or merchant ships are regulated by Lloyds,
and are tested according to the Anchors and Chain Cables Act 1899.

In manufacturing chain cables, the bars are cut to the required length of
link, at an angle for forming the welds and, after heating, are bent by
machinery to the form of a link and welded by smiths, each link being
inserted in the previous one before welding. Cables of less than 11/4 in. are
welded at the crown, there not being sufficient room for a side weld;
experience has shown that the latter method is preferable and it is
employed in making larger sized cables. In 1898 steel studs were introduced
instead of cast iron ones, the latter having a tendency to work loose, but
the practice is not universal. After testing, the licensed tester must
place on every five fathoms of cable a distinctive mark which also
indicates the testing establishments; the stamp or die employed must be
approved by the Board of Trade. The iron used in the construction, also the
testing, of mooring chains and cables for the London Trinity House
Corporation are subject to more stringent regulations.

[Illustration: FIG. 1.--Stud-link Chain.]

Cables for the British navy and mercantile marine are supplied in 121/2
fathom and 15 fathom lengths respectively, connected together by "joining
shackles", D (fig. 1). Each length is "marked" by pieces of iron wire being
twisted round the studs of the links; the wire is placed on the first studs
on each side of the first shackle, on the second studs on each side of the
second shackle, and so on; thus the number of lengths of cable out is
clearly indicated. For instance, if the wire is on the sixth [v.04 p.0921]
studs on each side of the shackle, it indicates that six lengths or 75
fathoms of cable are out. In joining the lengths together, the round end of
the shackle is placed towards the anchor. The end links of each length
(C.C.) are made without studs, in order to take the shackle; but as studs
increase the strength of a link, in a studless or open link the iron is of
greater diameter. The next links (B.B.) have to be enlarged, in order to
take the increased size of the links C.C. In the joining shackle (D), the
pin is oval, its greater diameter being in the direction of the strain. The
pin of a shackle, which attaches the cable to the anchor (called an "anchor
shackle", to distinguish it from a joining shackle) projects and is secured
by a forelock; but since any projection in a joining shac