As far as we are aware the Steamships “Hebrides” and “Dunara Castle” usually remain at the pier at which they happen to be, on Saturday, during the Sabbath Day, but it is possible that in their case, there are times when they sail on Sabbath afternoon to reach their next port of call that evening in order to be ready to begin to discharge their cargo early on Monday morning.
The weekly cargo steamer that plies between Glasgow and Stornoway used to sail on Sabbath in order to arrive at Portree early on Monday morning in order to be ready to discharge her cargo on Monday morning. During recent weeks this boat docked in Stornoway even before the close of the Sabbath. The mail steamer that runs between Kyle and Stornoway arrives each evening about 8 p.m. and leaves every night except Saturday night at 11 p.m. When she reaches Stornoway on Saturday all the cargo at hand is put on board, and all mails from all parts of the Island which can possibly be ready.
She lies at the pier from Saturday night till 11 p.m. on Sabbath night. The reason advanced for not postponing departure till after midnight is, that if that were done it would upset traffic between Stornoway and London. The mail steamer from Harris, N. Uist, etc., is not involved in the common encroachments on the sanctity of the Lord’s Day. As a rule she reaches Kyle in good time on Saturday and does not leave before 6 a.m. on Monday.
In connection with Sabbath sailings between Ireland and England, and Ireland and Scotland, we have investigated the following cases. The arrivals in Ireland are e.g., Waterford, 2.10 a.m. Sabbath morning, Cork, 11.20 a.m., Rosslare, 6.20 p.m., Dublin, 10.43 p.m.; all on the Sabbath. A special Saturday night service from Ireland arriving in London on Sabbath is noted. Fishguard Harbour is left at 3.55 a.m. Sabbath, arriving London 9.45 a.m. Then we note the Belfast—Liverpool service. Vessels leave Belfast 9 p.m., connecting usual Sabbath trains. Then the Liverpool—Belfast service is carried on on the same lines—leaving Liverpool 10.15 p.m. daily. Steamers leave Glasgow for Belfast 10.45 p.m. on Saturday and arrive in Belfast 8.30 a.m. on Sabbath.
Londonderry to Glasgow service—leave 7 p.m. arriving at Glasgow Sabbath morning, calling at Greenock and landing passengers.
Investigation as to Clyde sailings, L.M.S. and L.N.E.R. boats run on Sabbath during the Summer season to all ports on the Clyde and as far as Campbeltown. So far every port is open for Sabbath sailing with the exception of Tarbert, Loch Fyne, and Ardrishaig.
It is to be also noted that some of the Anchor Line Steamers are in the habit of cruising during the summer season at week-ends round the West Highland coast.
The Committee would also point out with very few exceptions pleasure yachts sail from port to port on Sabbath at the will of their owners.
It is also a common thing to go cruises on the Lord’s Day, so that the men employed on these yachts belonging to our Church are undoubtedly involved in Sabbath desecration.
The Committee cannot justify on any grounds that it is proper for shipowners on the Coastal Service of the British Isles to leave port on Saturday evenings when they know full well before hand that they are encroaching on the Lord’s Day.
It has also come to our notice through investigation that sailors employed on these steamers are in the habit of washing down decks and painting and varnishing on the pleasure boats, on the Lord’s Day. The Committee would also point out that as far as we can possibly ascertain there is no regard for the sanctity of the Lord’s Day at all, nor its claims and obligations. In fact, shipowners and their agents endeavour to have their ships sailing on the Lord’s Day on the Coastal Service in order to enable them to arrive at their port of call on Monday. It is painfully evident that shipowners whose vessels ply on the coast of Scotland, England and Ireland, with few exceptions, have no conscience for the observing of the Lord’s Day. Their main objective is their own worldly gain.
We feel most deeply for our men employed in the service of such who care nothing for the honour of God’s law, and the well-being of their servants. The Committee would solemnly and seriously advise our men and others not to seek employment in the service of such companies as disregard the claims of the Fourth Commandment—”Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”