One Firm Anchor uncovers nineteen centuries of contact between the churches and the seafarer. This extensive introductory history goes beyond anything previously written on the subject in scope and detail. Until now, much has been written of the sea, but little about the relationship of the seafarer to Christianity.

R.W.H Miller adeptly sets out the origins of seafaring mission in the Early Church and the medieval era. The early modern period is also considered, leading to a detailed exploration of the developments in the nineteenth century that saw the foundation of The Missions to Seamen, the British Sailors' Society, the Apostleship of the Sea and the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. Particular attention is given to the work of the Catholic Church during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These developments are set against the backdrop of the economic, technical, and cultural developments of each period and society.

Miller reveals the role of key figures, such as G.C. Smith, John Ashley, Francis Goldie SJ and Peter Anson, whose determination and vision instigated real change. One Firm Anchor is both a triumph of scholarship and a lively narrative of heroic ministry and (occasionally) erring clergy, and will appeal to historian, academic, and student alike.

Abbreviations used in the text
Acknowledgements
Introduction

1. The Early Church

The Medieval Scene
2. Where was the Shipping and who was at sea?
3. Devotion to the Saints
4. The Canons and Sea Codes
5. Religious Practice at Sea
6. From the Reformation to the Nineteenth Century

The Nineteenth Century
7. The Nineteenth Century Revival
8. Early Anglican Societies
9. The Church Congresses
10. The Missions to Seamen
11. St Andrew's Waterside Church Mission
12. The Gibraltar Mission to Seamen
13. American Work
14. The Religious Orders
15. Work among Fishermen

Nineteenth Century Catholic Work
16. Fr Goldie SJ and the CTS
17. The Work for Catholic Bluejackets
18. The Œuvres de Mer

Twentieth Century Catholic Work
19. Catholic Work 1900-14
20. Peter F. Anson
21. Catholic Work after Anson
22. Conclusion

Bibliography

   Introduction » (PDF, 124 KB)
   Chapter 1: The Early Church » (PDF, 158 KB)
   Chapter 7: The Nineteenth Century Revival » (PDF, 215 KB)

Currently a Catholic Priest in the west of England, Robert Miller has been a long-time student of Maritime Social History and member of the Society for Nauthical Research and the International Maritime Economic History Association. He has worked for both the Missions to Seaman and the Apostleship of the Sea. He is the author of Priest in Deep Water (2010), also published by the Lutterworth Press.

"This extensive introductory history goes beyond anything previously written on the subject in scope and detail. … One Firm Anchor demonstrates that maritime history is more than the study of seas and ships, and that religious practices of the men on board represented an integral part of life at sea."
Catholic Southwest, November 2012

"This very meticulously researched work by Fr Miller should be a welcome addition to the library of historians and theologicians and also to some general 'maritime' readers ... This book is by no means a light read but should in time become a definitive work on the subject, making Fr. Miller a very worthy successor to the late Fr. Philip Caraman SJ ..."
Primrose Peacock, in Unity Magazine, No 147

"The pick of the new releases."
The Church of England Newspaper, No 6172, April 14, 2013