Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-12-22
LOSSES OF A YEAR.
Many Vessels Went Down During
the Last Twelve Months
How the Merchant Marine of Differ.
ent Nations Has suffered from
the Various Cas-
uai ties.

The losses at sea sustained by the
merchant marine of the world in the
past year are set forth in report pre-
pared by the British government.
copies of which have been received here.
Great Britain, with over 10000, 000 tons
aioat, has the lowest percentage Of
losses. Startling figures are presented
as to the number OF steamers and sail
ing craft reported missing" and re-
gnrded now by the underwriters and
assurance people as lost. No less than
"a steamers sailed out of various ports
last year and have never been heard
from, and 70 sailing vessels cleared and
never reached their destination, both
classes representing total tonnage of
72,7I3.
In addition 96 ships, of which IS were
sailing craft, had to be abandoned at
sea.
AS result of all the losses. the gross
reduction in tho mercantile marine of
the world is shown to be La vessels
OF s2J,i25 tons, excluding vessels of less
than LOO toIs. This represents the ton
mage OF vessels which have been lost at
sea as well as others which have met
a peaceful end by being 'broken up"
or condemned. The latter usually ag-
g9ogate about one-fifth Of the total.
Inc average of lpss exceeds the average
OF The preceding seven years by rs ves-
sells Of l06,706 tons.
Great Britain S rate of loss is 1928 per
cent, the next one on the list being
Germany. with P.33 per cent. Germany
and the United States are now making
neck-and-nefk' race as regards the
total number OF vessels owned, the lat
ter having 2,44B,677 tons and the for
mer 2,li3,9s1 TONS. Austria-Hungary
is third in point of rate of loss, with 3.1S
per cent, and then comes Russia, with
3.o3 per cent, and the United States,
with Al per cent. The other nations
are in the folio wing order: Italy, 4.34
per cent; France, 4.4s; Holland, 4.62;
spain, sol; Norway, 5.55, and Sweden,
500.
The figures for Norway and Sweden
are regarded as too high, especially as
the rate for sailing ships is 1853 and 9.65
per cent, respectively. This is partly
explained by the great number of ships
broken up or condemned, but there can
20 no doubt that the larger rate is also
ia. to the violent end of many ships by
'sreeks. The figures seem to give sup
port to the view that the British gov
ernment shou Id insist upon more sea-
worthy conditions for ships flying the
Norwegian flag when leaving British
ports.
or the total number of vessels lost in
tho year-1,14l of s20,725 tons--322, of
A. ;. al tons, were steamers, while $40
Vessels OF 1851, asa tons, were sailing
craft. Wrecks account for the loss of
1.i vessels, OF 356,503 tons, 3S7 sailing
ships and 1877 steamers meeting their
end while buffeting against some inhos-
pitabie shore. They thus equal nearly
of he total. Ninety vessels,
OF '3,20i tons, were lost in collision, As
being steamers and AZ sailing vessels,
but the average size of the former was
double that Of the latter. Ninety-six
vessels, of 621752 tons, including IS sail
ing ships, had to be abandoned at sea.
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