Following its founding in 1881 by Ebenezer Mather, the National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen began its long history of service to the fishing communities, working initially alongside the fishermen in the North Sea. From its Mission Ships, or Bethal Ships as they were often called, the Mission set about taking the message of Christ to the men on board the boats and providing practical comfort by means of medical aid, warm woollen clothing gifted by supporters and cheap tobacco, which was not seen as the great social evil it is today. It was in 1887, following the publication of a book ‘Nor’ard of the Dogger’ by Mather, recounting the early years of the Mission, that Queen Victoria bestowed on the Mission its Royal Patronage, enabling it to call itself ‘Royal’. This patronage is still enjoyed today.

In 1896 the then Mission Council decided to send the Euston, a Mission ship, on an experimental trip to Cornish fishermen. The reception must have been favourable as, in 1899, the Mission ship Aston visited Penzance under the command of Skipper Collett. By 1902, the reputation of the Mission and the care and support it offered to the fishermen was beginning to spread, and Cornish fishermen were anxious not to be left out. So a deputation was sent to Milford Haven to meet the Mission’s Secretary, who was on a visit. The Cornish fishermen requested that the Mission should come down to Cornwall and start working in Newlyn. Their enthusiasm met with a good deal of sympathy and, in 1903, two members of the Mission Council were sent to Newlyn to find a suitable site.

On arrival they discovered that a Mrs Tonkin was already renting a house to fishermen on a short term basis. Unfortunately, she was unable to let the Mission rent the building on a long term basis. However, they were able to secure the cottage on a fourteen year lease at a cost of £28 per annum. With premises secured the Council sent Skipper Collett, who had visited in 1896, back to Newlyn. He took charge of the newly opened ‘Stanley Institute’. The name given was at the request of a Mrs Parker, a considerable benefactor of the RNMDSF. Shortly afterwards Skipper Collett was required back at sea and a Mr Bosworth was appointed as Manager of the Institute.

During1904 it is recorded that Miss Nora Bolitho, from Trengwainton, regularly visited the Institute, where she would spend time reading to the fishermen from papers and novels. She would also write letters on their behalf. Already the building was becoming too small and Miss Bolitho made a sum of money available to enlarge it and improve facilities. By 1910, when the work of the Mission had grown to such an extent that the Institute building had become too small, Miss Bolitho, who was a valuable supporter of the Mission and its aims, offered to have a new building put up for the Mission in memory of her sister, Mary Foster, at a cost of over £4000.

It was on Saturday, 30th September 1911, that the doors of the magnificent and imposing building were, the papers reported, ‘quietly opened, a gift of Miss Bolitho to the men of the fishing community’. From records and information available, it seems women were not allowed in the building, presumably with the exception of Miss Bolitho, and boys had to be accompanied by their fathers. The architect of the new building was Mr. Edward Warren FSA, FRIBA, of London and the builders Messrs. W. E. Blake, Ltd. of Plymouth. A new name, suggested by the architect, Mr. Warren, was put forward and adopted. This was the ‘Ship Institute’ a name possibly inspired by the distinctive weather vane, which tops the building. The following was recorded in the Council minutes:

The Council of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, having learned with deep interest and pleasure of the opening of the ‘Ship Institute’ at Newlyn, unanimously desire to record their appreciation of the generous gift of Miss Nora Bolitho to the local, and other, men and lads engaged in the fishing industry. And in accepting the building in Trust for them, the Council will endeavour, with God’s blessing, to make it a means of promoting the highest spiritual and material well-being of all who use it’.

With the outbreak of war in 1914, the Mission building was called into Military Service and was used as a base by the Royal Flying Corps. The Mission and its staff were then used to provide accommodation and welfare support to members of the Patrol Service. Returned to its peace time use when the war ended the whole future of the Ship Institute was called into question in 1925. It was discovered that the effects of the sea had undermined much of the building, it cost over £1000 to carry out the underpinning of the structure.
During 1929, the Mission was faced with two very sad losses. Miss Nora Bolitho, long time friend and benefactor, died, as did Superintendent Bosworth, who was ‘skipper’ at that time. As a memorial to the late Miss Bolitho, electric light was installed in the Mission during 1930.

