Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/565



There are very easy means of ascertaining the seaworthiness of a ship, when first sent afloat, already at our disposal, as those of my readers, who are not conversant with this subject, will find by referring to the Appendix, where a history of Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping will be found. That association has a well-organised and extensive staff of surveyors, through whom, at a very small cost, this fact could be ascertained. My readers will also there see the immense advantage that association has afforded in the improvement of our ships and the power it possesses of rendering still greater public service. But while rivalry amongst associations for classification is unquestionably injurious, it may not be considered advisable that Lloyd's Register alone should issue certificates of seaworthiness. There are other similar associations whose certificates would answer the object in view equally well, and it is for Government to decide (should an attempt be made to carry this principle into practice) what associations shall be empowered to issue the requisite certificates.

But while I cannot ignore the principle that no unseaworthy vessel should be allowed to leave our