Plimsoll, Samuel (1824-1898), was a British coal merchant and member of Parliament who won fame because of his interest in the welfare of sailors. During the 1800’s and earlier, the dangerous overloading of cargo ships for extra profit was commonplace in the United Kingdom. Plimsoll helped introduce a Merchant Shipping Bill to prevent this abuse (see Plimsoll mark ). In 1875, Plimsoll led a violent protest against shipping owners who opposed his bill. In 1876, the bill became law as the Merchant Shipping Act. Plimsoll became known as “the Sailors’ Friend.”
Plimsoll was born on Feb. 10, 1824, in Bristol. He helped organize the Great Exhibition of 1851 and began work as a coal merchant in 1853. He served as a member of Parliament for Derby from 1868 to 1880. He died on June 3, 1898.
