THE Annual Wreck Register has made its appearance in the midst of two calamities which are nearly overpowering iN their vastness and destructiveness. The war which rages with such fearful havoc on the Continent of Europe, and the foundering of H.M.S. Captain in the Bay of Biscay, are amongst the disasters that will here- after make the autumn of 1870 memorable in the history of the world.

War is, indeed, a terrible waste of all that binds together our sympathies and aiiec- tions; but calamities like those of the Cap- tain, which overtake us without warning, can be more easily borne with patience and resignation because we know that they have been inflicted by no earthly and transitory Emperor or king. Moreover, the loss of ;he Captain, in conjunction with that of ;he steamer Cambria on the Irish coast on the night of the 20th Oct., with the sacrifice t is believed of 170 lives, are some of hose fearful incidents which, by their ap- alling character, seem quite to overpower or the moment the daily and bloody re- cords of the war.

These distressing reflections almost unfit he mind for a calm consideration of the 2,114 shipwrecks, with the lamentable loss of 933 human lives, which took place amidst the gales of last year on our coasts.

However, as there is a bright side to :very picture, so, in regard to the records f this Wreck Register, we find that by means of the boats of the NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION, the rocket apparatus of lie Board of Trade, andt various other effec- ive means, 5,121 lives were saved last ear from various shipwrecks on our shores.

Our profound conviction is, that there no greater valour displayed on the battle-fields of France in destroying human life, than in the heroism which is displayed by our life-boatmen throughout the dark hours of stormy nights, in saving human life. Take the following, amongst scores of others, as an illustration of our re- mark :— " The ship Queen of the Tyne was totally wrecked on the Gorton Sands, off the Suffolk coast, during a gale from S.W.

and heavy sea on the 29th Jan. The Lowestoft life-boat of the NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION put off and found the vessel on her beam-ends, with the crew in the rigging. From the position in which she lay it was a work of great risk to board her, she being on the most dangerous part of the sand, and the seas being very heavy.

However, the rescue was nobly and safely accomplished, the 8 men being taken into the boat from the main-top-gallant-yard, which at times it was feared would have gone through her, as she and the vessel rose and fell together. It was a most narrow escape for the poor shipwrecked men, for they would probably all have been lost as the flood-tide made, had not the life-boat gone oat to them." As briefly as we can, we shall now pro- ceed with our analysis of the Wreck Regis- ter now in course of publication.

We find, as we have before remarked, that during last year 2,114 wrecks and casualties, including collisions, occurred on the shores of Great Britain, accompanied by the loss of 933 lives.

This is indeed a large number, but when it is remembered, that in the course of one year, about 400,000 vessels, having a tonnage of 70,000,000, entered inwards .and cleared outwards from British ports; and that our commerce continues to in- crease; it is a cause of thankfulness that our coasts are not visited with more wrecks than even the large number already men- tioned. As it is, however, such casual- ties are of daily occurrence, and indeed so frequent are they, that their terrible con- sequences can hardly be fully realized.

Still in how many a home must they be painfully felt, for almost every one of us has some relatives or friends connected with the sea.

The Register tells us that 2,594 ships were lost or damaged in the 2,114 casual- ties reported last year, representing a ton- nage of 537,605, and employing 22,579 hands : in 1868 there were 2,131 vessels thus affected. Inasmuch as in cases of collisions, there must necessarily be more than one ship engaged, the number of vessels is in excess of the total number of disasters reported — each case of collision being only reckoned in the Register as one disaster.

This Wreck Register is the twentieth annual one issued — the first one having been prepared in 1850. Unfortunately some of the earlier returns are not so perfect as could be wished, and it is believed, that in the years 1855 to 1858, inclusive, all the wrecks may not have been reported, as the machinery had not then been organized so as to admit of the accuracy which this care- fully-arranged document presents, now that it is made up from official and reliable returns.

