The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 11, 1867.

Hull, ten shots at 400 yards. The winner was
Sergeant E. Collinshaw, of the F, Hull, company.
The return match between the Ist East York Rifles
and Artillery, at three ranges, has resulted in
favour of the rifles, three of whom scored 145,
against the carbines 126.
The Bth and 9th East Yorkshire Rifles have had
a challenge contest at the Garton butts. The match
was close, the Driffield corps defeating the Market
Weightou by eight points only. The 4th Admi-
nistrative Battalion has held its third annual con-
test, five shots at three ranges. The principal win-
ners were Private Allen, Doncaster, 47 ; Captain
Harrison, Rotherham, 43 ; Ensign Harrison, Rother-
ham, 41 ; Sergeant Firth, Rotherham, 40 ; Private
Gill, Barnsley, 39 ; Corporal Lee, Doncaster, 39 ;
Corporal Boardman, Rotherham, 38 ; Sergeant
Buxton, Doncaster, 38 ; Sergeant Clifford, Rother-
ham, 38, and others. The aggregate silver cup was
won by Sergeant Jacques, Rotherham. The 7th
Administrative Battalion West York Volunteers have
held their prize contests, which resulted as follows :--
The Montagu Cup and prize money were won by the
19th (Rotherham) company; the Champion badge
by Private Cooper, Rotherham ; the co-operative
prize of 10 guineas, Corporal Rutler, Barnsley ; and
the Stanhope Cup, Private Allen, Doncaster, the
battalion Enfield Cup having also been gained by
him. The 3d West York Rifles have continued their
prize shooting on Baildon Moor. The chief winners
of prizes were private Bateman (No. 1 company),
Sergeant Atkinson (No. 4 company), and Corporal
Hardacre (No 6) in the first competition, and in the
next Sergeant Milnes (No. 1 company), Private
Moorhouse (No. 6), and Private Barrow (No 5). In
the fourth competition of the Leeds Enfield Club
the Ladies' Challenge Cup and badge were won by
Corporal Webb, who scored 38 in five shots at three
ranges. Lieut. Hill was second with 35, and there
were several other winners. Lieut. Hill won the
money prize with 25. The weather was very bad.
The No. 8 company had a competition for Captain
Titley's prize, which was won by Private R. Lamp-
ton (42) and others. The annual shooting of the sth
East York, at Bridlington, resulted in the company
prize being won by Lieut. Davison, Ensign Boyn-
ton being second; the Inkeepers' prize by Lieut.
Davidson, Private Biunington being second ; and
the Recruits' Prize by Private Jefferson, Private
Mainprise being second. There were prizes given by
tradesmen, which Lieut. Davidson won, and for the
highest score by a non-winner of a company prize,
which fell to Private G. Sivers. The Wensleydale
and Richmond Volunteers have shot a match on the
Redmire range at 200 and 500 yards, resulting in
favour of the former company by 16 points. The
prizes open to all competitors were won chiefly by
Mr. Chapman, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Skedmore,
Wensleydale, and Mr. Hill, Richmond. The Ist
West Riding Artillery and the Leeds Rifles have
each been inspected, with creditable results.
The 13th (Worcester) Corps of Rifle Volunteers
had their annual prize shooting last week, when the
following were the winners :—The Beauchamp
Challenge Cup, won by Private Bird; second prize
by Sergeant Bragg ; third prize, by Quartermaster-
Sergeant Radford ; fourth priza, by Ensign Red-
grave ; fifth prize, by Sergeant Simms; sixth prize,
by Private Crockett ; and seventh prize, by Private
Ward. A silver cup for a running prize, the greatest
distances run between shots, was won byQuarter-
master-Sergeant Radford; and a a econd prize by
Sergeant Cox. The Tenbury Corps have also had
their annual prize shooting, and the principal scores
were made by Private G. Powell, Sergeant Blake-
way, Private Benbow, Corporal Page, Corporal
Pope, Sergeant Jeff, and Private Bishop. Private
Williams won the Beauchamp Cup.

