A perusal of the Annual Wreck Register recently issued for the year commencing on the 1st July, 1875, and ending on the 30th June, 1876, is by no means encou- raging. The wrecks and casualties which it so minutely and accurately chronicles have been more numerous than in any previous year since a record of these disasters has been systematically kept by the Marine Department of the BOARD OF TRADE, and afterwards presented annually to Parliament.

It is only right, however, to point out here that this large increase is to some extent accounted for by the greater care now shown in furnishing and compiling these returns. For instance, the present Register comprises about 850 minor casu- alties which formerly would not be con- sidered of sufficient importance to be included in the Returns.

We observe that 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 1875-6, is 3,757, being 167 in excess of the number reported in the previous year. Of this large number 502 cases involved total loss, against 472 and 408 respectively for the two previous years; and if we deduct 502 from 3,757, the remainder is made up of 1,076 serious casualties, and 2,179 minor accidents.

From 1856 to 1860, the average number of wrecks each year was 1,252; from 1861 to 1865, it was 1,538; from 1866 to 1870, it was 1,862; and from 1871 to 1875-6 — after subtracting, for the purpose of proper comparison, the minor casualties in the years 1874-6, such cases not being included in previous Registers — we regret to find that the average for each, of the last five years reached 2,226.

It is no part of our duty to analyse closely the character of these terrible disasters, the millions of pounds sterling which they involve, and the countless thousands of precious lives which have been sacrificed in the 35,949 shipwrecks and casualties that have happened on our coasts in twenty years. But it is a part of our vocation to call again public attention to these startling facts, which imperatively demand the renewed consideration of our statesmen and philanthropists.

Again, we observe that between 1861 and 1875-6, the number of vessels, British and foreign, which met with casualties, attended with loss of life, on the coasts and in the seas of the United Kingdom, was 2,592, involving the drown- ing of 12,322 persons, and that in the year 1875-6, loss of life occurred in one out of every twenty-two of the casualties on our coasts.

Of course destructive gales of wind influence immensely these losses. Thus in 1859 there was what is known as the Royal Charter gale, causing the loss of 343 ships.

The gales of January, February, and November, 1861, added 460 to the number of wrecks.

Those of January, October, and Decem- ber, 1§62, caused upwards of 540 wrecks.

Those of January, March, September, October, November, and December, 1863, resulted in 930 wrecks.

In the gales of November, 1864, there were 264 wrecks, &c., with the wind chiefly in the S.S.E. and S.W.; but owing to the absence of any special gales of remarkable duration and violence in that year, the total number was 274 below the number in 1863.

The gales of January, February, and March, October, November, and December, 1865, gave 766 wrecks; and in 1866, the gales of January, February, March, October, November, and December, gave 793.

In 1867, the heavy gales experienced in the months of January, March, April, October, November, and December added 980 wrecks and casualties to the list. And in the year 1868, one of the most serious gales occurred on the 22nd and 23rd of August; a month in which our coasts are seldom visited by heavy gales; the number of wrecks and casualties reported during that month being more than double the number recorded during the same month in any previous year.

Again, in the year 1869, a gale from N.N.E. and N.E., which caused great destruction to shipping, occurred on the 15th and 16th of June; but the most serious gale of that year occurred on the 19th of October, when the direction of the wind was from N. to N.E.

Few gales of remarkable force and duration occurred during the year 1870 ; but the gales that took place between 1871 and 1875-6 were very numerous and destructive.

On looking closely into the number of ships lost or damaged in the 3,757 wrecks, casualties, and collisions, reported as having occurred on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom, during the year 1875-6, we observe that the total com- prised 4,554 vessels, representing a ton- nage of upwards of 1,028,000 tons. Thus the number of ships in 1875-6 is more than the total in 1874-5 by 295. The number of ships reported is in excess of the casualties reported, because in cases of collision two or more ships are involved in one casualty.

The sites of these several disasters are dis- tinctly shown on the accompanying Wreck Chart, which also indicates the stations of the 267 Life-boats of the NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION.

Of the 4,554 ships, 3,602 are known to have been ships belonging to Great Britain and its dependencies, with British certifi- cates of registry, 152 * (with a tonnage of 17,388 tons) were British vessels not re- gistered under the Merchant Shipping Act, and 720 are known to have been ships belonging to foreign countries and States.

Of the remaining 80 ships the country * Five of H.M. ships, with a tonnage of 11,401 tons, that met with casualties, are included in this number.

and employment are unknown. Of the British ships, 2,678 were employed in the British coasting trade, and 1,076 in the (over sea) Foreign and Home trade. Of the ships belonging to foreign countries and States, 25 employed in the British coasting trade met with casualties.