On dividing these returns into four periods of five years each, the following Table gives the average of wrecks reported since 1850 :— 660 1850 „-, 972 Average 832 987' 1,141, 1,153 l,143U)itto 1,170) 1,416) 1,3791 1,494 1.488 Ditto 1,664 1,390' 1,656 1,860 2,090 1,747 2,114 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1,893 Ditto 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 A glance at this Table shows that in proyiortion as the number of our ships has augmented, the number of wrecks has been steadily increasing; and it is also at once apparent that last year the number reported is in excess of the average of all previous years of which we have a reliable record—it being 367 more than in 1868, and 221 above the average for the past five years.

It is worthy of remark that 1866 and 1867 show the next highest number of wrecks noted; but in respect to that fact it should be mentioned, as indicative of the bad weather experienced in 1866 (which was the year when the London was wrecked in the Bay of Biscay, and the year when so many shipwrecks occurred in Torbay), that 926 disasters happened when the wind was blowing at force 9 (a strong gale) and upwards. The following year (1867) we were also visited with heavy gales in six months of the year; and in one storm, which lasted from the 1st to the 3rd Dec., no less than 326 vessels were lost or damaged, 319 lives being unfortunately lost from them 1 It is interesting to observe the varying number of shipwrecks which happened in each month of last year, and we therefore append a Table showing this, annexing also a column in which we have shown from what quarter the principal gales blew during such periods :— • Number of Wrecks.

216 245 227 88 78 75 57 70 237 333 182 306 Chief Winds in January .

February March .

April May . .

June . .

July . .

August .

September October .

November December Total.

each Month.

S., & S.S.W.

S.W., & W.S.W.

N.E., & N.N.E.

S.W.

E.S.E., & E.N.E.

N.N.E., & N.E.

S.W., & W.S.W.

S.W., & N.W.

W.N.W., & S.W.

N., &N.N..W.

N.W., & W.N.W.

S.W., & S.S.W.

2,114 The most destructive gale in 1869 was the northerly one experienced on the 19th October.

As regards the nationalities of the vessels wrecked on our shores during the past year, 2,163 of them were British and 387 foreign ships; while the country and employment of 44 are unknown. In classifying the voyages of the vessels, it is seen that 663 British ships were foreign going; and that of the foreigners, 298 were making voyages to or from the United Kingdom; 46 were passing our shores, and 28 were employed in our coasting-trade. The remaining 1,559 ships were engaged in the coasting-trade of the United Kingdom, with the exception of those whose country and employment are unknown.

The number of collisions last year was 461; and of the 1,653 wrecks and casualties other than collisions, 606 were total wrecks, and 1,047 were disasters causing partial damage more or less serious. In the pre- vious year (1868) there were 1,368 wrecks and casualties other than collisions; while in 1867 the number was 1,676, or more than had been reported in any previous year since 1858.

Taking the average for the past fourteen years, including 1869, the number is, for wrecks resulting in total losses other than collisions, 484; and for similar casualties resulting in partial damage, 719; while, as we have just said, the number for the past year is 606 for total losses, and 1,047 for partial damage irrespective of colli- sions.

The accompanying new and enlarged Wreck Chart of the British Isles for the year 1869, enables the reader at a glance to fix on the position of each of last year's wrecks—every black dot on that chart repre- sents such a casualty, while the several life- boat stations of the noble fleet belonging to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION are also .clearly indicated by a characteristic emblem.

It will be observed that very few parts of the coast are without the melancholy round ' wreck' dots; but happily it is also notice- able that the ' life-boat's' mark is now to be found in large numbers on the Chart.

We now turn to the ages of the different wrecked vessels, as far as the same were known. For 1869 it is as follows :— Vessels.

Under 3 years ....

