situated above the uppermost deck, as well as erections for the purposes of shelter, such as turtle-backs, open at one end, and light decks supported on pillars and uninclosed, should not be measured for the purpose of their contents forming part either of the gross or register tonnage. Cargo carried under such erections should continue to be measured for dues under the act of 1876, the same as if stowed on the open deck. (e) That for the purpose of arriving at a register tonnage that shall, as nearly as is practicable, represent the actual space in a ship available for cargo, there should be added to the deduction at present made for crew space the contents of the master's cabin, provided it be used solely by the master and crew; and, further, that there be deducted the contents of spaces used for the working of the helm, the capstan, the anchor gear, and for keeping the charts, signals, and other instruments of navigation and boatswain's stores, and also the spaces occupied by donkey engine and boiler if connected with the main pumps of the ship. How register tonnage should be arrived at. Further allowance to sailing vessels for sail (f) That sailing vessels be further allowed a deduction for the space occupied by the sail rooms, this deduction not to exceed 24 per cent on the gross room space. tonnage. Deduction for propelling space in st am (g) That the deduction for propelling space in steamers should be the actual space set apart by the owner, at his discretion, for the engine and boiler room ers. and permanent bunkers, provided that such space be inclosed and separated from the hold of the ship by permanent bulkheads, and that the bunkers be so constructed that no access can be obtained thereto otherwise than through the ordinary coal chutes on deck, or in the ship's side, or from the openings in the engine room or stoke hold; but that to meet the varying requirements as to fuel of steamers engaged in long voyages, and to encourage ample ventilation to boiler and engine rooms in hot climates, owners of steamers should have the option to claim as deduction for propelling space the actual contents of engine and boiler space plus 75 per cent thereon in the case of screw steamers and 50 per cent in the case of paddle steamers, without restriction as to extent, construction, and use of bunkers: Provided always, That the deduction for propelling space shall not exceed 33 per cent of the gross tonnage of any screw steamer and shall not exceed 50 per cent of the gross tonnage of any paddle steamer. (h) That there shall not be deducted from the gross tonnage the contents of any spaces that have not first been included therein. Contents of spaces not first included in gross tonnage not to be deducted. Certain spaces above uppermost deck to be of registry. (i) That the spaces above the uppermost deck that are measured into gross tonnage should be specified with their contents on the certificate of specified in certificate registry of British ships and that the spaces whose contents are deducted from gross tonnage should in like manner be specified on the certificate of registry; and, further, that the carrying of passengers and cargo (including live stock) in spaces deducted from gross tonnage be prohibited under penalties except ducted spaces to be under the second rule for deduction of propelling space. 45. As regards provision for water ballast it seems to us that although double-bottom spaces may not be used for the stowage of cargo they often practically contribute to freight earning, inasmuch as the entire hold in such cases is available for light cargo, whereas a portion of the hold in a ship not fitted with water ballast would be unremuneratively occupied by stone or other material for ballast. It is also manifest that a ship fitted with a double bottom on the bracket or cellular system is externally a larger ship and is capable of carrying more dead-weight cargo, with a given freeboard, than a ship of the same internal dimensions and of precisely the same tonnage, con Carriage of passengers and cargo in deprohibited. Water ballast. Board of trade should have power to modify ment. structed without a double bottom, or with double-bottom water ballast on the 46. The determination of all the details of tonnage admeasurement by details of admeasure acts of Parliament, without possibility of modification, seems to us in some degree to hinder the free development of naval construction, and it would be for the advantage of the mercantile marine if the board of trade were empowered to modify these details to meet special and unforeseen alterations in the designs of ships, a return of such modifications to be laid upon the table of the House of Commons within 40 days of their introduction or of the sitting of the House. Legislation not to be made retrospective. 47. We are of opinion that legislation to carry into effect these recommendations should not be retrospective in its operation. All which we humbly submit to Your Majesty's gracious consideration. J. EDWARD WILKINS, Secretary. AUGUST 25, 1881. C. M. NORWOOD. E. J. REED. ROBERT CAPPER. T. B. ROYDEN. APPENDIX XIX. LAW, RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. MARYS FALLS CANAL, MICH. THE LAW. [Extract from act of Congress, Aug. 17, 1894.] SEC. 4. That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War to prescribe such rules and regulations for the use, administration, and navigation of any or all canals and similar works of navigation that now are, or that hereafter may be, owned, operated, or maintained by the United States as in his judgment the public necessity may require. Such rules and regulations shall be posted in conspicuous and appropriate places, for the information of the public, and every person and every corporation which shall knowingly and willfully violate such rules and regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof in any district court in the United States within whose territorial jurisdiction such offense may have been committed shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment (in the case of a natural person) not exceeding six months, in the discretion of the court. RULES AND REGULATIONS. ADMINISTRATION. 1. The canal and all its appurtenances shall be in charge of the officer of the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, detailed for that duty by the Secretary of War. His representative at the locality shall be the assistant engineer in local charge of the works of river and harbor improvement, who, for canal purposes, shall be styled general superintendent. Except in case of emergency all orders and instructions from the engineer officer in charge shall be communicated to the canal force through the general superintendent. In case of emergency, however, he is authorized to take such steps as may be immediately necessary without waiting for instructions from the engineer officer in charge. 2. The canal force shall consist of one superintendent, one clerk, three assistant superintendents, and such engineers, watchmen, foremen, lockmen, and laborers as may be necessary to the efficient operation of the canal and care of grounds and other public property pertaining to the canal. 3. The superintendent shall be charged with the immediate control and management of *he entire force. He shall see that all members perform their respective duties, and that all les and regulations for use of the canal and grounds are duly enforced, to which end he is horized to give all necessary orders and directions in accordance with said rules and regulaboth to employees of the Government and to any or every person within the limits of the canal or the grounds pertaining thereto, whether navigating the canal or not. In case of his absence or disability his duties shall be performed on their respective watches by the assistant superintendents. |