Arthur Albert Phillips b 1860 Paddington, Lost at Sea

[easy12]

Arthur Albert Phillips b 1860 in Paddington to George Phillips and Mary Ann Nation. Last official entry for him is 1871 Census living in Brighton , Sx, with George and stepmother Sarah Ann and half brother Walter Frederick. Oral family history has him dying in a shipping accident out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Can anybody suggest/lookup for me the details, if any, of this accident. I am afraid that I have no other details, no date, no service (Royal Navy or Merchant ) and no ship name. Some task and I haven't a clue where to begin or even if this is possible with so little information. Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.
Easy12   

[casalguidi]

Hi Easy12

The service records for those who served in the British Royal Navy 1873-1923 are indexed online so you could take a look to see if you can find him there:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/

Casalguidi

[easy12]

Hi casalguidi,
                          thanks for that info. I shall get on to that site. Any ideas as to where to look if he was in the Merchant Navy ?
Thanks again
easy12