The Maritime History Archive holds significant sources which can be used for
researching shipwrecks and disasters at sea.
Northern Shipwrecks Database
This database was developed and compiled by Northern Maritime Research. It features more than
50,000 records of North American marine casualties over the last four centuries. The system was
was designed as a central resource reference for the study of maritime history concentrating
on the area of North America between the 40th degree of North Latitude and the North Pole. It
also includes information on Canadian vessels lost world wide.
The database provides a quick guide to maritime casualties by vessel name, region or era. The
system is based on data from government documents, port records, vessel lists and registries, and
newspapers, plus hundreds of other references. The database includes references to over 700
sources including museum and archival material.
Maritime History Archive Shipwrecks File
This database includes information of shipping disasters taken from the shipwrecks files
at the MHA. The data was compiled mostly from newspapers and reports of the Canadian
Coastguard and covers the period from 1880-1930.
Certificates of Vessel Registry
The computer data files of the Certificates of Vessel Registry from Atlantic Canada Shipping
Project can be searched for vessel disposals. The level of detail in the vessel registries varies, but
precise location of wrecks is infrequently included in the data.
The Board of Trade Wreck Registers, 1850-1898
This is a file of selected information relating to vessels registered at the ports of St. John's,
Newfoundland, Saint John, New Brunswick, Halifax and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, arranged by
port of registry and official number or name of vessel.
PUBLICATIONS
Lloyd's List, 1741-1914.
Lloyd's List is a marine newspaper that was first
published by Lloyd's of London in 1741. From 1884 - 1914 it was published as Shipping
Mercantile Gazette and Lloyd's List. The daily publication includes information on vessel
movements and casualties. From 1839-1927 the Index to Lloyd's List provides access to
the entries in the list by name of vessel.
Other published material on shipwrecks held at the Maritime History Archive includes
Disasters at Sea during the age of steam, 1824-1962 by Charles Hocking. (London:
Lloyd's Register of Shipping, 1989). Lloyd's War Losses, the second World War,
Volume 1. (London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping, 1989) Syren and Shipping Mercantile
War Loss Book, Merchant vessels lost in World War 1. Lloyd's Register,
[1764-1995]; Shipwreck Index of the British Isles, by Richard and Bridget Larn.
Volumes 1 and 2, (London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping, 1995).
The fee for researching shipwrecks is $35 per hour and 50 cents for each page of information printed from the database.
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