Prince of Wales Seaman's club to celebrate 100 years this year

For seafarers of any religion or of none A haven of peace in which to meditate or to pray reads a wooden board inside the clerestoried St Nicholas Chapel in The Prince of Wales Seamans Club in Ballard EstateThe plaque at the entrance of the club The rooftop verandah It overlooks the surrounding Mangaloretiled roofscape and itrsquos unbelievable that Mumbai has such diverse and distinct buildings says Vikas Dilawari PicsDhara Vora SabhnaniThe chapel was built as an annexe with the Club in gratitude of the officers and men who served the mercantile marine during World War I Today the chapel is hardly used says Orville DSouza assistant manageraccountant as we admire the original stained glass at the centre Plaques remind one of engineers and marines who lost their lives at seaThe cafeteria is open to publicA few old records of baptisms and other events are locked in a cupboard that also stores metal relics Except for these documents most old records of the building were lost to Mumbais rains shares Captain Nand Hiranandani The softspoken septuagenarian is the honorary secretary of Royal Bombay Seamens Society that manages the club and its administration Capt Hiranandani has also been the chairman of the society and is the present chairman of The National Union of Seafarers of India NUSIITF welfare trustBeer bar for seafarersIn addition to the water damage the Grade II A heritage building the foundation stone for which was laid by Lord Willingdon of Ratton on April 30 1918 is also facing hutment encroachment and harassment from the dwellers But the good news is that plans are underway to restore the building Capt Hiranandani is in talks with international organisations for funds and has appointed conservation architect Vikas Dilawari to oversee the project as an external consultantIts more of a Renaissance Revivalist building made using local stone having rusticated masonry on the ground floor a noticeable semicircular balconet serving as a porch and mansardtype unique gables The restoration project will be more of a preventive correctional and maintenance measure elaborates DilawariAn old photo of the clubIn addition to the sunlit verandah with the wooden arches the building which was opened by The Prince of Wales on November 20 1921 has various other unique sections a dancing hall in the annexe which used to host live bands a cosy bar with subsidised alcohol where we see mariners downing local beer and chomping on chicken lollypops a billiards and TV room a library gym and a cafeteria which is open to the public during lunch hoursA lecternStained glass panelMetal relics in the chapelThe land for the building was allotted by the Church of North IndiaUnlike the seamans hostels in Masjid Bunder the Club is open to women seafarers and has family rooms too Capt Hiranandani himself resides in the building with his wife and pet dog Interestingly the club was only meant for nonIndians till 1950s Today the Club can accommodate 153 people and tariffs start as low as Rs 220Captain Nand HiranandaniAfter World War I there was a lot of heart for the merchant seamen they didnt have armaments but were still attacked This has served as a welfare centre for seafarers of all ranks and nationalities its their home away from home smiles Capt HiranandaniVISITING TIME 9 am to 5 pm 1 pm on weekendsAT Kamani Marg Ballard EstateLOG ON TO seaclubinA hub at the docksWhen the shipping industry was at its peak the passenger ships that would dock at Ballar Pier Mole station and container ships at other docks brought in many seafarers This traffic has drastically reduced today says historian Deepak RaoCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates