unclassed ships, but the latter were allowed to gradually drop out, until the 'Register' contained almost exclusively classed ships. Few particulars at that time were given of the vessels beyond the tonnage (old), the date and place of build, the captain's and owner's names, and the port of registry.
The rules as first issued for the building of wood ships were brief and general, but slight reference being made to wood steamers, which were then few in number. The first iron vessels classed in the Register Book were the Sirius, of 180 tons, built at London in 1837, and the Ironside, built at Liverpool in 1838; they had the A 1 class assigned without a term of years, and iron vessels were subsequently classed in the same way until 1854, when rules for their construction were framed, twelve A 1, nine A 1, and six A 1 classes, respectively, being assigned under those rules. In 1863 the mode of classing iron ships was altered to /Ā\ 1, /B̄\ 1, and /C̄\ 1. Rules for the building of composite ships (iron frames planked with wood) were devised in 1867, and the vessels were classed A 1 for a term of years. In 1870 new rules for the construction of iron ships were framed, based on the dimensions of vessels instead of on tonnage as formerly, and the class of iron vessels was altered from the monogram system indicated above to 100 A 1, 90 A 1, and 80 A 1;[1]*
- ↑ 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.'
