Historical information

The first Seafarers Service was held on 23 October 1905 in the St Paul's Cathedral in London to celebrate the Centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson on 21 October 1805.

Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith launched the first Seafarers Service two years later and the first service was held on Sunday 10 November 1907.

National and house flags are used during the annual Seafarers Service.

Messageries Maritimes was a French merchant shipping company. It was originally created in 1851. In 1977 it merged with Compagnie générale transatlantique to form Compagnie générale maritime. In 1996 CGM was privatized and sold to Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement (CMA) to form CMA CGM.

Significance

The service continue to reflect the full range of the maritime activities in Australia.
Representatives come from the Royal and Merchant Navies, the commercial world, shipping companies, mission and philanthropic societies, veterans’ associations, labour unions, youth and leisure organisations, but anyone is welcome to attend.

Physical description

Large red rectangular flag with large M.M in black on a white diamond shape.

Inscriptions & markings

Messageries Maritimes written in black pen