The furnishing of the St Nicholas the Mariner chapel in the Williamstown's mission was donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. The donor of the photographs added a note to the list of gifts: the chaise and patin were given by Mr and Mrs Percy Taylor in memory of their son Norman. He was 3rd engineering on a ship Testbank which was bombed in Bari Harbor in Italy (2 September 1943) . His family thought he had died but he and another man had managed to jump into the sea, and walked back to England.2 A4 size paper of 13 black and white photographs photocopied of picnics with inscriptions from Nancy OakleyInscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley: nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, flagstaff hill maritime museum, percy taylor, norman taylor, bari harbor, testbank

The photograph is an early image of the Port Melbourne Mission after the addition of the first storey and the St Nicholas chapel at the back, both designed by Walter Butler.port melbourne mission, st nicholas chapel, walter richmond butler (1864–1949)

255 pages with colour and black and white illustrations; notes, bibliography, index.non-fictionAlmost hidden within religious buildings, hospitals, school chapels and civic buildings, stained-glass windows tell of Australians at war. Bronwyn Hughes focuses on commemorative stained glass—an overlooked art form—describing its rich artistic and architectural heritage and the artists and firms who created it. Memorial stained glass serves to depict and illuminate the men and women who fought and died for their faith and their country. It has a tragic beauty. The book includes stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel of the Mission to Seafarers.australian history, ww1, ww2, boer war, vietnam war, stained glass windows, bronwyn hughes

After an attempt of building a Seamen's Hospital in Williamstown, the ship Emily was transformed in a floating chapel to welcome seamen for service. Captain Charles Ferguson (1813-1868) was one of the members of the committee who founded the floating church. The ship Emily may have been a convict ship sailing from England to the Van Diemen's land in 1842 and 1844. Before 1856, it was used as a "water police hulk" then transformed in an accommodation for Reverend Kerr Johnson and his large family and fitted to receive 200 attendees in the chapel.The article is significant as it describes the ship and its location: "The hulk is moored midway between Sandridge and Williamstown, and is distinguished by a blue flag flying at the mainmast with "Bethel" inscribed on it; and in one corner of the flag is the star of Bethlehem, in another a dove with an olive branch."1 column article in the Argusship emily, floating church, reverend kerr johnston, 1812-1887, hobson's bay, sandridge, captain ferguson, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), convict ships

Seven photographs from a collection of 33 donated by Leonie Brennan. Photographs belonged to Edward (Ted) Sands, hairdresser.Photograph 215-10. Phillip Island Tourist Road (Cowes to Newhaven) in 1940, showing mature eucalypt trees on both sides of the road. Photograph 215-11. Car and tent possibly on a foreshore area on Phillip Island. The car was owned by "Roy". Photograph 215-12. Phillip Island Hotel in Walpole Street, Cowes. Photograph 215-13. Newhaven Boys Home showing farm buildings. Photograph 215-14. Bayview Guest House, The Esplanade, Cowes, with distinctive front fence. Photograph 215-15. The Chapel at Newhaven Boys Home, Phillip Island. Photograph 215-16. The Alvina ferry with passengers on board. Photograph 215-17. Very dark photograph of shops in Cowes. One with sign showing ice-creams and a Grocer Shop next door.Four photographs with "Cowes" month and 1940.main tourist road, phillip island, camp site phillip island, phillip island hotel cowes, hotels, guesthouses cowes phillip island, bayview guesthouse cowes, newhaven boys home phillip island, newhaven boys home chapel, the alvina, ferries, shops at cowes phillip island, mr edward (ted) sands, leonie brennan

The original artwork painted by William Yates Holt Titcomb (1858-1930), an English artist specialist in religious subjects, is located in Clifton College Chapel, Bristol, England (visible in their virtual tour online). The original title draws on the Giving of Communion words: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you, and be thankful. The body of Christ. The blood of Christ. The body of Christ keep you in eternal life. The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life. The body of Christ, broken for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. The bread of heaven in Christ Jesus. The cup of life in Christ Jesus.FigurativeReproduction ( Lithograph?) framed mounted and glazed print. The image shows a group of soldiers kneeling before a makeshift altar during World War One in Flanders field with a Red Cross flying on a flag pole at the far right of the composition. A Union Jack flag is being used as an improvised altar cloth. A priest or chaplain in a surplice, also a soldier , administers the sacrament to the reverent congregation. The print is glazed with a substantial window mount and housed in a dark wood frame with eyelet screws and very rusted hanging wire.Preserve Thy Body + Soulpainting, world war one, ww1, wwi, soldier, priest, altar, union jack, red cross, red cross flag, titcomb, andre sleigh and anglo ltd, clifton college, royal academy exhibition, 1915, preserve thy body and soul, reproduction print, the soldiers' communion, william yates holt titcomb (1858-1930), artwork-paintings

