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Issue (Archive) In the days of sail, Saint John was the third largest seaport in the British Empire. Ships sailed into our port from all over the world.
Little thought or concern was ever given to how the men who worked on those ships spent their time ashore. It was usually considered that the bars would look after them and that that was the way they liked to spend their time ashore. In the early 1800’s, it was noted, “for its size St. John is the most dangerous city in the Dominion for seamen on account of the great number of saloons and worse places.” An early Saint John seafarer’s mission was located on Water Street but it was burned in the Great Fire of 1877.
Sir Samuel Tilley and his wife, Lady Alice were active members of the Temperance Movement. Lady Tilley was an extraordinary woman. In an era when women of her standing were not encouraged to think and definitely not to do anything, she was the rare example of one who did. Even more surprisingly, Lady Alice in her effort to halt the evils of drinking and as an alternative to the many bars which were located around the Saint John waterfront area, established a Seafarer’s Mission which did not serve any kind of alcoholic beverage. The three story brick building was erected at 158 Prince William Street and is still there although it is no longer used as a Seafarer’s Mission. The cornerstone was set by Lady Alice Tilley on June 23, 1908.
The Saint John Seafarers’ Mission is now located at 92 Tilley Lane, Saint John West. It opened on November 3, 1992. The Mission is dedicated to serving a multi-faith maritime community by attending to the spiritual, temporal and recreational needs of seafarers and each month an average of 225 seafarers visit there. The Mission is run by a Board of volunteers with a full time manager, Bev Sullivan, who works there daily. At the Mission they can make private telephone calls to home using phone cards. The mission also provides computer access, free web/e-mail access along with cable tv, shuttle service, games room, free clothing, postal items, coffee, tea and snacks. Books and reading material are also available along with Bibles and other Christian material in different languages. There is also a chapel on site and they have services on Sunday. Reverend Theodore Efthimiadis Minister of the Greek Orthodox Church is the Mission Chaplain. He explains, “I drive our van to the ship and take the men where they want to go but my main job is to let them talk to me and discuss issues that bother them. It is challenging but fulfilling because seafarers have a hard life. They are away so long, they worry about their children, their wives, their families.”
If there are labour problems on board, he is often asked to intervene and to act as liaison. Many of them are now considered friends by Father Efthimiadis. Whenever they come into Saint John, the men look forward to seeing him. They have his phone number and if he is needed all of the Captains cooperate. The Mission offers many services to all ships’ crew. They have a 7-seater van and the Chaplain picks them up at the ship and brings them to the mission or shopping. Mostly though it is a home away from home, a place to relax and enjoy the comfort and friendliness offered by the Saint John Seafarers Mission.
Thanks to the staff at the Saint John Seafarers Mission for providing background information for our editorial. Got a comment or suggestion? ownwords@nbnet.nb.ca |
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Albert was born October 5th 1879, on the island of Saint Martin, Dutch West Indies. He served with the No. 2 Construction Battalion during World War I. He became well known for producing miniature detailed models of the sailing ships he sailed and saw during his sea faring life.
