Information 43 1. The PRO holds some records relating ship losses, but is not the main source.
Most records held here relate to British naval ships.
The location of wrecks and their cargo is often not mentioned or only in general terms. Information that would be sufficient to locate a wreck is most unlikely to be found. There are hundreds of published books on shipwrecks, often based on research in the official records, so it is worth consulting these first. Often the official position of sinking, or the last known position, is given. Comprehensive listing of all wrecks by UK coastal area.