matters connected with the sea must necessarily be of deep interest to the population of a great maritime nation such as ours, dependent to so great an extent, even for the common necessaries of life, on those that " go down to the sea in ships." "We feel therefore that our readers will be glad to have a digest of the very important information, supplied to us in the elaborate and admirably arranged tables recently issued by the BOARD OF TRADE in the shape of a Blue Book, containing some two hundred pages, compiled from the Wreck Register for the year ended the 30th June, 1889. The figures and general information given afford a strong proof of the importance of the work carried on by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, the sole object of which is to prevent loss of life and property.

As owing to the improvement in trade the number of out-going and in-coming vessels considerably increased during the year ended 30th June, 1889, we are not surprised to find that there was a corresponding increase in the same period in the number of vessels meeting with casualties, the total number having increased from 4,004 to 4,272, an excess of 268 over the previous twelve months; but notwithstanding this somewhat considerable increase in the number of casualties, it is a matter for no little congratulation that the number of lives lost as a result of the 4,212 casualties was only 457, a decrease of 114 as compared with the preceding year, that is to say, a falling off of almost 20 per cent.

The 4,272 casualties, although very various and miscellaneous, may be generally and fairly classified thus:— Total loss, serious casualties, and minor casualties. Under each of these heads an increase is shown; those of total loss and serious accident conjointly giving a total of 1,549, or 98 more than in the previous year, while the minor accidents increased from 2,553 to 2,723, an increase of 170, The proportionate increase, however, in both cases was almost identical. Life was lost in 130 cases of casualty, a total not comparing altogether favourably with the year before when the number of casualties resulting in loss of life was less by 15.

More than a third of the casualties, namely 1,483, were collision cases, an increase of 70 as compared with the year 1887-8. Excluding collisions, however, we are glad to find that the total losses fell from 319 to 295 ; but on the other hand the serious casualties increased from 723 to 804, and the minor accidents from 1,549 to 1,690. Of - 4,272 vessels meeting with misadventure 3,844 were British and Colonial ships and steamers, and 428 Foreigners, the percentage of increase in the case of the latter being double that of the former, which speaks well both for our vessels and the seamanship of our men.

It is interesting to note the various localities of the casualties—excluding cases of collision—as indicating those parts of our " inhospitable shores " which incurred most loss from rough or foggy weather during the year under consideration.

The localities were as follows: — East coast of England, 811; south coast, 558; west coast of England and Scotland, and east coast of Ireland, 929; north coast of Scotland, 113; east coast of Scotland,' 187, and other parts, 191. Total 2,789, or 198 more than in the previous year. It will be seen that these figures giro an increase in the number of casualties on all parts of the coast.

The number of lives lost as a result of the 4,272 casualties was as follows:— East coast of England 75, or 25 less than in the preceding twelve months; south coast of England 186, or 42 less than the year before ; west coasts of England and Scotland, and east coast of Ireland 68, a gratifying decrease of 64, as compared with the previous year; north coast of Scotland 26, or 9 more than in the year 1887-8; east coast of Scotland 12, exactly half the total for the preceding year; other parts 90; total 457. From this we leatn that there was, excepting one unfortunate instance, a very satisfactory decrease in the loss of life all round our coast.

We have indicated in the accompanying chart, by means of black dots, the exact locality where all the principal casualtits occurred during the year ended the 30th June, 1889, on the shores of the United Kingdom, the localities of collision eases which did not entail serious results not being noted. We have also shown the precise position of the 300 Life-boat Stations of the ROYAL NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which have been established at those points, where it is thought most probable that the services of the Boats will be called for.

Between 1861 and the 30th June, 1889, there were as many as 4,603 vessels, British, Colonial and Foreign, wrecked on our shores, resulting in each case unfortunately in the loss of life, the total numbers of persons perishing being 21,020.

Glad as we are to note that the number of lives lost during the year 1888-9 fell from 571 to 457, we cannot but feel that even this comparatively small number is far too large, and we trust that a still further diminution, may be reported when the tables for the subsequent year are issued. Of the 457 lives lost 441 were from British and Colonial vessels, and only 16 from Foreign vessels. This is remarkable as in the previous year, when the number of casualties to Foreign vessels was 376, or 52 less than in the year under treatment, 238 lives were lost. It will be seen therefore that nearly the whole loss of life during the year 1888-9 fell on the crews of British and Colonial vessels. Of the 457 lives lost, 41 were lost in foundered vessels; in collision 176, or 50 less than in the previous year; 91 in stranded vessels, or 42 more than in the year 1887-8; 68 in missing vessels, and the remaining 81 in explosions, washed overboard, etc.

The fluctuation which takes place in the number of the vessels meeting with casualties each year is curious, as will be seen from examination of the following table, dating back to June 1854—1854 (last six months), 458; 1855,1,141; 1856, 1,153; 1857, 1,143; 1858, 1,170; 1859, 1,416; 1860, 1,373; 1861,1,494; 1862, 1,827; 1863, 2,001; 1864, 1,741; 1865, 2,012; 1866,2,289; 1867,2,513; 1868, 2,131; 1869, 2,594; 1870, 1,865; 1871, 1,927; 1872, 2,381; 1873 (first six months), 1,206 ; 1873-4, 2,191; 1874-5, 4,259; 1875-6, 4,554; 1876-7, 5,017; 1877-8,4,436; 1878-9,3,716; 1879-80, 3,138; 1880-81,4,297; 1881-2, 4,367; 1882-3, 4,363; 1883-4, 4,405; 1884-5, 3,764; 1885-6, 3,596; 1886-7, 4,224; 1887-8, 4,004; 1888-9, 4,272. Total, 98,444.

Sad as it is to know that in the short period of rather more than a generation 24,859 lives have perished from shipwreck on our rocky shores, we are glad to be able to draw attention to the " silver lining " to the cloud which reveals to us the fact that in the same period the Lifeboats of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and the other means rewarded and encouraged by the Institution, saved 25,294 lives, BO that the number rescued exceeded those lost by 435. Since the foundation of the Society in 1824, up to the present time (November 1890) the Life-boats and other means to which reference has been made have been instrumental in saving 35,134 persons from a j watery grave—a grand record.

Admirable service was also rendered during the year 1888-9 by the 303 stations of the Board of Trade, provided with the rocket apparatus, which was the means of saving 226 lives.

The fact that so many shipping casualties take place each year on our shores, and that so many human lives perish as the result of those casualties, clearly demonstrates the need and great value of such an agency as the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and the present season of the year seems to present a very suitable opportunity for appealing to the British Public for help to maintain in thorough efficiency such an important and useful society.