Stamps (Amendment) Act 1694

IX. Recital of Inconveniences arising from 5 & 6 W. & M. c. 20.

Another Way of measuring Ships appointed.

And whereas great inconveniences and discouragements to Trade and Navigation are found by admeasuring of Ships and Vessels according to the Act made in the Fifth and Sixth yeares of the reigne of King William and Queen Mary intituled An Act for granting to their Majesties several rates and duties upon Tunnage of Ships and Vessels and upon Beer Ale and other Liquors for securing certain Recompences and Advantages in the said Act mentioned to such persons as shall voluntarily advance the sum of Fifteen hundred thousand pounds towards carrying on the War against France Bee it enacted That from and after the First day of June in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred ninety five all Ships and Vessells shall bee measured in order to the paying the duty imposed by the said Act by taking the length of the Keel of every Ship or Vessel soe much as she treads on the Ground and the breadth to bee taken within Board by the Midshipp Beam from Plank to Plank and halfe that breadth shall bee accounted for the depth, of every Ship or Vessell then multiply the length by the breadth and the product thereof by the depth and divide the whole by Ninety foure and the quotient shall give the true contents of the Tunnage which such Ship shall pay for Any thing in the said recited Act to the contrary notwithstanding.