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1871 Census return for canal boat Garibaldi
Special enumeration forms for vessels were introduced in 1851, but none are known to survive. So in practice, 1861 was the first census to include returns from shipping – both the Royal Navy and merchant shipping, at sea, and in ports at home and abroad. The Master of the vessel was responsible for completing the forms, and the instructions indicated that the completed form should be handed in to HM Customs with the ‘least possible delay‘, or face a fine of £5. Despite this, the nautical returns are far from complete due to the difficulties of collecting enumeration forms from ships at sea or in distant ports, etc. Shipping included local barges working only inland waters – this is part of the 1871 census return for the canal barge Garibaldi of Lechlade, which worked the Thames & Severn Canal mostly carrying coal, salt and corn.
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