At the annual prize meeting of the sth Wiltshire
(Devizes) Rifle Volunteers prizes to the amount of
nearly £5O were competed for. At 200 and 500
yards (seven shots), the following prizes were won :
—A gold watch of the value of 10 guineas by Ser-
geant Nott, 38 marks ; a silver cup by Band-Ser-
geant Pyke, 33 marks ; six silver dessert spoons by
Colour-Sergeant Mandell, 32 marks ; and smaller
prizes were taken by Privates J. R. Fox, Fillis, and
C. R. Wiltshire. In the next competition at the
same ranges the number of company and battalion
drills attended during the year was added to the
shooting score in determining the winners, who were
as follows :—Sergeant Ward, a silver watch, given
by Sir T. Bateson, M.P., 35 marks and 19 drills ;
Lance-Corporal Greenland, a clock, presented by
Mr. C. D. Griffith, M.P., 27 marks and 2) drills ;
Corporal Pritchard, an inkstand, given by Mrs.
Colston, 27 marks and 19 drills. The prizes shot
for at 200 and 500 yards by competitors who had
never won a prize above the value of one guinea
were carried off by Private Read, 30 marks ; Pri-
vate Morris, 29 marks ; and Private Perkins, 26
marks. At 200 yards extra series Privates Salter
and N. Tarrant took the prizes, and in the compe-
tition at the same range by recruits only, Privates
Gregory, Hand, H. Sloper, and Springford were the
winners. The Consolation prizes were won by Fri..
vates W. Bolwill, Thompson, and S. Wells.
The annual prize meeting of the Mere Rifle Vo-
lunteers (Bth Wilts) took place on Friday. Sergeant
Belbin won the cup and first prize, and also a tankard
for the highest aggregate score. The other winners
were Sergeant Mitchell, Private Francis, Private
Cox, and Sergeant Farthing. The shooting termi-
nated with a dinner in the evening.
Daring the week the married and single members
of the 9th Devon (Ashburton) Rifles had a friendly
match at 200 and 500 yards, seven shots at each
range. The ten married men were only able to
show a total score of 240, against that of 262 made
by the other side.
The annual shooting in connexion with the 7th
Cornwall (Helston) Rifle Corps took place last
week, when prizes to the amount of nearly £6O were
competed for. The principal feature was an All-
corners' Match, in which 74 Volunteers, including
some from distant counties, were engaged. The
ranges were 200 and 500 yards, seven shots at each
range. The highest score was Sergeant Deisey, Ist
Warwick, who made 42, and next to him was Ser-
geant Roskruge, of the Helston Corps. The win-
ning score was 42. A Silver Challenge Cup, value
£l2, was shot for at 200, 400, and 600 yards, five
shots at each range ; the winner was Private Cross,
who made a total of 36. In the same class there
were four sets of money prizes, amounting to £25.
Sergeant Kendall got the best, Corporal Eva the
second, Sergeant Roskruge the third, and Sergeant
Eva the fourth.

moral effect is omnipotent. The moral influence and
social bearing which the Volunteer service has upon
the recreative element of the nation are invaluable,
for, independent of its military character, it has been
the means of reviving that ancient pastime of the
country—viz., shooting at a mark, the only
difference of agency being the rifle of 1867 versus
the cross-bow of the olden time. Thus, when we
have the physical force, which is the bone and sinew
of the country, together with the moral effect, which
is equal to ten times its reality, and when we have
the one common object in view—viz., defence, toge-
ther with numberless social advantages attached to
it,—when we have these all blended together and
spread over, as it were, an area of patriotic har-
mony, what must be the inference ? Why, that we
have by the position we leave taken up tended to
protect and strengthen the Constitution, by creat-
ing a new institution of great military order and
value, and one which must be maintained for ever
for the honour and credit of the country that has
undertaken it, as well as for the healthy condition
of its trade and commerce. Our calling as Volun-
teers is a great one, perhaps of higher moment than
people may think, and it is our duty to endeavour
to continue steadfast to that calling, and it is the
duty of the Government to assist us in that endea-
vour. I may not be far wrong when I say that the
trade and commerce of the country have been con-
siderably influenced during the last 7 or 8 years
owing to the existence of the Volunteer service, so
much so that it would be considerably embarrassed
in the event of a dissolution of that moral protec-
tion. The agricultural as well as all other interests
would suffer, and all trade would be affected by the
disappearance of what has been, as it were, a guar-
dian angel over the nation. It is therefore a consi-
deration of national importance that so necessary an
agency of defence sbould be fostered and cherished
by all deep thinking and patriotic men, and in order
to secure that desirable object the Government,
with the support of the House of Commons, which
it is sure to have, will have seriously to reflect upon
the expediency of an increased maintaining grant,
for I am clear that unless some additional provision
be made the consequences will be serious. Colonel
Lindsay concluded by remarking that the nation at
large was in the same boat as far as the Volunteer
service was concerned, pulling the same stroke,
and it was of the utmost consequence that the
pull should be unanimous, but that it must be
with the stream (of public opinion), and not against
it. He added—l know of no more honourable or
prominent profession than that of a British Volun-
teer. It throws a halo, as it were, of respect
around every one who engages in it, and there is no
doubt that that fact, together with the sense of
public duty, will render the Volunteer service as
permanent and as secure as the shores which we
have declared to defend.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

