FOR many years past we have made a synopsis of the Home Wreck Register and Chart of the preceding twelve months, and we propose to follow, on the present occasion, the same course in reference to I the important and national document : which has recently been published.

The materials from which the Home Wreck Register has been compiled have been furnished, as heretofore, by officers of the Coast Guard and other responsible agents on the coast, and they have been thoroughly sifted and systematized by the BOARD OF TRADE.

The Register is divided into two de- partments—Home and Foreign: but we propose, at present, to deal only with that which refers to the wrecks that have taken place on the coasts and in the seas of the British Isles during the t first six months of last year.

' These embrace the 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 sand-banks which are dry at low water; in the seas between 1 Great Britain and Ireland; and between the Orkney and Shetland and Western Islands and the mainland of Scotland.

It appears that it has been found de- sirable to make up the tables of the Wreck Statistics from the 1st July to the 30th. June, instead of, as formerly, from the 1st Jan. to the 31st Dec. This change will bring together, in one publica- tion, all wrecks, collisions, and casualties that happen during one winter, and be pre- sented to Parliament at an earlier period.

In order to make this change it was found necessary at first to publish a return for six months only, and our com- ments will therefore only relate to the first six months of the year 1873; the remainder of the year 1873, with the first half of 1874, will form the subject of the next Wreck Register.

It should be clearly understood that ' the wrecks and casualties treated of in ' the various tables contained in the Register j do not mean total losses only, but include accidents and damage of all kinds to ships ' at sea, of which only a small proportion are attended with loss of life. Thus, of the 967 wrecks, casualties, and collisions on the coasts of the United Kingdom, ' only 256 cases involved total loss, and ; there was loss of life from only 98, or ! about 1 in 10, of the vessels thus lost ; or damaged. I In comparing the casualties recorded ; in the later years with those of earlier ! years, it should be borne in mind that, in consequence of the steps taken for the purpose, the casualties have constantly been more and more accurately and cer- tainly reported to the BOARD or TRADE ; and in the returns of later years are included many casualties which would, | •under the arrangements of former years, no doubt have been omitted.

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 first six months of the year 1873 is 967, being 246 more than the number reported for the corresponding period in the year 1872.

The following list shows the annual average number of wrecks on the coasts of the United Kingdom reported since 1853, divided into four periods of five years:—1853, 832; 1854, 987; 1855, 1,141; 1856, 1,153; 1857, 1,143. An- nual average for five years, 1,051. 1858, 1,170; 1859, 1,416 ; 1860,1,379 ; 1861, 1,494; 1862, 1,488; average, 1,389.

1863, 1,664; 1864,1,390; 1865,1,656; 1866,1,860; 1867, 2,090; average, 1,732.

1868,1,747; 1869,2,114; 1870, 1,502; 1871, 1,575; 1872, 1,958; average, 1,779.

Of course the particular number of wrecks, casualties, and collisions reported for any one year is increased or diminished according to the prevalence or absence of gales of remarkable violence and duration, like those which took place in November, and almost every day in December last.

The heavy gales that have occurred on our coasts from 1859—when the Royal Charter and 342 other ships were wrecked in the October great storm of that year— to the end of 1872, are recorded with great accuracy and precision in the Wreck Register for 1873.

The gales which did most damage to shipping on our coasts during the first six months of 1873 were as follows:—• Jan. 1st to 3rd, from S. to S.W., felt on all our coasts. Jan. 18th, a sudden gale from S. in the N. and E., westerly in the W. Jan. 25th, from S., felt on S. and W.

coasts. Feb. 1st to 3rd, from E. to S.E., the gale being felt principally on the "W. and S.W. coasts of England. This was the most serious storm of the half-year, and 99 wrecks and casualties occurred during its continuance. A gale from E., experienced on the S. and S.W. coasts, took place on the 15th of March, but was attended with much less serious conse- quences to shipping.

The number of ships lost or damaged in the 967 wrecks, casualties, and col- lisions reported as having occurred on and near the coasts of the United King- dom during the first six months of 1873, was 1,206, representing a registered ton- nage of upwards of 335,154 tons. The number of ships for that period is greater than the number for the corresponding period of 1872 by 311. The number of ships reported is in excess of the number of casualties reported, because in cases of collision two or more ships are involved in one casualty. Of the 1,206 ships, 936 are known to have been ships belonging to Great Britain and its dependencies, with. British certificates of registry; and 225 are known to have been ships belong- ing to Foreign countries and States. Of the remaining 45 ships, the country and employment are unknown. Of the British registered ships, 615 vrere employed in the British coasting trade; and 321 were employed in the (over sea) Foreign and Home trade. Of the ships belonging to Foreign countries and States, 21 em- ployed in the British coasting trade met with casualties.

Of the total number of -wrecks, &c.

