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Sailors, Societies and Sectarianism: George Charles (‘Boatswain’) Smith and the Formation of the British and Foreign Sailor Society

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article examines the context for the establishment of the non-denominational Port of London Society, and the dissenting Bethel Union, which came together to form the British and Foreign Sailor Society in 1833. Making forensic use of the surviving archives as well as contemporary reports in regional and national newspapers, it challenges the traditional historiography which focuses on the charismatic, but disruptive, figure of George Charles (‘Boatswain’) Smith (1782–1863). It suggests that the cult of the founder is misplaced for Smith, and that marine religious charities flourished despite, rather than because of, his contribution.

Source: The Journal of Ecclesiastical History

DOI: 10.1017/s0022046924000940

Author: HILARY M. CAREY

Institution: University of Bristol

Language: English

Topic: Religion and Society Interactions

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council