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Classification
From 1900, the classification notations assigned to newly built ships are:
| 100A1, 95A1, 90A1, 85A1, 80A1, 75A1 | Ships built of iron or steel according to the Rules and Regulations since 1869. The numerals no longer indicate terms of years, but are intended for the purpose of comparison only. |
| A1 | This notation (without numerals prefixed) is assigned to iron or steel ships built for special purposes. |
| [years] A1 | This notation is assigned to wood or composite ships, and the prefixed numerals indicate the term of years for which the vessel is classed. When printed in red, class has expired, however the vessel is fit to carry cargo for a term of years assigned by special survey (see point 2 for the notation). |
| Æ1 | This notation is assigned to cargo vessels fit for short voyages only. The term of years for which the vessel is classed is assigned by special survey (see point 2 for the notation). |
The notations are complemented by the date of classification (mm,yy), and any other conditions, including equipment, special trade, or purpose.
The following glyphs are still in use for vessels built according to the Rules and Regulations between 1864 and 1871. When preceded by a *, the surveyor has found that the ship has been built with thicker plating than required.
The figure 1 is applied to the notations to indicate that the ship is well and efficiently equipped. If substituted by a –, the quantity or quality of the equipment does not fulfil the requirements of Lloyd's Register.
The cross pattée denotes that the ship has been build under Special Survey.
A line with date (mm,yy) underneath refers to vessels which had their class withdrawn by Lloyd's Register due to defects. If this is printed in red, class was withdrawn because the required surveys were not carried out. In case of loss or condemnation, the class notation is struck off the Register.
For more information on classification notations see Infosheet no. 42.
A complete list of abbreviations can be downloaded here.
Throughout the last decades of the 19th Century, the steady decline of iron as a shipbuilding material in favour of steel was evident. Steam propulsion kept developing, becoming increasingly powerful and sophisticated. It was the golden age of ocean liners, which beat record after record, allowing transatlantic crossings from the UK to the northeastern US to be as short as seven days.
By the 1910s, the first Diesel engines were trialled at sea, with convincing results that stirred investments towards the introduction of motor vessels. Developments in refrigeration technology meant that perishable food cargo, such as meat and fish, could now be shipped from one continent to another. These changes contributed to refinements and additions to the information contained in the Register Books. The new editions consisted of two volumes, one for the sailing vessels, thinning year by year, and one for the steamers.
Despite the establishment of several rival classification societies, Lloyd's Register still classed nearly half of the global merchant fleet in 1914. During wartime, the UK authorities restricted the overseas circulation of the Register Books. However, copies reached the German Imperial Fleet and were used to target British ships during U-boat campaigns.
During the Second World War, the Register Books were brought under the Official Secrets Act and stamped 'Secret' between 1942 and 1945. The Admiralty gave Lloyd's Register the responsibility for maintaining records of lost ships, including dates and circumstances and invigilated the publishing and purchase of the Register Books.
The page shown above has been taken from the 1908/09 edition of Lloyd's Register of Ships. The ocean liner Mauretania is one of the ships listed. Discover more details on her, including surveys and plans, following the links below:
