REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF SHIPS 545

The ways are in two parts ; the standing ways have their
foundation on the ground and have vertical lengths of wood bolted
along their outer edge to prevent the sliding ways, which rest on
top of the standing ones, from slipping outwards.

A framework of wood and iron is built under the vessel and
wedged up tight under her bottom to form-a cradle for her to rest
on. The sliding part of the ways, that is the top logs, forms the
bed of the cradle which supports the weight of the ship for about
80 per cent, of her length. The ends of the cradle are carried higher
up the ship's side than the intermediate part, the end part of the
structure being called the forward and after poppets. When ready
for launching the building blocks are knocked clear of the ship,
the cradle takes the weight of the vessel, then, when the last
supporting block is removed, the moving log, cradle and ship all
slide together down the well greased ways. The vessel is then
taken to the fitting out berth.

REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF SHIPS.
Carving Note.—Before the ship is handed over by the builders
the owner gets from the Custom House a form called a " carving
note " which he fills in, stating the proposed name of the vessel,
her port of registry, tonnage, etc., and requests that she may be
registered. This note takes its name from the fact that the ship's
tonnage and official number are carved or cut out on her piain beam
or hatch coaming.
The Certificate of Registry is then granted by the Custom
House. It is, as it were, her birth certificate. It gives particulars
of the ship, when and where built, her type, name, port of registry,
official number, signal letters, horse power of engines, principal
dimensions, cubic capacity and other points of identification, alsr>
the owner's name.
The master's name is endorsed on the register. This must be
done as soon as he takes command by the Chief Officer of Customs
at the Custom House, or by the British Consul at a foreign port.
Changes of ownership must be endorsed on the certificate, and if
the ship be lost, or passes under a foreign flag, the certificate is to
be returned to the Board of Trade,