Sailors from the Seven Seas found a welcoming place to stay at the Seamen's Church Institute on the Municipal dock in August of 1924. Several men of varying races have gathered for a friendly billiards match. The purpose of the Seamen's Institute was to bring cheer to visiting sailors by providing them a comfortable place to congregate and rest. A library, gym, social hall, billiard room, reading/writing rooms, showers, kitchens, bedrooms and chapel were available, regardless of race or rank. It was partially supported by funding from the Tacoma Community Chest. TPL-7141; G53.1-093 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-5-28, 4-A - article on Seamen's Church Institute)

Sailors; Billiards--Tacoma--1920-1930; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sailors from many fleets enjoyed time away from their ships at the Seamen's Institute in August of 1924. Horseshoes, billiards, juggling clubs and boxing speed bag were just some of the activities pictured that the men could participate in without charge. Rev. Harry Ferneyhough is the clergyman near left. He had operated the Seamen's Church Institute for eighteen years as a friend to mariners. Books and newspapers were also available as well as meals for the hungry.

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clergy--Tacoma; Ferneyhough, Harry; Horseshoes;

Visiting sailors at the Seamen's Institute are shown relaxing in a small room in February of 1922 . There are many books on shelves and newspapers and magazines are piled up on a long table. Two young seamen are playing checkers while others smoke and read. Rev. Harry Ferneyhough, a former sailor, is pictured overseeing the activities. Rev. Ferneyhough had offered a friendly hand to mariners in Tacoma for sixteen years. By 1922, the Seamen's Institute had moved from the old St. Luke's parish house to rent-free quarters at the Tacoma Municipal Dock. Here the hungry were fed, the penniless helped, the dying buried, and guidance provided, all without charge. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-12-22, 10-E-article on the Institute; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Community Chest special pictorial supplement, 3-19-22 )

Sailors; Seamen's Church Institute (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Newspapers--Tacoma; Books; Smoking--Tacoma; Clergy--Tacoma; Ferneyhough, Harry;