The “Shipwrecked Mariners' Society" was founded in 1839 at the suggestion of Mr John Rye, a retired medical man of Bath, following the tragic loss of several fishing vessels from Clovelly, with all hands, in the previous year. Incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1850, Queen Victoria was our first Patron and that Royal connection has continued ever since: HRH The Princess Royal is our present Patron.

The Society's first President, Admiral Sir George Cockburn, had the distinction of occupying Washington and burning the Capitol and the White House in 1814 during our brief war with the United States.

Our purpose remains the same, to provide financial help to merchant seafarers, fishermen and their dependants who are in need. We pay an immediate grant to the widow of a serving seafarer who dies, whether death occurs at sea or ashore and sadly shipwrecks continue to occur. Regular grants are paid to retired or permanently disabled seafarers and widows. Special grants are made to meet crisis and specific needs ranging from essential household electrical goods and clothes to mobility aids.

The Society's distinctive flag was introduced in 1844. A distinguishing number was placed in the centre of the cross to identify the vessel to which it was assigned. Arrangements were made through private telegraph stations and then the coastguard to report the numbers of the flags displayed by vessels passing their stations and these in turn were reported in the "Shipping & Mercantile Gazette". This was later extended when homeward bound vessels would report en route sightings upon arrival at a UK port. Some vessels also bore the Society's flag and number painted on a board to provide a more permanent means of identification. This proved its worth when, in 1851, the "William", of Kirkaldy, foundered off Ballywater, Co.Down. The board was the only item of the vessel recovered, to prove her identity, and probably enabled the Society to assist dependants of the crew.

From 1851 the Society operated lifeboats at Lytham, Rhyl, Portmadoc, Tenby, Llanelly, Teignmouth, Hornsea and Newhaven but it was subsequently agreed that it would be wiser if one organization concentrated on rescuing lives at sea while the other helped the survivors or their bereaved families, so in 1854 the Society transferred its lifeboats to the RNLI.

With a volunteer network of over 200 Honorary Agents throughout the British Isles, the Society handles several hundred new applications for assistance each year and distributes over £1million in dealing with over 3,000 cases. The Society relies on legacies, an annual Christmas appeal, investments and grants, principally from KGFS and Trinity House, and donations to meet its commitments. You may have seen our large red collecting mines on the seafront.

If you want to know more please contact us.

The Society's History - Key Dates