The page 1 editorial, under the heading "Visit of HRH Prince Albert to the Town and Port of Liverpool" reflected on the English national characteristic of benevolence and giving to charity, but elsewhere in the publication it seems no detail of the visit was overlooked.

When Prince Albert arrived at Lime Street station at 11.30am on Thursday 30 July he was received by the Mayor before being taken to the Judges House in St Anne Street and then on to the Town Hall for a presentation of dignatories. Next stop was the Egremont Pier where he embarked on the Royal Yacht and entered the Albert Dock (which he was there to formally open) by the north entrance. He disembarked on the east side of the dock and retired to a warehouse room for "déjeuner" before returning to the Judges House. In the evening dinner, hosted by the Mayor, was in the Town Hall.

The following day's programme, published over the name of the Town Clerk, William Shuttleworth, was as follows:

"Friday 31^st July. At half-past nine o'clock am a procession will be formed in the North Haymarket, to accompany his Royal Highness to lay the foundation stone of the Sailors' Home. The procession being formed, will file into St Anne Street in the following order: Fire Policemen, 25. Band. Blue Coat Boys, 250. Band. Rechabites, 600. Band. Druids, 1000. Band. Odd Fellows, 1000. Band. Coopers and Blockmakers, 750. Band. Masons, 1000. Band. Carpenters, 1500. Band. Sailors, 300. Total, 6,925. Sailors' Home Committee. Trowel. Free Masons. Corporation. Regalia. Mayor. PRINCE. Fire Police.

"At eleven o'clock, the procession will start from the Judges House and proceed to the Sailors' Home (route details given).

"The persons forming the procession, and preceeding the sailors, will form within the barriers round the sight (sic) of the Sailors' Home, and the gentlemen accompanying them, the freemasons, members of the council and magistrates of the borough, will file into the area of the site, and respectively take the positions assigned to them.

"His Royal Highness will be conducted to his place by the Mayor. After the preliminary proceedings by the officers of the freemasons, the trowel will be presented to his Royal Highness by the Chairman of the Sailors' Home committee, and his Royal Highness will then lay the first stone of the Liverpool Sailors' Home.

"A prayer will be offered by the Rev J Brooks AM, senior rector of Liverpool.

"After the ceremony, his Royal Highness will return to the Judges House, and at twenty minutes before four o'clock proceed to the railway station, in Lime Street, and take his departure for London."

A detailed description of the trowel used in the ceremony is also given:

"The trowel used by his Royal Highness is made of silver, richly gilt and ornamental, with gold and enamel, the shield at the top of the handle contains the arms of his Royal Highness enamelled on gold in proper colour; on the centre oval is represented a ship in dock, in gold and blue enamel; on the lower shield is an anchor in gold on blue enamel. The handle itself is a beautiful specimen of modelled scroll work, and is surrounded by the crown of his Royal Highness in gold and enamel, resting on a crimson enamelled cushion. The base of the trowel is a perfect model of the stern of a ship, with quarter deck, men at the wheels, canon etc. The flags representing white ensigns are appropriately and beautifully enamelled on gold. The blade, which is of a graceful form, is surrounded with a raised scroll border, and contains in the upper part an engraving of the proposed building, and under it the following inscription: "Presented to Field Marshall his Royal Highness the Prince Albert etc on the occasion of his laying the first stone of the Liverpool Sailors' Home, July 31^st, 1846." On the back of the blade, and occupying the whole space of the bottom, is a view of Liverpool, most elaborately and beautifully engraved, showing the town, docks, shipping etc, including a very faithful representation of the Fairy tender, sent down for the use of his Royal Highness. This beautiful work of art has been executed by Mr Dismore, of Bold Street, Liverpool."

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