How to use Lloyd's Register of Ships
Reading an Entry
This section explains typical entries in a
posted Lloyd`s Register of Ships for 1937, as will be
found on this website. This is an entry for steamers and motor
vessels. Entries for sailing ships differed slightly, but followed
the same principles. The amount of detail included in Lloyd`s Register of
Ships has increased over the years, so when using a register
for another period it is as well to check its introductory pages.
These also include a key to the abbreviations used - only the most
frequently used are listed here.
Page from 1937-38 Lloyd`s Register of Ships showing entry for
`Queen Mary`
View transcription |
Here is a list of the columns in the register, along with a
description of their contents.
Part of `Queen Mary` entry from 1937-38 Lloyd`s Register of
Ships |
Number in book. For a given ship, this changes
from year to year. Official number. A number allocated to a
British ship when first registered and which does not change over
its British career, even if its name or owner changes. International code signal. A unique
four-character code which a ship could use to signal its name by a
flag hoist or by radio. Name of the ship. Any former names are given in
brackets with the date the name changed. P. Means the ship has a passenger
certificate. Material, rig, machinery. By 1937, most ships
were steel, so only other hull materials (wood or iron) were noted.
For ships which were auxiliaries, the number of masts was sometimes
noted. Type of machinery and whether more than one screw [definition] is also recorded
(QuadSc = quadruple screws). As steamships were the rule, it was
noted if the ship had oil engines. Number of decks. Also gave other information on
the hull`s construction, such as type of stern [definition], whether
machinery is aft [definition] or whether special
steels were used. Details of navigation equipment. Common
abbreviations are - DF direction finder
- ESD echo sounding [definition]
device
- GyC gyro compass [definition]
- Sub.Sig. Submarine (underwater) signalling
system
Part of `Queen Mary` entry from 1937-38 Lloyd`s Register of
Ships |
Tonnages. Gross tonnage [definition] is a
measure of the total enclosed space in a ship. Under deck tonnage
excludes any superstructure. Net tonnage [definition] is the
space available for carrying cargo or passengers - harbour and
other dues are based on this figure. Particulars of classification. Details of the
classification of the ship by Lloyd`s Register. The Maltese cross
symbol shows that the ship (or its machinery, if in red) was built
under special survey. 100A1 indicates the character of the vessel,
as assessed by the surveyor. The figures 100 or 90 do not show how
long the hull is expected to last, but are comparative figures. BS
and LMC indicate that the boilers and machinery were surveyed by
Lloyd`s Register on the dates shown. When these columns are left
blank, the ship is not classed by Lloyd`s Register. Port of survey. For classed ships, the place of
survey and the number of the survey by Lloyd`s Register are given,
along with the date. Sou = Southampton. Date when propellor shaft last inspected or renewed. Built. For classed vessels, this is the date of
launch if prior to 19th May 1887. After that it is the date of
completion. Dates of any rebuilding are also given. Who built the
hull and where. 
Part of `Queen Mary` entry from 1937-38 Lloyd`s Register of
Ships |
Owners. For British vessels, this is the managing owner [definition]
(see
Customs registers) or the largest shareholder. In brackets
is the name of the managers, who are usually responsible for the
day-to-day running of the ship. Dimensions. Overall length may also be given in brackets with
the abbreviation o.l. Depth is the distance from the uppermost
continuous deck to the bottom of the hold. Also gives the length of
the Also noted are - double bottom [ definition] (DB)
- water ballast tanks (WB)
- forepeak tanks (FPT)
- deep tanks (DT)
- midships tanks (MT)
with their capacities in tons. Port of registry. Where the ship is
registered. Flag. Nationality of the ship. 
Part of `Queen Mary` entry from 1937-38 Lloyd`s Register of
Ships |
Engine details. Type of engine: steam, oil
(which means diesel) or turbines; number and dimensions of
cylinders. Some of the most commonly used abbreviations are: - T.3Cy triple-expansion three-cylinder steam engine
- C.2Cy compound two-cylinder steam engine
- 2S.C. two stroke cycle oil engine
- 4S.C. four stroke cycle oil engine
- SA single acting oil engine
- DA double acting oil engine
- SR single reduction gearing [definition]
- DR double reduction gearing (applies to
turbines)
Boiler pressure and any auxiliary or donkey boilers. Power: NHP
( nominal horsepower [definition] ) is
a figure calculated from engine dimensions. Engine builders. For instance, Queen Mary had twenty-four main
boilers with superheaters (spt), working at a pressure of 425
pounds per square inch, with a heating surface (HS) of 234,000
square feet. She also had three auxiliary double-ended (DB) boilers
working at 250 pounds per square inch. Other dimensions. Moulded depth [definition] is
greater than depth of the hold, and is the depth from the upper
deck to the point the plates meet the keel. Freeboard is the height
from the water line to the main deck. Draught [definition] is the depth of
water the vessel needs to float when fully laden. Registers in which classed. Shows if
classification societies other than Lloyd`s Register have classed
the vessel. Date of Board of Trade certificate. Shows if
and when a British passenger-carrying vessels received a Board of
Trade Passenger Certificate.
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