Lake lluron Companies. But the Board proposed
that the Act, if passed, should be subject to
thorough sanction on the part of the bond and
stockholders before it could come into operation.
It would be simply a permissive Act. The Cana-
dian Parliament, it was expected, would meet
for a short session in November next, when the
Bill would be introduced. The heads of the
proposed agreement with the Great Western Rail--
way Company would be submitted for the considera-
tion of the proprietors, who would have to adopt,
or refuse to confirm, such agreement. Capt. Tyler,
R.E., was, at the suggestion of the Board, un mi-
mously invited by the bond and stockholders attend-
ing the last half yearly meeting to proceed to
Canada to consider on the spot the various questions
raised at that meeting. Captain Tyler having as-
sented to undertake this important duty—associated
with Mr. Eborall—those gentlemen were now in
Canada carefully considering the matters referred
to them. The board could not expect their report
in time for the ensuing meeting. The meeting on
the 31st inst. would therefore be only held pro
forma, to be adjourned to an early future day., when
the report of Captain Tyler and Mr. Eborall, to-
gether with the other business, might be fully dis-
cussed. The capitalaccount showed that £17,321,573
had been expended.

THE WRECK REGIS? ER AND WRECK
CHART FOR 1866.

For many years past we have been in the habit of
making a few remarks on the:" Wreck Register,''
prepared by the Board of Trade, and presented to
Parliament; and we have done so principally with
the view of directing attention to the loss of life
from shipwreck on our coasts, and to the means
employed in rescuing shipwrecked sailors.
We find, on examining this carefully compiled
register, that the number of wrecks and casualties,
from all causes on the coasts of the United Kingdom
and in the surrounding seas reported in 1866 was
1,860. The number reported in 1864 was 1,390,
and in 1865 it was 1,656. The annual average
number of casualties during the five years ending
1866 was 1,611; and during the five years ending
1865, 1,538.

We observe that the average number of shipwrecks
on our coasts during the past ten years has been
1,466.

