As with a lot of statistics in this period it can probably be assumed that the initial years may, to some extent, have been incomplete, and that with improved reporting procedures etc. the accuracy has improved over the years, and consequently the figures have grown, as also, has the size of the fleet.

In addition, once it was discovered that collisions were a major problem, involving the human factor, the figures were shown differently to recognise that this was an area, which unlike the problems with the weather, where improvements were possible e.g. more alert lookouts, not that it appears to have done a lot of good, the same problems of too small and overworked crews still survives in the 21st Century !

These figures not only include total wrecks, but also collisions and other casualties and accidents. See table below for breakdown.

It should perhaps be mentioned that lives were only lost in a percentage of the accidents - of say some 150 - 200 merchant vessels, although in years when the weather was particularly bad, this could increase substantially, and once figures from the fishing fleet were included, these figures could probably be doubled or trebled

. I gather that the Board of Trade "Blue Book," is probably the best source for this sort of material.

(Does not include fishing vessels until 1865)

Totals for Month and Year for figures available

# Typo in source figures - total OK.

Loss of Life

## Includes the loss of 446 lives on board the Royal Charter and 395 on board the Pomona

* Includes 293 lost in the ship Northfleet

** Includes 331 lost in the German ship Schiller

Breakdown of how lives were lost, or what circumstances.

Breakdown of vessels lost, damaged etc.

Figures for 1874 continued below following a review of how the statistics were measured, now including minor accidents etc.

Breakdown of vessels lost, damaged etc. Continued

Breakdown of vessels lost, damaged etc. Continued

Breakdown of vessels lost, damaged etc. - Collision Vs. Other

Losses in Harbours and Rivers

Losses by Tonnage

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