ANCIENT CEREMONY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1928, Page 7

ANCIENT CEREMONY

“ WEDDED TO THE SEA.”

The most striking event in Lvcrpool’s Civic Week celebrations took place on September 25th, when the Venetian custom as revived and the city was wedded to the sea. Before this ceremony, men from the Royal Naval Reserve and the large shipping companies, cadets fro mthe Couwav. and hoys from the training ship Indefatigable and the Lancashire seat.raing homes marched in procession from the pier-head through crowded streets to the St. George’s Hall plateau where a civic reception had been formed.

In the march to the Mersey’s naval men and territorial troops led the way. and at the rear of the procession was a lifeboat, drawn by six corporation horses. The “wedding ring” carried by two Conway cadets, preceded tbc civic regalia, and a large laurel wrentb was carried in the prow of the lifeboat.

At the pier-head another procession was formed by Dock Board workers, seamen, I lie police hand, and 300 children, who sang sea chanties and civic songs. A platform had been erected on the river wall opposite the Dock Board offices, and it was here that the symbolic ceremony took place. Mr E. Cook, of the Dock Board, said that it was really not a wedding ceremony, for Liverpool had been wedded to the son ever since whatever land thoro might have been between it and America, foundered and left a vast, nnehartered ocean. That day’s ceremony "'as a renewal <>l vows. Sir Archibald iSalvidge said the sea hand enabled Liverpool to grow from a lim fishing haven to a port, ol worldwide renown, and the sea would enable Liverpool to make an ever-growng contribution to the sum total of human happiness and wealth. As Venice was sovereign of the Adriatic, so Li\eipool’s sovereignity over those northern waters was unquestionable. The people of Liverpool had revived the anc[ent symbolism of Venice to express their own gratitude to and love for the sea and tlier hopes and aspirations. He proceeded:—“ To t ( >h°" of our association with the river, and as a, sign of our partnership with the sea, T now throw this ring into the waters of the Mersey.” These words said. Sir Archibald Salvidge committed the ring to the water. It _ "'as eight inches in diameter, and weighed 101 b. being made of bronze with a gold covering.

The Lord Mayor, Miss Heaven, east the laurel wreath into the river “in memory of those who in the great deep;” “Last Post”, was sounded; the Bishop of Warrington dedicated the river to Liverpool’s service; the people sang “Eternal Lather, Strong to Save;” and the bishop pronounced the benediction ; and the ceicinony ended with the National Anthem.