RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FREEBOARD. 127 
of strength, the standard of strength adopted for use with the tables being the 
1903 Germanischer Lloyd’s Rules. Vessels carrying wood in holds and having 
deck cargoes were allowed less freeboards than given by the tables provided they 
had sufficient stability, but no method of estimating this deduction was given. 
Small coasting sailers under 100 tons gross were allowed to load in summer deeper 
than given by the tables by a maximum allowance not exceeding the reduction 
allowed for loading in fresh water, and no addition was made to the freeboards 
either for steamers or sailers engaged in the North Atlantic trade in winter. 
Owing to the reduction in freeboard granted to awning deck vessels, it was 
found that the new German regulations gave reductions in the freeboards of vessels 
with long erections as compared with the British, which were so considerable that 
it was evident that modifications would be necessary either to the British or German 
tables, or both, before the governments concerned could accept each other’s 
regulations as being mutually effective. 
In order to meet the situation which had arisen owing to the introduction of 
the German freeboard rules, the British Board of Trade called a conference of the 
assigning bodies, with the result that drastic alterations were made to the British 
tables, which had the effect of allowing considerable reductions in the freeboards 
of the majority of vessels, it being estimated that the reductions in freeboards 
granted represented an increased carrying capacity for British shipping of 1,000,000 
tons. The freeboard tables, with the exception of the spar deck table, were 
modified, and the amendments are shown in Fig. 3, Plate 57, which indicates 
clearly the considerable reductions made in the freeboards of awning deck vessels, 
the fairing up of the flush deck freeboard curve from 28 feet to 42 feet moulded, 
and the reductions made to the freeboards of the larger sized sailing ships. 
The increased draughts allowed by the new awning deck table necessitated a 
higher standard of strength for this type, and the old standard, 7. e., Lloyd’s 1885 
awning deck rules, was augmented by the addition of heavier topside scantlings. 
In addition to the table alterations the allowances for erections were modified and 
consideration was also given to the freeboard of vessels with scuppers and other 
Openings in the side, and it was decided that the maximum reductions under the 
revised regulations should be granted only where the means of closing all such 
openings were satisfactory, the machinery casings above the upper deck were of 
sufficient height and strength, and the hatchways, hatch covers, etc., were efficient 
and in good condition. When these conditions were not complied with, the free- 
boards were to be increased, due regard being given to the vessel’s trade. 
In 1908, with a view to bringing the German freeboard tables into line with 
the revised British requirements, modifications were made to the erection allow- 
ances, and more detailed information was given for dealing with the freeboards 
of special types, such as shelter deck vessels with tonnage openings. The provisions 
contained in the British 1906 rules with regard to the protection of openings, 
nature of appliances required for closing openings in erection bulkheads, height 
and strength of machinery casings and cargo hatches, and the requirements as to 
ports, scuppers, etc., were all included in the 1908 German rules. The British 
