ON THE MEASUREMENT OF SHIPS FOR TONNAGE, 65 
taining displacements at certain specified draughts that are in addition 
desirable; gives a proposed form of certificate. 
- Considers the plan of measurement (at present used under the Act of 1854) 
practically inefficient for obtaining a correct mensuration of vessels, in con- 
sequence of equal divisions not being always attainable. 
Considers that, to obviate certain defects (stated in his paper given in the 
Appendix, No. 6), all measurements, besides that of the measuring officers, 
should be attested by the builder and owner, &c. 
Considers that, after a trial of two years, the present tonnage measures 
ment and registration system has proved deficient and non-effective for the 
attainment of most of the objects of public utility which registration ought 
to afford. 
- Gives a comparison of four modes of measurement, on paper ruled to a 
seale, 1 inch to a foot, for facilitating the process of admeasurement. 
Thinks that the book of instructions given to measuring surveyors should 
contain practical directions and diagrams of each of these four modes of 
measurement. 
Thinks that the measuring officers should be shipbuilders or nautical men, 
experienced in taking measurements. 
Admiral Moorsom is of opinion that every vessel should incur a penalty 
which is loaded so as to sink below a certain draught of water. 
That her registered tonnage should comprise the weight of water between 
her assigned load-draught and that draught which she would have when fit 
_ for sea, with crew and stores and everything on board, except that by which 
she earns her freight. 
He proposes a plan for obtaining the results required for registra- 
tion *, 
Considers that the public have great concern in the improvement of 
engines, and improvement can make but slow and fitful progress when the 
_ power exerted and power given out are not known. 
Considers that any measure of power must be incomplete without the 
_ weight of fuel which is the originator of the power, and in any general 
_ system for the registration of engine capability we must include the con- 
_ structive details of the boiler as well as the cylinder. 
_ Such an expression would mean a given weight moved through a certain 
_ space in a certain time with a certain weight of coal. 
| Admiral Moorsom forwarded also a pamphlet, by himself, bearing on this 
_ subject, which will be found in the Appendix. 
Mr. James Yates shows the points of agreement between the party, as 
represented by Mr. Moorsom, Registrar-General of Tonnage, and that repre- 
sented by those who consider the present system of registration imperfect. 
Recommends the adoption of the “ Metrical Ton” as the base of a ship's 
| registered tonnage. 
_ The foregoing is a brief summary of the answers given to the eight 
questions circulated by your Committee, which were received from mem- 
bers of the said Committee, and will be found in the Appendix to this 
Keport. 
Letters from Mr. James Peake and Admiral Laws, bearing on the subject, 
were received. 
_ That from Mr. Peake gives a full explanation of his method of calcu- 
_ lating the tonnage of ships, both internally and externally. 
' Your Committee have also received answers from gentlemen connected 
with Science and Trade to the effect, as follows :— 
* Appendix, No. 7. 
