HISTORY
   
A Brief Outline
   
 

View an extract from "Friend of Seafarers and Children" by M.J.Roberts

1853
Henry Cook set up the first Ragged Day School and Sunday School for boys, in 80 High Street.
Later he started a Boys Industrial Home in 47 Stoke Road.
1858
Built a Ragged School in 46 South Street (behind Woolworth's approx)
1869
Built The Portsmouth and Gosport Seaman's Mission, 66 South Street, which later incorporated a Ragged School for girls. ( to the right of the George & Dragon Pub.)
1875 (approx)
Coffee & Reading Rooms in 47 Stoke Road and Beach Street.
1885 (approx)
New Mission Hall at Rudmore Place Portsmouth.
1886 (approx)
Coffee & Reading Room/Mission at The Quay Portsmouth
1887
He replaced a Wherry (Portsea to Porchester) and another boat 'Annie' with two new schooners 'The Mystery' & 'Herald of Mercy'. Later set up a floating mission harboured at Portsmouth, over 27 attended.
1889
Set up a French Seaman's Mission (& hospital?) in Deauville France.
1890 (approx)
Mission Hall in Forton Road Camden Town
1893
had a new auxiliary screw steamer built which could hold 300 people, called 'The Good News'.
1893
Henry Cook died in the Mission Hall in Deauville
1969
Both The Old Mission Buildings were demolished and a new building sited next to the Gosport Precinct in South Street.
 
Early Trustees
     
  William Hobbs Brewery Owner Stoke Road
  Dr Kealy  
  Messrs J & E Lapthorn Sail makers
  Mr Mumby Owner of Chemists High Street & Soda Water/Lemonade Factory
  Mr B Nicholson Head of Camper & Nicholson's Yacht Building Company
  Mr O Upfield Draper