The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-23 00:00:00

iFICATION qf PUPPING at LLOYD'S.
of Merchant era, and Underwriters, was
at the City of Tavern, pursuant to a rno.
at the General Annual Meeting of the i
n
to
last, " for the purpose of taking into caw
la
the proem system of the Classification of Shipping, bg.
old the two Registty Moults used at Lloyd's atal
of appointing a Committee to collect die fulls*
the 'object, and to consider and report to a subs&
MectinF such Alterations in the system as they
cpedient.'
Among vas very nunicrously and respectably attended
Ewa after one o'clock, THOMAS WILSON, 11I.P. was
411 If the Chair.
Cumuli ox. after waiting a few minutes in vain fur a
• containing the requisition for the meeting, procatdeg
_Aucons wed at the previoue meeting. Itaring thus
Ike soceting aware of the object hit was asiernbled.,
Wrote) said he would occupy butts short time in addrearing
as be conceived the object was not to be discussed by the
but by them. lle felt gratified that the meeting had
together this ucearion, heesune he was of opinion,
• the onre existed a doubt trpecting any matter affecting
• -, Of the county-

to the manner in which such ships may hare been classed by their
rurtevors? if not—if they have uniformly supported Mims Nuke
plet,use
complaints of unfairness or mistaken estimate OD their irieb.
out in any instance ascertaining by personal inspectica •
such tempi:tints have been well or ill founded ; then I askida
orscricufbt, the surveyors are the regulators and whiten of
shipping; and if you concur with me in this conclusion, I ask, anti
I entreat your serious attention tom, interrogatory—Will you—m•
you, consistently with a due regard to your own individual interests,
to the efficiency of our mercantile merits:, and to its just chi.
racier and estimation abroad—can you, I say, passively submit
any longer to a system, which operates so detrimentally as
your own Interests, and on the natomal reputation of our trad.
mg shippirg ? I have recently heard it asserted, that the
ship-owners and merchants have no right to complain of the
system practised by the conductors of the present books; that
they are private undertakings, originated by, and having no
object but 10 afford infonbstion to. the underwriters. Rut,
Sir, I can hardly conceive it possible that the underwriters can, on
such grounds, refuse to concur in the institution of the committee
of which I seek the appointment. If their books never went beyond
the precincts of Lloyd's, if they were accessible to no persons but
the undtrwriters, for whose exclusive use and guidance some per-
sons profess they arc published, then, indeed, the argument would
have Nome weight ; but circulated as they are, not only throughout
....

cr •
nianladuritig, orvithii4pitorign.iianetet-rato
tiotsn a— :lout all,tritaY' the United kingdon, but through every part of the worlti where
des ruing
the
orathshivowners, to exaniine the mode British enterprise can discover a channel r w commercial interoomse,
'ettntleirenniiier:rificabini or the alleged evils. lie felt it they vamp, not in Britain only, but also in all foreign ports the
that he WWI present when the character *nil estimstion of every British ship which melts them ,
nit on biro also to at
ght tot:atrdetat the General Meeting of the and while, in nemerous instances, now st. the finest of uur mer-
h. then heard it „Bantam, end that the chant shipping have been unable to obtain employment in foreign
sas fint beau
'Tht,watt‘utrieeter4 in which the subject was brought ports, owing to the brand of a second-rate chit:echo, in what are
inhne:attemrt:tmei and, as it appeared to him, generally. denominated IJoyd's books, vessels absolutely unlit to
anywills tsoper pa ty, but sincerely, he be. carry perishable cargoes command the choice of employment, solely
1h "8
wLie‘;26.2ll: oco4rewon" bete inter rot% generally, as Mer, frau' the mistaken and absurd plan of placing them in the first class
hear.) Ile had, (Toni age only. lam desirous, at present, to avoid. initting.forward
iou'llere winters. (Near,
o.";nria:....4°74,,,a(l7.tehhrequest thre.irard.atiention to the gentleman who any notiens of my own with teepees to the substitution ot a better
system ; that is the Ithjeet and proper business of the committee
gain bring the *
t
.t
hl uee'•and addressed the meeting to wish to use established. But I cannot refrain from obscrvieg. that
oc.this oecoion, with very strong the present system of allowing the surveyors to take fees owns.