The Bishop of London stated some time ago that
the population of the metropolis increased at the
rate of 40,000 a year, and that 10,000 houses had
annually to be built to accommodate them. A similar
progression is observable in our commercial and
shipping interests. Seventy millions sterling often
pass in one week through the bankers' clearing
house in London. Of course this enormous amount
of money necessarily indicates the countless number
of ships from all parts of the worli that frequent our
numerous ports, in addition to the thousands of
British vessels engaged in the foreign and home
trade. Thus it is that the aggregate number of ves-
sels entering inwards and clearing outwards from all
our ports in 1866 was 403,598, the number in 1865
being 409,255. Is cannot be wondered, therefore,
that, considering the enormous number of voyages
thus performed, the number of shipwrecks every
year on our coast is necessarily proportionally large,
although of course this number will depend very
much on the violence of the gales of the year.
Thus, in October, 1859, there was the Royal
Charter gale, and a loss of 343 ships. In January,
February, and November, 1861, there were north-
east and south-easterly gales, which added 460 to
the number of casualties. In January, October,
and December, 1862, there were westerly gales with
upwards of 540 casualties ; and in January, March,
September, October, November, and December,
1863, there were westerly gales, with 630 casualties.
In November, 1864, there were 264 casualties with
the wind chiefly in the south-south-east and south-
west; but, owing to the absence of any special gales
of remarkable duration and violence in 1864, the
total number of casualties in that year was 274 below
the number in 1863. In 1865 the gales of January,
February, March, and October, November, and
December gave 766 casualties.
During the gales of 1866—that is, when the wind
was blowing 9 and upwards-855 disasters occurred.
The gales of that year were usually from the fol-
lowing quarters, viz. :—January from east-north-
east, south-west, and south-south-west ; February
southwest, west-south-west, and south-south-west ;
March, south and south-south-west ; October had
no serious gales ; November, west-south-west, south-
west, north-west, and west ; and December, south-
west, west-south-west, and south-south-west.
The number of ships lost or damaged in the 1860
casualties reported iu 1866 is 2,289, representing a
registered tonnage of upwards of 427,000 tons. The
number of ships in 1866 is in excess of the number
in 1865 by 277. The number of ships reported as
lost or damaged is, as has been formerly stated, in
excess of the number of casualties reported, because
in cases of collision two or more ships are involved
in one casualty. 01 the 2,289 ships, 1,961 are
known to have been ships belonging to.Greatßritain
and its dependencies, with British certificates
of registry, and 294 to have been foreign
ships. Of the remaining 34 ships, the country
and employment are unknown. Of the British
ships 1,409 were employed in the British coasting
trade, and b 49 were employed in the (over sea)
foreign and home trades ; and of the foreign ships,
15 were employed in the British coasting trade.
Of the total number of casualties reported in
1866, 422 were collisions, and 1,438 were casualties
other than collisions. Of these 1,438 casualties other
than collisions, 562 resulted in total losses, and 876
in partial damage more or less serious. The whole
number of casualties other than collisions reported
in 1865 was 1,302, far in excess of all other years,
excepting 1863, when the number was 1,333 ; but
in 1864 the number was 1,039, which was less than
the number reported in any year since 1858.
The annual average for ten years, including 1866,
is for total losses, 463, and for partial losses, 668 ;
as against this the numbers for 1866 are, for total
losses, 562, and for partial losses, 876.
Of the 562 total losses from causes other than
collisions, we are unable to find on the Register the
details of the present causes of the same, but we
observe that in 1865 245 of the total losses hap-
pened when the wind was at force 9 (a strong gale)
or upwards, and are chiefly included in the follow-
ing returns as having been caused by stress of wea-
ther; 38 arose from defects in the ship or in her
equipment, and of the 38 no less than 30 appear to
have foundered from unseaworthiness ; 99 appear
from the reports made by the officers on the coasts
to have been caused by inattention, carelessness, or
neglect, and the remainder from various other causes.
Of 832 partial losses other than by collision, we
can find no details of the cause of the same in the
Register, but we notice that in 1865 501 happened
when the wind was at force 9 (a strong gale) or
upwards, and are included as having been caused
by stress of weather ; 137 arose from carelessness,
48 from defects in the ship or her equipments, and
the remainder from various causes.

Surely a large number of these casualties are pre-
ventible ones? It is true that within late years the
standard of qualification for masters and mates of
our merchant vessels has been considerably raised.
We think it might with advantage be more generally
extended, as of these disasters a large proportion
can be clearly traced to the ignorance as well as
the carelessness of man rather than to the elements,
over iiihich he has no control. It should, however,
be remembered that good seamen cannot save a
bad craft ; and we certainly think that something
ought to be done with the wretched rotten colliers
that crawl along the coast at the mercenary in-
stance of men who care more for money than for
human life. Many of these vessels are so decayed
and unseaworthy that shipping insurance associa-
tions will not admit them on their books. There is
no law in existence to prevent them from putting
to sea, and so they are navigated at such cost as
the Wreck Chart which accompanies the register
too plainly indicates.
Again, let us remember that the total number
of ships which, according to the facts reported to
the Board of Trade, appear to have foundered or
to have been otherwise totally lost on the coast of
the British Isles, from unseaworthiness alone, in
10 years, is 423, and the number of casualties

caused through unseaworthy ships, unsound gear,
&c., and resulting in partial damage, in the same
time, is 586.

