Merchant Seaman Numbers.

[Jim Brady]

Just been reading a website,thought this might be a little snippet of information that may be of interest.
In 1866 the were 196,371 British Seaman Registered.It was reported that year that no fewer than 4,866 of these seaman lost their lives 2,390 by drowning.They left an average of three children per man.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Jim B
That is an interesting little Article isnt it Jim!
Wonder how all the rest lost their lives,was it just by natural causes i wonder!
Seems a lot of poor Children and Wives were left Alone,a sad thought!

Just on the Subject,i wonder now just how many British Seaman there were registered at the Peak of our Times!?
Would ne imterseting to know!
But where would or could we find out! ??
Cheers

[Jim Brady]

Hi Vernon,as you say there were a lot of poor wives and children left behind.As it is I got the figures from the websiteThe Royal Liverpool Seaman's Orphan Institution which was set up for that reason.
As regards how many Seaman at it's peak in our time,I seem to recall in the 1960 Seamans Strike led by the National Seamans Reform Movement,the NSRM were saying if they could get 0ne third of the membership of the NUS to join the NSRM they could create a new legitimate union.I'm sure the figure of 30,000 was mentioned,if that was the case the NUS membership at that time must've stood at 90,000,I would'nt think that would be far out would you?
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Jim
I really wouldnt like to hazard a guess at the Numbers at that time Jim,but i feel that i may have been a lot more!? This is just my thoughts!
I will have to now see if i can get anymore info on this!
Thanks again
Cheers

[happy daze john in oz]

The majority of seamen who lost their lifes during that period did so as a result of being washed overboard in heavy seas, or by falls from the rigging when setting and furling sails.

[jimmys]

Hi Jim,

I think I read something about that Royal Liverpool Seamans Orphanage. Is that the same building that is on the list of endangered buildings, it is semi derelict but still intact. I think it mentioned it was laterly a hospital now closed.
Up our way a lot of these quality building have been made into residential flats.

regards
jimmy

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Jimmy
Dont know if this may be the same site that you read about the place!
Anyway a little writeup and a couple of Pics here !
Cheers

http://liverpool-schools.co.uk/html/...orphanage.html

[jimmys]

Yes Vernon thats the one, it was in a Scottish Newspaper site but the same story. It was especially built for all the orphans of Liverpool seafarers. I had been in Liverpool a lot and had never heard of the School.
Jim brought the name up and it rang a bell. The locals in Liverpool will know where it is.
The thing about seafarer numbers was a large number of them were not registered ie. fishing, coasting ferries never had discharge books. The registered seamen were the smaller part.
Goodness knows how many seafarerers there would be.

regards
jimmy

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Jimmy
Yes that is exactly what i was thinking when posting thepost on Numbers!
If all those other Seaman were not registered (Lord knows why not,they should all have been) but anyway that would really put the cat amongst the pidgeons wouldnt it!
I dare say there were many more Thousands which would put a Tally on Numbers at some very very high Figure indeed!
Wouldnt it be interesting to one day be able to find out the exact (well near as dammit) Numbers!
Cheers

[Jim Brady]

Hi Jimmys,you say the people of Liverpool would know where the orphanageiis (was)but like me they would only know it as Newsham Park hospital(the orphanage was built in Newsham Park hence the name) It was'nt until the other day that I knew such a place existed (orphanage) some group are trying to raise funds and get a lottery grant to bring this Grade11 listed building back to what it was.
The orphanage was funded by ship owners,it had quite a few visits by Royalty hence the Royal in the title.
Two sites if your interested Newsham Park Hostpital and The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution.
Regards.
Jim.B.