Of the total number of wrecks (3,757) reported as having occurred on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom during the year, 775 were collisions; and 2,982 were wrecks and casualties other than collisions. Of these latter casualties 425 were wrecks, &c., resulting in total loss; 851 were casualties resulting in serious damage; and 1,706 were minor accidents.

The whole number of wrecks and casual- ties other than collisions on and near our coasts reported during the year 1874-5 was 2,931, or 51 less than the number reported during the year 1875-6.

We observe that of the 425 total losses from causes other than collisions, on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom, during the year 1875-6,—176 happened when the wind was, as appeared from the wreck reports, at the force of a gale, and are classed in the returns as having been caused by stress of weather; 111 from inattention, carelessness, or neglect; 29 arose from defects in the ship or in her equipments (and of these 29, 19 appear to have foundered from unseaworthiness); 64 appear to have arisen from various other causes; and of the remainder (34 of which were missing vessels) the cause of loss is unknown.

Of the 851 casualties resulting in serious damage, but not total loss, from causes other than collisions, on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom—357 happened when the wind was, as reported, at the force of a gale, and are included as having been caused by stress of weather; 202 arose from carelessness; 94 from defects in the ship or her equipments; and the remainder appear to have arisen from various and unknown causes.

Of the 1,706 casualties resulting in minor damage, from causes other than collisions, on and near the coasts of the

United Kingdom, 1,099 happened when the wind was, as reported, at the force of a gale, and are included as having been caused by stress of weather; 221 were from carelessness; 86 from defects in the ship or her equipments; and the remainder appear to have arisen from various and unknown 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 1875-6, is 29; and the number of casu- alties arising from the same causes, during the same year, and resulting in serious damage, is 94, and in minor damage 86.

We notice that during the past year 345 smacks and other fishing vessels were wrecked or disabled on our coasts; and that, excluding these, 4,209 vessels em- ployed in the carrying trade of the country suffered from wreck, casualty, or collision, on and near our coasts during the same period.

We must say a word here on the ages of the ships lost, as it is marvellous to observe the tenacity of life, as it were, in some ships. Thus during the year 1875-6, 347 wrecks and casualties happened to nearly new ships, and 639 to ships from 3 to 7 years of age. Then there are wrecks and casualties to 1,032 ships from 7 to 14 years old, and to 1,414 from 15 to 30 years old. Then follow 611 old ships from 30 to 50 years old. Having passed the service of half a century we come to the very old ships, viz., 80 between 50 and 60 years old, 41 from 60 to 70, 12 from 70 to 80, 12 from 80 to 90, 2 from 90 to 100, and 2 upwards of 100; while the ages of 362 of the wrecks are unknown.

Amongst the losses on our coasts in 1875-6, 525 were steamships, 139 were rigged as ships, 497 barques, 533 brigs, 505 brigantines, 1,317 schooners, and 199 smacks; the remainder were small vessels rigged in various ways. Of the 4,554 vessels meeting with disaster in the year, 2,024 did not exceed 100 tons burden, 1,561 were from 100 to 300 tons, 623 were from 300 to 600 tons, and 346 only were above 600 tons burden. Of the 502 vessels totally lost, 37 are known to have been built of iron; and of this number 31 were steamships and 6 sailing vessels.

The localities of the wrecks are thus given: East Coast, 2,119 ; South Coast, 427; West Coast, 822; N. and W. Coast of Scotland, 83; Irish Coast, 275; Isle of Man, 12; Lundy Island, 12; and Seilly Isles, 7; total, 3,757.

It will thus be seen that, as usual, the greatest number of wrecks occurred on the East Coast; although we find that the West Coast maintains its pre-eminence for its destruction of human life.

The winds that have been most fatal to shipping on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom during the past ten years, were westerly winds, which were far more destructive than the easterly winds—the most destructive being from the S.W. It should, however, be remem- bered that strong westerly winds are far more common than easterly winds.

Again, on distinguishing the casualties of the past year on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom, according to the force of the wind at the time at which they happened, we find that 1,929 hap- pened 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 could carry single reefs and top gallant sails; that 745 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 977 happened with the wind at force 9 and upwards, that is to say, from a strong gale to a hurricane. In other words, and we grieve to have to record the discredit- able fact, 1,929 casualties happened when the wind was such that a ship could actually carry her top gallant sails; while 745 took place when a ship ought to be well able to hold her course; and with the wind at and above a strong gale, when a disaster in unskilful hands might be expected.

As regards casualties in our rivers to sea- going vessels, the total number last year was 1,011, of which 39 were total losses, 286 were serious casualties, and 686 minor casualties.

Of these casualties, collisions numbered 610, founderings 18, strandings 189, and miscellaneous, 194.

