mm ■'■,;■■■■-:•■■'-''*; ■■;-<■:.■■ ■ ■■ 1 #*** •';.' v-> . - LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf ...5* UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. OKKICK OK U. S. Local Inspectors of Steam-Vessels, New York City, Sept 2, 1890. Captain HOWARD PATTERSON, New York City, N. Y., Sir : — I would state in reference to your book entitled " Yachting Under American Statute," which you haA^e submitted to me for criticism, that in my opinion it justifies all you claim for it, or even more, in the preface of the work. I must commend it for its thoroughness as well as for the excellent arrangement of its paragraphs, and the descriptive headings with which each article is supplied. Furnished with this legal rudder, yachtsmen will have a handy and authoritative reference book for all questions concerning the proper and lawful transaction of the yacht's business. Yours truly, SAMUEL G. FAIRCHILD, U. S. Local Inspector of Hulls, New York, N. Y. yachting Under American Statute. UNITED STATES LAWS AND TREASURY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF OWNERS AND OFFICERS OF AMERICAN YACHTS, AND OF FOREIGN BUILT YACHTS OWNED BY CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ; ALSO OF FOREIGN YACHTS CRUISING IN AMERICAN WATERS. GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISING INSPECTORS OF STEAM VESSELS. INFORMATION FOR OWNERS OF BOTH AMERICAN STEAM AND SAILING YACHTS WHO MAY DESIRE TO OBTAIN CERTIFI- CATES ENTITLING THEM TO LEGAL COMMAND. DIRECTIONS FOR SEAMEN AND ENGINEERS IN QUEST OF LICENSES FROM THE UNITED STATES LOCAL STEAMBOAT INSPECTORS. CONCERNING MASTERS' AND MATES' DIPLOMAS AS ISSUED BY THE AMERICAN SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION FOR FORE AND AFT SAILING VESSELS. TOGETHER WITH OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR YACHTSMEN. fi lr / /> COPYK- G* BY / Captain HOWARD PATTEKSON, Formerly Principal New York Navigation School, AUTHOR OF "THE COMMON-SENSE NAVIGATOR," "THE YACHTSMAN'S GUIDE," "HAND- BOOK TO THE U. S. LOCAL MARINE BOARD EXAMINATION," ETC. NEW YORK : JOHN BLISS & CO., 128 Front Street. \ . Copyright, 1890, by JOHN BLISS & CO; PREFACE The author presents to the yachting fraternity a com- plete series of the laws under which all pleasure vessels are governed. Owners, masters, mates, pilots, and engineers of yachts will find this book to be a handy reference and an authority on all legal questions which may arise in con- nection with yachting, whether they relate to the docu- menting of the vessel, the privileges and liabilities involved, or the licensing and duties and obligations of officers. Many confusing laws relating to pleasure vessels have had their wrinkles smoothed out, and the much-vexed question concerning the right to fly the United States flag, or yacht ensign, on foreign-built yachts owned by American citizens, the author believes he has satisfactorily disposed of from a legal standpoint, basing an affirmative opinion upon the only possible interpretation of the State and Treasury Depart- ment Decisions, the text of which will be found incor- porated in full under the proper heading. H. P. September 1, 1890. CONTENTS INSPECTION OF STEAM- YACHTS. PAGE What vessels are deemed steam-vessels 13 Steam-yachts to be inspected 13 Inspection of hulls 13 Inspection of boilers 14 Certificate of inspection , . , 14 Reinspection and notice for repairs 14 Failure to make repairs 15 Interference between inspectors 15 Annual inspection upon written application 16 Only Government steamers exempt from inspectioD 16 Inspections previous to expiration of certificate 16 Inspectors may bore the hull 16 Owners to notify inspectors when vessel is docked 16 Local inspectors' signatures on certificates 17 Powers of supervising inspector 17 Certificates of inspection issued for one year 17 Carrying an excess of steam . ,. 17 Act abolishing all charges and fees 18 United States officers guilty of extortion 18 Inspectors receiving illegal fees 19 Steam-vessels exempt from Federal authority 19 Steam-launches may dispense with a life-boat 19 A life-preserver required for each person 20 Life-boats, rafts, pumps, etc 20 Penalty for failure to provide life-boats, etc 20 Inspection of foreign steam-yacht 20 CONCERNING LICENSED OFFICERS. Penalty for officers acting without a license 21 Original license and renewal 21 Oath of licensed officers 22 Licenses to be exhibited 22 License of master 22 8 PAGE Steam yachts do not require a licensed master 23 License of chief mate .......... 23 Steam -yachts do not require a licensed mate 23 Masters' and mates' licenses may include pilotage 24 Separate licenses not required 24 License of engineer 24 Assistant engineers may act as chief 25 Duty of chief engineer 25 Engineers must be able to read and write 25 Steam-launches must carry a licensed engineer 26 Licensed engineer not required for naphtha launch 26 Naphtha fuel steam-vessels must carry a licensed engineer 26 License of pilot . . •. . 26 Color-blind examination for pilots ...» 26 Pilots must be able to read and write 27 Steam-yachts requiring first-class pilots. . . ; , . 27 Steam-yachts requiring second-class pilots 28 Steam-launches must carry a licensed pilot. . . 28 , Licensed pilot not required for naphtha launches . . 28 Naphtha fuel steam-vessels must carry a licensed pilot 28 Raising the grade of pilot or engineer 28 Rules governing pilots 28 Presenting license for renewal 28 Licensed officer refusing duty . . 29 Revocation of license 29 Duration of a suspended license 29 Licensed officers to assist inspectors. 30 Licensed officers must report accidents , 30 Misconduct of officers and others 30 Maltreatment of crew. 31 Investigation of conduct of officers . . 31 Payment of witnesses 31 Appeal to supervising inspector 32 American Shipmasters' diplomas for masters and mates 32 UNITED STATES STATUTES AND TREASURY DECISIONS. Yacht licenses 34 License benefits 34 Concerning pleasure vessels under five tons burden. 35 Entering a vessel and manifest 35 Enrolment of a yacht . , , 35 Securing license and enrolment for a steam -yacht 36 Liability of pleasure vessels navigated without a license 36 9 PAGE Vessel absent from home port renewing license 36 Surrender of license . 36 Loss of license 36 License expiring while vessel is abroad 36 Commission to sail for pleasure 37 Shipping articles for crew 37 Billof health 37 Foreign yacht arriving from abroad must enter 37 Courtesies shown to foreign yachts 37 Foreign yacht wrecked in United States waters 38 Prescribed American yacht signal , 38 Sailing yachts to exhibit name 38 Steam-yachts to exhibit name. . ....'.■ 38 Enforcement of Section 4495 39 Penalty for omission of duty by customs officer 39 License, enrolment, etc., denied for non-compliance with the law. . 39 Vessel liable to seizure for non- compliance with the law. 39 Penalty in cases not provided for 40 Custom House measurement 40 Tonnage mark 40 Official number 41 Signal letters 41 Officers of United States vessels must be American citizens 41 Penalty for omission to show lights 41 Pilotage pn boundaries between States. 42 No discrimination in rates of pilotage 42 State regulations of pilots 42 Change of vessel's name 43 When a vessel must be newly documented 43 Penalty for deception concerning vessel's character, etc 43 Compulsory pilotage for American yachts 43 Compulsory pilotage for foreign-built yachts 44 Foreign-built yachts owned by American citizens 44 Foreign-built yachts flying American flag 46 Author's opinion about flying the American flag on foreign yachts. . 47 LAWS FOR OCEAN NAVIGATION. HIGH SEAS AND COAST WATEBS. Defining steam and sail-vessels .... 48 Lights carried from sunset to sunrise 48 Lights for ocean steamers 48 Lights for towing-steamers 49 Lights for sailing-vessels. ... 49 10 PAGE Exceptional lights for small vessels 50 Lights for steam-vessels and sailing-vessels at anchor ... 50 Lights for vessels not under command 50 Lights for vessels being overtaken 51 Ocean sound signals for fog 51 Speed of ships to be moderate in fog. 52 Steering and sailing rules for sailing-vessels 52 Steam-vessels meeting. 52 Two steamers crossing 53 Steamships to keep out of way of sailing-vessels . . 53 Steam-vessel approaching another vessel 53 Signals of steamers showing course . 54 Vessel overtaking another 54 Steamer in narrow channel 54 Eight of way , 54 Special circumstances and dangers 54 No ship under any circumstances to neglect proper precautions. . . 55 Distress signals 55 PILOT RULES FOR LAKES AND SEA BOARD— INLAND WATERS. Lights for inland waters 56 Signalling course by the steam-whistle 56 Misunderstood signals 57 Sound signals for fog on inland waters 57 Steamer nearing a bend 57 Pilots must signal one another 58 Pilot rules for Hell Gate. 58 Pilot signalling steamer holding same course 59 Modification of pilot rules 59 Dividing line between lakes and seaboard and Western rivers. . 59 PILOT RULES FOR WESTERN WATERS. Lights for Western rivers 60 Descending steamer has right of way. 61 Danger signals 61 Ascending boat to be stopped below channel 62 Steamers nearing bend in ascending or descending 62 Fog signals for Western rivers 63 Signals to steamer ahead 63 Steamers leaving berth . 63 11 PAGE NEW RULES FOR THE NAVIGATION OF THE HIGH SEAS. An act to adopt regulations for preventing collisions at sea. . . 64 Preliminary. ..... 64 Lights to be exhibited from sunset to sunrise 65 Steamer's masthead light 65 Steamer's side lights 65 An additional white light may be carried by steamers -when under way. 66 Steamer's towing lights 66 Lights for vessels not under command 67 Vessels laying telegraph cables 67 When to carry side-lights 68 Lights for sailing-vessels under way and vessels being towed 68 Portable lights for small vessels under way 68 Lights prescribed respectively for all vessels under forty tons 69 Lights for pilot-vessels 70 Lights for fishing vessels 70 Lights for vessels fishing with drift nets 70 Lights for vessels engaged in trawling 71 Lights for fishing vessels under seven tons 72 Lights for vessel and boats when line-fishing, etc 72 Fog signals for fishing vessels 72 Light for vessel being overtaken 73 Lights for vessels at anchor 73 Methods to be employed for attracting attention 74 Special lights for squadrons and convoys, and private night signals. 74 Day-time signal for steam-vessel under sail only 74 Fog signals for vessels under way 75 Fog signals for vessels at anchor 75 Fog signals for vessels towing and being towed 76 Other fog signals, etc 76 Speed of vessels to be moderate in fog 77 Steering and sailing rules for sailing vessels 77 Two steam-vessels meeting end on 78 Two steam-vessels crossing , 78 Steam-vessel and sailing-vessel meeting 78 One vessel to keep out of the way 79 One vessel to avoid crossing another's bow 79 Steam- vessels to slacken speed if necessary, etc 79 Vessel overtaking another 79 Steam-vessels in narrow channels to keep to starboard 80 Sailing-vessels to keep out of the way of fishing boats, etc 80 Special circumstances rendering departure from rules necessary ... 80 Sound signals for vessels in sight of one another 80 12 PAGE No vessel, tinder any circumstances, to neglect proper precautions. 81 Rules made by local authority to govern the navigation of harbors and inland waters 81 Distress signals • 81 Conflicting laws repealed 82 Date upon which act is to take effect 82 LAW IN REGARD TO COLLISION AT SEA. Each vessel shall stand by 83 YACHTING UNDER AMERICAN STATUTE INSPECTION OF STEAM YACHTS. WHAT VESSELS ARE DEEMED STEAM-VESSELS. Sec. 4399. Every vessel propelled in whole or in pait by steam shall he deemed a steam- vessel within the mean- ing of this Title. STEAM-YACHTS TO BE INSPECTED. Sec. 4426. The hull and boilers of every ferry-boat, canal-boat, yacht, or other small craft of like character, propelled by steam, shall be inspected under the provisions of this Title. Such other provisions of law for the better security of life as may be applicable to such veesels, shall, by the regulations of the board of supervising inspectors, also be required to be complied w T ith before a certificate of inspection shall be granted ; and no such vessel shall be navigated without a licensed engineer and a licensed pilot. INSPECTION OF HULLS. Sec 4417. The local inspectors shall, once in every year, at least, upon application in writing of the master or owner, carefully inspect the hull of each steam-vessel within their respective districts, and shall satisfy themselves that every such vessel so submitted to their inspection is of a structure suitable for the service in which she is to be employed, has suitable accommodations for passengers and the crew, 14 and is in a condition to warrant the belief that she may be used in navigations as a steamer, with safety to life, and that all the requirements of law in regard to fires, boats, pumps, hose, life-preservers, floats, anchors, cables, and other things, are faithfully complied with ; and if they deem it expedient, they may direct the vessel to be put in motion, and may adopt any other suitable means to test her sufficiency and that of her equipment. INSPECTION OF BOILEES. Sec. 4418. The local inspectors shall also inspect the boilers of all steam-vessels before the same shall be used, and once at least in every year thereafter. They shall sub- ject all boilers to the hydrostatic pressure ; and shall satisfy themselves by thorough examination that the boilers are well made, of good and suitable material, etc., etc. CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION. Sec. 4421. When the inspection of a steam-vessel is completed and the inspectors approve the vessel and her equipment throughout, they shall make and subscribe a certificate to the collector or other chief officer of the cus- toms of the district in which such inspection has been made, in accordance with the form and regulations pre- scribed by the board of supervising inspectors. Such cer- tificate shall be verified by the oaths of the inspectors sign- ing it [,] before the chief officer of the customs of the district, or any other person competent by law to admin- ister oaths. If the inspectors refuse to grant a certificate of approval, they shall make a statement in writing, and sign the same, giving the reasons for their disapproval. REINSPECTION AND NOTICE FOR REPAIRS. Sec 4453. In addition to the annual inspection, the local inspectors shall examine, at proper times, steamers arriving 15 and departing to and from their respective ports, so often as to enable them to detect any neglect to comply with the requirements of law, and also any defects or imperfections becoming apparent after the inspection aforesaid, and tend- ing to render the navigation of the vessels unsafe ; and if they shall discover any omission to comply with the law, or that repairs have become necessary to make the vessel safe, the inspectors shall at once notify the master, in writing, stating in the notice what is required ; and if the master deems the requirements unreasonable or unnecessary, he may apply for a re-examination of the case to the super- vising inspector. All inspections and orders for repairs shall be promptly made by the inspectors, and, when it can be safely done in their judgment, they shall permit repairs to be made where those