[Nisgeis]

I can't remember where I read this, I think it's in one of the submarine war patrol books I have, but a split freighter is one where the wheelhouse and funnel are seperate - e.g. split. A composite is one where the smoke stack is part of and sits on top of the structure that is also the wheelhouse.

It's one of the tricks of easily recognising ships. I used to stuggle with trying to look at one and then the pic in the recognition manual, but if you start doing it like it's a game of 'Guess Who?' (does he have spectacles, does he have blonde hair) then it's easier. Look at the shape of the bow - plumb, raked or curved, the shape of the stern, whether it's split or composite, does she have goalposts, etcetera and that will very quickly discount many potentials in the manual. Once you know what parts to look at, it becomes a lot easier and also easier to just look at a ship and see the key aspects and remember them, instead of having to remember the shape in your mind.

If I'm wrong about the split/composite meaning, someone will correct me.