The New York herald., 1869-01-28
THE ENGLISH AND AMERICAN MEASUREMENT
OF VESSELS.

proper allowance OF time and the difference IN their
respective sizes, has been the subject OF much dis
cussion since the earliest contests In yachting The
present rule Of the Royal Thames Yacht Club is as
followsThe length shall be taken In straight line
At the deck from the fore part Of the stem to the
after part Of the stern post from which, deducting
the BREADTH the remainder shall be esteemed the just
length to find the tonnage, and the breadth shall be
taken from the outside Of the outside plank in the
broadest part OF the yacht then multiply the length
BY the breadth so taken and the product by half the
quotient shall be deemed the true tonnagen II viii
be seen that the depth Of the vessel Is not taken into
calculation Ct all but the half breadth Is assumed to
be fair depth for the vessel, and Is therefore
adopted In place Of the actual measurement This
rule is In virtue the same as the builders old
reign OF George III. The length was taken in the
same manner az above then deducting three -nfths
Of the I breadth a. rom the length also three inches for
the just length to md the tonnage Half the breadth
OF beam was accounted for the depth then multi
the half BREADTH divided BY nnety-four the quotent
was deemed the true tonnage This rule remained
change msae the naes
this act again amended In 1854 BY these rules there
is no comparing the size Of vessels as to their ex
ternal dimensions 1t Is In reality gauging the inter-
nal capacity for storage or carrying capacity In tons
measurement similar to gaugtng cask for its CO.
The American carpenters tonnage tfor single deck
vessels) was modification OF the old English rule,
ey which e arrive q 2. size q vessels
from half scarf OF stern to after side OF post; this
length multiplied by the breadth and the actual
old American revenue tonnage (for single deck ves
sels was similar to the ola English rules the length
asn sla dss % 1ss suS & s % @ s as S
for the length; multiply this length BY the breadth
and BY the actual depth, dividing the product BY
ninety-fve. This Is the rule by which the New York
Yacht Club rates its yachts 70 sze but not for sail
ing The present revenue tonnage is slight modi-
city and no pdication cf the dimensions or 1 sxterna
These various rules fs estimating the foot tons Of
Q vessel have been hecessitated from time to
time to keep pace with the adyapceWeQt t0l. pHypJ
aEaf Often carried one and half ana sometimes
twice her registered tonnage 10 weight, whereas
haif her own tonnage Il freighted ID the same man
ner. With the building OF clipper ships and steamers
Win the sharp ships for revenue dues port charges
Of was from wSs to ninety e the c
model Of steamer yacht Is omen out away 70 the
extent OF fifty per cent, and even more In some In
various bases Of calculation and measurements
for allowance Of time between yachts Of different
;as Yas nSs sss eD S as sn e q We s ss s 70 Ssy Ss
on tons measurement; aftef which . rule was
and again tho allowance OF time was based on area
% OF the ss
time the sailing rules are based on the area OF the
draught water line, az rectangular parallel0gram
the length taken nom front OF stem TO after side OF
pos at the water line this length multiplied by the
greatest breadth IN feet the product being the basis
for allowance OF time.
Yachts diner so much In their proportions and
model as well az IN their power, that none OF the
foregoing rules give equitable allowance OF time.
Who would think OF racing steam yachts, allowing
time for difference In size OF hull when the smaller
vessel may have twice the power Of the larger =
rienced yachtmen are aware that the sailing quail.
ties OF many fine vessels are spoiled by tlpropor-
toned and mispnc ed sails.
To harmonze the whole by an international con
gress OF yachtmen would be the only true and equt.
able way TO adjust the present difficulty and place
all yachts In their proper class by size, and adjust
the great diversity OF measurements and allowances
OF time. mis- congress would soon lead to o CON-
nerclal International convention, and establish
universal measurement and denomination by
which ship can sail the world round and be OF
the same size In every port.
tained by taking the length OF vessel at the water
line, multiplying by the breadth and depth, which
viii give the cubic feet Of rectangular cube from
duced TO TONS cubes or any denomination as unit.
Then In connection with the sze OF hull obtained,
70 emoody its power q eanyas these two elements s
nversely--would embody oil the available elements
for yacht racing Article sixteen OF the Thames sail
ing regulations says:--sNo sliding keel shall be
Jowedr By this rule our special yacht is ruled out
OF the regular English rcgattas How essential It is,
therefore, that the centre board yacht be placed
equally side by side with her transatlantic cousins.
The America was 10 tons by our registered mea.
suremenf and was set down In English tons ut 2i0,
against her rival The Tltana, OF lS4 TONS Their re-
Length ordecF. Byeadth. Hold. Amer.
~. ~. M ~. Ia. tons.
A'sn,s' A%sTlsa 49,. ...... % q = 3 ass a5s
The latter vessel being thirty eight per cent larger
although rated smaller IN England.