nig effect :—I rise. Sat,
and I shall therefore be obliged to claim lively calls for alteration. It appears to me iadinpmmide to thee.
niorraasment•suited me. When any ficiency of any plan which may he devised, that the surveyors should
.oftener you and the meeting Carrtato
it is nut surprising be liberally paid. so as to comniand the best talents; but in no case
uns..bia.i.....kl inn °at)
berryd-ulirritsul stro not'venied in the art of should they be allowed to receive fees : and it is one of the strong ob.
y; eel that it will be safer as to novself, jections to h
eapt resent system, that its conductors, from the minter
—um▪ ;*----rs.aprerfnoni raitinn;ir-
clout.. it', instead of relying wholly no toy ir approion and support, aye so crippled in their nieans, that the
II at the eloquent of utterance, I surveyoreemployed by them are obliged to seek their chief sources
Itloweatietelpfurelllsnontesisti have of Ythe matter I may done it cape. meetl from those whose property is subjected to theirjudg-
„n„„„„.. of the rmolottem shall ; and while man is the erratum of lowest, while his nature
lusdjubmil twat sunt the wasting allot me to follow this count remains what It indanallaelbew. crud Purl, at conduct "thane be
public speehee andof my loishade for under such.* systOm. I deem it.propet,Sir, to yoke
ir_tatfltwoyuseincrianitieweill4hileowelr impropertexprosion these. observations, explimatlrry, in some degree, of the grounds on
r hear hear )__When which I consider a revision of the present system necessary. It will
joimtheightteiuutibneruittuot thheeleirshiped-o(wner:' Society, in Na not. however.
.efos.t. be "%Peet"' that should, at Present, offer
the subject we it
now met to consider, I certainly did suggestinos tor its improvement : I have my own views and ou
ie that I should hare to Point' forward in an assembly niuns on that head ; but this is not the moment to put them for.
as Its advocate. It is not front an overweening ward ; all I contend for now. is, that solid grounds of conrslaint
y
myself that I venture now to address this numerous exist against the mode practised in classing our 'hipping ; that up
to this period it has gone on without any general legitimately
orating; I should have been glad to have
11,11'7
Etahle.bietaawer With,, of which there are so many devised system for its regulation and government; and that it ma
snag originated the measures from which this meeting
essential to the well bring and prosperity of the commerce and ne-
ed, I find it is expected that I slinold submit to you to. vigation of the empire ; that a revision of it, in all its details,
further seamen" which seem to grow out of the previous elinucl.forthwith. be entered upon ; and although it is said that then
and in doing no I trust I may reckon on the candour are a few individuals reluctant to part with the system they have so
.nce of those who hear nit, while I make such prelim'. long p
mrj resided over and
.fenced round with each care, as to inter.
when diet hitherto anything like approach to it ; yet, I trust, the good
ehweeatta" It• °prat' to me ht he neeellarg' "avint .1. sense and I spirit of this noising will not hesitate in support-
ive's' y
I brouebt forward the molutions which were a opted at t s ap-
.en general meeting, stated isonie of the reasons which, in wy ing the moderate and reasonable propositi oi with which I shall pa-
mei a revision of the present system of classing ships sently conclude. That proposition is, that a Committee, to consist
it would he inipernimus to travel over the of an equal number of the 'mot respectable, intelligent, and sex-
y necissary,
1 believe there are few poisons connected perienced persons, connected with all the great interests concerned
- riligigetiftlimuinoir the empire, who do not feel (in the language in the definitive settlement of this most important question, be now
of the Resolution.), that, in many important respects, the present appointed, to consider and report to a subsequent general meeting,
system b highly objectilmable. Am-coding to that Plan, mgr is the whati .alterations appear to them to be expedient for the future te-
criterion by which the shipping of the country is regulated, and the guichlatunrodansiml erlasaihcation of die matantik marine, and to suggest
epetatkei of that principle decidedly is, to cause ninny inferior ships ales and regulations. to, they shall deem to be must
to be built, and to discourage the repairs of those which have out. desirable.s If there are those proem who do not concur in the
Rt-
lived their dent character. It is notorious that mane ships are built eessity of the •proposed inquiry, I would submit to them, that if
aa hamar, are en„q„,,n4 of notch inferior or teenyheierd materials, the present system doe; really work so well as they would
repre-
arel see sitogether so improperly minstructed, that it may almost be sent it—if it is, as I have heard it asserted to be, es little liable to
said that, from the hour they &relaunched, they are unfit to be em- objection as any which can be devised by erring man, It his then
ployedul the tonveyanceof Ilableuniamage. But the builders nothing to fear from a body of men, composed o the most sensible
.nth vessel% have felt thre7l or If years they are secure, under and practical merchants, underwriters, and @hippie ages ; a Com.
the present system, of the gest character at Lloyd's, and consequently mime thus constituted, would fairly represent all the great interests
ess, at the inferior prices at which they are enabled to alfned them, concerned, and the result of their labours would, I SRI persuaded,
dvsys find purchasers. The merchants, ton often acting on the combine the approbation and support of all. Some consideration
same principle, give refereisee to anything denominated •• A 1,” and attention, too, is due to the great body of shipowners, whose
sod th:comequence tin, that a large portion of the merchant ship- propenn is the subject. matter in question ; and amoog them the
Tog it far wile being what it ought to be. Again, When a vessel feeling is general and strong, that the simnel under which their pro.,
halloo age lost her first character, the owner is deterred in many petty is now controuled, is at once Middy unjust and oppressive to-
tamer, Imo, repairing her. because if he do s so, this eStiAlliStion wards them, and exceedingly injurious to the character and effi-
of Ideally) is nut py
better than a considerable portion of ships rossortionahly raised. although she may thereby amity of our mercantile marine. It should also, I think, be an in.
ke made tatrinairall
strueiton to the )'nominee, to suggest the best mode, In their opt-
&said in the Met clams. The WHIR reasons thus with himself' : Man, °inuring a fund, liberally sulticient, to meet the necessary
" If I repair my ship thoroughly, she will still have the brand of milieus'-% of conducting the system they may recommend, to public
a mewl-raw character ;ifl do nut repair her she will stand with adoption. Thy revenues of the books now en use., ire estimated to
Os moo official designation at I,loyd's Ile therefore rims his he nearly as follow :—The old book has about DM subscribers, at
*es es we a well-unierstood Orem, flier/ We lire fog*, and eight guineas each ; and twenty guineas each for the RoyiJ-Ex-
fhe uosequeoc: is, she damages her cargoes, or perhaps s mote change and London Assurance Companies, gives, as I assume, an,
mem result occurs, she founder* from inrailleiency, and the tit I- income of about : the new book has about one hun-
ekain and underwriter both too frequently ex peeience,ir. one of them Bred and twenty-six subscribers at the saute rate, and, with
molts, the practical consequences of the pleseut regulations ; two similar donations, realizes about I,OIWI. If, instead of two,
wham if the principle of classing theme:candle shipping affunksl only one hook was published, and that on a principle which
11111.** to Its proprietors to have their ships built by scientific would combine general approbation, the aggregate number of
ao, in an Micron and durable manner, and held out per in. Nubile:Fibers would, be much encreaaed, and the ability to pay fit
insolent to keep thou in 'sampans., state
,of mair--if In woe- and competent surveyors, and other necessary and efficient otheers of
misses of such ropers a ship toed proportionably high la public the oissishativiont primensienahly augmented. Thenomber of woo
neeietion, and could obtain employment wading to her intrinsic oh registered in the old book is, in round numbers, about I SUP—
exedleore, the tux/chant would less frequently hare his cargoes in the new one, 13,9311; and nom an numerous {marine a revenue
damaged, and the unddwriter would he much more secure might, in toy 'minion, be raised without any undue pressure on its
spent the hires to which the present absurd system ex. proprietors, fully adequate to the expellees of an establishment. in
poses him. I emu the underwriters of Lloyd s to take all respects efficient for its object, and worthy the magnitude, value,
a renuspeetire riew of their books during the last few and consequence of the mercantile marine of a country, which,
years. sod from them oleo the average number of ships lost by whether contemplated with reference to her riches, lower, freedom.
