cient thus obtained is to be modified when the vessel is of rounded form at the gunwale, the necessary addition in ordinary cases being .01.

10. The length correction under para. 9 of the load-line tables is to be of that specified in Table A, where the breadth of the turret is of the breadth of the vessel, but the table correction is to be halved where the breadth of the turret is 1% or more of the breadth of the vessel. For turrets having breadths between and f, the length correction is to be in proportion. 11. In making the sheer correction in accordance with para. 18 of the load-line tables, the sheer is to be measured at the ends of the vessel.

12. The effective length of the turret is to be obtained by multiplying its length by the ratio of the mean breadth of the turret to the breadth of the vessel amidships.

13. The deduction from the freeboard shown in the tables on account of the turret is to be as follows:

Where the effective length of the turret is of the length of vessel deduct 45 per cent of the difference between the freeboards in Table A (after correction for sheer) and Table C. Where the effective length is 1, deduct 55 per cent, and so on in proportion. For intermediate lengths intermediate percentages are to be taken.

14. In those vessels having unsheathed harbour or main decks, a correction should be made, when employing the linear method of computation, as described in para. 6 (b).

15. The transverse and longitudinal strength of the vessel are to be regulated by that required for a "three-deck" vessel of the same length, breadth, moulded depth, and coefficient of fineness, and the scantlings of the turret are to be determined so that the stress per square inch upon the material of the turret amidships shall not exceed that of a standard vessel of the same dimensions and form, and having scantlings equal to the requirements of the 100 A class in Lloyd's Register (1885) for threedeck vessels when loaded to the freeboard given in Table A after deducting 12 per cent from the same.

16. Should a vessel be constructed with a turret less than 5% the breadth of the vessel or less in height than of the moulded depth, or should the radius of curvature at the gunwale exceed 20 per cent of the moulded depth, or should the centre line of the disc when ascertained reach a point above the junction of the vertical side with a rounded gunwale, full particulars and calculations with the proposed assignment are to be submitted to the Board of Trade before freeboards are assigned.

17. The freeboards in the certificates issued are to be set off in feet and inches from the line of the turret deck.

RULES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE FREEBOARD OF SHELTER-DECKED

STEAMERS

By the term "shelter-decked steamer' is meant, for the purpose of the following instructions, a steam vessel having a complete superstructure of a substantial character extending over the whole length of the vessel, the superstructure deck (hereinafter called the shelter-deck) being continuous and unbroken at the sides of the vessel, but having one or more openings at the middle line, which have no permanent means of closing them, but which may not have means for temporarily closing them.

All hatchways in the deck immediately below the shelterdeck should be properly framed with substantial coamings, hatch covers, and shifting beams, etc., as described in paragraph 24. The hatchways should have efficient means of battening down as described in clause 7 of these rules and any stairways or similar openings should have efficient means of closing.

In assigning freeboards to shelter-decked vessels, the following rules should be observed:

(1) In making the sheer correction in accordance with para. 18 of the load-line tables, the sheer is to be measured at the ends of the vessel, and the freeboard corrected for sheer in estimating the allowance for erections.

(2). (a) In the case of shelter-decked vessels having only one opening in the shelter-deck, the length correction under para. 9 of the load-line tables is to be one-half that specified in Table A; and the allowance for deck erections is to be determined under para. 11 in the manner specified below, provided that the effective length of the deck erections, when assessed on the assumption that the opening in the deck is an open well, and in accordance with the different regulations contained in the load-line tables affecting poops, bridges, and forecastle, open or closed, is not less than of the length of the vessel.

(b) In the case of shelter-decked vessels having an opening at each end of the vessel, and also in the case of vessels having more than two openings in the shelter-deck, the allowance for deck erections is to be determined under para. 12 of the tables, the length correction under para. 9 of the load-line tables is to be one-half that specified in Table A, provided that the effective length of the deck erections, when assessed on the assumption that each opening in the deck is an open well, and in accordance with the different regulations contained in the load-line tables

affecting poops, bridges, and forecastles, open or closed, is not less than of the length of the vessel.