This photograph shows one of the many weddings held at the Mission to Seafarers over the years and provides an overview of wedding fashion of the late 1920s. The Bride is posing in the courtyard of the Mission to Seamen. The bridesmaids were Ella Kendall and Molly Walker. The Walkers and Dora had a long association with the Mission and the LHLG and in the 1960s becoming president of the Flying Angel League which amalgamated with the LHLG in the early 1960s. In 1970 Dora received an OBE. Private images of the day for the record were supplied to the Mission by sons David and Brian in 2018. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."This photograph shows one of the many weddings performed at the Mission to Seafarers chapel over the years. Cross referencing with the marriage registers, also held in the collection, records that this photograph is Amy Dora Simpson (nee Dora Walker) of East Malvern marrying Harold Priestley Simpson of Surrey Hills / Mornington? on 14 February 1928.Sepia toned photograph of bride and attendants in the courtyard of the Mission to Seafarers. The bride's dress is calf length and she is standing with her veil draped in front of her, holding a large bouquet. There are two attendants to the right of the photograph, wearing layered calf length dresses and wearing cloche hats and holding small posy bouquets. The bridal group is posed standing in in the courtyard near the entrance to the MTS chapel.Small circular Blue ink stamp on rear of photograph: Printed by Harringtons stamped 2 small numerals : 3 and 8hat, flowers, veil, wedding, dress, ivy, shoes, dora walker, dora simpson, ella kendall, molly walker, amy dora walker, reverend j.r. weller, flinders street, st peter chapel, mission to seamen, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, david simpson

The photograph wa published in the Age, 14th of June 1958. The picture shows the round stained glass dedicated on Sunday 14 December 1947 and the reredos with hangings donated by Maud Breaks in memory of her sister Louise Breaks and dedicated on 26 August 1954 by the Bishop of Geelong.This is a rare picture of the interior of the St Nicholas chapel which was erected behind the former E, S & A Bank building used by the Williamstown Seamen's Mission branch from 1944. Article in the Age reading: "Seamen's Window Dedicated - A window in St. Nicholas' Mariners' Church, at Williamstown, in memory of the merchant seamen who were killed on active service In the last war, was unveiled and dedicated yesterday.The ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Geelong (Rt. Rev. J. D. McKie). The window, erected by the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary of the Victoria Missions to Seamen is placed behind the altar. It shows a quartermaster, with his hand on the wheel, and the figure of Christ pointing ahead. Bishop McKie paid a tribute to the spirit of the men who gave their lives at sea in the service of their country. He said the work of the auxiliary would still be of great value, although the war was over." The decision of the window was published in August 1947, Mrs Musther -who created the Lightkeepers' Auxiliary branch in Williamstown - ordered it from Brooks, Robinson & Co. (job books 1923-1966). The furniture and window were donated in 1979 to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnanbool, and located in the chapel.Black and White Gloss print photograph - Image features a minister delivering a chapel serviceHand written in black texta; ... Mission to Seamen, Williamstown Chapel service... Circa 1957randall stewart murray, st nicholas the mariner chapel, chapel, lay reader, williamstown, victorian-seamens-mission, 139 nelson place, e,s and a bank, english, scottish and australian bank, stained-glass window, pews, lightkeepers' auxiliary, warrnambool, mrs musther, brooks, robinson & co, hymn board, david conolly

