The sources for reconstructing voyage patterns are listed in the notes to table 3.1. Since certain of these records may be unfamiliar to readers, the usefulness of each source is outlined here.

Manuscript records at the Society of Merchant Venturers, Bristol

The Annual List of Shipping (1747–87) and the Ships' Muster Rolls (1748–94) came into being with the establishment of the Merchant Seamen's Fund for disabled seamen in 1747. This was a pioneer contributory pension scheme financed by employed seamen, who had sixpence per month deducted from their wages in order to make up the fund. The money was collected by ship captains at the end of each voyage and was recorded on a muster roll so that the Controller of Customs could check the figures. Seamen became eligible for relief if they were temporarily out of work through illness or injury. The Society of Merchant Venturers administered the fund for Bristol.

The Annual List of Shipping, compiled from late September to late September, according to the civic year in Bristol, records the following information in columns:

1. Time when Paid the 6d. p mo.

2. Ship or Vessels Name.

3. Of What Place.

4. Of What Burthen: Tons.

5. Number of Men usually Sail'd with.

6. Master's Name.

7. Whence Arriv'd, or of what Trade.

8. To What Time last PAID. Day. Month. Year.

9. Time of the First Man's Entry. Day. Month. Year.

10. Time of the last Man's Discharge, or end of the Voyage. Day. Month. Year.

11. […]