Historical information

This Bible was presented to the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's St Nicholas Church in Williamstown by Mrs R J Ewart in 1942 according to the inscription on the inside page. She also presented a table desktop, candlesticks and a religious cross. The Bible was part of the original furnishings of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown, Victoria. The church was operated by the Missions to Seamen organisation.

Within the Bible are three pages of inscriptions and signatures under the heading of NOTABLE EVENTS..

Significance

This Bible is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837.

The Bible is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers.

The connection of this Bible to the Mission to Seamen highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support.

Physical description

Book with black textured leather cover, ribbed spine, gold embossed letters, and logo on spine. Titled The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments. The inside section has a list of signatures (after page 872). An inscription is written inside the front opening and three pages of inscriptions within the pages. The book was presented by R.J. Ewart in 1942.

Inscriptions & markings

Inscribed on spine "HOLY BIBIE" and "CAMBRIDGE"
Inscription inside "Presented by R J Ewart in memory of the fallen as sea, 1942"
INSCRIPTIONS on the pages within include signatures, names, occupations and ship names:
"(-) Service held in St Nicholas Seamen Church"
"NOTABLE EVENTS" "MIV "Centaur" " MV Centaur" SS Fort "Pembena" " MV JOLTEN'" "SS Kooringa" "SS Nairana" "SS Hobart" "