----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Vessels Owned. | Percentage Lost. |
|------+-----------+-------------------+
Flag. | | | Vessels | Tonnage |
| No. | Tons.[1] | Owned. | Owned. |
-------------------------+--------------------------------------+
United Kingdom. | 9227 |12,117,957 | 2.99 | 2.36 |
British Colonies. | 2307 | 1,124,682 | 3.38 | 3.70 |
United States of America.| 3220 | 2,164,753 | 4.72 | 4.06 |
French. | 1164 | 1,094,752 | 6.01 | 4.02 |
German. | 1730 | 1,886,812 | 6.76 | 4.38 |
Norwegian. | 3041 | 1,659,012 | 7.43 | 6.46 |
-------------------------+------+-----------+---------+---------+
[Footnote 1: Gross tonnage for steamers; net for sailing
vessels.]
When we turn from the contemplation of the complete fleets, and
differentiate between steam and sail, we find that the United Kingdom
no longer holds the premier position, being surpassed, as regards
steam, both by the colonies and by the United States. Steam vessels
are safer than sailing craft all over the world, partly, of course,
because their average age is less. The losses they suffered last year
are as follows: