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registers used the distance between the foot of the stem and the rudder post (or between perpendiculars "pp"), but if given, some other sources used waterline length (waterline "wl") and some used overall (overall "oa"). Lightered A lighter is another term for a barge. When a vessel is "lightered" all or part of her cargo is removed and placed in a barge. This usually happens when a vessel is aground and removing weight will assist in refloating her. Machinery Information is restricted to whether paddle or screw, type of engine, and brake horse power (brake horsepower), indicated horsepower (indicated horsepower) or rated horsepower (Registered horsepower) if known. Other information such as boilers, cylinder dimensions or stroke length etc. is not included. Official Numbers The "Imperial" numbering system came into official use in 1855 although the enabling legislation was passed earlier. Prior to that date, all vessels registered in the British Empire were given "port" numbers. These numbers were derived from the year of construction or importation followed by a sequential number assigned to each new hull registered at that particular port that year. Under the new Imperial system, a central register assigned a "lifetime" number to each new hull built in the British Empire or brought in from a foreign registry. A vessel's hull usually kept the same number forever, regardless of any change of name, or ownership, as long as she remained under "British" registry. The numbers of all Canadian hulls were in a block assigned by British authorities. Newly built or largely reconstructed Canadian vessels were supposed to be numbered by the Imperial system beginning in 1855 but many were not. Those that were not given official Imperial numbers at that point, however, were sometimes given Imperial numbers when they were rebuilt later. Until recently, each maritime country usually had its own official number system. To avoid confusion, in this list, a number that is preceded by "C" is British or Canadian. A number preceded by "U" is American, "G" is German. These letters are not part of the vessel's official number. Package Freighter A vessel designed to carry miscellaneous general cargo in barrels, boxes and other small packages and pieces, especially manufactured products. Many package freighters had side doors for handling cargo carried in their `tween deck [see definitions] as well as normal hatches in the upper and `tween decks. Their cargo could thereby be wheeled or carried on board, or lifted, swung over and then lowered with booms. Package freighters sailed on a schedule and some 11