3 and not exceeding 7 years . . 198 . . 406 10 14 20 30 40 50 60 90 100 8 11 15 21 31 41 51 61 91 Unknown . . 218 . . 308 . . 314 . . 436 . . 229 . . 112 . . 53 . . 32 . . 2 . . 286 Total . . . 2,594

A. noticeable feature of this list is, that ships comparatively new are lost in greater proportion than those which are old. Thus we find that up to fourteen years 1,130 were lost, and from fifteen to thirty there were 750, while there were 341 old ships between thirty and fifty, and 87 very old ships, one of which was 94, and another nearly a hundred years old! The last named vessel was a collier, and it had seven persons on board when it was wrecked, one of whom only was saved.

We have repeatedly, through the medium of this Journal, strongly called attention to the terribly rotten state of many of the ships above twenty years old; in too many instances, on such vessels getting ashore, their crews perish before there is any possi- bility of getting out the life-boat from the shore to their help.

From a Table giving the localities of the wrecks, we have compiled, on an admirable plan suggested by HENRY jEfjiA, Esq., the Honorary Secretary of the Statistical Committee of Lloyd's, the following particulars, giving the average percentages of the disasters according to the different parts of the coasts of the United Kingdom on which they happened :— Ports of the Coastt. Per Cenlsge EAST COAST: Dungeness to Duncansby Head (inclusive) . 56-30 WEST COAST: Land's End to Mull of Canty re (inclusive) 23-41 SOUTH COAST: Dungeness to Land's,End : (exclusive) 10-OS IRISH COAST 7-00 North and West Coasts of Scotland, from the Mull of Cantyre to Duncansby Head; including the Northern Islands, Hebrides, May, Orkney, Shetland, &c. 1 • 84 Isle of Man, Seilly Islands, and Lundy Island 1-37 100- As usual, the largest number of wrecks occurred on the east coast, although the loss of life was not greatest there. The largest loss of life, during the ten years ending in 1869, was in the Irish Sea and on its coasts.

Owing to the admirable and detailed man- ner in which the Register is worked out, we are enabled to denote the mode in which the different wrecks were rigged. Thus we find that of those which happened in 1868 98 were fitted as ships, 192 were steam- vessels, 706 schooners, 468 brigs, 327 barques, 265 brigantines, and 178 smacks, the remainder being mostly smaller craft, rigged in various ways. Schooners and brigs, as usual, furnish the greatest number of wrecks, that being the ordinary class of rig of our coasting-vessels.

The Table which distinguishes the wrecks in 1869, according to the force of the wind when they happened, is a highly instructive one. It is as follows:— : Vessels.

Force of Wind.

19 28 100 30 178 220 262 n 63 Calm .............

Light air. Just sufficient to give steerage way.

, . , . . 1 With which a / Light breeze I ship with all t«m 1 1 to 2 knots.

Gentle breeze set aua dean I 3 to 4 knots.

Moderate breeze M1' ™pa «° in I 5 to 6 knots.

} smooth water I Fresh breeze N /'Royals, ic. .

Strong breeze / I Single reefs & e . . sas .

J Double reefs 4 1 jib . . .

I Triple reefs, (tc / In which she I T. G. sails Moderate gale I could just J Double reefs 4 {• carry Fresh gale I going free Strong gale I / Close reefs & J courses. .

Whole gale, in which she could just bear close 15? 39 HI 109 I 2,114 reefed main-topsail and reefed ioresail . .

Storm. Under storm staysail .....

Hurricane. Under bare poles .....

Unknown ...........

Total . . .

This reveals the remarkable fact that no less than 177 wrecks happened when the wind was either perfectly calm, or at most there was not more than a gentle breeze blowing, and that 660 vessels were lost in moderate, fresh, and strong breezes.

We notice that of the 606 total wrecks during the past year on our shores, not counting collisions, 74 arose from defects in the ships or their equipments, such as imperfect charts, compasses, &c.,—45 of them, indeed being caused by absolute unseaworthiness—80 occurred through the fault of those on board; 71 parted their cables, or dragged their anchors, and went on shore; 57 were lost from damage to hull or the loss of masts, yards, or sails; 119 foundered, 3 capsized j and the rest were wrecked in various other ways.