Possibly produced as one of a series of photographic post cards of various areas of the Mission especially of the Chapel in the pre-war WW2 period of the 20th century. There are several such cards in the MTSV Collection. The Chapel, opened in 1917, was a special fundraising project of the Ladies Harbour Light Guild and was originally dedicated as a Memorial Chapel in remembrance of those who served in the Merchant Navy of WWI. The Chapel is still used for marriages, baptisms,funerals and memorial services, and is often referred to as St Peter's, the Mariners' Chapel. Photographic postcards were produced soon after the new 1917 Mission to Seamen building was first opened. Available to supporters and visiting seafarers alike, effectively promoting the Mission and the role it played in ensuring both spiritual and pastoral care available to seamen and shipping to and from Australia. Black and white gloss print postcard featuring an interior view of St Peter's Chapel at the MTSV 717 Flinders St showing the baptismal font and front door.Pencil inscription " Ret to B. Kent" (see also gift comments below) ; Printed : "POST CARD / A Real Photograph Produced in Australia"mtsv, missions to seamen institute, baptism, merchant navy, st peter chapel, mission to seafarers, baptistry, baptismal font, seamen's mission, flinders street

The plaque accompanying the stained glass window by Gerry Cummins was dedicated in 1981 to the men who gave their lives during the World War II period in the merchant and navy services.The chapel originally designed as a Memorial to the Great War 1914-18 continues to be a place of commemoration for both merchant and naval services of WW2 and other conflicts.Small rectangular plaque made of steel mounted on wood. The plaque features helm representing Merchant seamen and an anchor with a crown on top representing the Navy. Both are gold plated. To the glory of God and In memory of those who went down to the sea in ships 1939-1945 24 Dec, 1981.second world war, world war two, navy, merchant, plaque, 1981, ww2, merchant navy

Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith has two memorial plaques at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria. One in the the Mission's club room and this one in the Chapel of Saint Peter. He served as Senior Chaplain from 1905 to 1924 through a considerable period of upheaval including the building of two Missions between 1906 and 1917. For more information see 0639 an invitation to the laying of the foundation stone, 0704 a photograph of Reverend Goldsmith and his wife as well as the Mission's annual report from 1925 or contact the curator.Rev'd Gurney Goldsmith arrived in Australia in 1905, an experienced missionary with the intention of establishing a branch of the London Mission to Seamen. After a public meeting organised by the Victorian Mission to Seamen he entered into an amalgamation forging formal links with London, enabling a continuation of the services to seafarers, first commenced in 1857. Goldsmith also conceived the formation of an auxiliary, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, which was to play a significant role in support of the Mission and seafarers.Long rectangular brass plaque mounted to brick wall.To the glory of God and in loving memory of Rev. Alfred Gurney Goldsmith M.A. Chaplain 1905 to 1924reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, brass, plaque, memorial, chapel, hong kong, kobe, melbourne, lhlg, seamen mission, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, chaplain

Olive Cramer who passed away in August 1966, this plaque along with an Organ Lamp were dedicated to her on the 2nd of April 1967. Two vases were later added as well.(see record 0670 this database)small rectangular plaque mounted on a wooden board.In loving memory of Olive Cramer who gave over 40 years of devoted service as organist of this church. 2nd April 1967plaque, memorial, organist, olive cramer, olive kramer, organ, music, chapel, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, lhlg

Linda Begg nee Clarke was the 4th daughter of Alfred Edward Clarke (1843-1913) and his wife Caroline Long (1844-1884), and sister of Alfred Rutter Clarke. Her father married Margaret Helen Gowan in 1886. Margaret was the daughter of John Denovan Gowan and the niece of Reverend Kerr Johnston and his wife Eliza Denovan Gowan. The family property, Heatherbrae, Neerim Road, Caulfield, held a picnic on Easter Monday 1909 (12 April). In August 1916 she was honorary secretary of the East Malvern Branch and organised a concert in aid of the St Peter Chapel funds: "A Grand Concert is being arranged by the East Malvern Branch of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, in aid of the Building Fund of the new Seaman's Chapel on the Australian Wharf. The concert will take place in the St. John's Parish Hall, Finch-street, East Malvern, on Monday even in, 4th September. Admission will be 1/. and tickets can be obtained from the hon. sec., Miss Linda Clarke, Heather-Brae, Caulfield." (see Punch article) She was responsible for the Needlework: knitting was a way to support seafarers (see pattern books). Linda, aged 49, married John William Begg in April 1928. He died in 1935.Linda Begg was a longstanding member of the Guild.Rectangular memorial plaque dedicated to Linda Begg who died in 1954 after many years of service. Her husband was J.W. Begg.In loving memory of Linda Begg a member of the Harbour Lights Guild from 1909, secretary for East Malvern 1919-1920, and first secretary for Gardenvale. Died 17th October 1954. I know that my redeemer liveth. plaque, memorial, east malvern, secretary, gardenvale, lhlg, alfred edward clarke, caroline clarke nee long 1844-1884, john william begg, linda begg nee clarke 1877-1954, heatherbrae, caulfield, eliza johnston nee denovan gowan, john denovan gowan, needlework, knitting