(967), reported as having occurred on and near the coasts of the United King- dom during the first six months of 1873, 233 were collisions, and 734 were wrecks and casualties other than collisions. Of these 734 wrecks, standings, and casual- ties other than collisions, 212 were •wrecks, &c., resulting in total loss, and 522 were casualties resulting in partial damage more or less serious. The whole number of wrecks and casualties other than collisions on and near our coasts reported during the first six months of 1872 was 551, or 183 less than the number of wrecks, strandings and casual- ties, other than collisions, reported during the corresponding period of 1873.

The site of each one of these casualties is clearly defined as usual on the accom- panying Wreck Chart, which also denotes the positions of the Life-boat Stations of the Institution. It represents the wrecks on our coasts for the eighteen months ending the 30th June, 1873. The casu- alties which occurred in. 1872 are marked in the Chart in Hack ink, while those for the first six months of 1873 are marked in red ink. Had space allowed, we could geographically trace the Chart.

The annual average of casualties for the seventeen years ended December, 1872, is—for wrecks other than collisions result- ing in total losses, 4.72 ; and for casualties resulting in. partial damage, 748. As against this the numbers for the half-year January to June, 1873, are for total losses, 212, and for partial damage, 522.

Of the 212 total losses from causes other than collisions, on and near the coasts of the "United Kingdom during the first six months of 1873, we find that 59 happened when, the wind was, as appeared from the Wreck Reports, at force 9 or upwards (a strong gale), and are classed in the several returns as having been caused by stress of weather; 39 appear from the Reports made by the officers on the coasts to have been caused by inattention, carelessness, or neglect; 18 arose from defects in the ship or in her equipments, and of these 18,7 appear to have foundered from unseaworthiness, and the remainder appear to have arisen from various causes.

Of the 522 casualties, -i.e. cases of partial damage from causes other than collisions, on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom, it appears that 241 happened when the wind was, as repotted, at force 9 or upwards (a strong gale); 100 arose from carelessness; 43 from defects in the ship or her equipments; and the remainder appear to have arisen from various other causes.

The total number of ships which, ac- cording to the facts reported, appear to have foundered or to have been otherwise totally lost on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom from defects in the ships or their equipments during the year 1872-3 is 52 ; and the number of casu- alties arising from the same causes during the same year, and resulting in partial damage, was 133.

In 1872-3 there were on and near the United Kingdom 100 wrecks and casu- alties to smacks and other fishing vessels.

Excluding these 100 fishing vessels, the number of vessels employed in the regular carrying trade that have suffered from wreck or casualty here during the year is 2,592. The life lost during the first six months of 1873 in the various classes is as follows:—In fishing smacks, 17; in vessels of the collier class, 233; and in other ships, 478.

In the nine and a half years which ended June, 1873, disasters on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom to comparatively new ships bear a very high proportion to the whole number; and during the first six months of the year 1873, 94 wrecks and casualties happened to nearly new ships, and 209 to ships from three to seven years of age. Then there are wrecks and casualties to 263 ships from 7 to 14 years old, and to 333 from 15 to 30 years old. Then follow 179 old ships from 30 to 50 years old.

Having passed the service of half a century, we come to the very old ships, viz., 19 between 50 and 60 years old, I'd from 60 1,  to 70, 8 from 70 to 80, 2 from 80 to 90, and 2 upwards of 100. The ages of 84 are unknown.

Of the 1,206 vessels lost or damaged on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom during the first six months of 1873 60 were rigged as ships, 169 were steamships, 310 schooners, 146 brigs, 185 barques, 123 brigantines, and 62 smacks; the remainder were small vessels rigged in various ways. Of the 1,206 vessels referred to, 473 did not exceed 100 tons burden, 383 were from 100 to 300 tons, 211 were from 300 to 600 tons, and 139 only were above 600 tons burden.

Of the 169 steamships, 142 were built of iron: and of the 1,037 sailing vessels, 25 were built of iron.

The parts of the coasts on which the wrecks and casualties on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom happened during the year 1872-3 are as follows—• it •will be seen that, as usual, the greatest number occurred on the East Coast:—East Coast, 988; South Coast, 325; West Coast, 616; N. and W. Coast of Scotland, 41; Irish Coast, 184; Isle of Man, 25; Lundy Island, 10; and Scilly Isles, 15.

t The winds appear from the Wreck Reports to have been destructive to ship- ping in 1872-3 in the proportions follow- ing:—N., 75; N.N.E., 98; N.E., 135; E.N.E., 64; E., 88; E.S.E., 67; S.E., 133; S.S.E., 96; S., 122; S.S.W., 183; S.W., 281; W.S.W., 162; W., 117 ; W.N.W., 99; N.W., 106 ; and N.N.W., 51; total, 1,877.

