Shipwrecked Mariners' Society

About Us

Supporting Fishermen and Mariners for over 170 Years

For over 170 years our aim has been the same, to relieve distress among the seafaring and ex-seafaring community. Thankfully, shipwrecks are fewer but they still occur bringing tragedy in their wake, and then there are those who have left the sea, through accident, ill-health or on retirement and their dependants who are living on meagre incomes and in need of assistance. Please feel free to contact us should you require further information about any aspect of our work. Your support is much appreciated. Thank you.

Malcolm Williams
Chief Executive

Catherine is an Award Winning 'Marathon' Fundraiser. Congratulations Catherine on another 'marathon' fundraising achievement! Select this link to find out about Catherine Johnson and her fundraising Half Marathon

Have You Ordered Your Copy of 'Heroism at Sea' (E- book)? Select this link for more info!

Get involved in our schools challenges! Fundraising walks in Lynmouth and Lynton, Jersey, the Isle of Wight and Weymouth. Select this link to go to Latest News and find out more!

Shipwrecked Mariners' Charity Cards - select this link to find out more!

"Thank you for putting me me on the right lines to go about claiming the increase in my pension credits.  Without your help I would have had no idea how to go about claiming and I am glad to say I have been awarded the higher rate of £25.49."

The Society was founded 1839 as a result of the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats on the north Devon coast the previous year. A month later, Her Majesty Queen Victoria graciously announced herself Patron of the Society and since then it has been honoured by Royal Patronage. Our first President was Admiral Sir James Cockburn who was responsible for attacking and burning Washington, including the White House, in 1814 and for taking Napoleon to St Helena. Sir Robert Peel was a Vice President  from 1840 until his death in 1850. In 1850, the Society was incorporated by an Act of Parliament, on which the Rules and Regulations of the Society are still based.

"With many thanks from the daughter of Mrs. H. The grant she received made all the difference to her life for many years. She was 97 and would have been 98 next month."

Today, the Society still gives help in the event of shipwreck, but our main purpose is to provide financial support to retired seafarers and their widows in cases of need. Over 2,000 people receive regular six-monthly grants; others receive a special grant to meet a particular need. The Society receives several hundred applications for assistance each year. To be eligible, an applicant must be able to prove low net income and normally a minimum of 5 years' sea service. Regular grants are not normally given to those under 60 years of age or with less than 10 years sea service. If you would like to learn more about the types of grants that we provide, or if you would like to apply for assistance, please click here.

"Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. The benefit for myself is immeasurable. I no longer have to stand on a stool to step in or out of the shower. In a word it is "GREAT". Thanks again to all concerned."

The Society is a member of The Merchant Navy Welfare Board and co-operates closely with other member charities to ensure that resources are distributed as fairly as possible where there is the greatest need.

The annual Christmas Card Appeal has for some years been our main fundraising activity - click here to find out more.

Shipwrecked Mariners and the First World War

November 2008 marked the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War.  From our archives some idea of the impact of the war at sea can be gauged from the fact that between August 1914 and December 1918 the Society assisted  2,433 widows,  4,633 orphans, 1,100 aged parents and 50,753 mariners and fishermen, disbursing a total of £125,000, equivalent in today's prices to over £4 million !  But mines were no respectors of peace and by June 1919 those figures had increased even further.

Member of The Association of Charity Officers