British Marine Disasters

According to the animal English wreek register, no less than 4,164 wreoks, casualties, and collisions are reported as having oocürred on or near tlie coasts of i tlie United Kingdom during the year 1876-7, eomprisiug 5,017 vcssols, exceeding the number in 1876-7 bv no fewer than 563, and of the total 1,120 are set down as serious casualties. Of conree, with 641,00!) shiis rntered imvard or eleared ontward irom the porte of the United Kiiifrdoin dnring the past year, it is iiifvitubli: that large numbers of disasters shonld tako pluoo, but the great increase on the previons year is eertaiuly a startling ciroiimstanco. The loss of life waa neeessaiily angmented by the increase of disasters, and accordingly one life paid the penalty out of every twenty-two ships wrecked. Of the 4,164 wrecks, casnalties and collisions which ocourred, no fewer than 847 are 1 set down as being in the latter eategory, the majority of which are said to have been plainly avoidable.