New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
NAVAL PRIZES IN WAR.

The principles regulating the capture OF prize
vessels. vessels attempting to run blockade or
having contraband Of war on board intended for
tho enemy. seem to confuse a vast number OF
people. not only those OF the generation that has
grown up since tho ending OF the Civil War;
but many who wcro OF age In those days. That
there are so many who do not understand the
system OF disposition Of prize vessels and tho
distribution Of tho proceeds IS not so surprising
although the matter has frequently been we'll
explained.
The right to capture prizes Of war Is ono OF
the encouragements which maritime nations
have extended to their navies in all time. and
the exercise Of this right In cutting of tho re-
sources OF on enemy. Is ono Of tho chief meth
DDS by which nations seek to bring war to a
close During tho Civil War the inland waters
Of the United States constituted extensive cruis-
Ing stations. and they were so situated as to be
OF supreme importance in tho prosecution OF
maritime These waters offered tho readiest
naval access 70 vast amounts OF commercial
property belonging 10 the enemy carried 10
them In blockade-runners. This property found
upon these waters or being carried. was liable
to capture by naval begerents. and when 80
captured to condemnation NJ prize OF war
The number Of VESSELS captured from Novem-
Der I. 1863 to November I. 1864. was the small
est OF all years down to that time. and yet there
were 324 in all. classified as follows: Steamers.
S. barks .; brigs. ,; schooners. los; sloops. 40;
other small craft 81. The total number capt
ured from the beginning of the Civil War TO
that time 1879. follows: Steamers, 261:
ships. X: bnrks. 90 brlgs. 33; schooners. 65o;
sloops. ILL., yachts and small boats. III. The
gross proceeds arising from tho sale OF the con-
demned prize property down 70 November |.
1854 was Sl4.398. $50. The expenses for con-
formations. etc. were 81 .o37 .154. leaving for
acknowledgements to the captors and one
half to the United States as q naval pension
fund-Sl3. l50096. The most valuable single
prize captured In the Civil War was tho steamer
Memphis. which was valued at S543. 495 of
which amount s5lO0l4 was distributed
The following II thu method OF apportioning
to the captors tho results OF seizures OF the
enemy's vessels In time OF war: The prizes.
which include both vessels and cargoes must be
condemned by the prize courts and the property
sold by the United States Marshal II the prize
was equal to or Of superior force to the vessel
making the capture the net proceeds go to the
captors II Of inferior force. one-half goes to the
United States and one-half to the captors-i. e..
one-twentieth to the commander Of the fleet or
squadron. one-nftieth TO the commander OF the
division OF a feet squadron to which the
captor belongs. one one-hundredth TO the feet
captain. one-tenth to the commander OF the yes
sci making the capture but II the vessel acted
by itself. then the commander Is entitled to
three-twentieths The remainder Is distributed
among all the others doing duty on board OF the
vessel making the capture. or those borne upon
the ships books in proportion to their rates OF
pay. The share awarded to the United States Is
set apart forever rs fund for the payment Of
Navy pensions.