Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/66

 institutions—far more than in any other country—where seamen, as well as all other classes of the community, are to some extent provided for. But it is to be regretted that, when the Merchant Seaman's Fund was abolished, some great institution, under the authority of the State, to be supported mainly by the seamen, as well as by voluntary contributions and otherwise, was not then attempted for their special use, so as to afford them some certainty that they would receive either outdoor or indoor relief (the former is preferable) when no longer able to provide for themselves.

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?]*
 * [Footnote: amounted, in 1874, to somewhere about 7600l., though, out of this sum,