BOSTON MARINE SOCIETY WELCOMES YOU

ORIGINS

On June 1st 1742 a group of Boston sea captains formed a group called the "The Fellowship Club."   The club's esteemed membership was limited to those who then or in the past had commanded vessels. At the time of entry each member paid one dollar into the "box" and was thereafter to pay monthly dues. In times of distress or death, members and their families would be paid according to the nature of the misfortune and the ability of the "box."

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Twelve years later, in 1754, the Fellowship Club received a charter from the Royal Governor which directed the group to "make navigation more safe" and to relieve members and their families in poverty or other "adverse accidents in life."

For its seal, the Society selected "a ship arriving at the light house from a storm, and the sun breaking out of the clouds with the inscription "Marine Society at Boston in New England AD 1754."

In 1809 the Society changed its name officially to the Boston Marine Society.