When is Plimsoll Day?
Friday February 10thEvery year on February 10th, Plimsoll Day honors Samuel Plimsoll. The Englishman was a politician and social reformer who is credited with making ships safer. He was a politician and social reformer who is credited with making ships safer.
Samuel Plimsoll was born in Bristol, England, on February 10th, 1824. Plimsoll, a young adult who lived in poverty at one time, dedicated his life to helping the homeless. In 1867, he became a Member of Parliament (MP). He dedicated himself to making ships safer for their crews. Shipping was the most common method to move products at this time. It was also very risky. Shipowners routinely put the crews in risk by overloading the ships, putting them in jeopardy. These ships were designated as coffin ships because they claimed the lives of so many sailors.
Members of wealthy ship merchants often stifled Plimsoll's bills in Parliament. Those who were wealthy ship merchants often stifled the bills. Our Seaman: An Appeal was published in 1872 by the artist. Plimsoll achieved his aim two years ago when Parliament passed the Unseaworthy Ships Bill. Ship owners were encouraged to place a special mark on the side of the ships under this bill. If this line fell below the waterline, it meant the ship was overloaded. This mark was first identified as the Plimsoll line. Plimsoll is a form of irony. This simple device is said to save 22 lives every day.
Plimsoll served as honorary president of the National Sailors' and Fireman's Union following his time in Parliament. He paid attention to the horrors of cattle ships as an honorary president. The animals were transported on these ships in overcrowded conditions.
How to celebrate #plimsolday on #plimsollday.
