Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-08
OLDEST IN THE WORLD
Philadelphia Ship Masters Asso.
elation--A Magazine and Its
Misslon---A Sailors Home
and Hotel
BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN

BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN
TT is fitting that this city, which has
L the Oldest shipmasters' association |
in continuous existence In the world, |
should have one Of the finest seamen's
church institutes in the country.
The Philadelphia Shipmasters' As.
sociation was organized in 1766, and
still holds regular meetings in Carpen-
ters' Hall.
examined its roster the other day,
and among the famous names enrolled
as members were those of Stephen
Girard and Commodore Decatur.
The little city of Ragusa, in Dal.
malta, on the eastern shore OF the Adri-
attic, had shipmasters' society that
was in existence for nearly 1000 years.
1t was the most venerable organiza-
tion Of its kind possibly that the world
ever knew.
Ina shipping Office on the Corso, in
Ragusa, some years ago a quaint old
Ragusan told me, with vast display Of
pride, the story Of this old, old society.
But through recurrent wars, dimin-
ishing fleets and the shifting Of trade
routes the association dwindled and died
more than 100 years ago.
The Philadelphia organization, how
ever, was formed just about that time
and now takes its place as the Oldest OF
its kind in the world.
THERE is a new magazine in town.
L The April number is Volume 1,
No. 1.
It carries no advertisements and has
no illuminated cover. It contains
twenty pages, and the name Of its editor
is conspicuous by its absence. All of
its contributors sign their names
Anonymous"
1t is called 1.-THE Crows Nest
It is intended to circulate wherever
ships sail and ocean steamships mark
their painless way across the deserts
Of the ocean.
Its mission will be to tell the story Of
and extend an invitation to the great
Seamen's Church Institute Of Phila-
delphia.
The walls of this structure already
rise in noble perspective, for its site
has been selected at Second and Walnut
streets. The greatest fnanciers, the
most prominent business men and the
most distinguished churchmen are be-
hind 1t.
You have heard of the institute before
| this, of course.
But do you know that 1t will be the
largest institution of its kind in the
United States exclusive Of the Seamen' s
Institute Of New York?
THERE isn't charitable, denomina
l. tional or philanthropic institution
Of any kind within the boundaries Of
Philadelphia, so far as I have discov-
cred, that can present such an array Of
influential names as incorporators as
this self same Seamen's Church In
stitute.
It's regular who's Who" Of
finance and philanthropy.
Every religious denomination in the
city is represented In the roster of in
corporators. 1t has three bishops, half
a dozen bankers, besides doctors of
divinity, judges and manufacturers
galore on its list of officers and mana
gers.
Do not for a moment imagine that
1t is a charity! Nothing Of he kind
1t is to be a modern building, con-
tanning every hotel requisite for com
fort and congenial living conditions for
men and officers Of the merchant marine
while ashore in this port.
George f. Sproule, director of the
Department Of Wharves, Docks and
Ferries, who Is the highest authority
on the subject, says:
mo port in the United States, with
the exception of New York, is called
upon to care for and give aid to so
many seafaring men as the port Of
Philadelphia.
United States Shipping Commits
sioner A. Il. Smith, another expert,
says:
I would not indorse it at this time
but there is a pressing ne
, cessity for such uplifting influences
among seamen."
DISHOP PHILIP NJ. RHINELAN-
- DER is honorary president and
Alexander Tan Rensselaer, is president
Of the institute.
Not that Philadelphia has been des-
J titute Of seamen's aid societies. The
, present organization, however, is an
effort to deal with this problem in a
big way ; the biggest way possible.
It is proposed to model this institute
after the Seamen's Church Institute of
New York, which is the greatest enter =
prise of its kind In the world.
, 1t operates in its sixteen story build =
ing not only a seamen's hotel at rates
that any self respecting man can at
ford. but an employment Office, banking
department, postofice, restaurant, bag
? gage room, and department with
, names of missing men, ships and all
/ other Information that sailors should
p have.
!, Last year 110,595 pieces of seamcn s
: mail we're received; something like
,, 5s1 900 meals were served and 24S, ,00C
men were registered for lodgings.
E Its bank received and cared fol
e $500 900 OF deposits from seamen.
The moral and religious influences
: thrown around tbcse men are such that
= It cannot help but have a potential in
n fluence upon their lives.
. THE Philadelphia SeameL'S Church
= i Institute, once 1t opens its doors
Q will simultaneously ring the death -knel
Of scores of low class sailors boardin,
houses which in every port are the ban,
g of seaman's life.
The Philadelphia building, in addition
TO the features enumerated above, will
!. contain an auditorium and chapel
I billiard and game rooms, officers
e lounge, library, hospital, school o
navigation, laundry, shower baths an,
dormitories and rooms to accommodate
d more than 200 men.
;, It will cost approximately $500, 900
Q II will be like a voice in the nigh
calling sailors to warmth and welcom