Seafarers Hospital Society

The Seafarers Hospital Society, formerly known as the Seamen's Hospital Society, is a British charity that supports individuals and families who have worked in the British Merchant Navy and fishing fleets. It was established in 1821.

Currently, the society provides funding for the Seafarers' Advice and Information Line, a national advice service operated by the Greenwich Citizens Advice Bureau. It also supports nursing and residential care units for seafarers and provides hardship grants to those in need.

The society's history dates back to 1821 when the first meeting of the committee of management took place. They initially provided healthcare services on the Seaman's Infirmary hospital ship, which was an ex-naval vessel called HMS Grampus. Over the years, the society relocated to other ex-naval ships, including HMS Dreadnought and HMS Caledonia (renamed Dreadnought).

In 1870, the society was granted the lease of the former Royal Greenwich Hospital site, and it became known as the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital. This marked a transition from providing care to ex-members of the Royal Navy to serving the Merchant Navy.

Today, the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital continues to operate as the Dreadnought Unit at St Thomas's Hospital and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, both part of the University College Hospitals London NHS Trust.

References:

- "Seafarers Hospital Society.

" Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seafarers_Hospital_Society.