Ships of Britain Safer Than Ever? Inquiry Proves

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 64, 17 March 1936, Page 10

Ships of Britain Safer Than Ever ? Inquiry Proves

LONDON —B'titish ships are becoming increasingly safe, according to the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom. As a result of “several distressing losses of British ships in the last years,” the Chamber of Shipping has issued a statement to refute the idea that the sea is becoming less safe. It is emphasized that incorrect conclusions might be drawn from reading news of isolated disasters. “To the question, Are our ships safe? the'answer is,” tho statement reads, ‘That they aro safe aud are becoming safer. ‘ ‘The statistics of losses of vessels and of loss of life show a steady improvement; as measured in losses of vessels our shipping is now 21 times as safe as before the war and foreign shipping is nearly twiee as safe, "a It is pointed out that, taking threeyear averages since 1920, losses of United Kingdom sea going vessels of over 1000 tons have fallen steadily from one in 150 in 1920-22 to one in 192 in 1920-23 and one in 232 in 193234. Of the world’s tonnage Britain owns 33 1-3 per cent., of the world’s losses, the statement declares, Britain suffers 25 per cent. ‘‘The loss of life has declined stib more strikingly,” it is said. “Compared with tho numbers employed, the loss of life among officers and. seamen sorv ing in our training vessels averaged, in the period 1910 to 1914, one in 412; or, apart from the loss of tho Titanic and the Empress of Ireland, which may be considered exceptional disasters, one in 582. In the period ]922-192(i the average was one in 976; in 1927-31, one ill 2250, and in 1932-1934, one in 2300.’