Mary was the fifth daughter of Reverend Kerr Johnston and his wife Elizabeth. Mary married Reverend Richard Vallencey Danne (1846-1904), they had 8 children. One of their son Noel also became a reverend. She continued her father's work by becoming part of the Mission's committee in 1905. On 9 November 1906, for King's Birthday, she hosted a sailors' picnic at the property she rented, Glenfern on Inkerman Road (see item 1637), where she was running a school, Newington. She died on the 30th of July 1926 at her residence, Seymour Grove in Camberwell. The plaque was erected on the 9 October 1927 (AR 1927).The Kerr Johnston Family migrated to Tasmania in 1854. The Reverend took up his appointment with the Victorian Bethel Union for Seamen in 1857 and moved all his family in the "floating church", the ex water police hulk Emily, first Chaplain serving the seamen in Hobsons' Bay.Large rectangular brass plaque with smaller plaque mounted onto it of Mission to Seamen insignia. The Larger plaque is mounted to a brick wall.Mission to Seamen. To the glory of God In loving memory of Mary Danne member of the executive committee of the Victoria Missions to Seamen from 1905 to 1920 and daughter of the REv. Kerr -Johnston chaplain of the Victorian Seamen's Mission 1857 to 1883 "The greatest of these is love"mary alice isabelle danne nee johnston, 1851-1926, reverend kerr johnston, reverend richard vallencey danne, 1846-1904, bethel, hulk emily, hobson's bay, glenfern, flinders street, st peter chapel

Hans Schiebold, lives in Seaford and is a former ship’s captain who migrated to Australia more than three decades ago, Schiebold is fully immersed in his life as an artist. In 2012, he was a finalist of the ANL Maritime Art Prize. This artwork was an entry for the Maritime Art Prize 2014.RealistPainting on Unframed stretched canvas depicting courtyard and Bell tower of MTSV chapelInscribed on stretcher: HANS SCHIEBOLD HOME FROM HOME mission to seafarers victoria, spanish-courtyard, bell tower, artwork, hans schiebold, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, flinders street, courtyard, bell, tables, arches, artwork-paintings, 2014, maritime art prize

The photograph taken in 1988 before it was demolished shows the Art Deco style building also known as the King George V memorial Building, commissioned by merchant and philanthropist, Alfred Michael Nicholas (1881-1937) and designed by prolific Melbourne-based architect Harry A. Norris (1888-1966) in 1937 best known for his commercial work in Melbourne city centre. Architect Harry A Norris, one of Melbourne's early designers in the Moderne style had a strong relationship with the wealthy Nicholas family who made their fortune on the production of Aspro, a replacement for the German Aspirin when it was made unavailable during WWI. After the Nicholas Building on Swanson Street (1926), the Nicholas Factory in South Melbourne, and the mansion 'Burnham Beeches' in the Dandenongs (1931), the former Missions to Seamen building in Port Melbourne (1937) was a gift from Alfred Nicholas to the Church of England. “The new Institute will be a modern two story building in brick, with a high clock-tower, a memorial chapel, a hall for talking pictures, lounges, and billiard-rooms. It will stand in about an acre of ground between the two piers at Port Melbourne. The building of the mission has been made possible by a bequest of about£15,000 by the late Mr. A. M. Nicholas.” – The Argus 19th May, 1937. The building had a cruciform floor plan which contains a chapel, a large hall, other recreation rooms, sleeping accommodation on the first floor and a sundeck and living quarters for the chaplain and the caretaker. After being left derelict for years, it was demolished in 1994 to Colour photograph of Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen demolished in 1995.harry a. norris, alfred m. nicholas, art deco, 1937, missions to seamen, brick, king george v memorial building, 1988, zeitgeist, arts centre

