In a message dated 26/02/2005 13:50:11 GMT Standard Time, emmo@emmerson1772.freeserve.co.uk writes: I also have a missing Mariner, Douglas Robson Joined the Merchant Service in 1851 in Sunderland as an Apprentice, we have him up to 1856, but no sign of him after that, he is not on any of the Census 1861-1901, Don't know what happened to him. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Hi Allan, Life in the Merchant Service was more dangerous than in mining. In the 1860s the death rate was higher then in the worst Victorian city, 1 in 80 died of disease, 1 in 70 drowned and 1 in 20 was invalided out. So 1 in 12 were lost to the service by accident, disease or disability, to which can be added the large number who jumped ship, often in the USA or Australia. In 1881, the peak year, 4,000 masters and men died by wreck, drowning or accident. Regards Stan Mapstone www.mapstone.org