Every seaman's book Author:Every seaman Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: INTRODUCTION. IMPRESSED with the conviction that the preponderance of the British Empire in the scale of Nations, is owing to its maritime strength; and that ... more »its prosperity and safety must mainly depend on a large and constant supply of able Seamen engaged in the Commerce of the Country, that shall be available in any case of emergency for the manning of its Navy and the defence of its Flag, it has been the enlightened policy of Parliament to contribute as much as possible to an end so important, by all practicable means within the power of wise legislation; affording to Seamen engaged in the Commercial Service such encouragement and protection as might insure to them an independent and honorable servitude, a righteous protection in case of oppression, and a peaceful refuge in the hour of sickness, accident, and old age. These desirable attainments were in the first place attempted by the Act of William IV. (the Sailor King), in the repeal of numerous old laws, which, known but to a few, were only an encumbrance to the statute book ; and were too voluminous and intricate to be other than an embarrassment to Commanders of Vessels, and others, whose duty required an acquaintance with them; while the omission to be so informed continually subjected them to inconvenience, less and delay. The statute of Her present Majesty, Queen Victoria, has still further carried out the same wise object, supplying from experience, deficiencies in the former measure, and by the substitution of improved and seasonable regulations,while preserving such a coercive power in the hands of Commanders over their crew, as shall compel a proper and imperative subordination, with a power of imposing forfeitures, penalties, and deductions, for neglect of duty, incapacity, or damage committed by them : o...« less