THE wreck statistics of the twelve months ending in June, 1875, certainly record the most numerous casualties that have hitherto taken place in one year. The officers of H.M. Coastguard and Board of Trade have left not a single shipping ac- cident unnoticed, either on our coasts or in our narrow seas. Accordingly, we find that the number of lost or damaged ships within those limits amounted in that year to 4,259. Of these, 155 were unhappily attended with loss of precious lives, which in the very large majority of cases could not be saved either by the craft of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- TUTION or by the Rocket Apparatus of the Board of Trade.

In order to account for the increased number of wrecks, casualties, and col- lisions near the coasts of the United Kingdom for the year 1874-5, it is neces- sary to state that this Is, in the first place, owing to the almost unprecedented continuance of bad weather and heavy gales during the winter months in that period; and, in the second place, to casual- ties being included in the Wreck Register which in previous years were not considered of sufficient importance to be noticed.

We may here remark that all minor ac- cidents have in. former years been, in- cluded with all serious accidents (not total losses) under the head of " partial losses," but as it was found that to con- tinue to include in the same class and without explanation such casualties as damage amounting to almost total loss of a ship, and the loss of a sail or a spar, was to give information in a manner that might be misunderstood, the class of casualties not resulting in total loss of ship has therefore in the present return been subdivided into two, viz., " serious" and "minor" casualties attended with " partial damage." Moreover, it should be borne in mind that in consequence of the care now taken, casualties have constantly been more and more accurately reported to the Board of Trade, so that in the returns of later years are included many casualties which would, under the arrangements of former years, no doubt have been unnoticed.

We may here remark that the lists in the Register of " Wrecks at Home" embrace cases which happen in waters within ten miles from the shores of the United Kingdom; in waters within any bays or estuaries; in waters around any outlying sandbanks which are dry at low water; in the seas between Great Britain and Ireland; and between the Orkney and Shetland and Western Islands and the mainland of Scotland.

The number of wrecks, casualties, and collisions from all causes on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom and in the surrounding seas reported during the year 1874-5 is 3,590, which is 1,787 more than the year 1873-4. We have fully stated above the reasons for this great increase, but we may here mention "that of these 3,590 wrecks, casualties, and collisions 472 involved total loss against 408 and 576 respectively for the two previous years.

Deducting 472 from 3,590, the remainder is made up of 1,172 serious casualties and 1,946 minor accidents.

The annual average number of wrecks on the coasts of the United Kingdom re- !| ported since 1855, divided into four j periods of five years, may thus be given :— Between 1855 and 1859, the number was 6,023, giving an average of 1,204 a year.

Between 1860 and 1864 the number was 7,415, or an annual average of 1,483; between 1865 and 1869, 9,467, or a yearly average of 1,893 ; and between 1870 and 1874-5, 10,428, giving in that period an average of 2,085 wrecks each year.

Considering the total number of casual- ties (3,590) a small proportion only are really attended with loss of life, on ac- count of the prompt and unflinching efforts that are made by Life-boats aud other means to succour the distressed sailor.

It appears that of the casualties on our shores in 1874-5, about one out of twenty- three resulted in loss of life.

In regard to the 3,590 wrecks reported as having occurred on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom during the year 1874-5, 659 were collisions, and 2,931 were wrecks and casualties other than collisions. Of these 2,931 wrecks, strand- ings, and casualties other than collisions, 411 were wrecks, &c., resulting in total loss, 981 were casualties resulting in serious damage, and 1,539 were minor accidents. The whole number of wrecks and casualties other than collisions on and near our coasts reported during the year 1873-4 was 1,422, or 1,509 less than the number of wrecks, strandings, and casualties, other than collisions, re- ported during the year 1874-5.

Again, the annual average in the United Kingdom for the nineteen and a half years ended June 1875 is—for wrecks, other than collisions resulting in total losses, 461; and—for casualties resulting in par- tial damage, 863. As against this the numbers for the year 1874-5 are for total losses 411, and for partial damage 2,520.