It is a lamentable fact that, irrespective of collisions, 154 vessels should thus have been totally lost in one year, we fear, in too NOVEMBER 1,1870.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

551 many instances, through the short-comings of man, attended, as these disasters too frequently were, with a deplorable loss of life.

And as regards those casualties, 1,047 in number, classed as " partial losses other than collisions," it appears that 156 of them were caused by carelessness, and 72 by defects in the ships or their gear; and, taking the record of the past ten years, we grieve to say that 3,249 vessels were either totally or partially lost from such really preventible causes in that period; and the loss of life in such cases must, of course, have been truly alarming.

We moreover find that 571 vessels were wrecked last year that were under the com- mand of masters who held certificates of com- petency ; and that in 264 cases the masters held certificates of service; while the large number of 1,135 were lost which were under the command of persons who were not legally compelled—as most assuredly they should have been—to possess such certificates of competency, besides 389 that had foreign masters not holding British certificates. In 235 cases it is not known whether or not the masters held certifi- cates.

On analysing the tonnage of the vessels lost last year, it proves to be as follows:— Vessels.

462 616 996 371 73 49 25 2 Vessels under 50 Tons 51 and under 100 101 „ 300 301 „ 600 601 „ 900 901 „ 1200 1201 and upwards Unknown ....

Total . . . 2,594 As respects cargoes, it seems that 691 were laden colliers, 183 colliers in ballast, 139 vessels having metallic ores on board, 187 with stone ores, &c., 153 were fishing- smacks, and 1,241 were ships with other cargoes or in ballast.

As usual the ships of the collier-class employed in the regular carrying-trade have suffered severely; they numbered 1,200, or about half the whole body of ships to which accidents happened during the year.

Thus it is, in a great measure, that so many casualties occur on our coasts, for such is the notoriously ill-found and unsea- worthy manner in which these vessels are sent on their voyages, that in every gale— even if it be one of a moderate character only—it becomes a certainty that numbers of them will be destroyed, as will be seen from the fact that 844 of them were lost in 1864; 934 in 1865; 1,150 in 1866; 1,215 in 1867; 1,014 in 1868; and 1,200 in 1869—or 6,357 in six years.

It is overwhelming to contemplate the loss of life from these, in too many instances, avoidable wrecks.

Turning now to the cases of collisions at sea off our coasts, which are often of a very distressing character, the number reported last year, as we have before observed, is 461; and of these 148 occurred in the day- time and 313 at night. The numbers given for the year 1868, were 99 in the day and 280 in the Yiight. Those for 1869, again, give 90 as total and 371 as partial wrecks; and of the total wrecks no less than 29 happened from bad look-out, 16 from want of proper observance of the steering and sailing rules, 8 from thick and foggy weather, and 37 from other causes.

Of the partial losses through collision, 66 were from bad look-out, 53 were from neglect or misapplication of steering and sailing rules, 23 from want of seamanship, 33 from general negligence and want of caution, 11 from neglecting to show proper light, and 185 from various other causes.

The nature of the collisions is thus given :—17 occurred between steamers, and 193 between sailing-vessels while both were under way; 76 collisions also happened between sailing-vessels, one being at anchor and the other under way; 66 between staamers and sailing-vessels, both being underway; and only 13 were caused by steamers running into sailing-vessels at anchor; 4 by sailing-vessels under way running into steamers at anchor; and none by one steamer coming into collision with another at anchor: 92 collisions also occurred through vessels breaking from their anchors or moorings.

TVie following important Table, showing the casualties attended with loss of life on 552 THE LIFE-BOAT.

[NOVEMBER 1,1870.

the coasts of the British isles during the past nine years, is so interesting and in- structive, that we can hardly omit it, as it! is evident that it has been prepared with great care and intelligence :— BRITISH SAILIHO BRITISH STEAM VESSELS.

FOBEIGH VESSELS.

