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Loss of life at sea from shipping British coal since 1890
,
John Williams,
Hance D. Smith ,
Jennifer Protheroe-Jones,
Ann John ,
Stephen Roberts
International Journal of Maritime History, Volume: 35, Issue: 3, Pages: 431 - 453
Swansea University Authors:
John Williams, Ann John , Stephen Roberts
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DOI (Published version): 10.1177/08438714231181754
Abstract
There was continuing public and political concern about the loss of life at sea during the second half of the nineteenth century in Britain. New regulatory requirements, introduced to examine the competence of officers, prevent overloading and reduce the risks from hazardous cargoes such as coal, we...
| Published in: | International Journal of Maritime History |
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| ISSN: | 0843-8714 2052-7756 |
| Published: |
SAGE Publications
2023
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63929 |
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| Abstract: |
There was continuing public and political concern about the loss of life at sea during the second half of the nineteenth century in Britain. New regulatory requirements, introduced to examine the competence of officers, prevent overloading and reduce the risks from hazardous cargoes such as coal, were in place by 1890. However, the effectiveness of these measures was not systematically monitored at the time. This retrospective evaluation reviews subsequent loss of life in the coal trade, the largest sector of British exports by weight. Loss of life remained high; it was more dangerous to export a ton of coal than it was to mine it. Some routes, such as those around Cape Horn and to Scandinavia, carried the highest risk, and losses on European voyages were more common in winter. Over time, the risks reduced as sail gave way to steam and diesel propulsion, and as maritime communications improved. |
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| Keywords: |
Coal shipping, fatalities, hazardous voyages, seafarers, ship losses |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
Some of the data collection for this study was supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (grant number RP 578). |
| Issue: |
3 |
| Start Page: |
431 |
| End Page: |
453 |