Moldering at sea, or, abandonment front being water-log- or the intelligence, enterprise, and happiness of her people, he. in
Red, and inquire of emlneta builders, or competent judges, every point of view, the greatest nation ever yet exhibited to the
the principal causes of this great destruction of property; and wonder, the admiratior, and the delight of mankind. Let us not
they weeild find, that a vast majority of these eases have or. then hesitate in endeavouring to improve the condition of the pm-
(treed through ill-construction, or inefficiency. of the vessels, or perry with which we are more immediately and intimately connected,
hem the want of dune substantial repairs which they prevent by or be deterred by those, who, for ever doubting the expediency of
the inioaken system they have so long adhered to. Practical measures, see grievance% perpetuated by their inJecision; let us
non Oil tell them' that it is to their present 'node of registry proceed with caution, at the same time reinembering, that
they have to attribute, in many instances, the demands on their " Our doubts are traitors;
pockets; a slop-built vessel in their books possesses the same re- And make us lose the good we oft might win,
Kamm, so ha as official designation can give it, with the best By fearing to attempt."
onsiluered ship; a limited number of years pass over; both are re- I trust I have laid sufficient grounds to induce this meeting to
moved from the tint to the second letter: hence arises the induce- concur in the resolution. I uhali therefore conclude with submitting
rant ai owed.' to procure ships at a low price, their reluctance it to your consideretion; and i trust it will receive the sanction of all
Is keep diem in a proper state of repair ; the wrecks I have who are present. It is to the following effect :
slisaly alluded to occur, at once depriving the country of the " That opinions are entertained that the existing western of class-
envied of hundreds of valuable seamen, and their families of their mg shipping in the books at Lloyd's operates imuntiusly towards
deperidente fur support; thereby spreading thane'', want, and the ship owner, tends to mislead the shipper and underwriter (in
emery in the abode' of a clams of men whose value can hardly he numerous Instances), encourages the building of inferior ships, and
overrated, and whose. widows and orphans might have ewitinued prevent', the essential repairs, whereby the efficiency and reputation
in the enjoyment of comfort, contentment, and happiness, had the of the mercantile marine is materially affected, to the prejudice of
madly of these„ who are indispensable to us, by a due regard to all parties concerned therein."
am part, to the efiiciency of the vessels in which they boldly I have, finally, to express my acknowledgements for the attention
mature their lives, been niade a proper object of our care and at- with which I have been heard. The facts 1 have stated will, I
ninon; while, at the same time, the Underwriters would be saved have no doubt, be borne out by the general knowledge of the meet-
not liens of money. But, Sir, Ido not found my complaint ing.—Mr. Marshall then sat down, amidst the warm and general
against the invent .rate n, principally on the grounds I have now applause of the meeting.
:maimed, strong as I regard them to be. I see the vast worm- Alf. J nu,e DAWSON seconded the resolution.
tile shippilig of England without any general system legitimately Illy. HAIL, the Hanoverian Consul, suggested that it would be
devised toe is tegulatimi and government; and such has been the etteptable if all the resolutions were read before any was carried,
per of its penprieors, that we actually And it unie? the control in order that the meeting might see the connection between them.
*MOO*, who hue devised a plan for its management directly Mr. Al AItPIIALL said it was intended that the other resolutions
giroe.l to its ediciency, and contrary alike to the interest of the should be moved and seconded by other gentlemen ; but as he was
itser,, the merchant, and the underwriter, and what is still not aware that there could be any impropriety in his reading a copy
owe temarkabk, die persons who have been so long permitted to of them which he held in his had, he would do so with the utmost
exercise this vast influence over the shipping of the realm, are self- cheerfulness.
trase wed,anil wholly irresponsible to, rind beyond the control of, The resolutions were then read ; after which, no person appear-
base property they preside over. It may not be dm- ing disposed to address the 'netting in opposition to that under
fte:pee Iwo to draw the attention of tile meeting to the origin of consideration.
eustine books at Lloyd's. About the year 17611, at a time The CHAIRMAN put the question, and it was carried unard.
alien nu reentry existed. and when the "nematode shipping was moody.
wm
p ratictely small, some individuals deemed it desirable to set Mr. W. Myrettest. then roae to movemove the second resolution.
