The Casualty Returns

This material is held atLloyd's Register Foundation Heritage and Education Centre

Scope and Content

The Casualty Returns records the total losses of vessels worldwide within incremental periods. Initially published quarterly and then annually, the Casualty Returns refer to the losses of ocean-going vessels over 100 gross tonnes. As of 1980 the Casualty Returns have been computerised.

Early issues of the Quarterly Returns provide separate and combined figures for steamers and sailing vessels, by flag and cause of loss, and for the total tonnage owned in each country. Additional lists of vessels are arranged by cause of loss with details of name, tonnage, nationality, voyage, cargo and both the date and circumstances of their loss. From 1928, editions show years of build, and from 1939, ship type.

From 1891 Annual Summaries of the returns were first published. Since 1984, the Casualty Returns have only been published annually.

During the First and Second World Wars both the Quarterly and Annual Returns were continuously published. After March 1915, details collected of war losses were limited from the published returns. At the outbreak of the Second World War, details of losses were limited only to name, tonnage and flag.

Between 1940 and 1977 the handwritten Wreck Books that were kept offer more detailed information regarding total losses and casualties.

Editions of the Casualty Returns from 1967 onwards include analyses by size, principal type and age. Later editions from 1970 onwards feature world maps displaying the approximated positions of vessels foundered, burnt, wrecked or lost as a result of collision. Details of vessels that could not be published in the quarterly returns were also included in the annual editions.

From 1950 onwards an index of all ships listed in the Casualty Returns for each year is available for consultation.

For the purposes of researching specific ships, an estimated date of loss is required in order to locate an entry. In many instances, information on ship loss may be obtained with the aid of the Register of Ships .

Arrangement

Chronological

Access Information

Digital and physical access to the Casualty Returns is provided by the Heritage & Education Centre for copies dating from 1890-2000. Digital access is via the HEC website, and physical copies are accessible from the reading rooms at 71 Fenchurch Street.

For copies of the Casualty Returns published after the year 2000, access can only be in-person.

Other Finding Aids

Online index of digitised copies.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright and all other intellectual property rights for the Casualty Returns up to the year 2000 are held and reserved by the Lloyd's Register Foundation and/or its licensors.

For copies of the Register of Ships published after the year 2000, copyright and all other intellectual property rights, permission to reproduce material under anything other than the educational/research use must be sought from IHS Markit.

Use of Lloyd's Register Foundation information or materials is granted under an "Educational License."

Reproduction is subject to usual conditions: educational use & condition of documents.

Queries or alternative licenses are granted only by direct permission from the Heritage & Education Centre.

Please see our website for further details on licensing and use.

Accruals

Expected