Hello, I wonder if anyone could help me.
I have a relative Thomas Corrin who is on 1851 IOM Census .. profession is a Mariner. On the 1861 & 1971 IOM Census he doesn't seem to be with his wife & children and today I have possibly tracked him to being on a Vessel ... 1861 on a ship call Ruby and in 1871 a vessel called William.
My question is ... they seem to be small ships .. what type of boat would they be and what what type of thing would the boat be used for?
Also I don't seem to be able to find him after the 1871 ... have searched 1881 IOM, England, Scotland & Wales Cenus but he seems to have gone (although of course by 1881 I would be looking for a man approaching 70).

Many thanks ...... Barbara