Note 318 — APPENDIX No. 12.
Reading edition
Extracts from the Rules relating to the Classing and Periodical Surveys of Ships (1875).
IRON STEAM AND SAILING SHIPS.
Iron Ships are classed A 1 with a numeral prefixed, and retain their characters so long as, on careful annual and periodical Special Surveys, they are to be found in a fit and efficient condition to carry dry and perishable cargoes to and from all parts of the world.
100 A, 90 A, and 80 A, will denote vessels that have been built in accordance with, or equal to, the Rules, and Tables G 1, G 2, G 3, and G 4. Where deviations from the Rules are desired, a sketch of the midship section, plans, &c., must be first submitted, through the resident Surveyor, for the Committee’s approval, and the vessel built in accordance with the approved plans, under the Survey of the Surveyors to the Society.
Iron Ships built in accordance with previous Rules remain on the characters assigned to them.
All vessels must be submitted to occasional or Annual Surveys when practicable; and to entitle them to retain their characters in the ‘Register Book,’ Special Surveys must be held at intervals of three and four years, according to the Class assigned.
WOOD SHIPS.
Ships Classed A 1 for a term of Years.—Section 34 requires that they shall be occasionally surveyed; Annually if practicable. If not placed under half-time or intermediate Surveys within periods not exceeding four years—or, in the case of the higher classed vessels, one-half of the terms of years originally assigned to them—their Characters will be liable to be withdrawn from the ‘Register Book.’
Sections 54 to 58 provide for the Continuation or Restoration of the Character A 1 for further periods.
Ships Classed A 1 in Red.—Section 60 provides for the Survey and Classing of Ships A 1 in Red, which is also a Class of vessels fit for the safe conveyance of dry and perishable goods to and from all parts of the world. They are allowed to retain this Character upon Special Survey, for terms in no case exceeding two-thirds the periods originally assigned to them.
They are also subject to Annual Survey, and to the half-time Survey prescribed in Section 34.
Ships Classed Æ, for the conveyance of dry and perishable goods on shorter voyages, and for the conveyance of cargoes not in their nature subject to sea damage on any voyage.
Section 61 requires that they should be submitted to Annual Survey, and to Special Survey within periods not exceeding four years.
Ships Classed E.—For the conveyance of cargoes not subject to sea damage on any voyage.
Section 65 requires that they should be submitted to Annual Survey, and to Special Survey within periods not exceeding three years.
Provision is made in the Rules for the Classification of Composite Ships; also of Foreign-built Ships constructed not in accordance with the Rules.
As all vessels are required to be surveyed periodically, the date of Survey is the criterion of their state of efficiency at that time only.