interested can most con- veniently do them. FAILURE TO MAKE REPAIRS. Sec. 4454. If any master or owner of any steamed shall refuse or neglect to comply with the requirements of the local inspectors, made in pursuance of the preceding sec- tion, and shall, contrary thereto and while the same re- mains unreversed by the supervising inspector, employ the vessel by navigating her, the master and owner shall be liable to a penalty of five hundred dollars for each offence, one half for the use of the informer ; for which sum the vessel itself shall be liable, and may be seized and proceeded against by libel in any district court having jurisdiction ; and the master and owner, and the vessel itself, shall, in addition thereto, be liable for any damage to passengers and their baggage which shall occur from any defects as stated in the notice prescribed by the preceding section. INTERFERENCE BETWEEN INSPECTORS. Sec. 4455. The inspectors of one district shall not modify or annul the doings of the inspectors of another distiict in 10 regard to repairs, unless there is a change in the state of things, demanding more repairs than were thought neces- sary when the order was made. Xor shall the inspectors of one district license a person coming from another dis- trict, if such person has been rejected for unfitness or want of qualifications. ANNUAL INSPECTION UPON WKITTEN APPLICATION. The annual inspection of a steamer must be made only on written application, presented to the United States in- spectors by the owner, master, or authorized agent of the steamer to be inspected. ONLY GOVEKNMENT STEAMERS EXEMPT FROM INSPECTION. Steam- vessels employed b} r the Government, unless the titles of the same are actually vested in the United States, are not exempt from inspection. INSPECTIONS PREVIOUS TO EXPIRATION OF CERTIFICATE. Inspectors may lawfully inspect within their respective districts, upon proper application, any steamer running upon the waters of their district, the certificate of which is about to expire. INSPECTORS MAY BORE THE HULL. In the inspection of the hulls of steamers, if the inspec- tor shall not have satisfactory evidence otherwise of the soundness of the timber, he shall not give a certificate until the hull of the vessel shall be bored to his satisfaction. OWNERS TO NOTIFY INSPECTORS WHEN VESSEL IS DOCKED. Whenever any steam-vessel is placed upon the dock for repairs, it shall be the duty of the owner or agent to report the same to the board of local inspectors of that district, so 17 that a thorough inspection may by them be made to deter- mine what is necessary to make such vessel seaworthy, if the condition or age of the steamer in the judgment of the inspectors render such examination necessary. LOCAL INSPECTORS' SIGNATURES ON CERTIFICATES. Certificates of inspection signed by one local inspector only shall not be valid, nor shall the name of a regular inspector be substituted by that of any other person upon any such certificate. This rule also applies to licenses. POWERS OF SUPERVISING INSPECTOR. Sec. 4409. The supervising inspector shall visit any col- lection district in which there is at any time no board of inspectors, and within which steam-vessels are owned or employed. Each supervising inspector shall have full power in any such district, or in any district where, from distance or other cause, it is inconvenient to resort to the local board, to inspect any steam- vessel and the boilers of such steamer, and to grant certificates of approval, and to do and perform all the duties imposed upon local boards. CERTIFICATES OF INSPECTION ISSUED FOR ONE YEAR. Certificates of inspection for any period less than one year shall not be issued. Inspectors issuing a permit to a steamboat to proceed to other ports for repairs must state upon the face of the same the condition upon which it is granted. CARRYING AN EXCESS OF STEAM. When it is known or comes to the knowledge of the local inspectors that any steam- vessel is or has been carry- ing an excess of steam beyond that which is allowed by her certificate of inspection, it is recommended that the local inspectors in whose district said steamer is being navigated, in addition to reporting the fact to the United States Dis- 2 18 trict Attorney for prosecution under Section .4437, Revised Statutes, shall require the owner or owners of said steamer to place on the boiler of said steamer a lock-up safety- valve, that will prevent the carrying of an excess of steam and shall be under the control of said local inspectors. On the placing of a lock-up safety-valve upon any boiler, it shall be the duty of the engineer in charge of same to blow or cause the said valve to blow off steam at least once in each watch of six hours or less, to determine whether the valve is in working order, and it shall be his duty to report to the local inspectors any failure of such valve to operate. In case no such report is made, and a safety-valve is found that has been tampered with or out of order, the license of the engineer having such boiler in charge shall be revoked. It shall be the duty of the local inspectors to send a copy of this rule to every steamer in their district, when said copies are furnished by the Department. ACT ABOLISHING ALL CHARGES AND FEES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America in Congress as- sembled. That on and after July first, eighteen hundred and eighty-six, no fees shall be charged or collected by collectors or other officers of customs, or by inspectors of steam-vessels . . . for the following services to vessels of the United States, to wit : . . . inspecting, exam- ining, and licensing steam -vessels, including inspection- certificate and copies thereof ; and licensing of master, engineer, pilot, or ma'te of a vessel. UNITED STATES OFFICERS GUILTY OF EXTOETION. Sec. 5481. Every officer of the United States who is guilty of extortion under color of his office shall be pun- 19 islied by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not more than one year, except those officers or agents of the United States otherwise differently and specially provided for in subsequent sections of this chapter. INSPECTORS KECEIVING ILLEGAL FEES. Sec. 5482. Every inspector of steamboats who, upon any pretence, receives any fee or reward for his services, except what is allowed to him by law, shall forfeit his office, and be otherwise punished by a fine of not more than iive hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not more than six months, or by both. STEAM- VESSELS EXEMPT FKOM FEDERAL AUTHORITY. Steam-vessels navigating waters which are not highways of commerce, or open to navigation by uniting with other waters, thus forming a continued highway over which com- merce is or may be carried on with other States or foreign countries, are not subject to inspection, and do not require to be officered by men holding licenses from the United States local inspectors. In other words, a body of com- pletely land-enclosed water (such as Greenwood Lake in New York State) which does not wash the borders of any other State, may be navigated by any class of steam- vessels and the same are exempt from all United States laws and regulations. Another case in point is that of steam-launches on Central Park Lake, New York City, or on any other such body of water. — From Treasury Decisions, Sept. 29, 1874 ; Jan. 6, 1880. STEAM-LAUNCHES MAY DISPENSE WITH A LIFE-BOAT. All open steam-launches or other steam- vessels of five tons burden or less, used for pleasure purposes only, will not be required to carry a life boat. 20 A LIFE-PRESERVER REQUIRED FOR EACH PERSON. There must be provided for each person on board a life- preserver, containing at least six pounds of good block cork or other suitable material, adjustable to the body in the manner of a belt or jacket, with shoulder straps, and same must bear the official approving stamp of the inspector of life-preservers. LIFE-BOATS, RAFTS, PUMPS, ETC. Sec. 4488. . . . And the board of supervising in- spectors shall fix and determine, by their rules and regula- tions, the kind of life-boats, floats, rafts, life-preservers, and drags that shall be used on vessels, and also the kind and capacity of pumps or other appliances for freeing the steamer from water in case of heavy leakage, the capacity of such pumps or appliances being suited to the navigation in which the steamer is employed. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE LIFE-BOATS, ETC. Sec. 4489. The owner of any such steamer who neglects or refuses to provide such life-boats, floats, rafts, life-pre- servers, drags, pumps, or appliances, as are, under the pro- visions of the preceding section, required by the board of supervising inspectors, and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, shall be fined one thousand dollars. INSPECTION OF FOREIGN STEAM- YACHT. A foreign-built steam -yacht purchased and owned by a citizen of the United States, and used in American waters, is subject to inspection by the special inspectors of foreign steam-vessels. CONCERNING LICENSED OFFICERS. PENALTY FOE OFFICERS ACTING WITHOUT A LICENSE. Sec. 4438. The boards of local inspectors shall license and classify the masters, chief mates, engineers, and pilots of all steam-vessels. It shall be unlawful to employ any person, or for any person to serve as a master, chief mate, engineer, or pilot on any steamer, who is not licensed by the inspectors ; and any one violating this section shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars for each offence. ORIGINAL LICENSE AND RENEWAL. Before an original license is issued to any person to act as a master, mate, pilot, or engineer, he must personally appear before some local board, or a supervising inspector for examination ; but upon the renewal of such license, when the distance from any local board or supervising in- spector is such as to put the person holding the same to great inconvenience and expense to appear in person, he may, upon taking the oath of office before any person authorized to administer oaths, and forwarding the same, together with the license to be renewed, to the local board or supervising inspector of the district in which he resides or is employed, have the same renewed by the said inspec- tors, if no valid reason to the contrary be known to them ; and they shall attach such oath to the stub end of the license, which is to be retained on file in their office. And inspectors are directed, when licenses are completed, to draw a broad pen and red ink mark through all unused spaces in the body thereof, so as to prevent, so far as pos- sible, illegal interpolation after issue. 22 OATH OF LICENSED OFFICEKS. Sec. 4445. Every master, chief mate, engineer, and pilot, who receives a license, shall, before entering upon his duties, make oath before one of the inspectors herein provided for, to be recorded with the certificate, that he will faithfully and honestly, according to his best skill and judgment, without concealment or reservation, perform all the duties required of him by law. LICENSES TO BE EXHIBITED. Sec. 4446. Every master, mate, engineer, and pilot who shall receive a license shall, when employed upon any vessel, place his certificate of license, which shall be framed under glass, in some conspicuous place in such vessel, where it can be seen by passengers and others at all times ; and for every neglect to comply with this provision by any such master, mate, engineer, or pilot, he shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars, or to the revocation of his license. LICENSE OF MASTER. Sec. 4439. Whenever any person applies to be licensed as master of a steam-vessel, the inspectors] shall make diligent inquiry as to his character, and shall carefully examine the applicant, as well as the proofs which he pre- sents in support of his claim, and if they are satisfied that his capacity, experience, habits of life and character are such as to warrant the belief that he can be safely intrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the station for which he makes application, they shall grant him a license author- izing him to discharge such duties on any such vessel for the term of one year ; but such license shall be suspended or revoked, upon satisfactory proof of bad conduct, intem- perate habits, incapacity, inattention to his duties, or the wilful violation of any provision of this Title. 23 STEAM-YACHTS DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENSED MASTEK. All steam -yachts are obliged by statute law to carry a licensed pilot and a licensed engineer, but they are not required to have a licensed master. The pilot in charge of a steam-yacht may also be named as master in the docu- ments of the vessel, or the owner may place therein his own name, or that of some other person as master. On steam-yachts a licensed pilot and a licensed engineer on watch constitute a full complement of licensed officers required by statute, whatever the tonnage of the yacht maj 7 be. An officer holding a master's ocean steamship license cannot act as pilot of a steam- yacht on inland waters unless the local inspectors endorse his license for such work. — Treasury Decisions. LICENSE OF CHIEF MATE. Sec. 4440. Whenever any person applies for authority to be employed as chief mate of steam -vessels, the inspec- tors shall require satisfactory evidence of the knowledge, experience, and skill of the applicant in lading cargo, and in handling and stowage of freight, and shall examine him as to his knowledge and ability in navigation and managing such vessels, and all other duties pertaining to his station ; and if satisfied of his qualifications and good character, they shall grant him a license, authorizing him to perform such duties for the term of one year ; but such license shall be suspended or revoked upon satisfactory proof of bad conduct, intemperate habits, unskilfulness, or want of knowledge of the duties of his station, or the wilful vio- lation of any provision of this Title. STEAM-YACHTS DO NOT REQUIRE A LICENSED MATE. Mates of steam-yachts are not obliged to be licensed, but no unlicensed officer can take charge of the deck of a 24 steam-yacht when she is under way and on waters within the jurisdiction of the United States. MASTERS* AND MATES' LICENSES MAY INCLUDE PILOTAGE. Whenever a licensed master or a licensed mate desires to act also as pilot, and furnishes the necessary evidences of ability, the local inspectors for the district where the license is issued shall endorse such pilot routes on the certificates. SEPARATE LICENSES NOT REQUIRED. Sec. 4443. Where the master or mate is also pilot of the vessel, he shall not be required to hold two licenses to per- form such duties, but the license issued shall state on its face that he is authorized to act in such double capacity. LICENSE OF ENGINEER. Sec. 4441. Whenever any person applies for authority to perform the duties of engineer of any steam-vessel, the inspectors shall examine the applicant as to his knowledge of steam machinery, and his experience as an engineer, and also the proofs which he produces in support of his claim ; and if, upon full consideration, they are satisfied that his character, habits of life, knowledge, and experi- ence in the duties of an engineer are all such as to authorize the belief that he is a suitable and safe person to be in- trusted with the powers and duties of such a station, they shall grant him a license, authorizing him to be employed in such duties for the term of one year, in which they shall assign him to the appropriate class of engineers ; but such license shall be suspended or revoked upon satisfactory proof of negligence, unskilfulness, intemperance, or the wilful violation of any provision of this Title. Whenever complaint is made against any engineer holding a license authorizing him to take charge of the boilers and machinery of any steamer, that he has, through negligence or want of 25 skill, permitted the boilers in his charge to burn or other- wise become in bad condition, or that he has not kept his engine and machinery in good working order, it shall be the duty of the inspectors, upon satisfactory proof of such negligence or want of skill, to revoke the license of such engineer and assign him to a lower grade or class of en- gineers, if they find him fitted therefor. ASSISTANT ENGINEERS MAY ACT AS CHIEF. Assistant engineers may act as chief engineers on high- pressure steamers of one hundred tons burden and under, of the class and tonnage, or particular steamer for which the inspectors, after a thorough examination, may find them qualified. In all cases where an assistant engineer is permitted to act as first [chief] engineer, the inspectors shall state on the face of his certificate of license the class and tonnage of steamers, or the particular steamer on which he may so act. DUTY OF CHIEF ENGINEER. It shall be the duty of an engineer, when he assumes charge of the boilers and machinery of a steamer, to forth- with thoroughly examine the same, and if he finds any part thereof in bad condition, caused by neglect or inatten- tion on the part of his predecessor, he shall immediately report the facts to the local inspectors of the district, who shall thereupon investigate the matter, and if the former engineer has been culpably derelict of duty, they shall suspend or revoke his license. ENGINEEKS MUST BE ABLE TO KEAD AND WRITE. And no original license shall be granted any engineer, or assistant engineer, who cannot read and write, and does not understand the plain rules of arithmetic. 