See item/file level records.

Administrative / biographical background
The initial purpose of the Seafarers’ Education Service (SES) was to supply and maintain free lending libraries for seafarers. The key personalities involved in the establishment of the SES were Albert Mansbridge, co-founder of the Workers’ Educational Association, and his friend Lawrence Holt, shipowner and senior partner of the Blue Funnel Line. It came into being following a meeting of representatives from various bodies involved in the shipping industry, the welfare of seafarers and adult education, held at Little Jordans Hostel, Beaconsfield, in December 1919. The supply of libraries began in 1920 when the cargo liner AENEAS departed from London for Brisbane with one hundred and fifty books on board for the use of the crew. By the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, around six hundred British merchant ships were carrying crew libraries supplied by the SES, with shipowners, seafarers’ unions and other agencies contributing to the costs. The SES then launched an appeal for funds and gifts of books, magazines and papers for the operation of a library service for the crews of all vessels engaged on war work, both merchant and naval. In conjunction with the British Ship Adoption Society (see MSY/3) it operated the Sea War Library Service (see MSY/5). Other methods were used to encourage the constructive use of leisure time and the pursuit of knowledge among seafarers. A quarterly journal ‘The Seafarer’, published by the SES from 1934 onwards, featured various essay, hobby and craft competitions. From 1938 onwards, the College of the Sea provided seafarers with advice on courses of study and a network of honorary tutors, through which they could pass Board of Trade examinations or win a scholarship to attend a nautical school. Recognition of the status and importance of the SES were marked by the award of a Royal Charter in 1955. The SES was absorbed by the Marine Society in 1976. For more information on its history see ‘In Cabined Ships at Sea: Fifty Years of the Seafarers’ Education Service’ by Ronald Hope, published by Harrup, London, in 1969.