UNSEAWORTHY SHIPS.
The preliminary report of the Poyal Commission appointed to enquire int> the condition of our mercantile marine—unsatisfactory as ir. was, except so far as it proved Mr Plimsoll's allegations to be substantially true'— is bearing fruit, ju tho remarkable activity of the Board of Trade; for the past two or three months, in detaining at various ports unseaworthy vessels. A tender regard for the interests of ISritish ship owners was a too prominent feature in this preliminary report, and seems to have had more than due weight with tho Iloyal
Commissioners in forming their conclusions from tho evidence furnished by competent authorities on shipping affairs. Aberdeen has been rendored somewhat notorious by the detention of uusoaworfhy ships—no fewer.than twenty-seven vessels having been detained for survey or repairs since .the Board of Trado have been aroused from tho lethargy into which they had so long been sunk. Some of the shipowners, whoso vessels have been detained at Aberdeen, are complaining of tho arbitrary manner in which the Board of Trade exercise their powers in detaiuiug ships as uuseaworthy. And, indeed, it is uot unlikely that in their newly awakened zeal, the Board of Trado may sometimes overstep their duty ; but the innocent must occasionally suffer as well as the ill-doers. But this will only bo a temporary inconvenience. The " needy unscrupulous" owners of bad ships must on no account be allowed to escape. Mr Plimsoll must now seo good cause to look forward with satisfaction to the not far distant time when the poor sailor will be protected in the pursuit of his calling, which is hazardous at best, as well as colliers and factory workers.—Homo Paper.
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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1157, 10 March 1874, Page 4
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278UNSEAWORTHY SHIPS. Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1157, 10 March 1874, Page 4
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