Excerpt from The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond: A Memoir of Its Origin, History, and Functions

This disposal of accruing surplus continued until 1853, by which time - occasional reservation Of dues notwithstanding - the allowance to out-pensioners alone amounted to upwards of per annum in addition to which nearly half as much more Of income, derived from property held in trust for charitable purposes, was applied to maintenance of the Almshouses at Deptford and mile-end (152 in number), and to other charitable uses for the benefit of the Maritime community.

But a Department thus honourably distinguished, and charged not only with administration of important public duties, but with disposal of increasing trusts, was naturally exposed, as all public bodies are to some extent, to the concomitant evils of jealousy and insufficient knowledge of facts. Set upon a hill - in other than the palpable sense* - the Trinity House could hardly expect, and has not uninterruptedly enjoyed, exemption from adverse criticism and even hostile attack. The Brethren have had to sustain several searching inquiries into their affairs and management, before Committees Of the House Of Commons, the most important of which were in 17 32, 1822, 1834, 1845, and 1858. The two first were directed more particularly to the Pilotage systems, and the latter to management of Lights, Buoys, and Beacons; but from each and all Of these ordeals the Corporation has issued with extended authority, and creditable verdicts upon its past course of action, and save one exceptional subtraction from its means of usefulness - confirmed and strengthened in its powers. It must not be supposed here that the writer deprecates such inquiries. On the contrary, he has, in common with his Brethren, cheerfully recognised their value and usefulness - especially as regards the last one, from whose evidence undoubted good has arisen.

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