ENGLISH MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3578, 11 August 1874, Page 2

ENGLISH MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS.

r Amongst the Parliamentary papers received from Wellington, is one containing several extracts from the British Merchant Shipping Acts, 1872 and 1873, in which important modifications were made in the terms of contract entered into with seamen. Instead of, as formerly, seamen being engaged in Home trade ships for periods of six months, expiring on the 30th June and 31st December, time agreements may now be made. It is not necessary to state the nature and duration of the intended voyage, hut merely the maximum period of the engagement, and if_ “ a seaman or apprentice belonging t j any ship is detained on a charge of desertion.” if it be proved that the vessel is not “in a fit condition to proceed to sea, or that the accommodation is insufficient,” the owner or master of the ship becomes liable for such compensation as a Court, having jurisdiction, may award. In order to prevent accidents, where the Board of Trade have received a complaint, or have reason to believe a vessel, from any cause, ■either through defect of the ship itself or through overloading, is unfit to proceed to sea without “ serious danger to human life,” power Sa given to order a survey and report to be made, and to detain the ship if necessary for the purpose. If the vessel prove unfit to proto sea, the cost is to be paid by the owner; if reported seaworthy, the Board is authorised to compensate any person who has sustained loss through the delay—Parliament to vote the money. Appeals from the decision of the Board may be beard in the Courts of Admiralty 5n England, in the Sheriff's Court in Scotland, wad in any Court having jurisdiction under the Admiralty in Ireland. There are clauses in the Acts respecting heats to be carried, the duties of masters in cases of collision, signals of distress, signals for pilots, restrictions upon the carriage of dangerous goods, penalties for misdescription of dangerous goods, power to refuse to carry them, power to throw them overboard if not properly marked or described. In the latter ease, the master and owner are not to be subject to any civil or criminal liability. _ The Admiralty Courts are also authorised to declare such goods forfeited, when an attempt has been made to forward them under a false description. Schedules are attached of signals of distress and for a pilot, and of fees payable for measurement, survey, and inspection of merchant ships.