Vice-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the President of the Board of Trade what alterations were made in the position of the load-line as a result of revised load-line rules authorised in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1932, in the case of the British ships which have been lost this winter?
§ Dr. BURGINOf the ships foundered and missing during the present winter the "Usworth," "La Crescenta" and "Blairgowrie" had not had the position of their load lines changed by reason of the Load Line Rules, 1032. The same was true of the "Millpool" which, however, sailed on her last voyage in September before the commencement of the winter season. The "Dunscore," a steamer of 176 tons gross, which foundered on 5th December, had her winter freeboard reduced on re-assignment under the 1932 Rules by ¾ inch, representing an increased dead-weight carrying capacity of three tons. In general, the re-assignment of load lines under the Load Line Rules, 1932, resulted in a reduction of the freeboard in the case of limited classes of vessels only. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that very stringent rules were then laid down regarding such matters as weather tightness of openings (hatches, etc.) and adequate provision1210W of freeing ports, on all load line ships. Annual surveys for the purpose of ensuring the effectiveness of these requirements were made compulsory at the same time. These additional requirements deal with matters of the first importance to the safety of ships.