Maritime Archive and Library
Liverpool, 1845 (710.LIV/R)
In 1834 the society of Lloyd's Register of British Shipping experienced revolt from merchants, shipowners and underwriters in the provinces. They complained that the committee members, represented all branches of the shipping industry, the representatives were mostly from London.
In 1835 a group from Liverpool set up a rival committee and publication entitled The Liverpool Register of Shipping. The register listed vessels either registered at or regularly trading with Liverpool. No classification of vessels was undertaken and only one issue was printed.
Unsuccessful negotiations with the London Committee continued and in 1838 Liverpool merchants and shipowners created a separate National Register, using similar classifications as Lloyd's Register. However in 1844 it was agreed that one book for the whole of the UK was the best option and the register was abandoned.