|
There is unsubstantiated evidence that the
"Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners" was established early in the 18th
Century and records show that in 1772 a Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Masonry was
reconstituted. From 1800 meetings of the Ark Mariner Degree were held under
the sanction of Craft Lodges or more rarely the Knight’s Templar. However,
in 1871 the protection and control of the Degree was undertaken by the Grand
Lodge of Mark Master Masons. From 1871 the Royal Mariner Degree made steady,
if unspectacular, progress. Between 1871 and 1879 twenty lodges received
warrants and in the following 20 years twenty seven others followed. At the
present time there are 739 active lodges in England and Wales and 130 in the
"Districts and Territories Overseas".
In England, all Royal Ark Mariner lodges
must be attached to a Mark Lodge and bear its number. It has also been laid
down that a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge must use the same name as its parent
Mark Lodge, except in very unusual cases. In 1967 the Grand Master’s Royal
Ark Council decided that brethren should be able to receive Provincial and
Grand Ranks which are along the same lines as London Grand Rank in the
Craft.
As would be expected the ceremony is built
around the Great Flood, Noah’s family and the Ark. Although the ceremony
is short it fulfils the canon of the genuine Initiation Rite and its
symbolism is worthy of study. When fully understood it captures the hearts
of its members as one of the jewels of Masonic Ritual.
|
|
Founded
1975
3rd Monday
Feb, SEP,
Nov.
 |
