After 1871 census returns for ships in British Waters were made. These returns were filed at the next Port at which the ship called after census night.

The Manx fishing fleet returns are filed with Peel, Castletown and Douglas.

Some steam packet ships are filed with Douglas - I guess there will be some with Liverpool.

I don't know of any easy way of finding out where a paticular vessel filed its return- maybe some of our maritime expers can help.