Mr. Chamberlain made a most able speech at the Trinity
House on Wednesday upon the losses of British shipping. He quite acknowledged the failure of Mr. Plimsoll's Act, under which the losses have steadily increased. In 1882, the losses rose to the astounding number of 1,310 ships, twenty- five a week, with a tonnage of 378,000 tons. This was the greatest loss ever sustained, as also was the loss of life-3,372- if we deduct one year, in which two coolie ships went down. This is equivalent to the destruction of three full regiments of able-bodied men. He considered it indispensable to prevent such loss of life and property, and as the Act had failed mainly from the impossibility of providing adequate inspec- tion, he proposed to go to the root of the evil, and invalidate insurances on unseaworthy ships, besides giving, as we inter- pret him, to the relatives of the drowned a claim against the owners. This will prevent the reckless use of rotten vessels, as well as their wilful destruction. The suggestion is excellent, if Mr. Chamberlain can only provide for details. Can he prevent a Marine Insurance Office from charging high rates and paying without inquiry ?
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