It wiJl thus be seen that westerly winds are far more destructive than easterly winds — the most destructive being from south-west. It should, how- ever, be -remembered that westerly winds are far more common than easterly winds.

It appears that in 1872-3, 1,019 ship- ping disasters happened when the wind •was at force 6 or under, that is to say, when the force of the wind did Dot exceed ft strong breeze, in which, the ship could carry single reefs and top-gallant sails; that 437 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 »ith safety; and 688 occurred with the *ind at force 9 and upwards, that is to ! fay, from a strong gale to a hurricane. in other words, 1,019 happened when the | «(rJDd was such that a ship could carry j sber top-gallant sails; 437 when a ship ought to be well able to hold her course ; and 688 with the wind at and above a strong gale.

As regards casualties in rivers and I harbours of the United Kingdom during the first six months of the year (1873), they amounted altogether to 152; of which 16 were total losses; collisions, j 79 ; founderings, 6; strandings, 52; and miscellaneous, 15; total, 152. But as ! Receivers of Wreak and other officers j on the coast are not empowered by the I Merchant Shipping Act to report such 1 casualties, 'the number must necessarily j be imperfect.

J As respects collisions off the coasts in 1 the same period, 8 of the 233 collisions | off our shores were between two steam- ships, both under weigh, and 10 of the 79 in harbours and rivers were also be- tween two steamships, both under weigh.

"We have thus catalogued an enormous amount of the loss of property on the i coasts and in the seas of the British Isles iii the course of one short period of six ] months—probably its lowest estimated j value, including ships and cargoes, was not far short of two millions sterling.

But the awful loss of human life in that brief period is fearful to contemplate, and on which no money value can, of ! course, be placed. The Wreck Register | tells us in plain language that it amounted to 728, being actually 138 in excess of the number lost in the whole year 1872.

i However, it is only fair to state that i 119 of these lives were lost ia wrecks j or casualties which, although they hap- 1 pened before 1873, are included in these i returns, the reports having been received ; too Jate for them to form part of the sta- tistics of their respective years; the 119 lives thus lost, and the 293 lost through the sinking of the ship Norlhfleet, will ac- count for the enormous increase in the loss of life in so short a period.

The lives lost during the first six months of 1873 were lost in 98 ships; 78 of them were laden vessels, 11 were vessels in ballast, and in nine cases it is not known whether the vessels were laden or light. Eighty-two of these ships were entirely lost, and 16 sustained partial damage. Of the 728 lives lost, 81 were lost in vessels that foundered, 346 through vessels in collision, and 122 in vessels stranded or cast ashore. The remaining number of lives lost (179) were lost from various causes, such as through being washed overboard in heavy seas, explosions, and in missing vessels.

It appears that, whilst the greatest number of wrecks, &c., happened on the East Coast, the greatest loss of life during the nine and half years ended June, 1873, occurred in the Irish Sea.

It is, however, satisfactory to tarn from this dismal record of lives lost to the lives saved by Life-boats, Shore-boats, the Rocket Apparatus, and other means —wielded as these means are by strong 1 arms and stronger hearts.

We accordingly find that, during the first six months of 1873, the number of lives saved from the 1,206 ships that met with casualties on our shores -was 2,301.

For the purpose of saving life from Shipwreck there were in 1873 on the coasts of the United Kingdom 263 Life- boats ; of these 233 belonged to the NA- TIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, every one of which had been presented to it by some benefactor or another, and every one of j which is maintained by the voluntary ! support of the public. On that support j the Institution absolutely relies, and on that support its existence and perpetuity are dependent. In addition to these 263 Life-boats, there are on the coasts 286 sets of Eocket and Mortar Apparatus provided by the BOAKD os TBABE out of dues levied on the shipping interest.

All the Coastguard stations ate also supplied with Life-belts and Life-lines, and there are between 100 and 200 Life Brigades on the coast, who are trained to work the Rocket Apparatus.

The Meteorological Department, under Mr. SCOTT, is also actively engaged in transmitting storm-signals to some 129 places on the coasts.

Thus, then, a. noble contention ia being Successfully carried on year after year with the elements, and, we lament to say in too many instances, with the cupidity, ignorance, and carelessness of man. Never- theless, it is satisfactory to find that the humane work is extending every year.

There is now hardly a dangerous point of the coast where a Life-boat is not to be found, and, what is equally important, where stout hearts and firm-set frames are not also to be found to work it even in the fiercest storm. It is with a well-grounded national pride we remark that, as the re- sult of the labours of the NATIONAL LIFE- INSTITUTION, ~worbiag through tie means of those gallant crews and boats •which exhibit, in combination, all that skill, talent, experience, and modern in- vention can devise, that society has been instrumental in saying 22,900 lives from Shipwreck. May its glorious warfare be continued with ever-increasiog efficiency, and more marked success, as each re- volving year brings it greater experience and more universal sympathy.