IN continuation of the Wreck Chart for 1852, issued with our January number of last year, we now present our readers with that for the following year, 1853. In glancing over the borders of the Chart, and observing the black dots which fringe it, the terrible realities of shipwrecks are vividly brought before the imagination; and the stoutest heart can hardly remain unmoved in contemplating such a frightful destruction of life as their number implies.

We cannot put a price on human life—it is invaluable; but in regard to the ships and cargoes thus annually destroyed, we can make some approximation as to their value.

It is calculated that between two and three millions of pounds sterling are absolutely lost from shipwrecks every year on the coasts of the United Kingdom. We believe that, by the adoption of systematic and judicious precautionary measures a large proportion of this destruction of valuable property might be prevented. It is true that every British ship, according to law, must carry boats and other apparatus, although inadequate in amount and character, for the " preservation of life from shipwreck;" but we all know, from sad experience, that neither the boats nor the other machinery are often available for service when the terrible emergency occurs.

There is no use disguising the fact, that the whole system of making provision for saving life from shipwreck is regarded both by seaman and passenger at least with indifference, if not as a source of annoyance. Until, therefore, people are made more sensible of their duty, both to themselves and others, we can hardly hope for any amendment.

We cannot rest satisfied without raising our warning voice against this dereliction of duty, and drawing attention to the incalculable amount of misery inflicted by such disasters, not only on the poor creatures themselves who are the victims, but also on their widows, orphans, and other relatives.

We trust that by greatly increasing the number of life-boats on the coast, this evil will hereafter be materially lessened. To accomplish this laudable object, we invite the co-operation of all whom Providence has blessed with the means of relieving, by their contributions, the sufferings of their fellow-creatures; for by such timely assistance, a life-boat may be placed on a dangerous spot which otherwise might remain unattended to, for the lack of funds.

In our observations on the Admiralty Register of Wrecks for 1853, in our last number, we entered fully into the statistics connected with the Wreck Chart appended to that return, of which the annexed chart is a copy; it is, therefore, unnecessary to do more here than to repeat the summary which precedes the register, and which will fully explain the nature of the casualties so strikingly depicted on the chart.

The wrecks on the coasts and in the seas of the United Kingdom in, the year 1853, were 832, which may be thus classed:— Totally wrecked 369 Totally lost in collision . . . 52 Damaged seriously, and had to discharge . . . . . . . 386 Damaged seriously in collision . 25 The number of casualties in each month were :— 1853. — January, 106; February, 91; March, 52; April, 78; May, 41; June, 26 ; July, 45; August, 33; September, 70 October, 96; November, 71; December 123 ; total, 832.—Total lives lost, 989, Although this number is large, yet it is satisfactory to know that it is considerably less than that of the preceding year, as will be observed from the following summary attached to the Admiralty Register of Wrecks for that year:— 1852.—January, 126; February, 77; March, 32; April, 44; May, 41; June, 29 ; July, 18; August, 42; September, 85; October, 164; November, 189; December, 268; total, 1,115.—Total lives lost, 920.