Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-03-10

DISPLINE IN THE MERCANTILE MARINE
The Net0 York Commercial makes the follow
ing abstract of the bill which has been INTRO
duced into the United STATES Senate, by Hon
Hamilton Fish of New York. It is a meas
ure of much importance to our commercial
interests:
The bill provides for The better manage
ment and safe conduct Of American mer-
chant vessels, and for maintaining discipline
on board the same The bill has been read
twice and referred. 1t is supposed that il
cannot pass this session; yet il is of that
practical character, and provides remedies
for difficulties that are so seriously IeIt ip
American merchant vessels, that its i'm edi-
ate passage would be a great boon. MoreO-
yer, il has evidently been prepared with great
care, and would require bur little, if any,
amendment. We apprehend it would be ac-
ceEtabe to all parties.
The bill consists of 25 sections. The first
section recognizes principle, The absence
of which we believe to have been the main
cause why punishment on shipboard has been
found to produce so little saluary effect In
providing that the ordinary offences on board
a merchant vessel may be punished at the
discretion of the master by a fine Of not more
than two weeks wages and confinement on
diet Of bread and water for not more than
three days, Mr.. Fish's bill requires that
clear statement Of the offence and the pun
ishment shall be entered on the Iog-hook,
signed by the mate or other witness, and au-
dibly read 10 the crew, or 10 the offenders
watch, before The punishment is inflicted. 1t
will be readily seen that while an immense
advantage is here gained 10 The moral effect
OF the punishment, the sailor is protected
from that passionate or vindiclive punish
ment which is the great bane OF the service.
Section protects the sailor in this right
by providing heavy penalties in case the mas
ter Furnishes or imprisons without first com.
plying with the requirements of Section L.
Sections 3 extends the authority Of all JUS
tees Ot the peace or commissioners OF the
United States 10 offences committed on board
American vessels while in port within the
collection district OF such commissioner, and
empowers them 10 punish by fine or impris-
onment. Section vests the same power in
the United States consul or commercial agent,
when the offence is committed in foreign
port.
Section imposes penalty upon any who
shall eniIce seaman 10 desert his ship, or
harbor him when he has so deserted. Sec
uon 3 imposes penalties opOn The seaman
for desertion, his failure to return 10 his duty
Tor twelve hours after the time appointed, if
away on leave, or from the time OF departure
If absent without leave, constituting deser-
ton. These penalties aIe--forteiIure 10 The
fund of the mariners hospital Of the wages
due 10 hIm, liability within certain limits TO
the expenses Of his apprehension, and inn
prisonment with hard labor, on CONVECTION
He may not be detained in confinement more
than twenty-four hours waiting trial.
Section and 8reIate to the same subject,
and provide that the action of justice or con-
sui shall be summary and final.
Section 9 provides that seaman may, at
the conclusion Of voyage, sue for compen-
salon for i'll usage, and may recover dam
ages, not exceeding $500 in addition 10 his
wages. Section 10 is important. Ii requires
the master to keep journal, into which he
must transcribe from the log-book the ship
ping agreement, the names and rating of his
crew, and all entries made in relation to the
conduct of his officers or crew, under oath as
to It's being a correct transcript, must be de-
livered to The collector of The port within a
week of his arrival under penalty Of $500,
anu @1OU IOI eVcIt uuuiuO'o' NoJ VI t.cIdy
The fine 10 be lien on the vessel to 60 10
the fund Of the mariRe hospital.
Section IL makes it the duty Of the col
leclor TO transmit such journal to The ma
rine registrar, within forty-eight hours after
receipt, under penalties for neglect. Sec
ton IL creates the Office Of marine registrar
and defines his powers and duties. Section
l3 regulates the number of apprentices 10 be
taken on board every vessel, according to
tonnage. Section IA makes in the duty of
the master to teach such apprentices the .lu.
lies of sailor, and navigation, observations,
&C.. where apprentices supply themselves
with books aud instruments. Section Is to
10 regulate pecuniary arrangements. Sec
lion 90 makes the master or owner of any
vessel who neglects or refuses to pay over
any fine or forfeiture liable TO five times the
amount.
Section 81 defines the marine hospital flnd.
Section % makes having signed shipring ar
iicles the foundation Of an offence. Section
% makes all fines recoverable by action
against master or owner. Section "a re-
quires certain amount OF room to be allow
ed each apprentice and seaman, and Section
25 makes provision for this act going into
effect