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Archiver > Mariners > 2004-10 > 1096844889


From: "David Asprey" <>
Subject: Re: [Mar] Re : Reasons for BoT Inquiries
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 00:08:27 +0100
References: <00c101c4a97b$f7cf8360$a77c7ad5@b2hhxsakhkmy4sl>


on October 03, 2004 8:05 PM John Styevenson wrote
> I have an interest in this subject too. There is no logic apparent to
> me about why inquiries were held on certain losses and not others.
<snip> Jeff C has just posted a reply which is very interesting and
basically confirms what I have always thought - no hard and fast rule as to
the reasons for holding an enquiry pre 1900. Your mention of the Merchant
Shipping Acts and Amendments of course must be correct as there has to be
the "written word" as to the legality of convening such an enquiry. The
outcome of any investigation was often crucial to a seaman's career and had
to be conducted in a fair and objective way.
>>>>>>

It looks as if following TNA/PRO files could be illuminating:

MT 9/149: General Rules for Formal Investigation into Shipping Casualties
(1878)

MT 9/167: Shipping Casualties Investigations (Re-hearing) Bill 1879 -
Merchant Shipping Bill 1879 (1879)

MT 9/382: Wrecks and Casualties. Law and practice relating to inquiries
(1890)

MT 9/526: Investigations. Revision of the Rules relating to the
investigation of shipping casualties (1895)

MT 9/682: Casualties. Suggested holding of Board of Trade inquiries in all
cases involving loss of life at sea at or near any of the home ports or
coasts (1901)

HO 45/9532/41921R: SHIPS - Rules and appointment of Assessors under
Merchant Shipping Act, 1876 and Shipping Casualties Investigations Act, 1879
(1879-81)

Unfortunately I do not have the possibility of an early visit to Kew.

David Asprey

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