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  Century Arts
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In the archives ...

Sons of the Sea
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 The League’s publication, Sons of the Sea, the History of the League of Ancient Mariners, was produced to commemorate the centenary of the League in 2003. The book preserves the heritage and proud identity of all of those who are themselves, ‘sons of the sea’. With the kind assistance of Mrs Brenda Liley and to honour her late husband, Capt Ted Liley (1927 – 2018), Past President and Honorary Historian of the League, we are able to present a digital version of the book. Click here 

Note: Since first publication of Sons of the Sea in 2003 and thanks to reader response we are able in places to provide additional information.

Page 15. Group photo. Front Row. Read ‘not identified’ as Captain John Hammond BHP

The Founders file ...
The co-founders of the League of Ancient Mariners of NSW
Capt Albert William Pearse ​
capt_albert_william_pearse.pdf
File Size: 497 kb
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Dr Robert Scot Skirving
dr_robert_scot_skirving.pdf
File Size: 333 kb
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The histories of the League’s early members are rich with all of the elements of personal experience; of losses, failures, successes and reward that were all part of the early days of maritime trade. They are from those who gave of their valuable time to found the League of Ancient Mariners in 1903, which in the words of co-founders Capt A W Pearse (1857 -1951) and Dr R. Scot Skirving (1859 - 1956) were, ‘having an occasional muster of retired Master Mariners and Deck Officers to be a worthy idea so as to keep alive the traditions of the sea, particularly as it applied to the era of sail’. The co-founders would not have foreseen what they were putting in place to satisfy their declared objectives would become such a respected organisation so firmly established in maritime tradition and one which is now into its second century of existence. It is therefore, of great interest to find out more from archival sources of others who were among the first members of the League, in this case Capt Samuel Charles and Capt Frederick Bracegirdle. To read more, click their names. (With thanks to Julie Tadman for the account of Capt Bracegirdle).
Capt Charles Alfred McKinnon (1838 -1926) was born March 8, 1838 on the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Joining the Scottish fishing fleet he began a career that eventually included almost every kind of sailing ship service. Capt McKinnon has been identified in the photo  on the About Us page, standing third from left, holding his hat).To read more Click Here

Robert Francis Talbot (1842 - 1935), lived a long and full life, first travelling the world with the Royal Navy and later living a pioneering existence in Australia. To read more, Click Here

Historical records and information are being uploaded to the Archives
​as hard-copy becomes available. Scroll down to view.
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​Executive and Members Lists

1953  ​1980   1991   1994   1998   2003   2010



​What the papers said of the League …
​To read a pdf text of the following item click here
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More about Capt Pearse from the Sunday Sun, February 13, 1949 ...
capt_pearse_-_figureheads_.pdf
File Size: 4382 kb
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The Bulletin, October 22, 1952, Capt Albert Aucher, Secretary of the League ...
capt_albert_aucher_-_ancient_mariner.pdf
File Size: 4377 kb
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From the album
Newly discovered old prints ...
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League Council meeting November 2002, inscription reading ...
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League luncheon 2003 ...
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League luncheon May 1, 2005 ...
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League luncheon May 1, 2005 ...
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League luncheon May 1, 2005 ...
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2008 Cruise & Luncheon. Ex employees of Howard Smith
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2016 Cruise & Luncheon. Governor-General, General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC delivering his address. Vice-President, Captain Murray Doyle AAM seated.

Annual Luncheons
an archive of past programs
may_5_2007.pdf
File Size: 2662 kb
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may_3_2008.pdf
File Size: 2354 kb
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may_2_2009.pdf
File Size: 3007 kb
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may_7_2011.pdf
File Size: 2493 kb
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may_5_2012.pdf
File Size: 3043 kb
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What was reported about the 'Smoke-Oh' ...
smoke-oh_oct_25_1946.jpg
File Size: 191 kb
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What the press said in April 1946 ...
smoke-oh_apr_16_1946.jpg
File Size: 290 kb
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Seafarers, a poem by Capt W D Reid, 1932 ...
seafarers_poem.pdf
File Size: 1444 kb
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Between Decks
an archive of old League newsletters
january_2001.pdf
File Size: 1485 kb
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january_2002.pdf
File Size: 2187 kb
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january_2005.pdf
File Size: 8118 kb
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january_2006.pdf
File Size: 7890 kb
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january_2007.pdf
File Size: 5311 kb
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january_2008.pdf
File Size: 5681 kb
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january_2009.pdf
File Size: 5807 kb
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january_2010.pdf
File Size: 3392 kb
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Histories of the League
a_history_of_the_league_of_ancient_mariners.pdf
File Size: 434 kb
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the_league_of_ancient_mariners_captains_all_by_john_barry.pdf
File Size: 365 kb
File Type: pdf
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Past cruises​
the_2018_cruise.pdf
File Size: 364 kb
File Type: pdf
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the_2019_annual_cruise.pdf
File Size: 261 kb
File Type: pdf
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annual_cruise_may_6_2017.pdf
File Size: 655 kb
File Type: pdf
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The 2011 Cruise & Luncheon
a new look at an old report
We’re always pleased to find reports of the League’s past Cruises & Luncheons – and always delighted that all those who attended had a thoroughly enjoyable time, a custom that continues in these annual events.
 
One report that has come our way appeared in the May 2011 issue of the Company of Master Mariners Australia journal, The Megaphone where the Guest Speaker was Capt Murray Doyle who gave a very interesting talk on his experiences as Master of the RSV Aurora Australis. Capt Doyle AAM is the current President of the League. For the full story Click here.


The Ancient Mariners of Victoria
A link to The Royal Historical Society of Victoria and archived records of The Ancient Mariners of Victoria, which, as the information in the site states, the Ancient Mariners of Victoria seems to have disappeared from the records after 1930. (With thanks to RHSV researcher, Tessa Occhino). Click here.

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