Colour photograph os a service in the St Peter chapel.bevil lunson, st peter chapel, nigel porteous

non-fictionconvict ships, success

Marine scene depicting Jesus showing the light to sailors in distress on a life boat.artwork, jesus, st peter chapel, shipwreck, lifeboat, sailors, seamen, artwork-paintings

Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith arrived from England in 1905 and left the Mission in 1925. He died a few months after leaving Australia in Kobe where he had accepted a new position in this Mission in Japan.This plaque along with the stained glass window in the St Peter chapel (the first one to be installer) demonstrate the affection for the Reverend and the appreciation for all the work he did.Large rectangular bronze plaque in memory of Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmithchaplains, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, kobe, japan, lhlg, 1926, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith

The memorial tablet was unveiled in the St Nicholas chapel at the Port Melbourne mission (Beach Cnr Nott St) on Wednesday 24 June 1936. The ceremony was performed by her nephew, Reverend John Smerger Drought - her sister's son. Another plaque was erected the same month in the Williamstown Institute. (Annual Report 1936) Along with the windows in the St Peter chapel in the Central Institute, those were the 3 memorials similar to the ones erected in memory of Miss Tracy. Miss Ethel Godfrey was born in 1861 at sea on the vessel called Copenhagen. Daughter of a pioneer, and settler Frederick Race Godfrey MLA and subsequently Lay Dean at St Paul's. Ethel Studied in Melbourne and abroad at Brussels and became a singing teacher and performer. In 1906 she took on the role of Honorary General Secretary to create and lead the volunteer organisation "The Ladies Harbour Lights Guild" and subsequently helped establish similar groups in Newcastle, Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide and also established the mission in Southampton in the UK. The structure of the LHLG was used as a model framework by similar groups supporting Missions around Australia and the Globe. A key achievement was the fundraising campaign for the memorial chapel in St Peters built in 1917 by Walter R.Butler. She died the 7 July 1935, and is buried in the St Kilda Cemetery.On her retirement in 1930 after some 25 years, Miss Godfrey together with Chaplain Gurney Goldsmith was recognised in the journal The Church and the Sailor, as a key influence and promoter of the formation of Harbour Lights groups across the suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria and Australia, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, Melbourne being the first such auxiliary group in the world.Clay base rectangular plaque with inlaid blue ceramic regular tesserae surrounding the ceramic centre rectangular ceramic panel with inscription and decorative glazed detail tiles. Support is a metal frame with inset wood pieces .To the Glory of God and in memory ops/ a much loved leaderAthel Augusta Godfrey, / one of the founders/ of the ladies Harbour Lights Guild/ of which she was honorary general secretary / Until 1930./ This memorial erected in the year of her death."memorial plaque, plaque, lhlg, port melbourne, chapel, brooks robinson and co, reverend john smerger drought, sectile tablet, opus sectile mosaic, mosaic, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935

Made for the Hastings seafarer centre which opened in the later half of the 20th Century Colour photograph of a contemporary Altar hanging behind a hand crafted altar in wood designed with a key design element resembling a circular lifebuoy or life belt inset into the front panel.hastings

The Flag was donated by the Paynesville Maritime Museum for use from time to time in the Chapel at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria.This type of signal flag was hoisted by ships afloat to indicate that a church service was in progress. Loose weave blend of synthetic and natural fibre large triangular pennant with red cross near hoist hem and long parallel panels of blue and red down the length of the pennant on white ground; rope hoist tethered and steel hoist fixings all calico bound along hem.Inscribed in black texta top corner 5966 and in lwr crnr CHURCHpennants, flags, signal flag, church pennant, paynesville maritime museum