In 1866 there were 116 casualties to fishing
smacks alone. Excluding there 116, the number
of vessels employed in the regular carrying trade
that have suffered from wreck or casualty during
the year is 2,173. On this number being sub-
divided we find that about half of it is represented
by the unseaworthy, overladen, or ill-found vessels
of the collier class chiefly employed in the coasting
trade.

We find that the number of wrecks among col-
liers, laden and in ballast, was 855. In addition
to colliers laden and in ballast, 141 vessels were
laden with metallic ores, and 154 with stcne. We
all know, from long experience, that the colliers of
the north-east coast have an established reputation
as the rottenest and worst found vessels that leave
our ports. Year after year we learn that the
casualties which might be expected have overtaken
them ; but still the mischief goes on, neither the
provisions of the common law nor the special Acts
which relate to shipping being sufficient to control
it. There is only one thing that will remedy the
evil—if the men who navigate these wretched craft
had received the education that brings intelligence
and self-respect, and which in some other countries
is the birthright of the poorest citizen, they would
be leas disposed to permit themselves to be sent to
sea in what are no bettes than floating coffins.
In the eight years ending 1866 casualties to com-
paratively new ships bear a very high proportion to
the whole number of casualties, 1,135 casualties
having happened to nearly new ships, and 1,981 to
ships from three to seven years of age. Then there
are casualties to 2,506 ships from seven to 14 years
old, and to 4,185 ships from 15 to 30 years old.
Then follow 1,528 old ships from 20 to 50 years old.
Having passed the service of half a century, we
come to the very old ships—viz., 283 between 50
and 60 years old, 127 from 60 to 70, 61 from 70 to
80, 19 from 80 to 90, eight from 90 to 100, and
four 101 years and upwards. The age of 3,298 are
unknown. The state of rottenness and want of
repair of some of the coasting ships above 20 years
old often calls for remark. Even at the age of 25
to 30 it occasionally happens that a ship is so rotten
as to fall to pieces immediately on touching the
ground, without giving the crew the slightest chance
of getting out their boats.
Of the 2,289 vessels lost or damaged in 1866, 86
were rigged as ships, 150 were steam vessels, 631
schooners, 42G brigs, 249 barques, 257 brigantines,
and 167 smacks. The remainder were small vessels
rigged in various ways. Of the 2,289 vessels re-
ferred to, 977 did not exceed 100 tons burden, 939
were from 100 to 300 tons, 274 were from 300 to
600, and 99 only were above 600 tons burden.
As usual the greatest number of casualties have
occurred on the east coast. The numbers are as
follows :—East coast, 953 ; south coast, 274 ; west
coast, 412 ; north-west coast of Scotland, 47 ;
Irish coast,l44 ; Isle of Man, 18; Lundy Island,
9 ; Scilly Isles, 3.
As regards the loss of life, the returns show that
the number lost from shipwreck on or near the
coasts of the United Kingdom from all causes in 1866
is 896.
When it is remembered that the lives thus lost
are taken from among probably half a million of
persons who have visited our ports during the past
year alone, the number may appear to the casual
observer a comparatively small one. We are, how-
ever, of opinion that it is a very large number, and
when we bear in mind the inestimable value of one
life, we are firmly impressed that no effort should
be left untried which can in any way lessen the
annual loss of life from shipwreck on our coasts.
And here we may remark on the noble and great
efforts that are being made to save life from ship-
wreck. During the last year and a half the National
Lifeboat Institution has, by its lifeboats and other
means, contributed to the saving of upwards of
1:600 lives, in addition to bringing to ports of safety
so 40 vessels from threatened destruction. Again,
this large number of 1,600 lives is entirely indepen-
dent of the lives saved during the same period by
the rocket apparatus, which is worked by that valu-
able class of men, the Coastguard, and which is
provided for by the Board of Trade out of the Mer-
cantile Marine Fund.