Of these 411 total losses, 177 happened when the wind was at the force of a gale, and are classed in the returns as having been caused by stress of weather—84 appear from the reports made by the offi- cers on the coasts to have been caused by inattention, carelessness, or neglect—33 arose from defects in the ship or in her equipments (and of these 33, 19 appear to have foundered from unseaworthiness); and the remainder appear to have arisen from various other, but we fear equally culpable, causes.

Looking carefully at the Eegister we find that of the 981 casualties resulting in serious damage, but not total loss, from causes other than collisions, on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom—393 happened when the wind was at the force of a gale, and are included as having been caused by stress of weather—182 arose from carelessness —129 from de- fects in the ship or her equipments; and the remainder appear to have arisen from various other causes. Of the 1,539 casualties resulting in minor damage, from causes other than collisions, on or near the coasts of the United Kingdom, 906 happened when the wind was at the force of a gale, and are included as having been caused by stress of weather, 234 were from carelessness, 59 from defects in the ship or her equipments; and the remainder appear to have arisen from various other causes.

Thus we learn that the total number of ships which foundered or were other- wise totally lost on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom, from defects in the ships or their equipments, during the year 1874-5, was 33; also that the num- ber of casualties arising from the same causes during the same year, and result- ing in serious damage, was 129, and those causing minor damage 59.

Again, it appears that 1,877 wrecks happened when the wind was at force 6 or under, that is to say, when the force of the wind did not exceed a strong breeze, in which the ship would carry single reefs and top-gallant sails; that 656 happened with the wind at forces 7 and 8, or a moderate to fresh gale, when a ship, if properly found, manned, and navigated, can keep the sea with safety; and that 952 happened with the wind at force 9 and upwards, that is to say, from a strong gale to a hurricane. In other words, 1,877 happened when the wind was such that a ship could carry her top-gallant sails; 656 when a ship ought to be well able to hold her course; and 952 with the wind at and above a strong gale.

We also observe that westerly winds are far more destructive than easterly winds, the most destructive being from south-west. It should, however, be men- tioned that westerly winds are much more frequent on our shores than those blowing from the east.

In the year 1874-5, there were on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom 388 wrecks and casualties to smacks and other fishing vessels. Excluding these 388 fishing vessels, we observe that the number of vessels employed in the re- gular carrying trade that suffered from wreck, casualty, or collision on and near our coasts during the year was 3,871.

In regard to the ages of ships meeting with casualties on our coasts, we find that during the nine and a half years ending June, 1875, disasters to comparatively new ships bear a very high proportion to the whole number; and that during the year 1874-5, 338 wrecks and casualties happened to nearly new ships, and 646 to ships from three to seven years of age.

Then there are wrecks and casualties to 921 ships from seven to fourteen years old, and to 1,262 from fifteen to thirty years old. Then follow 567 old ships from thirty to fifty years old. Having passed the service of half a century we come to the very old ships, viz., 74 be- tween fifty and sixty years old, 31 from | sixty to seventy, 18 from seventy to ! eighty, 11 from eighty to ninety, 3 from ninety to a hundred, and 3 upwards of j a hundred. The ages of 335 are un- j known.

It will be seen that the position of each one of these casualties is distinctly de- fined on the accompanying Wreck Chart, and one can thus somewhat realise the terrible shipwrecks that took place during the winter's storms. The sites of the 256 Life-boat Stations of the NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION are also clearly denoted on the Chart.

To return again to our analysis of this Register, we observe that of the 4,259 vessels concerned in the 3,590 cases where ships were lost or damaged on and near the coasts of the United King- dom, during the year 1874-5, 535 were steamships, 124 were rigged as ships, 1,200 schooners, 438 brigs, 439 barques, 446 brigantines, and 310 smacks; the remainder were small vessels rigged in various ways. Of the 4,259 vessels re- ferred to, 2,036 did not exceed 100 tons burden, 1,352 were from 100 to 300 tons, 538 were from 300 to 600 tons, and 333 only were above 600 tons burden. Of NOVEMBER 1, 1876.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

615 the 475 vessels totally lost, 39 are known to have been built of iron; and of this number 29 were steamships and 10 sail- ing vessels.

We may mention that the number of ships reported is in excess of the number of casualties, because in cases of collision two or more ships are involved in one casualty.