26 STEAM LAUNCHES MUST CAREY A LICENSED ENGINEER. Launches propelled by steam-power must be inspected, and must carry a licensed engineer. LICENSED ENGINEER NOT REQUIRED FOR NAPHTHA LAUNCH. Naphtha launches are not inspected, and are not required to carry a licensed engineer. NAPHTHA FUEL STEAM-VESSELS MUST CARRY A LICENSED ENGINEER. Steam-vessels using naphtha, or any of the products of petroleum, or other mineral oils or substances for fuel are subject to inspection and must carry a licensed engineer. LICENSE OF PILOT. Sec. 4442. Whenever any person claiming to be a skil- ful pilot of steam-vessels offers himself for a license, the inspectors shall make diligent inquiry as to his character and merits, and if satisfied, from personal examination of the applicant, with the proof that he offers that he pos- sesses the requisite knowledge and skill, and is trustworthy and faithful, they shall grant him a license for the term of one year to pilot any such vessel within the limits pre- scribed in the license ; but such license shall be suspended or revoked upon satisfactory evidence of negligence, un- skil fulness, inattention to the duties of his station, or in- temperance, or the wilful violation of any provision of this Title. COLOR-BLIND EXAMINATION FOR PILOTS. Inspectors are forbidden to issue original licenses to pilots of steam- vessels, except on the official certificate of a surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service that the applicant is free from the defect known as color-blindness. In case the applicant is pronounced color-blind, he may, 27 in the discretion of the inspectors, be limited to act as pilot on a vessel navigating in daylight only. In case of renewal of license of any pilot who has not been examined, and who is living at an inconvenient dis- tance from a surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service, he may be examined for color-blindness by any respectable physician residing in the same town or locality with said applicant, who (the physician) shall furnish a report of the examination made upon the regulation blanks, which shall be in duplicate, one of which shall be furnished the appli- cant, and the other sent by mail to the local inspectors of steam- vessels to which application shall be made for a renewal of license. In case the applicant shall be found incompletely color- blind, the local inspectors shall examine with the colored signal-lights, and if satisfied that the applicant can suffi- ciently distinguish the colored signal-lights used on steam- vessels, they may, in their discretion, renew the license of such applicant. • Provided, however, before granting or renewing a license to pilots or engineers, inspectors shall satisfy them- selves that they can properly hear the bell and whistle signals. PILOTS MUST BE ABLE TO BEAD AND WBITE. Inspectors are forbidden to issue original licenses to pilots who cannot read and write. [STEAM-YACHTS EEQUIBING FIBST-CLASS PILOTS. The navigation of every steamer above one hundred tons burden shall be under the control of a first-class pilot, and every such pilot shall be limited in his license to the par- ticular service for which he is adapted. Special pilots may also be licensed for small steamers of all kinds, locally employed. 28 STEAM-YACHTS REQUIRING SECOND-CLASS PILOTS. The navigation of every steamer under one hundred tons burden shall be under the control of a second-class pilot, or one holding a higher grade of license. STEAM-LAUNCHES MUST CARRY A LICENSED PILOT. Launches propelled by steam must be inspected, and must carry a licensed pilot. LICENSED PILOT NOT REQUIRED FOR NAPHTHA LAUNCHES. Naphtha launches are not inspected, and are not required to carry a licensed pilot. NAPHTHA FUEL STEAM-VESSELS MUST CARRY A LICENSED PILOT. Steam-vessels using naphtha, or any of the products of petroleum, or other mineral oils or substances for fuel are subject to inspection by the local inspectors, and are obliged to carry a licensed pilot. RAISING THE GRADE OF PILOT OR ENGINEER. Except by the consent in writing of the board that granted the license, no other board shall raise the grade of an engineer or pilot during the year for which the license was granted. RULES GOVERNING PILOTS. Pilots of steam-vessels, while in the discharge of their duties, must be governed by the rules of the board of super- vising inspectors made for their guidance. PRESENTING LICENSE FOR RENEWAL. Whenever an officer shall apply for a renewal of his license for the same grade, the presentation of the old cer- 29 tificate may be considered sufficient evidence of his title to renewal, provided, it is presented within twelve months after the date of its expiration, unless such title has been forfeited, or facts shall have come to the knowledge of the inspectors which would render a renewal improper. LICENSED OFFICER REFUSING DUTY. Sec. 4449. If any licensed officer shall, to the hindrance of commerce, wrongfully or unreasonably refuse to serve in his official capacity on any steamer, as authorized by the terms of his certificate of license, or shall fail to deliver to the applicant for such service at the time of such refusal, if the same shall be demanded, a statement in writing as- signing good and sufficient reasons therefor, or if any pilot or engineer shall refuse to admit into the pilot-house or engine-room any person whom the master or owner of the vessel may desire to place there for the purpose of learning the profession, his license shall be revoked, upon the same proceedings as are provided in other cases of revocation of such licenses. REVOCATION OF LICENSE. When the license of any master, mate, pilot, or engineer is revoked, such license expires with such revocation, and any license subsequently granted to such person shall be considered in the light of an original license. The suspension or revocation of a joint license shall de- bar the person holding the same from the exercise of any of the privileges therein granted so long as such suspension or revocation shall remain in force. DURATION OF A SUSPENDED LICENSE. When the license of any master, mate, engineer, or pilot is suspended, the inspectors making such suspension shall determine the term of its duration, except that such 30 suspension cannot extend beyond the time for which the license was issued. LICENSED OFFICERS TO ASSIST INSPECTORS. Sec. 4448. All officers licensed under the provisions of this Title shall assist the inspectors in their examination of any vessel to which such licensed officers belong, and shall point out all defects and imperfections known to them in the hull, equipments, boilers, or machinery of such vessel, and also shall make known to the inspectors, at the earliest opportunity, all accidents or occurrences producing serious injury to the vessel, her boilers, or machinery ; and in de- fault thereof the license of any such officer so neglecting or refusing shall be revoked. LICENSED OFFICEES MUST REPORT ACCIDENTS. Whenever a steamer meets with an accident involving loss of life or damage to property, it shall be the duty of the licensed officers of any such steamer to report the same, in writing and in person, without delay, to the nearest local board : Provided, When from distance it may be incon- venient to report in person, it may be done in writing only, and the report sworn to before an authorized magis- trate. MISCONDUCT OF OFFICERS AND OTHERS. Sec. 5344. Every captain, engineer, pilot, or other per- son employed on any steamboat or vessel, by whose mis- conduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties on such vessel, the life of any person is destroyed, and every owner, inspector, or other public officer, through whose fraud, connivance, misconduct, or violation of law, the life of any person is destroyed, shall be deemed guilty of manslaugh- ter, and, upon conviction thereof before any circuit court of the United States, shall be sentenced to confinement at hard labor for a period of not more than ten years. 31 MALTREATMENT OF CREW. Sec. 5347. Every master or other officer of any Ameri- can vessel on the high seas, or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, who, from malice, hatred, or revenge, and without justifiable cause, beats, wounds, or imprisons any of the crew of such vessel, or withholds from them suitable food and nourishment, or inflicts upon them any cruel and un- usual punishment, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment not more than five years, or by both. INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF OFFICERS. Sec. 4450. The local boards of inspectors shall investi- gate all acts of incompetency or misconduct committed by any licensed officer while acting under the authority of his license, and shall have power to summon before them any witnesses within their respective districts, and compel their attendance by a similar process as in the United States cir- cuit or district courts ; and they may administer all neces- sary oaths to any witnesses thus summoned before them ; and after reasonable notice in writing, given to the alleged delinquent, of the time and place of such investigation, such witnesses shall be examined, under oath, touching the performance of his duties by any such licensed officer ; and if the board shall be satisfied that such licensed officer is incompetent, or has been guilty of misbehavior, negligence, or uskilfulness, or has endangered life, or wilfully violated any provision of this Title, they shall immediately suspend or revoke his license. PAYMENT OF WITNESSES. Sec. 4451. The chief officer of the customs for the dis- trict shall pay out of the revenues received under the pro- visions of this Title such fees to the United States marshal for his services, and to any witness, so summoned, for his 32 actual travel and attendance, as shall be officially certified to by any inspector hearing the case, upon the back of such summons, not exceeding the rate allowed for fees and to witnesses for travel and attendance in any circuit or district courts of the United States. APPEAL TO SUPERVISING INSPECTOR. Sec. 44:52. Whenever any board of local inspectors re- fuses to grant a license to any person applying for the same, or suspends or revokes the license of any master, mate, engineer, or pilot, any person deeming himself wronged by such refusal, suspension, or revocation, may, within thirty days thereof, on application to the supervising inspector of the district, have his case examined anew by such supervising inspector ; and the local board shall fur- nish to the supervising inspector, in writing, the reasons for its doings in the premises ; and such supervising in- spector shall examine the case anew, and he shall have the same powers to summon witnesses and compel their attend- ance, and to administer oaths, that are conferred on local inspectors ; and such witnesses and the marshal shall be paid in the same manner as provided for by the preceding section ; and such supervising inspector may revoke, change, or modify the decision of such local board ; and like proceedings may be had by any master or owner of any steam- vessel in relation to the inspection of such ves- sel, or her boilers or machinery, by any such local board ; and in case of repairs, and in any investigation or inspec- tion, where there shall be a disagreement between the local inspectors, the supervising inspector, when so requested, shall investigate and decide the case. AMERICAN SHIPMASTERS' DIPLOMAS FOR MASTERS AND MATES. The American Shipmasters' Association, 37 William Street, New York City, has for many years issued cer- 33 tificates of competency to masters and mates of square- rigged and of fore-and-aft sailing-vessels. Owners and officers of yachts may secure from this board diplomas of ability to command or to act as mate of schooners, pro- vided they shall satisfy the examining board as to their pro- ficiency in fore-and-aft seamanship and navigation— an ex- amination, by the way, which, though practically thorough, is such as many of our excellent amateur yachtsmen could pass with flying colors. The American Shipmasters' As- sociation is approved by the Boards of Underwriters of New York, Boston, and San Francisco. 