| AdminHistory | What became the (British and Foreign) Sailors' Society and the longest established Christian maritime charity in the world, was formed in 1818 at a meeting at the City of London Tavern in Bishopsgate, shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. This was, in part, a response to the decline in the fortunes of the London docks and the seafarers who lived there. The 45,000 seafarers who visited the Port of London annually, drove the Society's mission to 'alleviate the worldly woes of sailors 'through the promotion of 'religious instruction; moral reformation and eternal happiness'.*
The Society's original name was the Port of London Society. It became the British and Foreign Sailors' Society in 1833. In 1925, it was renamed the British Sailors' Society. In 1995 it acquired its current name - the British and International Sailors' Society. The East London press regularly reported the Society's activities, including its meetings, which often attracted large audiences. In preparation for its centenary, the Society published a volume entitled 'The Glory of The Sea ', detailing 'many thrilling stories of (the) dauntless heroism'.** It recorded how, the Society helped nearly 23,000 men and provided 90,000 meals at a cost of nearly £5,500'.***
The Society's annual reports reflect the continued commitment to its early ideals via its current programme. In 2017, for example, the Society spent £450 million on 'transforming seafarers' lives'**** and distributed over 6,000 bibles. The bulk of its funds come through donations, grants and legacies. From its beginnings in the London docks, the Society is now represented in 27 countries and is working towards further collaboration with sister societies in these countries.
Sources of information:
*sailorssociety.org : The Fledging Years.
**A Centenary Volume: p.3, East London Observer, 29th June, 1918.
Archives Hub: British and Foreign Sailors' Society Collection
**issuu.com : Sailors' Society's Annual Report and Accounts (2017) |
| CustodialHistory | Deposited by the British Sailors' Society, Nov 1978 |