SAILORS' DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 45, 16 November 1917, Page 6

SAILORS' DAY

KING GEORGE'S APPEAL FOR THE SAILOKS.

To-day is Sailors' Day, and the public are asked to subscribe liberally for tba beneht of King George's Fund, the question is being asked, "What does this fund cover?" The answer is found in tho appeal by H.K.H. the Duke of Connaught, on behalf of King Georges Fund for Sailors. Briefly, the object of the fund is to minister to the great marine charities of Great Britain, which include such institutions as seamen s hospitals, hostels, orphanages, training schools, and ehips, pensions, and destitute funds. Their benefits aro extended to the men of the Royal Navy and its auxiliaries, the Royal Marines, the merchant service, the mine-sweepers and fishermen, and "to all who go down to the\sea in ships." Following is the text of the appeal by H.H.H. the Duke of Connaught on behalf of King George's Fund +'or Sailors: r "The great marine chanties of this country have through long years ren■dered continuous and much-needed service to the seafaring members of the community. Owing to the stress of war, heavy calls have been jnado upon their resources, and these aro likely to increase rather than diminish. In the wide field of their combined activities these charities minister to the manifold needs of the sailor, while helping to lessen 'his anxieties for the dear ones at The institutions include seamen's hospitals, hostels, orphanages, training schools, and ships, pension and destitnto funds. Their, benefits aro extended to the men of the Royal Navv, and its auxiliaries ,the Royal Marines, the merchant service, the mine-sweepers, and fishermen, and 'to all who go down to the sea in ships.' "To meet the needs for the fuller and more sustained support King George's Fund for Sailors' has been founded. The King has graciously consented to become patron of the fund, and His Royal Highness Prince Albert has accepted the office of president, and at his request .1 have undertaken the duties of chairman. , , ,„

"At the inaugural-meeting at tho Man. sion House, the First Lord of the Admiralty stated: 'The King, in commanding that this fund shall ■be called by his name, sends one more message of his interest in his sailor population, and his earnest pr-iver nnd desire that the nation may TTberalTy and splendidly respond to the appeal which is now being made.'

"To-day, when the safety of our shores and indeed the existence of the Empire depend so largely upon the endurance and self-sacrifice of British seamen, I confidently rely upon a sympathetic and generous sunport of the public to our appeal, in the belief that what has been achieved in fearless action, ceaseless watching, and patient wnitin? is not forgotten, and that the debt owed to the Navy and mercantile marine will be fully and heartily discharged.

"Contributions may he sent to mo .addressed to King George's Fund for Sailors, Trinity House, London. E.C.. 3." One of the features of to-dnr's proceedings will be the launching of a submnS rine, which will later be taken through, the main streets. The building of the submarine, which is 47ft. long, necessitated an immense amount of work, and she will he launched from the .Government Buildings bv Mrs. Hall-Thompson. The ceremony will be exactly the same ns though the vessel were beinc launched, on the Tyne or the Clyde, with one difference—that instead of being launched into the water the local vessel will bo launched on to the street.