From T. H. Farrer to Horace Darwin 26 November 1874

My dear Darwin

I send you

1. Our wreck Register with all the information we can give about collisions. Lee pp. 29 & following. I could get you the same returns for earlier years as far back as 1850—but they are not very trustworthy earlier than 1855. You will see by the Chart at the beginning what collisions are included

I also send our Statistics of Shipping. They give you at the pages turned down

No of British Ships on the Register

No of British Ships Employed in Trade of U K.

No of Entries & Clearances ie. no of times at which Ships here been entered & cleared at the Custom House

But this does not for the no of voyages. for these are Ships which never enter or clear—eg—others, stores ships &—

Nor does the no of voyages give the no of Ships in the sea at one time, for some voyages—eg— Down to Calais are much shorter than others—and further fast ships are Cip [Cry] at sea, but go less often than others—

I have been very anxious to ascertain whether in proportion to lives & ships afloat Corpses are greater now than they were 30 years since, & though I am concerned they are not I cannot get data to prove it.

They change so that you cannot compare them

We were very glad to see you & hope you will come again Sincerely yours | T H Farrer