[9 and 10 Victoria, c. 100.- 28th August, 1846]

Abstract of an Act for the regulation of Steam Navigation, and for regulating Sea-going Vessels to carry Boats.

This Act, which did not come into operation wholly till January 1, 1847, contains some important provisions. The first is (section 2), that all steam-vessels built of iron, of 100 tons burthen and upwards, shall be separated by water-tight partitions, so that the engine-room and the fore and aft parts of the vessel be completely separated by such partitions.

No seagoing steam-vessels of from 100 to 200 tons shall proceed to sea from any port whatsoever, unless it is provided with two boats of sizes specified in a schedule ; those from 200 to 350 tons are to have two boats of a larger size ; from 350 to 600, three boats ; from 650 to 850, four boats f and from 860 tons upwards also four boats, but of a larger size ; and no vessel carrying more than ten passengers shall proceed to sea unless, in addition, it carries a boat fitted up as a life-boat, and two life-buoys.

Every sea-going steamer intended for carrying passengers, built after the passing of the Act (section 4), in lieu of the life-boat, shall be provided with such boats as are usually, called paddle-box boats, or such others as the Admiralty may direct ; and no steamer is to proceed to sea (section 6,) without being provided with a hose, connected with the engines ; for the purpose of extinguishing fire.

By section 10 the Admiralty are empowered to make regulations for the exhibition of lights ; and vessels (section 12) in any river or narrow channel of Great Britain or Ireland, or within twenty miles of any part of the coast, whether under weigh or at anchor, are to exhibit such lights as the Admiralty direct between sunset and sunrise ; and the owners of a steam-vessel not exhibiting such lights are not to be entitled to any compensation for damage received in consequence, of any other vessel running foul of it.

The other clauses provide penalties for offences against the Act, for inspection of vessels, for the measurement of tonnage, and other matters of personal concern only ; no part of the Act is to extend to vessels of war, or to any other than British-registered vessels

SG & SGTL ; Vol 4 ; Page 100.

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