Merchant Shipping Act 1854
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to amend and consolidate the Acts relating to Merchant Shipping. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 17 & 18 Vict. c. 104 |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 10 August 1854 |
| Commencement | 1 May 1855 |
| Repealed | 1 January 1895 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by |
|
| Repealed by | Merchant Shipping Act 1894 |
| Relates to | Merchant Shipping Repeal Act 1854 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Merchant Shipping Act 1854 (17 & 18 Vict. c. 104), also known as the Imperial Shipping Act 1854, was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was passed on 10 August 1854, together with the Merchant Shipping Repeal Act 1854 (17 & 18 Vict. c. 120), which together repealed several centuries of preceding maritime legislation.
It introduced the keeping of official numbers for registered ships, and revised calculations of tonnage. It also changed the management of lighthouses in Scotland and neighbouring islands, vesting it in the Northern Lighthouse Board which was one of the general lighthouse authorities the act created. It also (indirectly) created the Sea Gallantry Medal, the only UK state honour created by act of Parliament, rather than royal warrant.