10 OCTOBER 1863, Page 2

The year 1862 was rather a good one for the

underwriters, only 1,827 wrecks having occurred, with a loss of 690 lives. Of these wrecks no less- than 700 were colliers employed between Newcastle and the Thames, the ships used being, it would. appear, badly found and manned. Any tub that will float is considered good enough for a collier. Ninety vessels were lost from collisions, tweuty-three on a calm sea, eighty in light breezes—statements which suggest the excessive reck- lessness generated by the modern system of insurances, and the ignorance among captains which in some trades baffles all legislation.