It is gratifying to observe how that department
continues to work cordially with the National Life-
boat Institution in carrying out the great and im-
portant work which it has undertaken to promote,
and which has proved so completely successful on
our coasts ; and when we take into account that the
society has now a noble fleet of 183 lifeboats on our
shores, which require a large permanent annual
income to maintain them in a state of thorough
efficiency, no one can doubt that the Institution is
deserving, not only of the continued co-operation
of the Board of Trade, but of the sympathy and
support of the British public at large.
On further analysing this Wreck Register we find
that the lives lost in 1866 were in 199 ships ; 147 of
them were laden vessels, 40 were vessels in ballast,
and in 12 cases it is not known whether the vessels
were laden or light. 161 of these ships were entirely
lost, and 38 sustained partial damage. Of the 896
lives lost, the very great number of 324 were in ves-
sels that foundered ; 127 lives were lost on board
vessels in collision, 393 in vessels stranded or cast
ashore, and 52 in vessels lost or damaged from other
causes.

While the greatest number of casualties happened
on the east coast of England, it is clearly shown that
the greatest loss of life during the seven years end-
ing 1866 occurred in the Irish Sea. The number of
lives lost in that sea during the seven years is more
than double the number lost on any other part of
the coasts. During the winter months hardly a week
passes in which the lifeboats of the National Life-
boat Institution stationel on the Irish coast are not
called out to render assistance to ships in distress on
the Blackwater and other dangerous sandbanks on
that coast.

The most fatal winds during the year were as
follows :—N., 37 ; N.N.E., 38 ; N.E., 97 ; E.N.E.,
92 ; E., 69 ; E.S.E., 41; S.E., 90 ; S.S.E., 69 ; S.,
129 ; S.S.W., 157 ; S.W., 206 ; W.S.W., 174 ; W.,
105 ; W.N. W., 101; N.W., 115 ; and N.N.W., 45.
It is thus shown that westerly gales are far more
fatal than easterly gales, the most fatal being from
S.W. 733 casualties happened when the wind was
at force six or under, that is to say, when it did not
exceed a strong breeze in which the ship could carry
single reefs and topgallant sails ; 122 happened with
the wind at forces 7 and 8, or a moderate to fresh
gale, when a ship, if properly manned and navigated,
can keep at sea with safety ; and 954 happened with
the wind at force 9 and upwards—that is to say,
from a strong gale to a hurricane.
The large number of 1,860 casualties in 1866,
leading to the loss or damage of 2,289 vessels,
have, as a matter of course, thrown a great
amount of labour on the Wreck Department of
the Board of Trade, which is most efficiently
administered. Their officers at the outports and the
officers and men of the Coastguard service have also
discharged their duties in this important work in
the most exemplary and zealous manner.

We should also state that the Statistical Commit-
tee of Lloyd's have issued a tabulated analysis of
the wrecks and casualties reported in Lloyd's List
for the year 1866. This is the first publication of the
kind, and is intended to be repeated annually. It
cannot fail to aid materially in concentrating public
attention on wreck disasters, and in tending to a
thorough comprehension of their causes and their
remedies.

The aggregate loss of life is enormous, and so is
the aggregate destruction of property. The former
is a species of woe inflicted on humanity ; the latter
is practically a tax upon commerce. While the art
of saving life on the coast is understood, thanks to
the progress of science and to the stout hearts of our
coast population, the art of preserving property is as
yet but imperfectly known among us, and still more
imperfectly practised.
On reviewing the dismal record we are bound to
take courage from the many gratifying facts it reveals
in regard to saving of life, which, after all, is our
principal object • in commenting on this doleful
Register. Noble work has been done, and is doing,
in that way, which has not only elicited the admira-
tion of the British public, but also that of many fo-
reign nations, and this was strikingly illustrated last

July by the international jury of the Paris Univer-
sal Exhibition awarding to the National Lifeboat
institution one out of their 19 great gold medals iu
acknowledgment of the important services rendered
to shipwrecked sailors of all nations, hundreds of
whom, and thousands of our own hardy sailors, it
had rescued from a premature grave, and many
homes from the desolation of widowhood and orphan-
age.