Source 6a

Letter from a clerk at Cardiff Town to the Home Office about lodging houses in Cardiff, 21 April 1921. Catalogue ref: HO 45/11897/332087

Transcript

City Hall, Cardiff.

 

21st April, 1921.

 

Sir,

 

My Authority have received a report from the Inspector of Lodging Houses to the following effect, viz:-

 

“I beg to draw the attention of the Committee to the serious congestion at present existing in the Seamen’s Lodging Houses in the City. Some of the houses are full, but most of them are overcrowded. This is caused principally by the fact that very little trade is done in shipping at the Docks. I am also informed that many of these men are paid off in foreign ports and are not allowed to remain there and take their chance of signing on another ship; they pay their passage across to this country, and when they land here they have very little money on them. They cannot get away again owing to the stagnant state of trade at the Docks.”

 

The following statement shows the licensed Seamen’s Lodging Houses which are overcrowded, viz:-

 

Date

 

 

Situation of House Nationality No. of persons licenced for. No. of persons in house. HO Inspector Report. [handwritten]
13.4.21 38 Maria St Arab 9 38 40
13.4.21 1&2 Maria St Arab 10 24 38 + 1
13.4.21 224 Bute St Arab 18 40 73
13.4.21 220 Bute St Japanese 18 36 80
12.4.21 215 Bute St Arab 34 72 75
13.4.21 234 Bute St Portuguese 14 17 17
15.4.21 268 Bute St Arab 13 50 66
15.4.21 24 Bute St Maltese 10 19 19
14.4.21 223 Bute St Arab 20 52 63
14.4.21 156 Bute St Arab 10 41 45
14.4.21 161 Bute St Maltese 29 34 55
14.4.21 185 Bute St Arab 18 45 72
15.4.21 18 & 19 Angelina St Arab 17 29 24
15.4.21 16 Maria St Arab 6 7 17
15.4.21 26 Maria St Arab 5 17 20
15.4.21 24 Maria St Arab 7 9 14
15.4.21 23 Loudoun Squ Russian/ Finn 8 12 12
15.4.21 52 Loudoun Squ West African 15 37 28
17.4.21 43 Loudoun Sq British 9 23 23
17.4.21 11 Frances Str West African 9 17 19
17.4.21 4&5 Maria Street Egyptians & Arabs 15 16 27
18.4.21 11 West Church St Arab 8 72 16
303 707 840

 

The following places are also being kept open during the night shelter, viz:-

 

The Seamen’s Mission at the entrance to the West Dock, from 100 to 150 are accommodated there every night.

 

The Fennish Mission, Hannah Street. There were 18 men sleeping there on the 17.4.21.

 

The John Cory’s Sailors and Soldier’s Rest, Bute Street. There were 16 men sleeping there on 17.4.21.

 

I am desired by my Authority to draw the serious attention of His Majesty’s Government hereto and to point out that the Boarding House Keepers state that they are unable to keep these Seamen any longer without payment. The position here is, therefore, very serious, and likely to become more so.

 

I am to ask that instructions be given so that those who are not British Subjects may be either repatriated forthwith, or accommodated in a concentration camp.

 

I shall be glad to hear from you.

 

I am Sir,

 

Your obedient Servant,

 

Cecil G. Brown

 

TOWN CLERK.

 

« Return to 1919 race riots

Look at source 6a.

  1. Why is trade at the dockyard described as ‘stagnant’ in 1921?
  2. Why does the writer suggest that overcrowded lodging houses is a ‘serious’ issue?
  3. What possible consequences could he be referring to if matters are not resolved?
  4. How many of these men could claim to be British?
  5. What do the following suggestions for non-British Subjects mean? a) Repatriation (b) Accommodated in a concentration camp