{bait such
, a Woo as would would {Nerd the underwriters and After the able and eloquent address the meeting had heatd from
ter m e sonic Information regarding that important branch the gentleman who had originated this business, it was hardly ne-
pr.
hard'Thislytune' known Iseyond the precinct, of I ba- t t i edition, nor was that the veriest fur him to express himself, as to
the linheldwwit whose name since hasbeconieun Isim' -ee
immortalised was the the mode in which those evils should be °helmetl in future. He
public dmegna.thin of the most omdent and kw, had of in If II that it hihl desirablethat o miter° should
emhteted
tettit
the
trade of the "'his had ran" emeteedyfrom itsen be romietel,yronsistinwgmof pensionsfsueh various floc' occupations an
Deighall obscurity Sal this first effort at an thin like an or would lead them to take an interest in the subject, and of such
Mod classificet ion of ships went un
17110, alien the arbitrary and or or several years umill about contniercial experience as would well qualify them to undertake
etllldlloool gore such cure fo
'e..ati..facticondunouh' cat, of some of its the important task of making a report on a new system of clan&
secolol, and met up a secondmipersons ration, correct in Its principles, intelligible in its details, and sada-
hafn the fluor but, molt, ddirring 114111 iner points factori to all parties concerned (hear, hear). lie also agreed that It
I
_ equally
piregenitor, owing Its origin to a few about, be an instruction to the Committee to raise the funds ne-
ii;'`it';'.uwis anuoam thai:l h 4 cool of the sanction of public au- cowry to awry the object of their meeting into execution. He
time t books have been the only realists of should therefore move—
th
wore or freeloader, bare, fiam 'wet-poky, been *t
ifirmamtle shirlatlF! intl, from the above •of se other " That a titt ce consisting of thirty-six members, with
emeemcd : but such is the reserved toi by all power to add to their nunther. (of whom seven shall be a .'quorum),
They . irapprobation of the manlier in which be nos appointed, to collect the fullest infonuation on the subject ;
.kofest.te; eandohdwutt.e.l,that. they are supported only in a very limited and to consider and report, to a subsequent general meeting, such
whelk the funds of one of these books arc quite inade- alterations in the present system, and to suggest such roles and re-
mute to the expense of (Inducting it, tlie other, which has rape- ifulations, as they shall judge to be expedient thrthe future claming
neri:ol the largnit share M public summit, is also travelling slowly of the men hint shipping ; with their opinion of the beet mode of
sit
thiai"tear"etvehr to nth) for lam informed that the expense of raising a fund adequate to meet the expenses of conducting the
closeting it during the last year recoiled i ' come by about system they may recommend for adoption."
°°"Prea'll" of the want of pu. lane end sup- Mr. Sto& the rtamAttiOn. was also carried
ilaet„.„maiton the system be on which they are due ml ; and such unanimously.
rowed enth'aue to be the result of any sys an which is Mr. Jot's( Rost )(sox rose to propose the third resolution. lie
erne, disregard of public feeling, at variance with the felt that it was proper, in effecting this important improvement,
of those most deeply concerned, and presided over by that all the great interests concerned should be fairly and equally
etod".._ao.an. however respectable and excellent they may. be as indr- represented.; and it was therefore the object of his rowhition that
de:7 tut no man can view them in that light with a higher the Coo tee should be deems! in equal portions by the mer-
e" respert than myself), it must be obvious, can chants, ship-owners, and underwriters, and by the parties at the
m:„.f little praetleal knowledge of the management of tne pro. out-ports. Ile then moved—
The' hey Ore mouton! to theniselves the power of controlling. " That, it being eliential that all the greet Interests concerned in
"" important part of the influence exert-hied by them Com- the definitive arrangement of this important question should be
• °", has been the appointing surveyors in Lf4•41011 and the out- represented in such Committee, the members thereof do consist
Port.%
_Anon g thew so, appointetl, there are persons of whose proles- of eight merchants, eight shipowners, of London, and one tepee-
j•;4l4l,l ts and integrity I entertain a high milnion, and of whom imitative (resident m within) to be aopointed by each of the fol.
