ON THE MEASUREMENT OF SHIPS FOR TONNAGE, 89° 
(hundredths) of that mean as the registered tonnage, approximating the 
old or builder’s tonnage by the use of the divisor 353.” 
“« All measurements to be recorded on paper ruled to a scale of a quarter of 
an inch to a foot on the section of the length at which they are measured, 
diagrams of each section to be formed at the line of measurement, these 
areas to be computed by any two of the four modes contained in the instruc- 
tions, the correct areas to be formed into a curve of areas from the length 
of the tonnage deck. A scale of displacement, the area of midship section, 
and draft of water, to be formed on the certificate of survey, which is to be 
recorded in the diagrams of sections aud curves of areas, and formed from a 
section of the frame ruled on a scale half an inch toa foot. A specification 
of the quality and scantling of the various materials used in the vessel to 
be filled in on the back of the certificate of survey ; to be signed by the 
builder or owner, as well as the surveying officer.” 
22. Ships which, requiring to be measured for any purpose other than 
registry, have cargo on board, and ships which, requiring to be measured 
for the purpose of registry, cannot be measured by the rule above given, 
shall be measured by the following rule hereinafter called Rule II.:— 
Rule II.—1. Measure the length on the tonnage deck from the outside of 
the outer plank at the stem to the aftside of the stern-post, deducting there- 
from the distance between the aftside of the stern-post and the rabbet of the 
stern-post at the point where the counter plank crosses it; measure also the 
greatest breadth of the ship to the outside of the outer planking or wales, 
and then, having first marked on the outside of the ship on both sides thereof 
_ the height of the tonnage deck at the ship’s sides, girt the ship at the greatest 
breadth in a direction perpendicular to the keel from the height so marked 
on the other side by passing a chain under the keel ; to half the girth thus 
taken add half the main breadth ; square the sum; multiply the result by 
the length of the ship taken as aforesaid; then multiply this product by the 
factor ‘0018 (eighteen ten-thousandths) in the case of ships built of wood, 
and by ‘0021 (twenty-one ten-thousandths) in the case of ships built of iron, 
and the product shall be deemed the register tonnage of the ship, subject. to 
the additions and deductions hereinafter mentioned. 
2. If there be a break, a poop, or other closed-in space on the upper deck, 
the tonnage of such space shall be ascertained by multiplying together the 
mean length, breadth and depth of such space, and dividing the product by 
100, and the quotient so obtained shall be deemed to be the tonnage of such 
space, and shall, subject to the deduction for a closed-in forecastle mentioned 
in Rule I., be added to the tonnage of the ship under the tonnage-deck as- 
certained as aforesaid ; and if the ship has three or more decks, the tonnage 
of each space between decks above the tonnage-deck shall be ascertained in 
the same manner as for the like spaces in Rule I., and added to the tonnage 
aforesaid. 
No. '7.—ApmrIraL Moorsom (Member of the Committee). 
In answer to the Circular of Nov. 6th, 1856. 
Highfield, Birmingham, Feb. 23, 1857. 
My Dear Sir,—I shall not be able to attend your Committee to-morrow. 
I have considered the questions in Mr. Atherton’s printed paper, and I 
cannot afford you much help in the form of categorical reply. 
There does not seem to be much disposition on the part of owners of sailing 
vessels or steamers to stir against the present system of registration. 
On many grounds, however, I think that every vessel should incur a penalty 
