Evening star., 1929-12-15
ESTABLISHING A PLIMSOLL LINE
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

The Bureau of Navigation of the De-
partment Of Commerce is preparing to
take on a new duty during the current
year. that of supervising the placing Of
Plimsoll marks or loadlines, on ocean
going vessels of American registry and
drawing regulations for the enforce
ment Of this measure Of protection to
life and property. Last March 2 Con-
gresS passed an act to establish load
lines, but its effective date was set 16
months in the future. Inasmuch as the
act requires the marking of vessels, the
formulation of regulations and the
preparation of enforcement machinery,
this interim was deemed necessary.
A loadline is a line placed on the hull
of vessel, which must never be sub
merged in the water as the result of the
weight of a cargo. The proper capacity
of a vessel is accurately ascertained in
relation to its general seaworthineSs
and the loadline then fixed. This work
is to be done under the direct super
vision of the American Bureau Of Ship
ping, known as the American Lloyd's.
The organization is primarily a marine
insurance company, just as Lloyds in
London, but in connection with this
service it has become the authority on
the proper loading of vessels, their sea-
worthineSs and all other matters per-
tanning to ocean shipping having to do
with safety of life and property. In
asmuch as the American Bureau OF
Shipping is not a Government organi-
zation, the Secretary Of Commerce, un-
der the new law, may, upon the insist
ence of a Shipowner, have some other
marine insurance company or properly
qualified body or Government omcer
establish the loadline for his ships. This
proviso is included in the law to avoid
the color of giving q private concern
monopoly. It is not likely to be availed
Of as the American Bureau OF Shipping
stands alone in its field.
The story of Plimsoll marks, or load
lines, is q fascinating one. 1t Is some
thing of a reflection on the American
Congress that not until this year has 1t
seen 1it to give to mariners, passengers
and cargo owners this measure OF pro-
lection which Great Britain provided
for her ships more than. half . CEN
tury ago.
why the Name Was Given.
The story of the Plimsoll mark Is In
a large sense the story of Samuel Plim-
soil. Plimsoll was an Englishman born
in 1924, who soon after starting his busi-
ness career failed and was reduced TO
complete destitution. In this state ne
came to understand the sufferings OF
the poor, and, in hanging around the
water front, learned particularly OF the
dangers which mariners faced in signing
on unSeaworthy ships. He recognized, OF
course, that all Seafaring has Its dan
gers but he was especially revolted oy
the knowledge he acquired of how ship
owners, in order to earn more freight
money, grossly overloaded their vessels
and sent them to sea. If they came safe
to port, a rich freight charge was coll
lected: If they foundered, they were
heavily insured. Indeed, Plimsoll learn
ed that in many cases owners OF old, un-
Seaworthy ships, which 1t was known
could not last much longer in any event
and which had no sale value, loaded
them down with cheap. but heavy cargo,
then plastered them with insurance and
sent them out in the full expectation
that they would sink and pay a hand
some profit through the MEDIUM OF the
insurance money.
PlimSoll noted that In no case was
any thought whatever given to the men
who manned the ships. Ship and cargo
were insured, but no special precautions