It's Not Just The Wrecked Ship Which Is A Disaster... It's The Wrecked Lives...
The Society was founded in 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.
It's Not Just The Wrecked Ship Which Is A Disaster... It's The Wrecked Lives...
For 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.
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