I wonder if anyone is able to explain to me any pattern, or significance, of the numbering of the boats enumerated in the 1881 census, particularly at Peel.

There are various vessels such as Elvira 44, Ida 186, Matchless 180, Ena 252. I had always taken this to simply be a reflection of the ennumerator's course, but given the apparently territorial nature of much of the fishing, does this perhaps reflect the usual berths of the boats - or is it all random and am I over reading it ?

Any insights would I suspect help others as well as myself in their searches

Thanks

Paul