If I 3 la B) S .Si " a YEARS. || GJ 0 II a 'o i| § ' *o •Is I 2 j •sS « * J 13 o «J i'E g !! I'l g 1° I'f g u s* & & s f •z f-1 fc 1861 163 25,043 638 7 1,857 66 30 8,297 169 1862 124 20,146 495 5 1,739 119 16 6,028 73 1863 128 16,110 500 1 467- 33 22 2,670 87 1864 88 9,545 392 8 3,639 83 12 2,215 41 1865 137 19,301 461 10 3,666 136 17 4,£50 101 1866 163 26,092 703 9 3,802 92 27 3,797 104 1867 230 31,470 918 15 5,301 195 34 6,127 230 1868 170 28,059 678 7 v 2,236 43 19 3,570 104 f!869 175 29,(161 724 6 1,457 19 28 4,045 133 Totals forl nine years j 1,378 204,827 5,509 68 24,164 786 205 40,999 1,042 The lives lost in 1869 were in 211 vessels, 132 of which were laden, 61 in ballast, and in the other 18 cases it has not been ascertained whether the vessels were laden or not. Only 166 of these vessels were entirely lost, the rest hav- ing only sustained partial damage. 435 men lost their lives in vessels that foun- dered, 118 in collision cases, 288 in vessels stranded or cast ashore, and 92 from other causes.

Nearly 170 lives were lost in fishing- boats overtaken suddenly, in too many instances, by heavy gales of wind.

Of the ill-fated vessels wrecked with the loss of all hands, little of course is usually known, the entries in the Register being necessarily confined to the statement of their having sailed from one port to another; and, as they were never more heard of, it becomes necessary to state in ominous terms opposite to their names "Foundered, (supposed) total loss," the crew being numbered under the heading "Number of lives lost." .How truly significant are these brief and telling words! Large, however, as the loss of life is, it would of course have been vastly increased in the absence of the noble work performed in every storm by the boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, the rocket appa- ratus of the Board of Trade, and various other successful means through which, under God's providence, thousands of our shipwrecked sailors were saved from a watery grave last year.

At the present time there are 223 life- boats on the coasts of the British Isles, under the management of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, besides 41 controlled by local boards alone. Again, the Rocket and Mortar Apparatus Stations now number 282, these being under the care of the Coastguard and the Board of Trade.

Wherever there is a dangerous spot on our coasts—provided sufficient men are to be found there competent to work a life- boat—it has been the constant aim of the Institution to form a life-boat station.

Nobly do the gallant life-boat men answer to the call of duty, and constantly do they show that they are ready to risk their own lives to save those of others.

Thus during the past twenty-two months, the Institution has contributed by its Jife- boats and other means to the saving of 1,847 lives from different wrecks on our coasts, in addition to 53 vessels rescued from destruction—making a grand total of NOVEMBER 1, 1870.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

553 19,694 lives saved from shipwrecks since the first establishment of the Institution, in addition to property of incalculable value.

The tendency of the foregoing observa- tions, and the whole tenour of this Wreck Register, must make it manifest to every one that the continuous and successful efforts which are being so strenuously made on our coasts—and never more so than during the storms of the last two or three weeks, by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, the Board of Trade, and our boatmen and fishermen—must not be allowed on any consideration to falter, even for an hour.

Hundrefls if not thousands of persona are placed every storm in jeopardy of their lives by shipwrecks, and since the danger is constant, the provision against that danger must not be suffered to relax. The effects of the stormy elements, and the not unfreqnent carelessness and ignorance of man, can only be even partially overcome by calculations and foresight corresponding to those which have so strikingly dis- tinguished the conquerors in the present European conflict, " for peace has her victo- i ries no less renowned than war." j We, therefore, do not hesitate to make a renewed and earnest appeal to the British public on behalf of the NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION, now absolutely and en- tirely dependent on voluntary support. We believe that no Society has stronger claims on public sympathy and support than an institution which contributes every year to the saving of hundreds of shipwrecked per- sons, who, in the absence of its noble life- saving fleet, would in all human probability I perish— ! " Without a grave, unkneli'd, uncoffm'd, and unknown..