# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/27th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 279

Chap. CCLXXIX.—An Act to regulate the appointment and pay of engineers in the navy of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Engineers to be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy. Number allowed. That the Secretary of the Navy shall appoint the requisite number of chief engineers and assistant engineers, not to exceed one chief engineer, two first assistant, two second assistant and three third assistant engineers for each steam ship of war, for the naval service of the United States, who shall be paid in actual service as follows:
Pay in service, &c.To the chief engineer, fifteen hundred dollars per annum and one ration per day; to the first assistant engineer, nine hundred dollars per annum and one ration per day; to the second assistant engineer, seven hundred dollars per annum and one ration per day; to the third assistant engineer, five hundred dollars per annum and one ration per day; the chief engineer shall be entitled to mess in the ward room of ships of war, and in all cases of prize money he shall share as a lieutenant; the first assistant engineer shall share as a lieutenant of marines; the second assistant engineer shall share as a midshipman; the third assistant engineer shall share as the forward officers; but neither the chief nor the assistant engineers shall hold any other rank than as engineers.
Firemen and coal-heavers authorized. 1847, ch. 48, § 4.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy shall be authorized to enlist and employ the requisite number of firemen, who shall receive, each, thirty dollars per month and one ration per day, and the requisite number of coal-heavers, who shall receive, each, eighteen dollars per month, and one ration per day; and the said firemen and coal-heavers shall, in all cases of prize money, share as seamen.
Pay of engineers waiting orders.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said chief engineer and assistant engineers, when waiting orders, shall be paid as follows: To the chief engineer, twelve hundred dollars per annum; to the first assistant engineer, seven hundred dollars per annum; to the second assistant engineer, five hundred dollars per annum; to the third assistant engineer, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum.
Engineer in chief to be appointed.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy shall appoint a skilful and scientific engineer in chief, who shall receive for his services the sum of three thousand dollars per annum, and shall perform such duties as the Secretary of the Navy shall require of him touching that branch of the service.
Uniform and rules for their government.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy shall be authorized to prescribe a uniform for the said chief engineers and assistant engineers, and to make all necessary rules and regulations for the proper arrangement and government of the corps of engineers and assistant engineers, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States.Engineers subject to laws and regulations of the navy. The said engineers and assistant engineers shall be in all respects, subject to the laws, rules, and regulations of the naval service, in like manner with other officers of the service.
Engineers how appointed.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the said chief engineers shall [be] appointed by commission, and the assistant engineers shall be appointed by warrant from the Secretary of the Navy, in such form as he may prescribe.
Depots of coal authorized.And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized to establish, at such places as he may deem necessary, suitable depots of coal, or other fuel, for the supply of steam ships of war.
Approved, August 31, 1842.