3 UNITED STATES STATUTES AND TREASUKY DECISIONS. YACHT LICENSES. Sec. 4214. The Secretary of the Treasury may cause yachts used and employed exclusively as pleasure vessels or designed as models of naval architecture, if built and owned in compliance with the provisions of Sections 4133 to 4135, to be licensed on terms which will authorize them to pro- ceed from port to port of the United States, and by sea to foreign ports, without entering or clearing at the Custom House. Such license shall be in such form as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe. The owner of any such vessel, before taking out such license, shall give a bond in such form and for such amount as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, conditioned that the vessel shall not engage in any trade, nor in any way violate the revenue laws of the United States ; and shall comply with the laws in all other respects. Such vessels, so enrolled and licensed, shall not be allowed to transport merchandise or carry passengers for pay. Such vessels shall have their name and port placed on some conspicuous portion of their hulls. Such vessels shall, in all respects, except as above, be subject to the laws of the United States, and shall be liable to seizure and forfeiture for any violation of the pro- visions of this Title. LICENSE BENEFITS. A license authorizes a yacht to sail from port to port of the United States, and by sea to foreign ports, without entrance or clearance, and absolves her from the payment 35 of tonnage duty and light money. Upon the return of a yacht to the United States after visiting foreign ports she must enter at the Custom House of the port of her first arrival. To become a yacht, within the meaning of the law, such vessel must be licensed, and must belong to some regularly incorporated yacht club. CONCERNING PLEASURE VESSELS UNDER FIVE TONS BURDEN. Pleasure vessels, whether steam or sail, of less than five tons burden, are not required to be licensed ; but steam- vessels, whatever their tonnage, must be inspected by the local steamboat inspectors, and must be commanded and engineered by licensed officers. Vessels of this class may cruise within the waters of the United States, entering and leaving 'various ports without entrance or clearance, and yet be subject to no penalty ; but in the event of going foreign, they would be subject to annoyance unless possess- ing clearance papers. ENTERING A VESSEL AND MANIFEST. To enter a vessel it is necessary to have a manifest with two copies ready on arrival. The revenue cutter may take one, the boarding officer another, while the third is pro- duced by the master before the collector, and makes oath of its truth. The manifest of a yacht should specify ship's stores and state that no cargo is carried. ENROLMENT OF A YACHT. Enrolment is no longer necessary for a yacht, but the owner may have it if the vessel be of twenty tons or more. Enrolment does not expire unless the yacht changes owner- ship, alters her rig, or tonnage, etc., and it answers as a record of the yacht's uninterrupted ownership. 36 SECURING LICENSE AND ENROLMENT FOR A STEAM- YACHT. Before the chief customs officer can grant a license or enrolment to a steam-yacht he must first receive a certifi- cate from the local inspectors of steam- vessels, stating that the yacht and its equipments are approved by them. LIABILITY OF PLEASURE VESSEL'S NAVIGATED WITHOUT A LICENSE. A pleasure vessel, built in the United States and owned by an American citizen, is liable to light money of fifty cents per ton at each port of arrival in the United States, provided she is navigated without a license and over five tons burden. VESSEL ABSENT FROM HOME PORT RENEWING LICENSE. Should a vessel be absent from her home port when the license expires, a new one may be obtained by the master delivering to the chief customs officer of the port in which the vessel may be the old license and taking before him the master's oath. The customs officer will then transmit the papers to the chief customs officer at the vessel's home port, and a new license will be returned. SURRENDER OF LICENSE. The master of a vessel may surrender his license at any time and have his vessel licensed anew. LOSS OF LICENSE. If a license should be destroyed or lost, and an oath taken to that effect by the master before the chief customs officer, a new license will be granted. LICENSE EXPIRING WHILE VESSEL IS ABROAD. If the license of a yacht expires while she is abroad, the license remains in force until the return of the vessel to the United States. 37 COMMISSION TO SAIL FOR PLEASURE. A commission to sail for pleasure, in any designated yacht belonging to a regularly organized and incorporated yacht club, may be obtained from the Treasury Depart- ment through the collector of customs at the port where the yacht may be. It does not supersede the license, but is in addition to it, and is only issued to yachts going abroad to secure more extended courtesies. ' It is issued for the voyage only, and must be surrendered at the port of her first arrival on her return to the United States. SHIPPING ARTICLES FOR CREW. Before sailing on a foreign voyage the master of a yacht may have a certified crew list and shipping articles, obtained from a United States Shipping Commissioner, although it is not compulsory. An English or other foreign yacht would be obliged to sign the crew before the respective consuls. BILL OF HEALTH. Whether or not in going foreign a bill of health for the vessel would be needed, depends upon the laws of the country of her destination. A bill of health may be ob- tained from the Custom House upon demand, provided the port sailing from is in a normal condition of healthf ill- ness. FOREIGN YACHT ARRIVING FROM ABROAD MUST ENTER. A foreign yacht arriving from abroad must be entered at the port of her first arrival ; but tonnage duty is not exacted, provided she belongs to a regularly organized and incorporated yacht club. COURTESIES SHOWN TO FOREIGN YACHTS. A yacht of any foreign nation, which extends like cour- tesies to yachts belonging to the United States, and pro- 38 vided that such foreign yacht belongs to a regularly organ- ized and incorporated yacht club, is privileged to depart from and arrive at ports in the United States without clear- ing or entering. If the yacht does not belong to such a nation or does not belong to such a yacht club, she must enter and clear from every port of the United States she goes into. FOREIGN YACHT WRECKED IN UNITED STATES WATERS. -Should a foreign yacht be wrecked in United States waters, and be purchased by an American citizen, who expends upon her in repairs three times as much as he paid for her as a wreck, she could be documented as a yacht of the United States. PRESCRIBED AMERICAN YACHT SIGNAL. The United States Statutes require American yachts to fly the American ensign, on which in the blue field is sub- stituted a white foul anchor surrounded by thirteen white stars in a circle, in lieu of a star for each State. SAILING YACHTS TO EXHIBIT NAME. The name and hailing port of a sailing yacht must be placed on the stern in letters not less than three inches in length, in white, yellow, or gilt on a black ground. STEAM- YACHTS TO EXHIBIT NAME. The name and hailing port of a screw-steamer yacht must be placed on the stern in letters not less than three inches in length, and upon each side of the pilot-house in letters six inches in length ; but if she is a side- wheel ves- sel the name must be painted on the outside of each paddle- box in letters not less than six inches in length. (Section 4495.) 39 Painting the vessel's name on the bows is optional with the owner. ENFOECEMENT OF SECTION 4495. Sec. 4496. All collectors, or other chief officers of the customs, and all inspectors within the several districts, shall enforce the provisions of this Title against all steamers arriving and departing. PENALTY FOE OMISSION OF DUTY BY CUSTOMS OFFICEE. Sec. 4497. Every collector, or other chief officer of the customs, or inspector, who negligently or intentionally omits any duty under the preceding section, shall be liable to removal from office, and to a penalty of one hundred dollars for each offence, to be sued for in an action of debt. LICENSE, ENEOLMENT, ETC., DENIED FOE NON-COMPLI- ANCE WITH THE LAW. Sec. 4498. No license, register, or enrolment shall be granted, nor any other papers be issued, by any collector or other chief officer of the customs, to any vessel propelled in whole or in part by steam, until he shall have satisfac- tory evidence that all the provisions of this Title have been fully complied with. VESSEL LIABLE TO SEIZUEE FOE NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. Sec 4499. If any vessel propelled in whole or in part by steam be navigated without complying with the terms of this Title, the owner shall be liable to the United States in a penalty of five hundred dollars for each offence, one half for the use of the informer, for which sum the vessel so navigated shall be liable, and may be seized and pro- ceeded against by way of libel in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the offence. 40 PENALTY IN CASES NOT PEOVIDED FOE. Sec. 4530. The penalty for the violation of any pro- vision of this Title, not otherwise specially provided for, shall be a fine of five hundred dollars, recoverable one half for the use of the informer. CUSTOM HOUSE MEASUEEMENT. The legal tonnage of a vessel is to be ascertained by an official measurer, who shall certify to the documenting officer the particulars of the build of the vessel, her gross and net tonnage, etc., and the certificate is required to be countersigned by the owner or master of the vessel. The owner or master must furnish the official measurer with a filled- out form (same appended) from the master carpenter certifying to the particulars of the vessel : District of Port of I, , principal (or) master carpenter of , do certify that the vessel named the was built by me (or), under my direction, at during the year 18 for ; that the said vessel is a , has decks, masts, is in length, in breadth, in depth, and of tons burden. As witness my hand, the day and year aforesaid, TONNAGE MAEK. On all vessels the net (legal) tonnage mark must be shown on the main beam, and where the latter is of wood it must be cut in, but should the main beam be of iron, then the net tonnage is to be marked by the use of oil paint. The numbers are to be prefixed with the words " Tonnage Mark," and all letters and numbers are to be plain in character, and the latter not less than three inches high. 41 OFFICIAL NUMBEK. Every documented vessel must procure from the Bureau of Navigation, through the chief customs officer of the port in which the vessel may be, an official number, and have the same either carved or painted on the main beam of the vessel, in the manner described for the tonnage mark, and the official number must also appear on the vessel's marine documents. SIGNAL LETTEKS. Signal letters are given to every documented vessel of one hundred tons and more upon application. In the lat- ter must be specified the rig, name, owner, tonnage, port, and place, and year of building. Signal letters must appear on the vessel's marine documents. OFFICERS OF UNITED STATES VESSELS MUST BE AMER- ICAN CITIZENS. All the officers of vessels of the United States shall be citizens of the United States, except that in cases where, on a foreign voyage, or on a voyage from an Atlantic to a Pacific port of the United States, any such vessel is for any reason deprived of the services of an officer below the grade of master, his place, or a vacancy caused by the pro- motion of another officer to such place, may be supplied by a person not a citizen of the United States until the first return of such vessel to its home port ; and such vessel shall not be liable to any penalty or penal tax for such em- ployment of an alien officer. PENALTY FOR OMISSION TO SHOW LIGHTS. Sec. 4234. Collectors, or other chief officers of the customs, shall require all sail-vessels to be furnished with proper signal-lights, and every such vessel shall, on the ap- 42 proach of any steam-vessel during the night-time, show a lighted torch upon that point or quarter to which such ' steam-vessel shall be approaching. Every such vessel that shall be navigated without complying with the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty of two hundred dollars, one half to go to the informer ; for which sum the vessel so navigated shall be liable, and may be seized and proceeded against by way of libel, in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the offence. PILOTAGE ON BOUNDARIES BETWEEN STATES. Sec. 4236. The master of any vessel coming into or going out of any port situate upon waters which are the boundary between two States, may employ any pilot duly licensed or authorized by the laws of either of the States bounded on such waters, to pilot the vessel to or from such port. NO DISCRIMINATION IN HATES OF PILOTAGE. Sec. 4237. No regulations or provisions shall be adopted by any State which shall make any discrimination in the rate of pilotage or half-pilotage between vessels sailing between the ports of one State and vessels sailing between the ports of different States, or any discrimination against vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam, or against national vessels of the United States ; and all existing regulations or provisions making any such discrimination are annulled and abrogated. STATE REGULATIONS OF PILOTS. Sec. 4444. No State or municipal government shall impose upon pilots of steam- vessels any obligation to pro- cure a State or other license in addition to that issued by the United States, or any other regulation which will im- pede such pilots in the performance of the duties required 43 by this Title ; nor shall any pilot-charges be levied by any such authority upon any steamer piloted as provided by this Title ; and in no case shall the fees charged for the pilotage of any steam -vessel exceed the customary or legally established rates in the State where the same is performed. Nothing in this Title shall be construed to annul or affect any regulation established by the laws of any State, requiring vessels entering or leaving a port in any such State, other than coastwise steam- vessels, to take a pilot duly licensed or authorized by the laws of such State, or of a State situate upon the waters of such State. CHANGE OF VESSEL'S NAME. The name of a sail-vessel may be changed at will before she is documented, after which application must be made through the chief officer of the customs at the home port to the Commissioner of Navigation. If she is a steam- vessel under five tons the name may be changed at time of annual inspection. WHEN A VESSEL MUST BE NEWLY DOCUMENTED. Whenever the vessel changes ownership, or alters her rig or tonnage, she must be documented anew. PENALTY FOE DECEPTION CONCEENING VESSEL'S CHAEACTEE, ETC. Should an owner or master attempt to deceive the pub- lic, or any officer of the Government, or of the State, or any person, concerning the name or character of his vessel, the same would be liable to forfeiture. COMPULSOEY PILOTAGE FOE AMEEICAN YACHTS. As a rule pilots speak yachts very seldom, whatever their nationality, as they do not offer sufficient inducements 44 in a money sense, owing to their limited draught, for the pilot to leave the pilotage ground and thus give up the chance of speaking a deep vessel a little later on. An American yacht leaving for a foreign cruise, or arriv- ing in the United States from a foreign port, is subject to pilotage (in States where compulsory pilotage exists) pro- vided she is spoken. Should the services of a pilot be offered and the same refused (under the above circumstances) the yacht would be liable for full pilotage. COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR A FOREIGN-BUILT YACHT. A foreign-built yacht arriving at a United States port from abroad, or leaving a United States port for foreign, is liable for pilotage if she is spoken. According to a strict interpretation of State pilotage laws, a foreign-built yacht would also be subject to pilotage (when cruising in Ameri- can waters) in going in and out of all United States ports, covered by State pilot laws ; but this is seldom or never exacted, owing to the courtesy which is extended to visiting yachts. FOREIGN-BUILT YACHTS OWNED BY AMERICAN CITIZENS. The Department Regulations concerning foreign-built yachts owned by American citizens are as follows r " Foreign-built (or denationalized) vessels purchased and wholly owned by citizens of the United States, whether purchased of belligerents or neutrals during a w T ar to which the United States are not a party, or in peace, of foreign powers, are entitled to the protection of the authorities and flag of the United States, as the property of American citizens, although no register, enrolment, license, or other marine document, prescribed by the laws of the United States, can be lawfully issued to such vessels. (General Regulations of 1884, Art. 93.) " To enable, however, the owners of a vessel so circum- 45 stanced to protect their rights, if molested or questioned, the collector of the customs, though forbidden by law to grant any marine document or certificate of ownership, may lawfully make record of the bill of sale in his office, authenticate its validity in form and substance, and deliver to the owner a certificate to that effect ; certifying, also, that the owner is a citizen of the United States. These facts thus authenticated, if the transfer was in good faith, entitle the vessel to protection as the lawful property of a citizen of the United States ; and the authenti cation of the bill of sale and of citizenship will be prima facie proof of such good faith. (Art. 94.) 