From the following list, showing the parts of the coasts .on which the wrecks and casualties on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom happened during the year 1874-5, it will be seen that, as usual, the greatest number occurred on the East Coast. East Coast, 1,660; South Coast, 549 j West Coast, 977; N. and W. Coast of Scotland, 77; Irish Coast, 292 ; Isle of Man, 23; Lundy Island, 8; and Scilly Isles, 4. While, however, the greatest number of wrecks happened on the East Coast, the greatest loss of life during the past nine years and a half took place on the West Coast.

It appears that the total number of shipping casualties in rivers in the year 1874-5 was 948, of which 21 were total losses.

The collisions numbered 582, founder- ings 23, standings 216, and miscel- laneous 127.

These 948 casualties caused the loss of or damage to 1,669 vessels, of which 1,010 were British sailing vessels, 519 British steam vessels, 123 foreign sailing vessels, and 17 foreign steam vessels. The number of lives reported to have, been lost in rivers is 25.

As regards collisions on and near our coasts during the year 1874-5, 27 of the 659 which took place were between two steamships, both under way, and 45 of the 582 in harbours and rivers were also be- tween two or more steamships under way.

We now approach the most important portion of the Wreck Kegister—that which deals with the loss of life from these nume- rous shipping disasters. Thus the returns too plainly indicate that the number of lives lost from the shipwrecks in 1874-5 was 926. We lament to say that this is 420 more than the number lost in the year ending June, 1874; but 331 lives were lost from one great and melancholy ship- wreck, that of the German s.s. Schiller.

The lives lost at home during the year 1874-5 were missed from 155 ships; 112 of them were laden vessels, 40 were vessels in ballast, and in three cases it is not known whether the vessels were laden or light. 121 of these ships were entirely lost, and 34 sustained partial damage. Of the 926 lives lost, 53 were lost in vessels that foundered, 63 through vessels in col- lision ; 599 in vessels stranded or cast ashore, and 175 in missing vessels. The remaining number of lives lost (36) were lost from various causes, such as through being washed overboard in heavy seas, ex- plosions, &c.

Twenty-one of these lives were lost in missing vessels which, although they are supposed to have been lost before July, 1874, are included in these returns, the reports having been received too late for them to be included in the returns for the former year. The 293 lives lost through the sinking of the ship Northfleet will account for the number of those who pe- rished during the first six months of 1873 far exceeding the number lost during the whole twelve months, 1873-4. Of the 155 ships, from which the 926 lives were lost, 139 were British, involving the loss of 540 lives, and 16 were foreign, involving the loss of 386 lives.

We now come to an interesting and encouraging portion of the Wreck Regis- ter—that which relates to the prompt and gallant efforts, whenever practicable, to save the lives of those placed in jeopardy by these numerous shipping casualties.

Of course the Lifeboats of our.NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION stand foremost in these noble efforts. Their services during the year 1874-5 may thus be briefly detailed:—In July and August, 1874, 43 lives were saved; in September, 21; October, 116; November, 48; Decem- ber, 122; January, 1875,119; February, 83; March, 45; April, 23; May and June, 12; making a total of 632 lives saved by the Lifeboats in twelve months, in addition to 25 vessels saved from de- struction.

It should also be stated that the Life- boats were launched 109 times in the same period, when their services were unat- tended with positive results. But on such occasions there is no time for hesitation, and the Lifeboat proceeds out at once to offer help, which, as sometimes hap- pens, the vessel in distress may not, from various subsequent causes, ultimately need.

It is only right to direct special atten- tion to the 355 lives saved in 1874-5 by means of the Rocket Apparatus belonging to the Board of Trade, and worked BO efficiently by the Coastguard and the Rocket Volunteer Brigades.

Nevertheless, the perilous and danger- ous work belongs undoubtedly to the Life- boat and her brave crew. The operations of the Lifeboat Institution cover now the whole of the coasts of the United King- dom, which are about 5,000 miles in ex- tent. Along this long line of coast, its great Life-saving Fleet of nearly 300 boats, keep watch and guard, and are ever ready day and night to succour the distressed shipwrecked sailor; and the 24,000 men whom it has contributed to save from shipwreck, plead on behalf of the Institution in accents far more power- ful than pen can express or describe.