1917 was the year in which the new Mission at 717 Flinders St extension was being built but did not open until after Michaelmas that year. The old Mission opened in 1907 on the Australian Wharf was obviously still in operation. Proposed remodelling of the wharf necessitating removal of the Mission perhaps deferred due to the Great War.This detailed poster intended for visiting crews in 1917 provides some insight into the fact of continued access to the old Mission required circa 1914 by the Port Authority to be vacated. As an ephemeral document it has survived unusually well.A small poster or flyer with blue printed text and featuring the Missions to Seamen, Melbourne flag with logo. Addressed at the top edge as A Message to Men advertising Special Lantern Services in the Seamen's Chapel on the Australian Wharf for Holy Week and Easter 1917.Describes a program of special services and concerts or recitals for the last week of lent and Easter Day. Rev A.G Goldsmith and Rev C L Crossley as Chaplains.lantern services, 1917, wwi, first world war, great war, easter, good friday, missions to seamen, mission to seamen, seamen, seamen mission, chapel, music, maude breaks, miss macaw, jean morrison, marjorie bagge, elsie dallimore, chaplain, alfred gurney goldsmith, c.l. crossley, siddeley street institute

Discovered in the Chapel of St Peter when packing up for renovations. Probably a gift from an Eastern European crew member visiting the Mission TBC.Print of Eastern Orthodox style painting of Madonna and child on gold ground printed inscription lower edge of imageorthodox church, nativity, mary, jesus, crown, angel, artwork-paintings

Little known as this print was discovered in an old cabinet in the vestry of the Chapel of St Peter. Possibly a donation meant to be framed or possibly an item used at Port Melbourne Mission which at times ran Sunday school services at the turn of the 19th and 20th C.Allen a child prodigy was a significant popular religious artist. This print is a good example of her work.Appears to be a fine quality full colour reproduction of a nativity scene with angels wise men and madonna in the style influenced by late Pre -Raphaelites mounted on heavy card with printed name of artist at left and printer initials at right and title in centre. see imagenativity scene, daphne allen, artwork-paintings

This Wesleyan Chapel was used as the first Sailor's Rest in Williamstown in 1875. Photograph of the first Institute locales in Williamstown.View looking across street to a brick building with arched doorway on a corner block. A sign on the left reads: Sailors' Re[st].Typed sheet attached to verso: No. 15: The Sailor's Rest, Ann Street, Williamstown, about 1885. Written on verso: Photograph - Andrew Rider. Written on verso: Sailors' Rest, Ann St., Williamtown, 1880's.williamstown, ann street, sailors' rest, seamen's mission, andrew rider (1821-1903), wesleyan church

