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79
According to the Census returns, the number of persons enumerated on board
sea-going and coasting merchant vessels, and on inland barges and boats, in the
counties of London, Middlesex, Surrey, Essex and Kent, but within the district
of the Port of London Sanitary Authority, was 9,710 on 1,296 vessels.
At the previous Census in 1901, the numbers were 9,166 persons on 1,299 vessels
The close comparison, not only with regard to the number of vessels, but the number
of persons in occupation, is interesting, and as I pointed out in discussing the Census of
1901, that in 1874 soon after the Authority was constituted, the then Medical
Officer of Health (Dr. Leach) estimated that the average number of vessels in Port at
any one time was 1,000, and the population probably 9,000—a very close estimate.
The figures tend to show that the number has not fluctuated very greatly during
the past fifty years, either in the number of vessels in the Port at any one time, or
of the number of persons resident on the same.
On the last occasion I was able to give some information of the proportion
of British, Foreign, Colonial and other classes of vessels, and of the number of females
living on board vessels, but on this occasion the method of tabulation adopted does not
furnish these particulars.
I append a list showing the counties, parishes and administrative areas abutting
upon the district of the Port of London Sanitary Authority, and the number of vessels
and persons enumerated in each.
The figures quoted here do not include any persons on His Majesty's ships.
The Port, like the City of London, represents a huge day working area, and a
day Census, showing the number of persons employed would, if practicable, be of
interest and value.