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(8.) Concludes the section thus: "If in any other respect the
"Provisions of this Section are not observed the owner
" shall for every failure incur a penalty not
"exceeding 20l."
Under this Section a series of "Instructions as to the survey of Master's
"and Crew's spaces "has been issued by the Board of Trade for the guidance
of their Surveyors.
They cover all the subjects mentioned in the Act, and are extremely clear
and explicit. The expression "ship" is defined to include "every description
of vessel used in navigation not propelled by oars," except boats
used exclusively for fishing on the coasts of the United Kingdom, as well as
pleasure yachts and such barges as are used on canals and rivers only; and
the term "seaman" to include every person (except master, pilots, and
apprentices duly indentured and registered) employed or engaged to serve
in any capacity on board any ship.
Then follows the law as to deduction from tonnage, showing that under
the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, crew space above the upper deck to
the extent of one-twentieth of the remaining tonnage was deducted from the
gross tonnage of the ship.
This was altered by the Act of 1867, which makes no restrictions on the
two points of position and amount. Thus the tonnage of all places intended
for the berthing of seamen and apprentices can now be deducted, provided
the Surveyor certifies that the provisions of the Act are complied with.
But it is only under the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Act, 1889, that a
deduction can be made for any place used exclusively for the master, who is
now entitled to a space "reasonable in extent," properly and efficiently
constructed, ventilated and lighted.
Masters' spaces are not to be inspected unless a deduction is claimed,
whereas crew's spaces must be of the required size, &c., in every case.
The rules for measurement of spaces are very simple.
For rectangular spaces the area and capacity are to be computed by multiplying
together the three dimensions of length, breadth and height ; but for
forecastles with varying breadth, the following rule is to be followed :
divide the length of the deck into four equal parts.
The forward bulkhead is to be termed No. 1, the first division being 2,
and so on, the after bulkhead being 5.
The breadth is taken across the ship at each division from gutter waterway
to gutter waterway. Multiply the first and fifth breadths by 1, the second
and fourth by 4, and the third by 2. Then multiply the sum of these products
D