The text reads: "This Print Represents The Chapel for Seamen... Port of London Society... Instituted March 18th 1818... Chapel for Seamen is moored off Wapping Stairs in the River Thames. View of the Interior (inset)"Excerpt from the autobiography of Robert Humphrey Marten (1763-1839) which he wrote at the request of his children on his 60th birthday. (As far as the donor's knowledge it only circulates within the family, so some of these details may not be recorded elsewhere about how the Mission to the Seafarers began. --------- Robert Humphrey Marten (1763-1839) left school at the age of about 14 to be employed in a “Counting House” in the City of London. Unfortunately, before the five years of his apprenticeship expired, the merchant ceased trading as he had lost a lot of money gambling. Marten made his way however and took opportunities which offered and eventually set up his own business with two of his sons, Robert and Charles. He was a Dissenter (non-conformist), active in his church and in many charitable works, as overseer of the poor for his parish, raising money for families in Germany impoverished by the Napoleonic wars, was a member of the Royal Humane Society and so it is not altogether surprising to find him in 1817 taking up the cause of sailors discharged from warships living on the streets: --- The Autobiography of R H Marten Esq of Plaistow Essex (1763-1839) “The deplorable condition of sailors discharged from the ships of war and now wanted for commerce – (trade being most woefully dull) attracted towards the close of the Year the notice and began to press upon the feelings of the Public. To relieve their urgent and personal distress I proposed a Public meeting – This was agreed to and Mr. Wilberforce was voted into the chair – A committee was formed and a noble subscription was most voluntarily supplied – Navy Captains and others gave most efficient assistance and Govt. lent some large ships to which the sailors were sent from the streets – were clothed and fed and the sick attended to and on the Sabbath Public Worship was performed on board. I was on this Committee which fully accomplish’d its humane purpose – and out of the Surplus fund sprang the present seaman’s floating Hospital where a sick or diseased seaman is received only on his presenting himself alongside and without any ticket or recommendation. For the greater benefit of seamen was sketched the present excellent establishment of the Merchant Seaman’s Auxiliary Bible Society of which Admiral Lord Viscount Exmouth is President. This was more formally instituted on the ---[space left to add date later]. I drew the outline of the address to the Public which was afterwards much improved by the Revd. Mr. Draltry and I had the honour to chalk out the plan which has been so well executed by the pious Lieut. Cox at Gravesend – to whose zealous and judicious activity the success of the institution is much indebted, and in December I published my ideas on the necessity and advantage of making some permanent accommodation for preaching the Gospel to the numerous sailors always to be found in the Port of London. This led ultimately to a public meeting on the 5 Feb. 1818 and to the formation of the Port of London Society for promoting Religion among seaman [sic]. As the Founder of the Society I became its Chairman and Treasurer and on its formal Institution on the 18 March 1818 the public appeared much gratified with the attempt about to be made to raise the moral character of a class of men who had been unaccountably and far too long in this respect overlooked. The large ship fitted by the Society most commodiously as a Chapel was in May following moored nearly on the spot where in October 1803 I was run down by a Gravesend Hoy and narrowly escaped with life – Churchmen and Dissenters contributed cheerfully to the cost – Officers of the Navy became subscribers, Noblemen visited this strange and converted ship – the Admiral Lord Gambier became the avowed President and the Chairman of the public Meetings, and what is of far more importance – sailors came to it on the Sabbath by hundreds willingly to worship their maker, and listen to instruction – until the Language in common use on the Thames was divested of its Blasphemy – and the voice of Prayer was heard from the mouths of Seamen; and the outposts and many Foreign ports imitated and thus honored the example of the Port of London in her society for promoting Religion among Seamen. The Floating Chapel was solemnly dedicated for divine worship on the 4 May 1818 when the morning sermon was preached by the Revd. Rowland Hill to a very crowded auditory. “[see illustration in separate email] Autobiography of R H Marten esq pp 33-34 (privately published monograph) Note: The incident (c 1803) he refers to in which he “was run down by a Gravesend Hoy…” is graphically described earlier in his memoir. The donor's family has a connection with R.H. Marten. through his sister Mary, who married Cornelius Berry on 9 February 1793. The donor's father, Hugh William Berry (1905-?) reprinted the autobiography of R.H. Marten. And, she has herself a connection with the Mission as she used to collect money for the Mission at school. Large print depicting a floating church in Londonfloating church, seamen, sailors, religion, london, r.h. marten esq, wapping stairs, river thames, port, robert humphrey marten (1763-1839), cate lewis, seamen's hospital, welfare, napoleonic wars, royal navy, merchant navy

Gathering of seafarers and LHLG members, at Orchard House, Haverbrack Avenue, in Malvern on 2 November 1909. Mrs Beatrice Higgins, nee Shuter, was the secretary of the Malvern branch of the Guild since 2 July 1907.George Higgins, a graduate of the University of Melbourne, was a Lecturer in Surveying, Civil Engineering and Hydraulic Engineering 1907-1910 and in Civil Engineering 1911-1921 at that institution. The Shuters were supporters of the Mission. Mrs Charles Shuter gifted many items located in the chapel in memory of family members.Small monochrome photograph1909, malvern, cup day, orchard house, george higgins (c.1860-1943), charles shuter, picnics, social events, entertainments, beatrice elizabeth higgins (nee shuter), goldsmith album

This detailed handwritten documentation was made by the owner Mariner, G W Duncan for use in his role as a member of the engineer crew.Mariner Duncan had a particular regard for the Mission to Seafarers. This plate for display on a commissioned new table at the MTSV chapel acknowledges his bequest and the material donated. Collectively the G W Duncan material includes: photographs, professional data memorabilia and written and commercially printed resources. The memorabilia relates to his career at sea and in particular the role of an engineer, including a handwritten manual of notes and references relating to the mechanical and engineering aspects and areas of responsibility for maintenance. Commercially printed ledger book with marbled board covers originally spine bound with red cloth ribbon tape (now detached see condition report). The book is designed to be used as a handwritten detailed reference and manual for use by engine room and maintenance supervisor (see image 2) Handwritten content in blue ink. mariner manuals, ship engines, ship maintenance, george winfield duncan (1922-2017), ship engineer, s.s. athenic