Samuel Plimsoll white plaque

This white commemorative plaque records: Samuel Plimsoll 1824-1898 Samuel Plimsoll was a politician and social reformer. He is widely known for the introduction of the 'Plimsoll Line', a sign on ships which indicates the safe limit to which they can be loaded. He had seen how countless sailors' lives were being lost in overloaded 'coffin ships' and was determined to change this. As a Member of Parliament. he eventually succeeded in getting agreement for the loadline, despite opposition from wealthy ship owners. Samuel Plimsoll lived in Folkestone in the last years of his life and is buried in St Martin's Churchyard, Cheriton.

Samuel Plimsoll was a British politician and social reformer who significantly improved maritime safety by introducing the 'Plimsoll Line' on ships to prevent overloading, thereby saving countless sailors’ lives.