Savannah: A Sailor's Home Away From Home

International Seaman's House in Savannah

Savannah has always been one of the great port cities of the United States. Georgia being one of the original thirteen colonies Savannah has one of the oldest and grandest maritime histories. Therefore they have always been concerned with the many sailors who enter their port from all over the world. One of the most important maritime organizations is the Propeller Club. The national organization was established in 1923 in New York City. Savannah’s Propeller Club was founded in 1933.
 
The Propeller Club is the group that every year celebrates National Maritime Day. They give out at least three scholarships a year to local high schoolers. The annual scholarships are given to students in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation programs and to other college students from the area obtaining a degree and seeking a career in the Maritime Industry.
 
Each month they sponsor luncheons featuring a guest speaker and have an annual meeting for the State of the Port Address co-sponsored by the Georgia Ports Authority. They have erected the Anchor Monument on River Street in honor of sailors who have either died at sea around Savannah or have died while in town. They also erected the Maritime Monument that features a replica of the US Steamship Savannah.
 
The Propeller Club is a sponsor of one of Savannah’s oldest ministries to sailors: the International Seamen’s House. There were two early versions of a home for sailors away from home. The first was Penfield’s Mariner’s church, started in 1831 when local blacksmith Josiah Penfield donated money. (Penfield would also give $2500 to help start Mercer University.) The Church was located on Bay St., a prominent feature was a scaled-down ship with full rigging set into the brick wall of the building, just above the door. It was in operation for 12 years.
 
After Penfield’s bequest was used up several churches formed the Savannah Port Society to continue its ministries. The first meeting was held at Independent Presbyterian Church on November 21, 1843. In 1850 the Savannah Port Society opened a sailors’ boarding house. It opened a new Seamen’s Home in 1898 at 307 E. St. Julian St. They later moved to 205 E. Bay St., from 1953 to 1965. In 1965 the present International Seamen’s House and Chapel were dedicated. In 2013 the Seamen’s House helped out a total of 8,275 seamen.

The Propeller Club continues organizing the maritime community in meeting the needs of sailors and to promote the maritime activity in Savannah. 

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Savannah's Monument to Famous Ships of Savannah

Stained Glass Window in Chapel of Seaman's House

Anchor Monument on River Street dedicated to those lost at sea near Savannah