44 In all cases, therefore, where the evidence of the pur- chase of a foreign vessel by a citizen of the United States, with proof of citizenship, and of the honafide character of the purchase, shall be furnished to a collector of the cus- toms, he will, if the proof be satisfactory, and purchase deemed in good faith, record the bill of sale in his office, and deliver to the party the original, with a certificate endorsed thereon in the following form : " ' I, , collector of the customs for the port (district) of , in the State of , in the United States of America, do hereby certify that the within bill of sale, bearing date of of the (here describe the vessel, her tonnage, denomination, name, etc.), sold and transferred by to , is, in form and substance, valid and effective in law, and has been duly recorded in my office ; and that the said (meaning the owners) are citizens of the United States. As witness my hand and seal this day of , in the year of our Lord, 18 . L. S.' (Art. 95.) " Before granting such certificate the collector of the cus- toms will require the tonnage of the vessel to be duly as- certained in pursuance of law, and insert the same in the description of the vessel in his certificate. (Art. 96.) 46 " A separate record will be kept of these vessels, and in the tonnage returns they will be reported in a separate col- umn under the head of ' Foreign-built (or undocumented) vessels owned by citizens of the United States.'" (Art. 97, General Regulations of 1884.) FOKEIGN-BUILT YACHTS FLYING AMEKICAN FLAG. Both the United States Treasury and State Departments assent to the flying of the United States flag on foreign- built yachts owned wholly by citizens of the United States, as the following Decision and Regulation will show : " The privilege of carrying the flag of the United States belongs to any American citizen owning a vessel. Bat the presence of the flag would guarantee no other rights or privileges than such as would attach to her simply as the property of an American citizen, unless she should be duly registered. A certificate of registry granted her as a vessel of the United States would secure her all the privileges of navigation that attach to such an instrument under the laws of nations or the stipulations of treaties with those nations into whose waters she might sail. In this connection atten- tion is called to Article 344 of the Regulations prescribed by the Department of State for the use of the consular ser- vice of the United States. (Decision 5616, in 1883.) " The privilege of carrying the flag of the United States is under the regulation of Congress, and it may have been the intention of that body that it should be used only by regularly documented vessels. No such intention, how- ever, is found in any statute. And as a citizen is not pro- hibited from purchasing and employing abroad a foreign ship, it is regarded as reasonable and proper that he should be permitted to fly the flag of his country as an indication of ownership and for the due protection of his property. The practice of carrying the flag by such vessels is now established. The right to do so will not be questioned, 47 and it is probable that it would be respected by the courts." (Par. 344, Consular Regulations.) AUTHOR'S OPINION ABOUT FLYING THE AMERICAN YACHT ENSIGN ON FOREIGN-BUILT YACHTS. While the foregoing Decision and Regulation grant to foreign-built yachts owned wholly by American citizens the right of flying the United States flag on the vessels, they really do not forbid them to fly the American yacht ensign ; neither is any penalty attached to such a proceed- ing ; consequently in the opinion of the writer the customs officials, nor any other United States officials have any authority whatever for interfering with such a flag exhib- ited on a foreign-built yacht owned by an American citi- zen. Should the regulations direct that the flag in ques- tion should not be flown, and the owner should fly it in defiance of such regulations, then he would be guilty of a misdemeanor under the law and subject to a penalty ; but no such construction can be made from the wordings of the Decision and Regulation. In case of interference on the part of a Government official, the yacht owner should demand to be shown the law under which said official is acting. LAWS FOE OCEA^ NAVIGATION, SELECTIONS FROM REVISED INTERNATIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS For the navigation of all public and private vessels of the United States upon the high seas, and on all coast wateks of the United States, except within the harbors, lakes, and inland waters. DEFINING STEAM AND SAIL VESSELS. In the following rules every steamship which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing-ship, and every steamship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam. LIGHTS CARKIED FKOM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. The lights mentioned in the following articles, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers, from sunset to sun- rise. LIGHTS FOR OCEAN-STEAMERS. A sea-going steamship, when under way, shall carry — On or in front of the foremast, at a height above the hull of not less than twenty feet, and if the breadth of the ship exceeds twenty feet, then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, a bright white light, so con- structed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the ship, 49 namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least five miles. On the starboard side a green light, so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles. On the port side a red light, so constructed as to show a uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles. The said green and red side-lights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow. LIGHTS FOR TOWING-STEAMERS. A steamship when towing another ship shall, in addition to her side-lights, carry two bright white lights in a verti- cal line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart, so as to distinguish her from other steamships. Each of these lights shall be of the same construction and char- acter, and shall be carried in the same position, as the white light which other steamships are required to carry. LIGHTS ^FOR SAILING- VESSELS. A sailing-ship under way or being towed shall carry the same lights as are provided for a steamship under way, 4 50 with the exception of the white light, which she shall never carry. EXCEPTIONAL LIGHTS FOE SMALL VESSELS. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red side-lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept on deck, lighted, on their respective sides of the vessel, ready for use, and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the star- board side. To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respec- tively contain, and shall be provided with proper screens. LIGHTS FOB STEAM- VESSELS AND SAILING-VESSELS AT ANCHOE. A ship, whether a steamship or a sailing-ship, when at anchor, shall carry, where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding twenty feet above the hull, a white light, in a globular lantern of not less than eight inches in diameter, and so constructed as to show a clear, uniform, and unbroken light, visible all round the horizon at a dis- tance of at least one mile. LIGHTS FOE VESSELS NOT UNDEE COMMAND. A ship, whether a steamship or sailing-ship, which from any accident is not under command, shall at night carry, in the same position as the white light which steamships are required to carry, and if a steamship, in place of that light, three red lights in globular lanterns, each not less than ten inches in diameter, in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart, and of such a char- 51 acter as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmos- phere, at a distance of at least two miles, and shall by day carry in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than three feet apart, in front of but not lower than her fore- mast head, three black balls or shapes, each two feet in diameter. The ships referred to in this article when not making any way through the water shall not carry the side-lights, but when making way shall carry them. The lights and shapes required to be shown by this article are to be taken by other ships as signals that the ship show- ing them is not under command, and cannot therefore get out of the way. LIGHTS FOR VESSELS BEING OVERTAKEN. A ship which is being overtaken by another shall show from her stern to such last-mentioned ship a white light or a flare-up light. OCEAN SOUND SIGNALS FOR FOG. A steamship shall be provided with a steam-whistle or other efficient steam sound signals, so placed that the sound may not be intercepted by any obstructions, and with an efficient fog-horn, to be sounded by a bellows or other mechanical means, and also with an efficient bell. (In all cases where the regulations require a bell to be used, a drum will be substituted on board Turkish vessels.) A sailing-ship shall be provided with a similar fog-horn and bell. In fog, mist, or falling snow, whether by day or night, the signals described in this article shall be used as follows, that is to say : A steamship under way shall make with her steam-whis- tle or other steam sound signal, at intervals of not more than two minutes, a prolonged blast. 52 A sailing-ship under way shall make with her fog-horn, at intervals of not more than two minutes, when on the starboard tack one blast, when on the port tack two blasts in succession, and when with the wind abaft the beam three blasts in succession. A steamship and a sailing-ship when not under way shall, at intervals of not more than two minutes, ring the bell. SPEED OF SHIPS TO BE MODERATE IN FOG. Every ship, whether a sailing-ship or a steamship, shall in a fog, mist, or falling snow go at a moderate speed. STEERING AND SAILING RULES. FOR SAILING-VESSELS. When two sailing ships are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other, as follows, namely : A ship which is running free shall keep out of the way of a ship which is close-hauled. A ship which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a ship which is close-hauled on the star- board tack. When both are running free, with the wind on different sides, the ship which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. When both are running free, with the wind on the same side, the ship which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the ship which is to leeward. A ship which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other ship. STEAM- VESSELS MEETING. If two ships under steam are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter 53 her course to starboard, so that each may pass on the port side of the other. This article only applies to cases where ships are meeting end on, or nearly end on, in such a man- ner as to involve risk of collision, and does not apply to two ships which must, if both keep on their respective courses, pass clear of each other. The only cases to which it does apply are when each of the two ships is end on, or nearly end on, to the other ; in other words, to cases in which by day each ship sees the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line, with her own, and by night to cases in which each ship is in such a position as to see both the side-lights of the other. It does not apply by day to cases in which a ship sees another ahead crossing her own course, or by night to cases where the red light of one ship is opposed to the red light of the other, or where the green light of one ship is opposed to the green light of the other, or where a red light without a green light, or a green light without a red light, is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere bat ahead. TWO STEAMERS CROSSING. If two ships under steam are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the ship which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other. STEAMSHIPS TO KEEP OUT OF WAY OF SAILING-VESSELS. If two ships, one of which is a sailing-ship and the other a steamship, are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steamship shall keep out of the way of the sailing-ship. STEAM- VESSEL APPROACHING ANOTHER VESSEL. Every steamship, when approaching another ship so as to involve risk of collision, shall slacken her speed, or stop and reverse, if necessary. 54 SIGNALS OF STEAMERS SHOWING COURSE. In taking any course authorized or required by these regulations, a steamship under way may indicate that course to any other ship which she has in sight by the following signals on her steam -whistle, namely : One short blast to mean " I am directing my course to starboard." Two short blasts to mean " I am directing my course to port." Three short blasts to mean U I am going full speed astern." The use of these signals is optional, but if they are used the course of the ship must be in accordance with the signal made. VESSEL OVERTAKING ANOTHER. Notwithstanding anything contained in any preceding article, every ship, whether a sailing-ship or a steamship, overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the over- taken ship. STEAMER IN NARROW CHANNEL. In narrow channels every steamship shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fair- way or mid- channel which lies on the starboard side of such ship. RIGHT OF WAY. Where by the above rules one of two ships is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND DANGERS. In obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation, and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. 