The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-23
THE SP0ILS OF WAR.
How Prize Money Is Allotted Among
Officers aud Crews.

omcers nnd crews
The beginning of hostilities between the
/ United States and Spain has brought be-
/ fore the two countries the matter Of
| privateering and prizes. This was ac-
! centuated yesterday by the capture of
the Spanish merchantman Buena Ventura
by Commander Maynard, of the Nash
VILE
prize list is a return Of all persons
on board. whether belonging TO the ship
or supernumeraries, at the time capture
is made. Those who may be absent on
duty are included.
Prize money is the proceeds of the sale
of captures made as prizes by the au-
thority of the United States. Vessels and
their cargoes captured as prizes must be
sent into port for an adjudication in a
prize court in the manner prescribed by
law. If condemned the property is sold
by the United States marshal. and the
proceeds from the capture by vessel or
vessels of the Navy disposed of accord
ing to the decree of the court.
If the prize was of equal or of superior
force to the vessel or vessels making the
capture. the whole of the net proceeds
will be decreed to the captors and when
OF inferior force one-half will be decreed
TO the United States and the other half
to the captors. The prize money ad-
judged to captors is distributed in the
following proportions:
First-To the commander of a fleet or
squadron. one-twentieth part of all prize
money awarded to any vessel or vessels
under his immediate command.
Second-To the commander of a diyis-
/ ion of a fleet or squadron on duty under
orders Of the commander-in-chief of such
/ fleet or squadron. sum equal 10 one
fftieth of any prize money awarded to a
vessel of a division under his command
TO be paid from the moety due the United
States. if there be such moiety; if not
from the amount awarded to the captors
This fftieth part is not awarded in addi-
tion to the share he would be entitled TO
as commander of single ship making a
capture. and he may elect which he will
receive.
Third-To the fleet captain. one-hun-
dradth part of all prize money awarded to
any vessel Of the fleet in which he is
serving, except where the capture is
made by the vessel on board which he is
serving, in which case he will share in
proportion to his pay with the other Off
GERS and men on board such vessel
Fourth-TO the commander of Il vessel
one-tenth of all the prize money awarded
to the vessel, if such vessel at the time
Of the capture was under the command
of a commanding officer of a fleet or "A
division. and three-twentieths If his YES
sci was acting independently of such su-
perior officer.
Fifth-After the foregoing deductions
the residue is distributed among all others
doing duty on board and borne upon the
books of the ship. including the fleet cap
tains. in proportion to their respective
rates of pay.
All vessels of the Navy within signal
distance of the vessel making the cap
ture. and in such condition as to be able
to render effective aid if required will
share the prize. Any person temporarily
lures made during his absence. The prize
court determines what vessels shall share
in prize. and also whether the prize was
of superior, equal or inferior force To the
vessel or vessels captors. The Secretary
of the Navy determines what persons are
entitled to a share of the prize money
awarded a vessel
The share OF prize money awarded to
the United States is set apart forever
as a fund for the payment of pensions t.
naval officers. seamen and marines enti-
tied to pensions. and if more than suffi-
cient for that purpose the surplus is ap-
piled to making provision for the comfort
of disabled officers, seamen and mar mes.