These 1,011 casualties caused the loss of or damage to 1,704 vessels, of which 987 were British sailing vessels, 553 British steam vessels, 129 foreign sailing vessels, and 35 foreign steam vessels. The lives lost in these river casualties were 28.

With reference to the collisions on and near our coasts during the year 1875-6, 41 of the 775 collisions were between two steamships, both under way, and 79 of the 610 in harbours and rivers were also between two or more steamships under way. It is impossible to magnify the significance of these facts—for of all the disasters at sea there is nothing more awful and destructive than an instan- taneous collision between two great ships; and these startling disclosures in the Wreck Eegister, in regard to collisions, call for renewed attention on the part of every friend of the cause of humanity.

We need only refer to the fearful collision between the Avalanche and Forest, which occurred about 15 miles S.W. of Portland during a gale of wind on the night of the 11th September, on which occasion 102 human beings met almost instantaneously with a watery grave.

We are thus naturally led to make a few remarks on the lamentable loss of life from the shipwrecks on our coasts during the past year. The total number was 778, notwithstanding the determined and ceaseless efforts of the craft of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. How- ever, this number is happily 148 less than those lost in the previous year. These 778 lives were lost in 171 ships; 121 of them were laden vessels, and 49 were vessels in ballast; 134 of these ships were entirely lost, and 37 sustained partial damage. Of the 778 lives lost, 73 were lost in vessels that foundered; 166 through vessels in collision; 325 in vessels stranded or cast ashore; and 158 in missing vessels.

The remaining number of lives lost (56) were lost from various causes, such as through being washed overboard in heavy seas, explosions, missing vessels, &c.

Of the 171 ships, from which the 778 lives were lost, 143 were British, involving the loss of 580 lives; and 28 were foreign, involving the loss of 198 lives.

We now turn to a more interesting and encouraging subject—that of saving life from the wrecks before mentioned. It is satisfactory to find that 4,358 lives were thus saved during the year 1875-6 by the Life-boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, the Rocket Apparatus of the BOARD OF TRADE, ships' boats, Coast- guard and fishing boats, harbour life- boats, and various other means.

Of course the palm of success in this great salvage of life must always be yielded to the perilous deeds of the Life-boats. During every storm on our coasts, their services are, as is well known, most prompt and successful: their gallant crews never failing—in the face of the heaviest gales and the darkest nights —to go afloat in them; and perform, or try to perform, the noble duty they have undertaken—to succour, in the hour of his deepest distress and helplessness, the shipwrecked sailor.

The NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has at the present time a noble fleet of 267 Life-boats under its management.

In addition to the hearty and earnest co-operation of the Local Committees and the boatmen on the coast, these boats are constantly visited by the Institution's three Inspectors of Life-boats, who thus materially aid in securing as much as possible complete system and efficiency at each Life-boat Station.

It is, however, only just to the BOARD OF TRADE to state that they in every respect seek to accomplish equal efficiency at each of the stations of the Rocket and Mortar Apparatus, which are so admirably and skilfully worked by the officers and men of the Coastguard Service, and the brigades of volunteers who help them.

It should also be stated that Mr. ROBERT H. SCOTT, in conjunction with his Committee, continues to manage in the most admirable manner the 136 Meteor- ological Stations on the coast where the Storm Signals are displayed.

Thus we see that the great work of Saving Life from Shipwreck on the coasts of the United Kingdom is carried on with an ardour and a liberality which know no check or stint.

It is impossible to visit any of the Stations of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION without hearing lively ex- pressions of confidence in its Life-boats, and of appreciation of its prompt liber- ality, in regard to its rewards to its crews and the annual expenditure on the Life-boat Establishment. We may here mention that the payments voted last year by the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION to its volunteer crews amounted to 8,0001., for going afloat in the Life-boats on occasions of saving life and of quarterly exercise of the boats.

It is satisfactory to find that the work of the Institution is thoroughly appreciated and understood, not only throughout the British Isles, but also throughout Europe and wherever the English language is spoken.

It may be mentioned that each one of its 267 Life-boats has been presented to it—some in memory of departed friends, some as thank-offerings, and some as tokens of appreciation of the success which attends its operations on the coast.

We feel assured that the Committee of Management and Officers, who are cease- lessly engaged in promoting and strength- ening the great and national interests of the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which is en- tirely dependent for its resources on the voluntary contributions of the public, will continue to receive its confidence; and that an Institution so thoroughly British in its support and organisation will never appeal in vain for public support; thus enabling it to persevere in its well-known career of usefulness, on a scale in every respect commensurate with the import- ance of the sacred mission it has under- taken on our coast—that of Saving Ship- wrecked Sailors of all Nations.