New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-20
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
AMERICAN MERCHANT VESSELS.
rprAsURy CIRCULAR RESPECTING OFFICIAL NUM-
BFRs AND SIGNAL LETTERS.


o-.srRy CIRCULAR RESPECTING OFFICIAL NUM-
BERs AND SIGNAL LETTERS
w,suxcToN, July 19-The Treasury De-
has issued circular 10 customs officers I'm re-
Ps 90 the assignment OF Official numbers and signal
-. 10 merchant vesses OF the United States based
~ section 4i77 Of the Revised Statutes. The circu-
~, rsouires that all documented vessels must be pro
- with official numbers. In addition to the ohiciai
,~hcr, signal letters will be assigned TO all sea-
Inc vessels Of one hundred tons or over Signal let
yl also be assigned to other documented vesselsof
than one hundred TONS when special application Is
nsae therefor through collector OF customs Inc
I'll letters need not be carved or marked on
49, main beam. The name, tonnage, Official mum
nd signal letters of a vessel must, however, appear
a., oil documents issued 10 her.
]" ,ca,,on for number and letters must be made to
-. .noctor OF chief customs officer Of the port where
,,s vessel may be, who will forward such apphcaon 10
ar .h,ef of the Bureau of Statistics.
IT, oHcial number awarded to vessel must be
rssd on her msiu beam at the expense OF the owner
nsster in Arabic numerals, at least three inches In
light II the main beam is OF wood, 1t must
IA carved or branded In figures not less
sn three eightns than half inch in depth
.-s. main bea is OF metal 1t must, II the
~ 4. black be marked in white oil paint and in black
al pa,nt II the beam is OF any other color The main
Nm, Of vessels plying upon the Western rivers Is con-
a.rd 10 be the beam under the after side Of the star
hoard forward hatch ana of other vessels 1t consio-
- N he the beam under the forward side OF the main
hatch. 4.. 3
whenever application is made for the Issuance OF
marine documents 10 vessel an application for an
s,c,a number must made at the same time or prior
,hereto Before delivering such documents the collector
crincipal customs officer must have evidence that the
,nmber has been properly marked upon the main beam
YES eel and he must also, seon as may be pract
hs certify TO Chief of the Bureau of Statistics that
Wis 40 marked Whenever application is made for
of marine papers for vessel which has already
hendocumented bat or which II numbered
"a NOT propcrly marked, the customs o11eer Will require
sat the ocIs number snail be marked thereon before
,be delivery Of the new documents.
Ss certifcatc OF inspector other customs officer
ha ar points where inspector or other officer OF the
nsoms is located be required by the collector as evil
senrs that the official number been properly marked
mon the vessels main beam but In cases where 1t
ond be very convenient expensive for an officer
of the customs to make the examinations necessary for
Sendepg such certificate the affidavit OF the owner or
mat his vessel been properly marked shall be
taken as evidence in lieu Of such certificate but as soon
a. The vessel email arrived at place within the
vessels home district where inspection certificate OF
customs officer be procured such certhcae must De
reauirei By the collector OF the district.