(3) The effective length of the deck erections is to be calculated in the following manner, provided the openings in the shelter-deck do not exceed half the vessel's breadth at the middle of the length of the opening. The length to be taken in the first instance as if each opening were an open well, the value of each part being assessed on that assumption in accordance with the different regulations contained in the load-line tables affecting poops, bridge-houses, and forecastles, open or closed, and also in accordance with the regulations regarding bridgehouses not covering the engine and boiler space. The final allowance for erections will depend upon whether or not temporary but efficient means are provided for closing the openings in the shelter-deck.

(a) If efficient means as specified below are provided for temporarily closing the openings in the shelter-deck, the effective length of the deck erections is to be reckoned as the length computed as prescribed above, plus half the difference between that length and the length of the vessel.

(b) If efficient means for temporarily closing the openings are not provided, the effective length of the erections is to be computed by adding to the length computed as above one-fourth, instead of one-half, the difference between that length and the length of the vessel.

(c) If the openings in the shelter-deck are wider than as specified above, the addition to the assumed length of erections is to be modified in proportion to the relation which the actual opening holds to the specified breadth and to a complete well.

4. Means for temporarily closing the openings in the shelterdeck may be regarded as efficient, if they are at least equivalent to the following in strength and security. The portable planks for closing the openings to be not less in thickness than required by para. 43 of Lloyd's Rules (1885) for the flat of awningdecks. The planks to be supported by portable beams, fitted either longitudinally or athwartships, spaced not wider than 5 feet apart, and efficiently secured at their ends, and the deck in way of the openings to be efficiently supported by pillars from the deck below. The portable planks to be provided with eye bolts and lashings, or some other equally efficient means of securing them in place.

5. If efficient means are provided for temporarily closing the openings in the shelter-deck in heavy weather, the freeing ports required by para. 11 (e) need not be provided. If, however, efficient means for closing the openings are not provided, whether in vessels with one or more than one opening in the shelter

deck, then freeing ports with shutters properly hung are to be fitted, having a minimum area as follows:

If the freeing port area is less than that stated above, an addition is to be made to the freeboard of per cent of the vessel's moulded depth, provided, however, that in the case of vessels treated under para. 12, the freeboard is not to be increased beyond that due to deck erections of the same length and character, but with open wells, as determined by the different regulations contained in the load-line tables affecting poops, bridge-houses, and forecastles.

6. The deduction for summer to be intermediate between Tables A and C, in proportion to the effective length of erections finally allowed for freeboard purposes, and the freeboards assigned to those vessels must never be less than would be assigned for a complete awning-decked vessel of the same dimensions.

7. For the purpose of the assignment of freeboards, a hatchway having strong iron or steel coamings, with hatch rest bars of the usual description, and also cleats for battening down bars securely riveted to the coamings, thwartship beams and fore and afters, substantial hatch covers and tarpaulins, shall be considered to have "permanent means of closing." And a deck erection having no openings in it, except so protected, shall be held to be "permanently enclosed."

The above reduction in freeboard for summer voyages from European and Mediterranean ports is to be made from April to September inclusive. In other parts of the world the reduced freeboard shall be used during the corresponding or recognised summer months. Double the above reduction to be allowed for Voyages in the fine season in the Indian seas, between the limits of Suez and Singapore. An additional freeboard of two inches should be required for all vessels up to and including 330 feet in length when entering the North Atlantic, when sailing to, or from, the Mediterranean, or any British or European port, and which may sail to, or from, or call at, ports in British North America, or eastern ports in the United States, north of Cape Hatteras, from October to March inclusive.

Load Draught Diagrams.

(Based on British Freeboard Tables.)

It is often necessary to get an approximation to the load draught in estimating on proposed vessels, when in many cases there is insufficient time to calculate the freeboard in the regular way. For this purpose the adjoining diagrams have been prepared for cargo vessels from the freeboard tables, and from these the mean moulded load draught may be scaled off with accuracy, always observing that the proper allowances for excess of sheer, erections on deck, and uncovered iron deck, strength, etc., must be made afterwards. These diagrams being graphic reproductions of the various tables, will be found to facilitate the estimating of load draughts where a sufficiently close approximation only is required. It should also be borne in mind that fullness of form influences the freeboard to a considerable extent, therefore the diagram will only read correctly for vessels having coefficients of under deck tonnage from .78 to .82, and judgment must be used when dealing with vessels of finer forms, the freeboards of which are less than in the case of fuller vessels.