What is the difference between the Mercantile Navy List and the Lloyd’s Register of Ships?
The Mercantile Navy List has been produced since 1850, and the Lloyd’s Register of Ships since 1764. The publications differ as the Mercantile Navy List only covers British registered vessels, whereas since 1886 Lloyd`s Register of Ships has listed every seagoing ship in the world over 100 gross tons. However, the Mercantile Navy List includes small vessels not included in the Lloyd’s Register of Ships, down to a quarter of a ton; and from 1850 to 1874, the Mercantile Navy List included a number of quite large British ships which were not found in Lloyd’s Register of Ships. A good explanation of the Mercantile Navy List and list of places to view copies can be found through the Plimsoll.org site at: http://www.plimsoll.org Also see Infosheet no.43 for further details.