min •1° Irak with respect ; but they sre fallible men, liable to lowing porta, vit. Liverpool, Hull, Bristol, filasgow, Newcastle,
•laditnient, and consequently she Id not be invested with the Sunderland, Whitby, Yarmouth, Maryport, and Leith ; and that
' !
whin_ther now exercise: tan mireu
also others who should the the subscribers to Lloyd's be invited to appoint eight of their
EAer," h
1,7' been placed in a situation of such extensive authority body to represent them, and that the two chartered Marine Insur.
Mal-Tito e--.men, alike unfit, front ignorance, seleiufficiency, awe Companies be solicited to appoint,etch one member of the
•c::weilohness: and is it to the contml of mob men that our pro. said Committee.""
enetinue to be subjected? I ask the members of the Mr. AaTuuß Wit.sts seconded the resolution.
wpm, 111. the existing books, is there hardly an instance an Mr. Tax oasis suggested that it should be added, that a reve-
.ll"l4 re complaint being made of the arbitrary conduct or sanative should be sent to the Committee from all the ports having
• sare of their surveyors In closing particular ships, of these a custom-house.
fetialrli'r Imams personally %sorted the woe, and ascertained, 31r. Illaasitst.l. remarked, that there were some petty pLie.es,
own knowledge, whether they were justified in adhering ma. miles from the coast—for example up Ole DAIIUbeTWIOCb

ctisoficATlt
A OOPS of Per'
...rod". As toe
at the (.1
• w
S orctuber
• , the preactit ai
copritteen of the
of &PI"
det Pile b'
ivn t... sis
Intoll raj mettini
lieaz
iyage sr‘tlen-
The Meeting was eel
sopa ifta one 0.6
. the (hair. i
eantaintrg ti
the toolut lons pal
the nutting 'rat
Chairman gaol he
,un to he conceived
yNman, but by then
, called together on
etteneva there en
fading, rt:inial.tett
110 Well &MIT 'Mg
ants, nointit3ettt
tot out tor the rt
eumbent on hint a
jeer am brat ',mug
~,,gym Seete,y ;
bole iris conducted
mud, with Mops
Ith ne lien le IpVi
red, with intent te
ants, ahipownera.
•• onclutden, only to
, gagain bring the
Mr. Jolla 111 sitter
. Wowing effect
• ings of minimum
I the indulgence. yo
arbeeks in what
it be should min
• r!etuperaneous
ova
nil more respectful
ility to vipers,' ni
ft/ to some full not
lent to submit to th
• t e; and I trust tin
eassideration of en)
• siety to avoid the
•to which 1 might
nt addresned the Cu
amber, on the nithje
contemplate that
.he the present, as
• Adore la myself
and laighly-rearectab
porreadered this Edit
here, but baring wig
het melted, I find it
day the further son
frortudiogsi used in
andiadulgence of tie
nary observation. BA
I bnnyflitforward thi
owners general nireti
mind. rendratel a rel
indispensably neon'
awe punnet 'gait 11l
aids the naViglltinn 11
of the Resolution.),
Item is highly obit.
eiterlon by which tie
operation of that prin
to be Wilt, and ti. di
lined their dint chant
so hastily, are comp
and are sEngetlier alt
said that, from the he
ployed in the conveys]
of twit crude have I
the present system, 1.1
de, tt the infer int pi
always find Nudist,
ume principle, give
and th:con‘e,ittence
ping it far 10111 heir
holm age lost ha
initinees tmni repel
of his i. nut re
. .