210 FORESTS OF NORWAY. 
of men lost; with a classification of the vessels according 
to the national flag which they bore. From these 1t 
appears that the mean annual loss from 1871 to 1875 was 
2°37 per cent. of the vessels, and 3:05 per cent. of the ton- 
nage. On an average 176 men were lost annually by ship- 
wreck; in 1873, 1874, 1875, about 300 men, it was 
calculated, died of disease. Mes 
There are numerous maritime insurance companies 1n 
Norway. Formerly, say from 1814 to 1837, assurance was 
generally effected in Hamburg. In 1875 there were 
in Norway 18 assurance companies, insuring that year 
against loss 282 million francs, on premiums amounting to 
2,780,000 francs. 
The coast is well lighted, according to most approved 
methods, throughout its entire extent. In the end of 1876 
there were 120 lighthouses, and one light-ship, many of 
them of a high-class, and constructed according to the sys- 
tem of Freesnal. Of these 108 were maintained by the State, 
built at an expense of 5,700,000 francs. The others are 
port lights, maintained by communes. The expense of 
lighting the coast and of signals wasin 1875 808,600 
francs. 
Pilotage was first established by law in 1720. Sundry 
changes have from time to time been made in the laws 
relative to it. The fundamental regulations now in force 
are embodied in the law of 17th June 1869. These pre- 
scribe the organisation and the tariff. Pilotage is com- 
pulsory only on vessels coming from or going to foreign 
ports, and vessels of above 104 tons going to or returning 
from the fishing. The prohibition of employing others 
than members of the staff, which was previously in force, was 
then abolished ; and the obligation to employ these in their 
turn in going out, and to employ the first who boards on 
entering, was modified so far that such must be paid, but 
they need not be employed. 
A fund in aid of pilots was organised in 1805, lending 
money free of interest for equipping pilot boats, and su : 
porting the aged and infirm, and widows and children, 