55 NO SHIP, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TO NEGLECT PROPER PRECAUTIONS. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any ship, or the owner, or master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper lookout, or of the neglect of any precau- tion which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case. DISTRESS SIGNALS. When a ship is in distress and requires assistance from other ships or from the shore, the following shall be the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or separately — that is to say : In the day-time — First. A gun fired at intervals of about a minute. Second. The International Code signal of distress indi- cated by N. C. Third. The distant signal, consisting of a square flag, having either above or below it a ball, or anything re- sembling a ball. At night — First. A gun fired at intervals of about a minute. Second. Flames on the ship (as from a burning tar- barrel, oil-barrel, and so forth). Third. Rockets or shells, throwing stars of any color or description, fired one at a time, at short intervals. PILOT-RULES FOR LAKES AND SEA-BOARD— INLAND WATERS. Rules and regulations for the government of pilots navi- gating seas, gulfs, lakes, bays, sounds, or rivers, except rivers flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, and their tribu- taries. LIGHTS FOR INLAND WATERS. Steam-vessels (other than ferry-boats and vessels other- wise expressly provided for) navigating the bays, lakes, rivers, or other inland waters of the United States, shall carry the red and green lights, as prescribed for ocean- going steamers ; and, in addition thereto, a central range of two white lights ; the after light being carried at an elevation of at least fifteen feet above the light at the head of the vessel. The head-light shall be so constructed as to show a good light through twenty points of the compass, namely : From right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side of the vessel ; and the after light so as to show all around the horizon. SIGNALLING COURSE BY THE STEAM- WHISTLE. When steamers are approaching each other " head and head," or nearly so, it shall be the duty of each steamer to pass to the right, or port side of the other ; and the pilot of either steamer may be first in determining to pursue this course, and thereupon shall give, as a signal of his intention, one short and distinct blast of his steam -whistle, which the pilot of the other steamer shall answer promptly by a similar blast of his steam-whistle, and thereupon such 57 steamers shall pass to the right, or port side of each other. But if the course of such steamers is so far on the star- board of each other as not to be considered by pilots as meeting " head and head," or nearly so, the pilot so first deciding shall immediately give two short and distinct blasts of his steam-whistle, which the pilot of the other steamer shall answer promptly by two similar blasts of his steam-whistle, and they shall pass to the left, or on the starboard side, of each other. MISUNDEESTOOD SIGNALS. If, when steamers are approaching each other, the pilot of either vessel fails to understand the course or intention of the other, whether from signals being given or answered erroneously, or from other causes, the pilot so in doubt shall immediately signify the same by giving several short and rapid blasts of the steam- whistle ; and if the vessels shall have approached within half a mile of each other, both shall be immediately slowed to a speed barely suffi- cient for steerage-way until the proper signals are given, answered, and understood, or until the vessels shall have passed each other. SOUND SIGNALS FOE FOG ON INLAND WATEES. When steamers are running in a fog or thick weather, it shall be the duty of the pilot to cause a long blast of the steam-whistle to be sounded at intervals not exceeding one minute. Steamers, when drifting or at anchor, in the fair way of other vessels in a fog or thick weather, shall ring their bells at intervals of not more than two minutes. STEAMEE NEAEING A BEND. Whenever a steamer is nearing a short bend or curve in the channel, where, from the height of the banks or other 58 cause, a steamer approaching from the opposite direction cannot be seen for a distance of half a mile, the pilot of such steamer, when he shall have arrived within half a mile of such curve <5r bend, shall give a signal by one long blast of the steam -whistle, which signal shall be answered by a similar blast, given by the pilot of any approaching steamer that may be within hearing. Should such signal be so answered by a steamer upon the farther side of such bend, then the usual signals for meeting and passing shall imme- diately be given and answered ; but if the first alarm signal of such pilot be not answered, he is to consider the channel clear and govern himself accordingly. PILOTS MUST SIGNAL ONE ANOTHER. The signals, by the blowing of the steam-whistle, shall be given and answered by pilots, in compliance with these rules, not only when meeting " head and head," or nearly so, but at all times when passing or meeting at a distance within half a mile of each other, and whether passing to the starboard or port. PILOT RULES FOR HELL GATE. When two steamers are approaching the narrows known as " Hell Gate," on the East River at New York, side by side, or nearly so, running in the same direction, the steamer on the right or starboard hand of the other (when approaching from the west), when they shall have arrived abreast of the north end of Blackwell's Island, shall have the right of way, and the steamer on the left or port side shall check her way and drop astern. In like case when two steamers are approaching from the east, and are abreast at Negro Point, the steamer on the right or starboard hand of the other shall have the right of way, and shall proceed on her course without interference, and the steamer on the port side of the other shall keep at a safe distance astern 59 (not less than three lengths) until both steamers have passed through the difficult channel. PILOT SIGNALLING STEAMER HOLDING SAME COURSE. When steamers are running in the same direction, and the pilot of the steamer which is astern shall desire to pass on the right or starboard hand of the steamer ahead, he shall give one short blast of the steam-whistle as a signal of such desire and intention, and shall put his helm to port ; and the pilot of the steamer ahead shall answer by the same signal, or, if he prefer to keep on his course, he shall give two short and distinct blasts of the steam-whistle, and the boat wishing to pass must govern herself accordingly, but the boat ahead shall in no case attempt to cross her bow or crowd upon her course. MODIFICATION OF PILOT RULES. !N\ B. — The foregoing rules are to be complied with in all cases except when steamers are navigating in a crowded channel or in the vicinity of wharves ; under such circum- stances steamers must be run and managed with great caution, sounding the whistle as may be necessary, to guard against collision or other accidents. Sec. 4233, Revised Statutes. — Rule twenty -four. In construing and obeying these rules, due regard must be had to all dangers of navigation, and to any special circum- stances which may exist in any particular case rendering a departure from them necessary in order to avoid imme- diate danger. DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN LAKES AND SEABOARD AND WESTERN RIVERS. The line dividing jurisdiction between the pilot rules on Western rivers and lakes and seaboard at New Orleans shall be the lower limits of the city. PILOT RULES FOR WESTERN RIVERS. Rules and regulations for the government of pilots of steamers navigating the rivers flowing into the Gulf of Mexico and their tributaries. LIGHTS FOR WESTERN RIVERS. For steamers navigating waters flowing into the Gulf of Mexico and the Red River of the North, a red light on the outboard side of the port smoke-pipe and a green light on the outboard side of the starboard smoke-pipe, these lights to show both forward and abeam on their respective sides. For steamers towing other vessels, the colored lights will be the same as prescribed for ocean-steamers ; and two white mast-lights shall be also carried vertically, to distin- guish them from other steamers, the white lights to show through twenty points of the compass, viz., from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side of the vessel ; white lights shall also be placed on the extreme sides of the tow on either hand, and also on the extreme after part of the same. Rule 9. All barges in tow of steamers between sunset and sunrise shall have their signal-lights, as required by law, placed in a suitable manner on the starboard bow of the starboard barge and on port bow of the port barge, which lights shall not be less than ten feet above the sur- face of the water. 61 Eule 11. A bright white light, not exceeding twenty feet above the hull, shall be exhibited by all steamers when at anchor between sunset and sunrise, in a globular lantern of eight inches in diameter, so placed as to throw a good light all around the horizon. DESCENDING STEAMER HAS EIGHT OF WAY. When steamers are approaching each other from opposite directions, the signals for passing shall be one blast of the steam-whistle to pass to the right, and two blasts of the steam- whistle to pass to the left. The pilot on the ascend- ing steamer shall be the first to indicate the side on which he desires to pass ; but if the pilot on the descending steamer shall deem it dangerous to take the side indicated by the pilot of the ascending steamer, he shall at once indi- cate with his steam-whistle the side on which he desires to pass, and the pilot on the ascending steamer shall gov- ern himself accordingly, the descending steamer being deemed to have the right of way. But in no case shall pilots on steamers attempt to pass each other until there has been a thorough understanding as to the side each steamer shall take. The signals for passing must be made, answered, and understood before the steamers have arrived at a distance of eight hundred yards of each other. DANGER SIGNALS. If from any cause the signals for passing are not made at the proper time, or should the signals be given and not promptly understood, from any cause whatever, and either boat become imperilled thereby, the pilot on either steamer may be the first to sound the alarm or danger-signal, which shall consist of three or more short blasts of the steam- whistle in quick succession. Whenever the danger-signal is given the engines of both steamers must be stopped and backed until their headway has been fully checked, nor 62 shall the engines of either steamer be again started ahead until the steamers can safely pass each other. ASCENDING BOAT TO BE STOPPED BELOW CHANNEL. When two boats are about to enter a narrow channel at the same time, the ascending boat shall be stopped below such channel until the descending boat shall have passed through it ; but should two boats unavoidably meet in such channel, then it shall be the duty of the pilot of the ascend- ing boat to make the proper signals, and when answered, the ascending boat shall lie as close as possible to the side of the channel the exchange of signals may have deter- mined, as provided by Rule 1, and either stop the engines or move them so as only to give the boat steerage-way, and the pilot of the descending boat shall cause his boat to be worked slowly until he has passed the ascending boat. When a steamer is ascending and running close on a bar or shore, the pilot shall in no case attempt to cross the river when a descending boat shall be so near that it would be possible for a collision to ensue therefrom. STEAMERS NEARING BEND IN ASCENDING OR DESCENDING. When any steamer, whether ascending or descending, is nearing a short bend or point where, from any cause, a steamer approaching in an opposite direction cannot be seen at a distance of six hundred yards, the pilot of such steamer, when he shall have arrived within six hundred yards of that bend or point, shall give a signal of one long sound of his steam -whistle as a notice to any steamer that may be approaching ; and should there be any approaching steamer within hearing of such signal, it shall be the duty of the pilot thereof to answer such signal by one long sound of his steam-whistle, when both boats shall be navigated with the proper precautions, as required by preceding rules. 63 FOG SIGNALS FOE WESTEEN EIVEES. When a steamer is running in a fog or thick weather, it shall be the duty of the pilot to sound his steam- whistle at intervals not exceeding one minute. SIGNALS TO STEAMEE AHEAD. When steamers are running in the same direction, and the pilot of the boat astern shall desire to pass either side of the boat ahead, he shall give the signal and the pilot of the boat ahead shall answer by the same signal, or if he prefer to keep on his course he shall make the necessary signals, and the boat wishing to pass must govern herself accordingly; but the boat ahead shall in no case attempt to cross her bow or crowd upon her course. STEAMEES LEAVING BEETH. When boats are moving from their docks or berths, and other boats are liable to pass from any direction toward them, they shall give the same signal as in case of boats meeting at a bend ; but immediately after clearing the berths so as to be fully in sight they shall be governed by the rules prescribed. NEW EULES FOE THE NAVIGATION OF THE HIGH SEAS. The following New Rules for the Navigation of the High Seas, the outcome of the International Marine Con- ference, held in Washington, D. C, during the winter of 1889-90, were approved by Congress, and signed by the President August 19th, 1890. The act will take effect at a time to be fixed by the President by proclamation issued for that purpose. It is believed this proclamation will be issued at such date as shall be agreed upon by the countries represented at the conference. AN ACT TO ADOPT REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COL- LISIONS AT SEA. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America in Congress as- sembled, That the following regulations for preventing collisions at sea shall be followed by all public and private vessels of the United States upon the high seas, and in all waters connected therewith, navigable by sea-going vessels. PRELIMINARY. In the following rules every steam- vessel which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing-vessel, and every vessel under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a steam-vessel. 