ON THE MEASUREMEMT OF SHIPS FOR TONNAGE. 68 
lines of construction and scientific calculations should be demanded to be 
given up under an Act of Parliament. 
Considers (on the question of steam power) that it would be neither politic 
nor expedient to attempt to define power in a form more absolute than the 
nature of the subject practically admits. 
The results of his reflections are, that nothing is necessary to be now done 
except to rectify the allowance for engine room, which remains fictitious and 
arbitrary. 
Dr. Woolley thinks it hopeless to look for information from legislative 
enactments that would be useful in a scientific point of view. 
Thinks that in the levying of dues on shipping it is impossible to devise a 
general rule fairer than that which is now in force. 
Does not think the public much interested in the question. 
Does not doubt that the more science is brought to bear in shipbuilding 
the greater will be the economy, both as regards the first cost and the 
management of vessels; and owners will consequently be able to charge a 
lower price for carrying goods and passengers. 
Considers that an enforced registration should have for its object— 
Ist. To secure a fairness in levying Government dues. 
Qndly. To give a fair idea of the amount of tonnage or roomage employed 
for mercantile purposes. 
Thinks the present registration sufficient for merely statistical pur- 
poses. 
Thinks the present law makes too great a difference between steamers and 
sailing ships. 
Sees no valid reason for making distinctions based on the different mate- 
rials of which ships are built, or making discriminative distinctions between 
pee based on the different principles of machinery with which they may 
e fitted. 
He agrees with Mr. Napier in thinking an enforced registration of engine- 
power needless. 
Mr. James Robert Napier considers the objects of registration to be the 
_ ksvying of dues, and simplifying the process of transferring the property 
_ from one owner to another. 
_ Thinks the present system of tonnage measurement is more minute than 
_ is necessary, and of little or no use to the shipbuilder; is inclined to take 
_ Mr. Russell’s view of the subject, and not limit the load-draft of water. 
' Does not see any reason for making a distinction between vessels built of 
wood or iron. 
__ Considers nominal horse-power a useless termi. Instead of nominal horse- 
power, he would substitute simply the capacity of the cylinders, or area of 
eylinders, multiplied by length of stroke. This would be positive informa- 
tion, and would be useful in buying and selling, and might be inserted in 
the registry of a vessel. 
_ Thinks a legal standard of power would remove some confusion which at 
present exists. 
_ Mr. Atherton considers that the present registration of shipping, as re- 
Spects tonnage and nominal horse-power, affords no definite measure of 
quantity, either as to ship or engines, available for judging of the relative 
eapabilities of steam ships. 
_ Thinks the statistics of trade, based on the present expression of “ ton- 
nage,” pes not indicate the amount of trade, as respects the weight of goods 
conveyed. 
ji Considers that there is no constant ratio between “ Tons Burden” and 
eet OE ¢ 
