Note 18 — Chapter II

The “Belvidere,” or “Royal Alfred Aged Seaman’s Institution.”

The “Belvidere,” known as the “Royal Alfred Aged Seaman’s Institution,” was established, soon after the abolition of the “Merchant Seaman’s Fund,” mainly through the exertions of the late Mr. William Phillipps, Mr. George Marshall, and other philanthropic shipowners. The laudable object of this excellent institution is to provide for the “relief of aged and worn out merchant seamen of the United Kingdom.” It was started by a grant of 5000l. from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, and is now maintained entirely by legacies, donations, and annual subscriptions from charitable persons. These amounted, in 1874, to somewhere about 7600l., though, out of this sum, the annual subscriptions were only 1600l. Its inmates were then 105 decayed seamen, whose ages ranged from 63 to 85. There were, besides, in that year 110 persons receiving from its funds 12l. per annum in out-door pensions. The inmates are provided with comfortable cabins, clothed, a good mess, and have every comfort, with pleasant grounds for exercise, overlooking the River Thames. All their physical and spiritual wants are well supplied; and, so far as its limited funds permit, it has proved of great service, being well and economically managed. When its claims on the public—I might say on the country—become better known, its means of doing good will thus, I hope, be largely extended. Indeed, the Board of Trade having now in hand upwards of 200,000l., arising from the unclaimed wages and effects of deceased merchant seamen, from the surplus fees of the mercantile marine, and other similar sources, the question suggests itself if a portion of these surplus funds could not be appropriated to the benevolent purposes of the Royal Alfred Aged Seaman’s Institution?