Victoria needs a sailors’ home

In this 150th anniversary of the creation of Canada, we are looking back at editorials published in our predecessor newspaper in 1867. This week, the editors turned their attention to something they considered to be an urgent need in the colony: A home f

Some time ago, we drew attention to the absence of a sailors’ home here and the advantage such an institution would afford to a friendless class of men who, from their exceptional position, appeal especially to our sympathies, cut off as they are from the pleasures of domestic life and social enjoyment.

We all feel an hereditary interest in the “toilers of the sea,” and both at home and in our colonies abroad, the philanthropic efforts of those who are in the enjoyment of happy homes themselves have contributed to the comfort of the sailor by the erection of some dwelling where the mariners of both the mercantile and Royal marine can meet together and have access to newspapers and periodicals, enjoy a game of draughts, chess or skittles, and other quiet amusements, thus combining the comforts of a public house without its contaminating influences.

Such an institution would be to the sailor on shore what the club is to the officer — a place of resort where he might enjoy himself rationally, and at the same time improve himself intellectually.

Now that this place is the headquarters of the Pacific fleet with a force of about 700 men stationary at Esquimalt, we think it is incumbent on the inhabitants of Victoria, who so materially benefit by their presence, to do something to promote the welfare of the sailor by erecting a Sailor’s Home, in which, we have no doubt, the Naval authorities would cordially co-operate.

It is no uncommon thing for men-of-war to come here having previously been on the coast of Mexico and unable for months to give their men leave owing to the disturbed state of the country and the pestilential nature of the climate, and only after their arrival in this place can this indulgence be given.

If, after such a monotonous existence, there were some place accessible for men to go to while on shore, where facilities of rational enjoyment were given, it would be an advantage not only to the men themselves but to the service, and tend to protect them from many demoralizing influences.

But not only would the Royal service be gainers, but also the mercantile marine, as men are frequently left behind sick, shipwrecked or paid off, and waiting for ships, to whom the erection of such an institution would be a great boon, and in this way we could specially appeal for aid in its establishment to all consuls, marine insurance agents and merchants.

The expense of starting a sailors’ home would be small, and afterwards might, under judicious management, be made self-supporting.

We hope these suggestions may be acted on and some steps taken towards supplying the want.

Perhaps as a commencement, our friends of the Victoria Dramatic Club and the Amateurs of the Zealous would kindly come forward, as they have done on other occasions when any good work was to be furthered, and by one or two performances form a nucleus sufficient to start it. The Daily British Colonist and Victoria Chronicle,

Nov. 5, 1867