamans Club has been es-
tablshed in building near the water
front Similar institutions under diff
ferent names but having the same OBJ
iect in view, have been established in
various places in many parts of the
world
Amongst others l 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
ton.
Started originally through the ener-
getic efforts of the Rev. Mr.. Fell, Ca
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 eXtenued its sphere of use
fulness so much that now seafaring
men of all nations visit the place and
partake of it's benefits and privileges,
and its 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 to increase in a
greater ratio than it has done, and If
either the Nicaragua or Panama canal
ever gets cut through l see nothing to
prevent this from becoming one of the
greatest shipping ports in the Pacific,
and the establishment of such a place
as '.Seamen's Club" is in tie line of
progress. -
L
fiuence 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
(apprentiees) he was almost wor-
shipped. He had the happy faculty of
putting himself in their place, as it
were, teaching them, and helping them
to uphold their self-respect, winning
their confidence and esteem, until they
actually locked upon him as one of
themselves. He 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.
maynard, careless sons, which but for
the kindly influence of the Rev. Mr.
Fell never would have been written.
We sometimes hear it said that it is
a 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 a class are incapable of ap-
preciating a favor or kindness done TO
them and that they are, generally
speaking, a degraded class of men.
As a seaman and one who has had
nearly forty years association with sea-
men, am Wiling 10 ADMIT tnaC tQere
are exceptions to all cases, but L 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. I look upon
| sailors as mere babies in wickednesS
compared to people of their class or
shore, the proof of which is the easy
game they are to the clever rogues they
I fall in with when they make a landing
The average seaman is of a confidins
nature, easily led, whether for good OF
levil-taking not much thought of to
morrow, generous to his friends, for
giving to his enemies, not much of
church-goer. His "togs,' as he call
them, are generally of an outlandisl
cut, sufficiently odd to draw the atten
ton of the other worshippers, who Oh
. thinks) look upon him as a being mad
from some other kind of clay
5 This is the kind of seaman that tn
: proposed Seaman's Club will be a grea
help to- 1t should not be for the ex
elusive use Of merchant seamen; a
: seamen should be made welcome. 1t j
2 to be hoped that it may prove sue
;, cess. 1t certainly deserves the hel
and support of all who are intereste
: in shipping and seamen
Yours very respectfully,
VIM. G.. GOODMAN