The original Merchant Marine Officers' Association was found for the purpose of providing comfortable rooms, to enjoy the amenities of a club at moderate monthly subscription, to provide for the use of members and their guests, facilities for refreshments and recreation, a Billard Room, Library, Reading Rooms and promotion of social intercourse among certified members of the profession.

In 1912, the attention of members was drawn to the fact that the lease of club premises would expire in April-four months hence, but owing to the courtesy of the landlords, The Shanghai Land Investment Co., Ltd., the club would be permitted to stay on as tenants, but under different conditions, of these latter, one was that rent would remain unchanged for another year, following which there would be an increase of nearly Tls 200.00 per month. It was decided that, the members having full confidence in their Presdent and committee, that the matter be left entirely in their hands.
In 1925, the membership stood at 214, an increase of 30 from the previous year. In 1926, the membership was 226, referring to lease of Club premises, the President said expired at the end of April 1931, it was probable that the whole block of property of which the Club building formed part, was marked for demolition.

In 1948, China Coast Navigating and Engineer Officers' Guild was reformed and registered in Hong Kong Trade Union, it occupied a small room in Carmicheal and Clarkes Office at 21 Pedder Street, 3rd Floor. Mr John Watson, believed to be the General Secretary Pre-War in Shanghai, was General Secretary from 1945 to 1946 when Mr George Lloyd took over and remained until 1953. However, in 1950 a larger premises were obtained in King's Building, 4th floor, Connaught Road. In 1954, Mr Percy Nettle was appointed General Secretary in which capacity he served until his death in 1963 when Mr Jack Kay was appointed, it was during Jack Kay's tenure in office that the Guild's funds took a very respectable return.

It was in 1956 that King's building was pulled down and so it further moved to Union Building, 5th Floor. When Union Building was demolished to make way for Union House, (later renamed Swire House) the Guild moved to Prince's Building.

<Back Next>