When

The Long Nineteenth century

The long nineteenth century was a remarkable time to be a mariner in Britain. The move from sail to steam propulsion transformed maritime possibilities. As the distance, speed and capacity of vessels increased, so did the number of men gaining employment onboard. This took place against the backdrop of 'Britain's Imperial Century'. As Britain's navy, merchant marine and fishing fleets secured the global dominion of the empire, it also transformed as it drew upon labour from a global workforce. By 1914, it is estimated that up to a third of the British merchant marine had been born abroad. These non-European sailors, known as 'Lascars' were chiefly from Asia, as well as Africa, and the Caribbean.

Life on land was also changing. Many British port cities grew rapidly with nineteenth-century industrialisation. For many, these environments were viewed as hotbeds for urban vice, and sailors were considered likely to avail of the corruption the cities and their harbours had to offer. Maritime missions and other religious charities were thus ubiquitous features of British ports where their main object was to convert the famously drunken and lascivious sailor to a better, more moral life. These voluntary religious societies or missions were also a mainstay of welfare, accommodation, and support services for 'Lascars'.