New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-29
TRINITY HOUSE CAPTAINS
New Style and Title for Elder
Brethren in London.
UNIFORM LIKE ADMIRAL'S
Prominent Politicians as Well as
Maritime Experts on Board
of Ancient Institution.
Try cahlA 70 The Tribune. ]

(By Cable 70 The Tribunel
London, Dec. 2S.-By royal decree
the Elder Brethren of Trinity House
are now permitted to assume the style
and title OF captain, and henceforth
they will take precedence on all SOCIAL
and ceremonial occasions immediately
after captains In the royal navy. AS
the number includes some well known
politicians whose only knowledge OF the
sea has been derived from occasional
cross Channel trips, 1t will be inter-
esting to see II they will exercise their
right and decide to be known in future
by their new title.
Among the Elder Brethren are KING
George. who thus gave himself new
rank: the Prime Minister, Lord George
Hamilton "a former First Lord Of the
Admiralty, the Earl Of Rosebery, Rear
Admiral Hector Il. Stewart, Joseph
Chamberlain. ex-Premier a. J. Balfour,
Prince Arthur of Connaught and the
Marquis Of Crewe.
The idea Of calling a foremost law
yer and politician like Premier AS
ouith a statesman and philosopher
like Mr.. Balfour or Lord RoseDery. 10
whom even fine Channel crossing is
nightmare. and Mr.. Chamberlain, the
chief apostle of tariff reform. by the
nautical title of captain suggests
limit Of incongruity that is distinctly
humorous. and It is hardly likely oil
course. that Rear Admiral Stewart VIII
prefer to Join his brethren OF lower
rank when choosing his position on an
occasion of ceremony.
Uniform Worn by Premier.
Premier Asquith. by the way, usu-
elIy wears the uniform OF Trinity
House. which is very much like that or
an admiral. on ceremonial occasions
or course. In these Instances the tile
IS purely one OF courtesy, but il VIII
doubtless be appreciated by the lesser
known Trinity masters, whose func-
tions are OF the greatest importance,
for they are responsible for the main
tenance Of all lighthouses and light
ships i'm the waters Of the British Isles
and for the licensing of all pilots. The
revenue Of Trinity House is S1,5oo"o
a vear. This leaves considerable bal
ance after the working masters are
maid. and the surplus Is devoted to the
maintenance Of INDECENT men who have
spent their lives on the high seas.
The origin of the corporation OF the
Most Glorious and Undivided Trinity
and of ct. Clement, the seafarlng saint
who was a companion OF the Apostle
PAM and whose sign is an anchor is,
like that OF many London corporations,
lost I'm antiquity. Historians claim that
II was a fourlshing institution In the
time Of King Alfred. and IT certainly
has been the cradle Of the British
navy.
In the Middle Ages.
ctenhen I.angton, Archbishop Of
Canterbury and tanner Of King John'
set the corporation at work TO befriend
shipwrecked mariners who are beset
upon the coast Of England, To feed
them when ahungered and athirst, 10
hind up their wounds and to build and
light proper beacons for the guidance
of mariners" task which they have
faithfully carried out through seven
centuries.
King Henry VIII gave the house IT'S
| charter for the reformation OF the
l navy. lately much decayed, by the adj
mission Of young men without expert
ence. and Of Scots. Flemings and
French cen as loadsmen."
The control Of the navy, however, has
| long since passed 10 other hands. ana
many OF the old dues which Trinity
House used TO secure arc now trans
ferred. Consus which it appointed
now owe their allegiance TO the Foreign
| Office. One ancient function, however,
! still remains to the corporation. Its
| acting Elder Brethren sit as assessors
| I'm the Admiralty Court.