During the Second World War the Institute remained open to fishermen and naval personnel working on mine sweepers, whose officers were billeted there. After the end of the war the staff of the Mission continued its service to both local and visiting fishermen and their families.

It was on March 18th, 1967 that Newlyn, and indeed the rest of the country, woke to hear the name of a ship that would bring dire consequences to the whole area. The Torry Canyon, an Italian oil tanker, had run aground on the Sevenstones reef. Fourteen of the survivors were brought into the Mission for food and warmth and six were accommodated overnight. On the 16th March a further sixteen survivors arrived from the Isles of Scilly. During the whole time that the operations to prevent oil from coming ashore were being carried out, the Institute was open twenty-four hours a day, providing meals, accommodation, first aid, baths, etc. to all involved, including men from the armed forces. Dr Leslie, the Port doctor, set up a dispensary and first aid post at the Mission to cope with the injuries and skin problems caused by the oil and detergent.

Perhaps the next most significant chapter in the Ship Institute’s long and distinguished history was its total refurbishment in 1968. With continued and constant use, many of the building’s facilities were in need of upgrading, as was the accommodation for the Superintendent. Major structural alterations, which included building a new flat for the Superintendent, were carried out, and again work was required to prevent erosion from the sea. Records show that three and a half lorry loads of ready mixed concrete were required to bring the floor back up to level. Many ‘locals’ remember seeing a large gaping hole where the snooker table is today. After several delays the building was re-opened and dedicated on the 11th January 1969. On the 14th October 1969 at a special ceremony, a new portrait of Miss Nora Bolitho, by Stella Schmolle, was officially unveiled. This picture is on display today.

From 1969 onwards, the Mission’s history book records many incidents where the ‘Ship Institute’ and its staff have been called upon to offer practical help and support to fishermen and mariners in distress off the coast of Cornwall. In August 1979, a large number of yachts involved in the ill-fated Fastnet Race ran into difficulties. It was again to the Mission that many turned for help, accommodation and support after being snatched from the jaws of death.

In this part of Cornwall, and indeed any seafaring community, the names ‘Penlee’ and ‘Solomon Browne’ are names that still bring feelings of sadness and sorrow. At midnight on the 19th December 1981, news was received of the loss of the Penlee Lifeboat. The Ship Institute provided the RNLI with a base to work from, as details were received and information collated and disseminated. At the same time, whilst details of this tragedy were still being received, a crew from a Spanish vessel were brought into the Centre for care after their vessel had drifted perilously close to Penzance. Over the next few days and weeks, the Mission was available to help and support families of the lifeboat men lost in this tragic accident.

The Mission has always been part of the community, and it was on the 26th August 1991 when this was shown to the full when the first Newlyn Fish Festival was held. Representatives from almost every section of the community took part in one way or another to show the general public what Newlyn and the Mission had to offer. In this first year around 1500 people attended the event, which raised about £3000 for the Mission. Now held annually, this event has continued to grow and brings in much needed funds to help the work of the Mission to continue.

Reading all the accounts of those lost at sea, one cannot help but feel sadness and sorrow for the families of those who have ‘no known grave’. So, on Friday, 24th September 1993, the new Memorial Room was opened at the Mission. This room records the names of all those men who have lost their lives whilst fishing off the Cornish coasts.

The Newlyn Mission is the base for the care and concern that is shown to all fishermen and their families throughout the whole of Cornwall. From this centre, with the aid of Honorary Agents in the other main fishing ports, watching brief is kept throughout the Duchy. At a moment’s notice, the Superintendent is ready to travel to any fisherman or family member in times of trouble and distress. The Ship Institute of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen will continue to stand as a tribute and a monument to over a century of service. A service that will continue long into the twenty first century, all the while there are fishermen who need care.

Compiled by Margaret Perry from material provided by Len Scott, a previous Superintendent of the Ship Institute.

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