History of the Lodge the first 100 years

The Merchant Navy Lodge No.1083 (now No. 781) was duly consecrated on the 14th April, 1859 at the Jamaica Tavern, West India Docks, London, by W.Bro. W. Watson, PGS, assisted by W.Bro. S.D. Potts P.M. Lodge of Sincerity, Bro. Knibbs and Bro. Guest.

After the installation as the first Master, Bro. Blickfeldt appointed his Officers as follows: S.W., G Manton, J.W., G.W. Thomas, Secretary, D. Johnson, S.D., R. Fairbairn, J.D., T.B. Daniell and I.G., W. Meggett. The ballot for Treasurer was in favour of Bro. James Tilley and W.Bro. T.A. Hoare was elected Tyler.

The Grand Tyler being present and in charge of the consecration vessels was awarded one guinea for his trouble.

W.Bro. S.D. Potts who had taken a prominent part in assisting the Founders of the Lodge was appointed Lecture Master of the Lodge of Instruction and presumably acted as D.C. at the Lodge meetings. He was elected an Honorary Member of the Lodge.

In the first year, there were so many joining members and candidates for initiation that fourteen emergency meetings in addition to the regular monthly meetings were held.

For a number of years a large number of Master Mariners were initiated or joined the Lodge who were born in either Denmark, Finland, Holland, Italy, Prussia, Norway, Sweden or the United States of America.

The Lodge number was changed from 1083 to 781 on the 11th June 1863.

The Lodge continued to meet at the Jamaica Tavern until 10th October 1866 when the Landlord required the Lodge room for his ever growing family. The Lodge moved to Silver Tavern, Limehouse.

On the 9th March 1892, it was agreed that an address on vellum be presented to the Treasurer who had taken up a list of £781.00 for the Jubilee Festival of Aged Freemasons and their Widows (now the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution) this was the highest sum from any Lodge at that time, and the Institution’s Premier Jewel was presented to W.Bro. Daniell, as a token of esteem as the Premier Steward of the Festival.

In 1894 the Lodge moved its Meeting Place to Limehouse Town Hall.

In April 1906 the Brethren were informed that the large gavel on the Master’s pedestal had been used by H.R.H. Prince Albert in laying the foundation stone of Asiatic House, West India Dock.

Brethren and Visitors enjoyed Meeting at Limehouse Town Hall, in those days the Lodge had its own wine cellar in the Town Hall vaults.

In 1916 the Lodge moved to Abercorn Rooms, Bishopsgate, London.

On the 10th October 1916, V.W.Bro. The Rev. H.G. Rosedale D.D., P.G.C., presented, dedicated and consecrated a gift of a Banner which was symbolic of the Merchant Navy Lodge.

On the 22nd February 1918, The Rev. H.G. Rosedale, D.D., P.G.C., linked the West Kent Chapter No. 1297, which was badly in need of members and the Chapter was renamed the West Kent and Merchant Navy Chapter No. 1297 ( now Merchant Navy & Maritima Chapter No.781).

On the 8th April 1919, Installation Meeting the Lodge was honoured with the presence of the M.W. Pro. Grand Master, Lord Ampthill. Also in April the Lodge contributed to a fund for a stained glass window in St. Matthias Church, Poplar, as a memorial to the Brethren of their Lodges who had made the supreme sacrifice during the 1914-1918 War.

The Lodge generously contributed to the Million Memorial Fund for the rebuilding of Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, as a memorial to the Brethren who lost their lives in the 1914-1918 War. The Lodge regretted that its efforts to qualify as a Hall Stone Lodge were unsuccessful.

At the Installation Meeting on 13th April 1926, the M.W.Pro. Grand Master Lord Ampthil again visited the Lodge when he not only gave the Charge to the Initiates, but carried out the ceremony of Installation including the Addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren.

In February, 1942, the Lodge moved to Freemasons Hall.

On the 12th December, 1944, the Lodge was honoured with an official visit by the Assistant Grand Master R.W.Bro. Brigadier-General W.H.V. Darell, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.

On the 10th March, 1953, W.Bro. John R. Dale, P.M.6444, an enthusiastic Mason and a very skilled craftsman, presented to the Lodge a handsome set of Lodge Working Tools a Ballot Box and two Alms Boxes which he had made himself as an expression of gratitude to the Merchant Navy Lodge in which he had been initiated.

At the Installation Meeting on the 9th April, 1957, Bro. Harry Brown, J.W., presented to the Lodge a Naval Officer’s Sword and Dirk, the latter having been a prized possession of his family for one hundred years. Both of exquisite design and workmanship and ideal for their intended use as a Tyler’s Sword and I.G’S Poniard.

The Merchant Navy Lodge sponsored the formation of the following Lodges: 1869 Duke of Edinburgh Lodge No. 1259, 1876 Tredegar Lodge No. 1625, 1934 Stebonheath Lodge No. 5521, 1947 Maritima Lodge No. 6444.

In April 1958 Merchant Navy Lodge were granted the Centenary Warrant. Granted by The Grand Mater, Rt. Hon. The Earl of Scarbrough, K.G., etc. Grand Secretary, V.W.Bro. J. W. Stubbs presented the Centenary Warrant at the Centenary Meeting in May of 1959.

In conclusion, It is obvious that it is the unwritten history which has influenced the lives of the Brethren of the Lodge. For instance, what an experience it was for those Brethren who found it possible to attend Lodge during the Second World War, to exchange fraternal greetings, to enjoy the light of brotherly love, and to participate in our ceremonies. All of which we hope will carry on for many years to come.