The Liverpool Nautical Research Society A presentation by W.G.Williamson

LNRS origins In 1937 the idea of a Research Society was formulated by a number of independent research workers most notably Mr. Arthur C. Wardle and Mr. W. Stewart-Rees Also local ship modellers were also thinking along similar lines Their interest in nautical research developed from a wish to improve the accuracy of their models

This was on Wednesday, 23rd March, 1938 LNRS origins Enter Mr. J.F. Smith, M.A., F.R.S.A., the Liverpool City Librarian who offered his support At his invitation a private meeting was held at the Picton Reference Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool. This was on Wednesday, 23rd March, 1938

Original aims of the society To encourage a public interest in Liverpool’s maritime and ship history   To collect and collate all available material relating to Liverpool ships and seamen of the past To undertake an historical survey of locally owned vessels, their masters and owners

Current aims of the society To preserve and promote interest in the history of shipping and all nautical subjects through research using resources of the Merseyside Maritime Museum Archives and Library and other appropriate organisations To undertake an historical survey of ships, their builders, owners, masters crews and other nautical technical matters particularly of local interest To disseminate such information by publication in “The Bulletin” and Society lecture presentations To assist, in a reasonable practical way, projects of the Merseyside Maritime Museum Archives and to offer advice and research to any organisations with nautical interests   To offer, in every suitable way, without charge, assistance with a range of appropriate enquiries that are received from the general public and outside bodies

Current venue Merseyside Maritime Museum Archive and Library

Searching for a book

Various reference material

The Bulletin Published four times a year Extensive range of topics Has won plaudits from Lloyds List

LNRS Bulletins Published every three months and contains a range of material that members have researched.

Commendation letter from Lloyds List City of Maritime Culture 2008 There is more to it than museums even though Liverpool has some of the finest. The same year marks the 70th anniversary of the Liverpool Nautical Research Society which publishes a hugely readable regular bulletin and has done so since 1938

LNRS assistance to library A database of early steamships registered at Liverpool A Fleet list of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board fleet Indexing of the subsidiary Register Books of Non-Liverpool Registered Vessels 1788 – 1818 A database of Radio Officers exam records Listing and classifying archive material from shipping companies such as Ocean Fleets and others

Radio Officer exam records Harold Sidney Bride was the 2nd wireless operator on the Titanic

Radio Officer exam records Harold Sidney Bride was the 2nd wireless operator on the Titanic. He lost his certificate when the vessel sank. A replacement certificate was issued and the fee was waived

Assisting the public LNRS members at history fair Society members Jack Olin and David Eccles attend a History Fair in Birkenhead Town Hall 6th March 2010

LNRS Student Award Scheme An annual award scheme was introduced in 2002 and is open to students in higher education with an interest in maritime activities Local and national universities were given details of the prize and it has proved successful The range of subject matter of these research projects has been impressive The winner is presented with a cash prize of £200 by the chairman at one of our monthly meetings

LNRS Student Award Scheme Winners 2002 Sidney David Wilson – Liverpool Hope University The Development and Role of the organisations concerned with the Welfare of Seamen on the Mersey 1820 – 1970 2003 Sarah Kennedy – Liverpool John Moores University Ro-Ro Tugmasters: An Economic Dissertation 2006 Denise M. Jones - Liverpool Hope University The Liverpool Slavetrade in the late Eighteen Century

LNRS Research Prize winner 2010 Paul Robert Moore Liverpool John Moores University “The development of fuel saving techniques in merchant vessels”

Presentation 2010 Capt. Mike Jones, Paul Moore, Dr. Alan Wall and Bill Ogle

The Bulletin Special 70th anniversary edition The society produced a special edition of the Bulletin to mark it’s 70th anniversary in 2008

The Bulletin Special 70th anniversary edition: contents Portrait of a Liverpool Shipowner: Frederick J. Harrison A Great Union: Cunard White Star merger Stuart and Douglas: Palm oil trade The Port of Ulverston 100 Years of Marine Insurance in Liverpool The Wireless Colleges of Liverpool Characters I have sailed with Massey’s Patent Electric Log The Introduction of Steam Engine Powered Ships Western Prince: The loss of the vessel and its consequences

LNRS Publications The society has produced publications to mark special events in it’s history

Nautical research members at work in the Maritime Museum Library The Monday facility Nautical research members at work in the Maritime Museum Library

Larrinaga Line by LNRS member David Eccles

The Monthly Meeting Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month usually between September and May Guest speakers give a presentation of a wide area of maritime topics Members gather at noon for tea and biscuits and the meeting begins at 1230 pm

The End