Historical Missing Vessel Books Now Available Online for Researchers and Seabed Mappers
The Missing Vessel Books, documenting missing ships reported to Lloyd's of London from 1874 to 1954, are now available online, serving as a valuable resource for researchers in shipwreck identification and seabed mapping.
The Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage & Education Centre (HEC), in collaboration with Lloyd’s of London, is thrilled to announce the completion of the digitisation project. These historical records, part of the Lloyd’s Marine Collection, provide invaluable insights into missing ships, offering details about their voyages, cargoes, and more.
The Missing Vessel Books, utilized by Lloyd’s of London for insurance claim settlements, cover a substantial period from 1874 to 1954. A total of fourteen volumes are arranged chronologically and list the missing ships alphabetically. The collection, previously available only in physical form at London’s Guildhall Library, can now be accessed freely on Archive.org, Google Books, and the HEC website.
These books are a unique resource for maritime researchers, maritime archaeologists, and seabed mappers, providing insights into the common issue of disappearing ships at sea. With no survivors to recount their stories, the Missing Vessel Books offer valuable information for the identification of shipwrecks and contribute to seabed mapping and exploration.
The digital availability of the Missing Vessel Books marks an exciting milestone in improving access to archival collections.
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