65 The word " steam- vessel " shall include any vessel pro- pelled by machinery. A vessel is " under way" within the meaning of these rules when she is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. The word " visible" in these rules, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere. LIGHTS TO BE EXHIBITED FKOM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. Article 1. The rules concerning lights shall be complied with in all weathers from sunset to sunrise, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for the prescribed lights shall be exhibited. STEAMER'S MASTHEAD LIGHT. Art. 2. A steam-vessel when under way shall carry : (a) On or in front of the foremast, or if a vessel without a foremast, then in the fore part of the vessel, at a height above the hull of not less than twenty feet, and if the breadth of the vessel exceeds twenty feet, then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so, however, that the light need not be carried at a greater height above the hull than forty feet, a bright white light, so con- structed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the vessel, namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least five miles. STEAMER'S SIDE-LIGHTS. (b) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 5 66 ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the star- board side, and of such a character as to be visible at a dis- tance of at least two miles. (c) On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. {d) The said green and red side-lights shall be fitted with inboard screens projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow. AN ADDITIONAL WHITE LIGHT MAY BE CARRIED BY STEAMERS WHEN UNDER WAY. (e) A steam-vessel when under way may carry an ad- ditional white light, similar in construction to the light mentioned in subdivision (a). These two lights shall be so placed in line with the keel that one shall be at least fifteen feet higher than the other, and in such a position with reference to each other that the lower light shall be for- ward of the upper one. The vertical distance between these lights shall be less than the horizontal distance. STEAMERS TOWING LIGHTS. Art. 3. A steam- vessel when towing another vessel shall, in addition to her side-lights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart, and when towing more than one vessel shall carry an additional bright white light six feet above or below such lights, if the length of the tow measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the last vessel towed exceeds six hundred feet. Each of these lights shall 67 be of the same construction and character, and shall be carried in the same position as the white light mentioned in Article 2 (a), excepting the additional light, which may be carried at a height of not less than fourteen feet above the hall. Such steam-vessel may carry a small white light abaft the funnel or aftermast for the vessel towed to steer by, but such light shall not be visible forward of the beam. LIGHTS FOR VESSELS NOT UNDER COMMAND. Art. 4 (a). A vessel which from any accident is not under command shall carry at the same height as a white light mentioned in Article 2 (#), where they can best be seen, and if a steam-vessel, in lieu of that light, two red lights, in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart, and of such a character as to be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least two miles ; and shall by day carry in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart, where they can best be seen, two black balls or shapes, each two feet in diameter. VESSELS LAYING TELEGRAPH CABLES. (b) A vessel employed in laying or in picking up a tele- graph cable shall carry in the same position as the white light mentioned in Article 2 (a), and if a steam- vessel in lieu of that light, three lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than six feet apart. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red, and the middle light shall be white, and they shall be of such a character as to be visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least two miles. By day she shall carry in a vertical line, one over the other, not less than six feet apart, where they can best be seen, three shapes not less than two feet in diameter, of which the highest and lowest shall be globular in shape and red in color, and the middle one diamond in shape and white. 68 WHEN TO CAEKY SIDE-LIGHTS. (c) The vessels referred to in this article, when not mak- ing way through the water, shall not carry the side-lights, but when making way shall carry them. (d) The lights and shapes required to be shown by this article are to be taken by other vessels as signals that the vessel showing them is not under command and cannot therefore get out of the way. These signals are not signals of vessels in distress and re- quiring assistance. Such signals are contained in Article 31. LIGHTS FOB SAILING-VESSELS UNDEE WAY AND VESSELS BEING TOWED. Art. 5. A sailing-vessel under way and any vessel being towed shall carry the same lights as are prescribed by Arti- cle 2 for a steam-vessel under way, with the exception of the white lights mentioned therein, which they shall never carry. POETABLE LIGHTS FOE SMALL VESSELS UNDEE WAY. Art. 6. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels under way during bad weather, the green and red side lights can- not be fixed, these lights shall be kept at hand lighted and ready for use ; and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side, nor, if practicable, more than two points abaft the beam on their respective sides. To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, the lanterns containing them shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively con- tain, and shall be provided with proper screens. 69 LIGHTS PRESCRIBED RESPECTIVELY FOR ALL VESSELS UNDER FORTY TONS. Art. 7. Steam-vessels of less than forty, and vessels under oars or sails of less than twenty tons, gross tonnage, respectively, when under way, shall not be obliged to carry the lights mentioned in Article 2 (a) (b) and (c), but if they do not carry them they shall be provided with the following lights : First. Steam-vessels of less than forty tons shall carry — (a). In the fore part of the vessel, or on or in front of the funnel, where it can best be seen, and at a height above the gunwale of not less than nine feet, a bright white light constructed and fixed as prescribed in Article 2 (a), and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. (b) Green and red side-lights constructed and fixed as prescribed in Article 2 (b) and (e), and of such a character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile, or a com- bined lantern showing a green light and a red light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respec- tive sides. Such lantern shall be carried not less than three feet below the white light. Second. Small steamboats, such as are carried by sea- going vessels, may carry the white light at a less height than nine feet above the gunwale, but it shall be carried above the combined lantern mentioned in subdivision 1 (b). Third. Vessels under oars or sails, of less than twenty tons, shall have ready at hand a lantern with a green glass on one side and a red glass on the other, which, on the approach of or to other vessels, shall be exhibited in suffi- cient time to prevent collision, so that the green light shall not* be seen on the port side nor the red light on the star- board side. The vessels referred to in this article shall not be obliged to carry the lights prescribed by Article 4 (a) and Article 11, last paragraph. 70 LIGHTS FOK PILOT- VESSELS. Art. 8. Pilot vessels when engaged on their station on pilotage duty shall not show the lights required for other vessels, but shall carry a white light at the masthead, visible all around the horizon, and shall also exhibit a flare-up light, or flare-up lights, at short intervals, which shall never exceed fifteen minutes. On the near approach of or to other vessels they shall have their side-lights lighted, ready for use, and shall flash or show them at short intervals to indicate the direction in which they are heading, but the green light shall not be shown on the port side nor the red light on the starboard side. A pilot-vessel of such a class as to be obliged to go along- side of a vessel to put a pilot on board may show the white light instead of carrying it at the masthead, and may, in- stead of the colored lights above mentioned, have at hand, ready for use, a lantern with a green glass on the one side and a red glass on the other, to be used as prescribed above. Pilot- vessels when not engaged on their station on pilot- age duty shall carry lights similar to those of other vessels of their tonnage. LIGHTS FOE FISHING VESSELS. Art. 9. Fishing vessels and fishing boats when under way and when not required by this article to carry or show the lights therein named shall carry or show the lights pre- scribed for vessels of their tonnage under way. LIGHTS FOR VESSELS FISHING WITH DRIFT NETS. + (a) Yessels and boats when fishing with drift nets shall exhibit two white lights from any part of the vessel where they can best be seen. Such lights shall be placed so that the vertical distance between them shall not be less than six Tl feet, and not more than ten feet, and so that the horizontal distance between them, measured in a line with the keel, shall be not less than five feet and not more than ten feet. The lower of these two lights shall be the more forward, and both of them shall be of such a character as to show all around the horizon and to be visible at a distance of not less than three miles. LIGHTS FOR VESSELS ENGAGED IN TRAWLING. (b) Vessels when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging of an apparatus along the bottom of the sea : First. If steam-vessels shall carry in the same position as the white light mentioned in Article 2 (a) a tricolored lantern so constructed and fixed as to show a white light from right ahead to two points on each bow, and a green light and a red light over an arc of the horizon from two points on either bow to two points abaft the beam on the starboard and port sides, respectively ; and not less than six nor more than twelve feet below the tricolored lantern, a white light in a lantern, so constructed as to show a clear, uniform, and unbroken light all around the horizon. Second. If sailing-vessels of seven tons gross tonnage and upward shall carry a white light in a lantern, so con- structed as to show a clear, uniform, and unbroken light all around the horizon, and shall also be provided with a sufficient supply of red pyrotechnic lights, which shall each burn for at least thirty seconds, and shall be shown on the approach of or to other vessels in sufficient time to prevent collision. In the Mediterranean Sea the vessels referred to in sub- division (b) Second may use a flare-up light in lieu of a pyrotechnic light. All lights mentioned in subdivision (b) First and Second shall be visible at a distance of at least two miles. '72 LIGHTS FOR FISHING VESSELS UNDER SEVEN TONS. Third. Sailing-vessels of less than seven tons gross ton- nage shall not be obliged to carry the white light mentioned in subdivision (b) Second of this article, but if they do not carry such light they shall have at hand, ready for use, a lantern showing a bright white light, which shall on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited where it can best be seen, in sufficient time to prevent collision ; and they shall also show a red pyrotechnic light, as prescribed in subdivision (b) Second, or in lieu thereof a flare-up light. LIGHTS FOR VESSELS AND BOATS WHEN LINE-FISHING, ETC. (c) Vessels and boats when line-fishing with their lines out and attached to their lines, and when not at anchor or stationary, shall carry the same lights as vessels fishing with drift-nets. (d) Fishing vessels and fishing boats may at any time use a flare-up light in addition to the lights which they are by this article required to carry and show. All flare-up lights exhibited by a vessel when trawling or fishing with any kind of drag-net shall be shown at the after part of the ves- sel, excepting that if the vessel is hanging by the stern to her fishing gear, they shall be exhibited from the bow. (e) Every fishing vessel and every boat when at anchor shall exhibit a white light visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least one mile. (f) If a vessel or boat when fishing becomes stationary in consequence of her gear getting fast to a rock or other obstruction, she shall show the light and make the fog sig- nal prescribed for a vessel at anchor, respectively. (See Article 15 [d] [e] and last paragraph.) FOG SIGNALS FOR FISHING VESSELS. (g) In fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rain-storms drift- net vessels attached to their nets, and vessels when trawl- 73 ing, dredging, or fishing with any kind of drag-net, and vessels line-fishing with their lines out shall, if of twenty tons gross tonnage or upward, respectively, at intervals of not more than one minute, make a blast ; if steam- vessels with the whistle or siren, and if sailing-vessels with the fog-horn, each blast to be followed by ringing the bell. (h) Sailing-vessels or boats fishing with nets or lines or trawls, when under way, shall in daytime indicate their occupation to an approaching vessel by displaying a basket or other efficient signal, where it can best be seen. The vessels referred to in this article shall not be obliged to carry the lights prescribed by Article 4 (a) and Article 11, last paragraph. LIGHT FOR VESSEL BEING OVERTAKEN. Art. 10. A vessel which is being overtaken by another shall show from her stern to such last-mentioned vessel a white light or a flare-up light. The white light required to be shown by this article may be fixed and carried in a lantern, bat in such case the lan- tern shall be so constructed, fitted, and screened that it shall throw an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twelve points of the compass, namely from right aft for six points on each side of the vessel, so as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile. Such light shall be carried as nearly as practicable on the same level as the side-lights. LIGHTS FOR VESSELS AT ANCHOR. Art. 11. A vessel under one hundred and fifty feet in length, when at anchor, shall carry forward, where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding twenty feet above the hull, a white light in a lantern so constructed as to show a clear, uniform, and unbroken light visible all around the horizon at a distance of at least one mile. A vessel of one hundred and fifty feet or upward in length, when at anchor, shall carry in the forward part of the vessel, at a height of not less than twenty and not ex- ceeding forty feet above the hull, one such light, and at or near the stern of the vessel, and at such a height that it shall not be less than fifteen feet lower than the forward light, another such light. The length of a vessel shall be deemed to be the length appearing in her certificate of registry. A vessel aground in or near a fair- way shall carry the above light or lights and the two red lights prescribed by Article 4 (a). METHODS TO BE EMPLOYED FOE ATTRACTING ATTENTION. Art. 12. Every vessel may, if necessary, in order to attract attention, in addition to the lights which she is by these rules required to carry, show a flare-up light or use any detonating signal that cannot be mistaken for a distress signal. SPECIAL LIGHTS FOR SQUADRONS AND CONVOYS, AND PRIVATE NIGHT SIGNALS. Art. 13. Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of any special rules made by the Government of any nation with respect to additional station and signal lights for two or more ships of war or for vessels sailing under convoy, or with the exhibition of recognition signals adopted by ship-owners, which have been authorized by their respective governments and duly registered and published. DAY-TIME SIGNAL FOR STEAM- VESSEL UNDER SAIL ONLY. Art. 14. A steam -vessel proceeding under sail only but having her funnel up, shall carry in day-time, forward, where it can best be seen, one black ball or shape two feet in diameter. 75 FOG SIGNALS FOE VESSELS UNDEK WAY. Art. 15. All signals prescribed by this article for vessels under way shall be given : 1. By " steam-vessels" on the whistle or siren. 2. By " sailing-vessels and vessels towed" on the fog- horn. The words " prolonged blast" used in this article shall mean a blast of from four to six seconds' duration. A steam-vessel shall be provided with an efficient whistle or siren, sounded by steam or by some substitute for steam, so placed that the sound may not be intercepted by any obstruction, and with an efficient fog-horn to be sounded by mechanical means, and also with an efficient bell. (In all cases where the rules require a bell to be used a drum may be substituted on board Turkish vessels, or a gong where such articles are used on board small sea-going ves- sels.) A sailing-vessel of twenty tons gross tonnage or upward shall be provided with a similar fog-horn and bell. In fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rain-storms, whether by day or night, the signals described in this article shall be used as follows, viz. : (a) A steam- vessel having way upon her shall sound, at intervals of not more than two minutes, a prolonged blast. (b) A steam-vessel under way, but stopped, and having no way upon her, shall sound, at intervals of not more than two minutes, two prolonged blasts, with an interval of about one second between them. (c) A sailing-vessel under way shall sound, at intervals of not more than one minute, when on the starboard tack one blast, when on the port tack two blasts in succession, and when with the wind abaft the beam three blasts in succession. FOG SIGNALS FOR VESSELS AT ANCHOR. (d) A vessel when at anchor shall, at intervals of not more than one minute, ring the bell rapidly for about five seconds. ■ 76 (e) A vessel at anchor at sea, when not in ordinary- anchorage ground, and when in such a position as to be an obstruction to vessels under way, shall sound, if a steam- vessel, at intervals of not more than two minutes, two pro- longed blasts with her whistle or siren, followed by ringing her bell ; or, if a sailing-vessel, at intervals of not more than one minute, two blasts with her fog-horn, followed by ring- ing her bell. FOG SIGNALS FOE VESSELS TOWING AND BEING TOWED. (f) A vessel when towing shall, instead of the signals prescribed in subdivisions (a) and (c) of this article at in- tervals of not more than two minutes, sound three blasts in succession — namely, one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. A vessel towed may give this signal and she shall not give any other. OTHER FOG SIGNALS, ETC. (g) A steam-vessel wishing to indicate to another : " The way is off my vessel, you may feel your way past me," may sound three blasts in succession — namely, short, long, short, with intervals of about one second between them. (A) A vessel employed in laying or picking up a tele- graph cable shall, on hearing the fog signal of an approach- ing vessel, sound in answer three prolonged blasts in suc- cession. (*) A vessel under way, which is unable to get out of the way of an approaching vessel through being not under com- mand, or unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules, shall, on hearing the fog signal of an approaching vessel, sound in answer four short blasts in succession. Sailing-vessels and boats of less than twenty tons gross tonnage shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals, but if they do not, they shall make some other 77 efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than one minute. SPEED OF VESSELS TO BE MODEKATE IN FOG. Art. 16. Every vessel shall, in a fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rain-storms, go at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions. A steam-vessel hearing, apparently forward of her beam, the fog signal of a vessel the position of which is not ascer- tained, shall, so far as the circumstances of the case admit, stop her engines, and then navigate with caution until danger of collision is over. STEERING AND SAILING RULES FOR SAILING VESSELS. Risk of collision can, when circumstances permit, be ascertained by carefully watching the compass bearing of an approaching vessel. If the bearing does not appreciably change, such risk should be deemed to exist. Art. 17. When two sailing-vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows — namely : (a) A vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled. (b) A vessel which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled on the starboard tack. (c) When both are running free, with the wind on differ- ent sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. (d) When both are running free, with the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward. (e) A vessel which has the wind aft shall keep out of the way of the other vessel. 78 TWO STEAM-VESSELS MEETING END ON. Art. 18. When two steam- vessels are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard, so that each may pass* on the port side of the other. This article only applies to cases where vessels are meet- ing end on, or nearly end on, in such a manner as to in- volve risk of collision, and does not apply to two vessels which must, if both keep on their respective courses, pass clear of each other. The only cases to which it does apply are when each of the two vessels is end on, or nearly end on to the other ; in other words, to cases in which by day each vessel sees the masts of the other in a line, or nearly in a line, with her own ; and by night, to cases in which each vessel is in such a position as to see both the side-lights of the other. It does not apply by day to cases in which a vessel sees another ahead crossing her own course ; or by night, to cases where the red light of one vessel is opposed to the red light of the other, or where the green light of one- ves- sel is opposed to the green light of the other, or where a red light without a green light, or a green light without a red light is seen ahead, or where both green and red lights are seen anywhere but ahead. TWO STEAM-VESSELS CROSSING. Art. 19. When two steam- vessels are crossing, so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other. STEAM-VESSEL AND SAILING-VESSEL MEETING. Art. 20. When a steam- vessel and a sailing-vessel are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steam- vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing- vessel. 79 ONE VESSEL TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY. Art. 21. Where by any of these rules one of two ves- sels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course and speed. ONE VESSEL TO AVOID CROSSING ANOTHER'S BOW. Art. 22. Every vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the cir- cumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other. STEAM -VESSEL TO SLACKEN SPEED IF NfcCESSARY, ETC. Art. 23. Every steam -vessel which is directed by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching her, if necessary, slacken her speed, or stop, or reverse. VESSEL OVERTAKING ANOTHER. Art. 24. Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules every vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Every vessel coming up with another vessel from any direction more than two points abaft her beam — that is, in such a position, with reference to the vessel which she is overtaking that at night she would be unable to see either of that vessel's side-lights, shall be deemed to be an over- taking vessel ; and no subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels shall make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of these rules, or relieve her of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally past and clear. As by day the overtaking vessel cannot always know with certainty whether she is forward of or abaft this direc- tion from the other vessel she should, if in doubt, assume that she is an overtaking vessel, and keep out of the way. 80 STEAM-VESSELS IN NARROW CHANNELS TO KEEP TO STARBOARD. Art. 25. In narrow channels every steam-vessel shall, when it is safe and practicable, keep to that side of the fair- way or mid- channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel. SAILING-VESSELS TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY OF FISHING BOATS, ETC. Art. 26. Sailing-vessels under way shall keep out of the way of sailing-vessels or boats fishing with nets, or lines, or trawls. This rule shall not give to any vessel or boat engaged in fishing the right of obstructing a fair-way used by vessels other than fishing vessels or boats. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES RENDERING DEPARTURE FROM RULES NECESSARY. Art. 27. In obeying and construing these rules due re- gard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and col- lision, and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. SOUND SIGNALS FOR VESSELS IN SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER. Art. 28. The words " short blast" used in this article shall mean a blast of about one second duration. When vessels are in sight of one another, a steam- vessel under way, in taking any course authorized or required by these rules, shall indicate that course by the following sig- nals on her whistle or siren — namely . One short blast to mean — " 1 am directing my course to starboard" Two short blasts to mean — " I am directing my course to port. " 81 , Three short blasts to mean — " My engines are going at full speed astern. ' ' NO VESSEL, UNDER ANY CIECUMSTANCES, TO NEGLECT PROPER PRECAUTIONS. Art. 29. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any ves- sel, or the owner, or master, or crew thereof, from the con- sequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper look-out, or of any neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. RULES MADE BY LOCAL AUTHORITY TO GOVERN THE NAVIGATION OF HARBORS AND INLAND WATERS. Art. 30. Nothing in these rules shall interfere with the operation of a special rule, duly made by local authority, relative to the navigation of any harbor, river, or inland waters. DISTRESS SIGNALS. Art. 31. When a vessel is in distress and requires assist- ance from other vessels or from the shore, the following shall be the signals to be used or displayed by her, either together or separately — namely : In the Day-time. First. A gun fired at intervals of about a minute. Second. The International Code Signal of distress indi- cated by N. C. Third. The distance signal, consisting of a square flag, having either above or below it a ball or anything resem- bling a ball. Fourth. Rockets or shells as prescribed below for use at night. 82 Fifth. A continuous sounding with any fog-signal apparatus. In the Night-time. First. A gun fired at intervals of about a minute. Second. Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar- barrel, oil-barrel, and so forth). Third. Kockets or shells, bursting in the air with a loud report and throwing stars of any color or description, fired one at a time at short intervals. Fourth. A continuous sounding with any fog- signal ap- paratus. CONFLICTING LAWS EEPEALED. Sec. 2. That all laws or parts of laws inconsistent with the foregoing regulations for preventing collisions at sea, for the navigation of all public and private vessels of the United States upon the high seas, and in all waters con- nected therewith navigable by sea-going vessels, are hereby repealed. DATE UPON WHICH ACT IS TO TAKE EFFECT, Sec. 3. That this act shall take effect at a time to be fixed by the President by proclamation issued for that pur- pose. LAW IN REGARD TO COLLISION AT SEA. EACH VESSEL SHALL STAND BY. The following act was passed by Congress and signed by the President, September 4, 1890. It will take effect at a time to be fixed by the President by proclamation issued for that purpose. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represent- atives of the United States of America in Congress as sembled, That in every case of collision between two vessels it shall be the duty of the master or person in charge of each vessel, if and so far as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to stay by the other vessel until he has ascertained that she has no need of further assistance, and to render to the other vessel, her master, crew, and passengers (if any) such assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from any danger caused by the collision, and also to give to the master or person in charge of the other vessel the name of his own vessel and her port of registry, or the port or place to which she belongs, and also the name of the ports and places from which and to which she is bound. If he fails so to do, and no reasonable cause for such failure is shown, the collision shall, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to have been caused by his wrongful act, neglect, or default. Sec. 2. That every master or person in charge of a United States vessel who fails, without reasonable cause, to render such assistance or give such information as afore- said shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be liable to a penalty of one thousand dollars, or imprison- 84 ment for a term not exceeding two years ; and for the above sum the vessel shall be liable and maybe seized and proceeded against by process in any district court of the United States by any person ; one-half such sum to be pay- able to the informer and the other half to the United States. Sec. 3. That this act shall take effect at a time to be fixed by the President by proclamation issued for that purpose. Published October, 1890, by JOHN BLISS & CO. HAND-BOOK D. S, Local Marine Board Examination MASTEES AND MATES OCEAN GOING STEAMSHIPS. BY} CAPTAIN HOWARD PATTERSON. CONTENTS. Names of Cities where Licenses may be Obtained, 5 Form of Masters' Examination Paper, 7 Form of Mates' Examination Paper, . 10 Application Form for Masters and Mates, ...,,.. 12 Form of "Color-blind" Order and Certificate, 13 Qualifications Necessary to Obtain a License, 14 Course to be Pursued by Candidates, 14 Masters' and Mates' Examination Questions Answered, ... 17 Oral Examination Concerning Stkamship Laws, 45 Oral Examination Covering the Rules of the Road, .... 46 Oral Examination in Reference to Collisions, 49 Oral Examination Concerning Stowage of Cargo, 50 Oral Examination Dealing with the International Code of Signals, . 51 Life Saving Service, 54 The Use of Oil During Ocean Storms, 60 New Rules for the Navigation of the. High Seas, Presckibkd by the International Marine Conference, 64 Law in Regard to Collision at Sea, 83 For sale by the Nautical trade yenerally, or will be sent by mail, on receipt of price, $2.00. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 020 108 544 5 ;£:*» «^5 H:« ■ ■■■■ .-;SAs.-. ■;.:■■■:■■■ '■ BUB ^^M