Barmouth Sailors' Institute

Barmouth Sailors' Institute is a unique building and is an important part of Barmouth's Maritime history. 

The building is a rare survivor of a type of establishment that was once common in coastal communities throughout the British Isles in the late nineteenth century. This was a period when the seagoing trades around the British coasts were changing rapidly. The advancement of the railway into rural areas undermined the once lively coastal trade. 

However, seafarers from the remotest coastal areas did not forsake the sea but instead, began to take up berths on deep sea ships sailing from the larger ports such as London, Hull, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool and Cardiff. The majority of their families remained in their native community where in the past they had been able to observe the seaborne movements of their menfolk on local voyages. 

In order that they could continue to trace the new voyages, many seamen's institutes came into existence, not just as a meeting place but also where the Lloyds List and Shipping Gazette were available for consultation. From these, the families could trace the lengthy voyages which could last up to two years. 

In 1890 Canon Edward Hughes, the Rector of Barmouth at the time would have established the Barmouth Sailors' Institute for just this reason. He was very well known for his endeavour to meet both the spiritual and social needs of his parishioners. 

A set of sea charts was presented to the Rector of Llanaber (also of Barmouth) for the use of seamen of Barmouth in remembrance of their friend George Quartus Pine Talbot. They date back to 1823 and are housed in a special wall cabinet; some have voyages charted on them.