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19. Proviso to save special cases.

66

20. No ship under any circumstances to neglect proper pre

cautions.

PRELIMINARY.

What to be

ARTICLE 1. In the following rules every steamship which is under sail, considered sail- and not under steam, is to be considered a sailing-ship; and every steaming-ships and what ships under ship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam.

steam.

Rules for lights.

Lights for steamships;

RULES CONCERNING LIGHTS.

LIGHTS.

ARTICLE 2. The lights mentioned in the following articles, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers between sunset and sunrise.

LIGHTS FOR STEAMSHIPS.

ARTICLE 3. All steam-vessels when under way shall carry(a) At the foremast head, a bright white light, so fixed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the ship, viz: from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least five miles.

(b) On the starboard side, a green light, so constructed as to throw an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(c) On the port side, a red light, so constructed as to show an uniform

unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side, and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(d) The said green and red side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens, projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

LIGHTS FOR STEAM-TUGS.

ARTICLE 4. Steamships, when towing other ships, shall carry two for steam-tugs; bright white masthead lights vertically, in addition to their side lights, so as to distinguish them from other steamships. Each of these masthead lights shall be of the same construction and character as the masthead lights which other steamships are required to carry.

LIGHTS FOR SAILING-SHIPS.

ARTICLE 5. Sailing-ships under way or being towed shall carry the for sailing-ships. same lights as steamships under way, with the exception of the white masthead lights, which they shall never carry.

EXCEPTIONAL LIGHTS FOR SMALL SAILING-VESSELS.

ARTICLE 6. Whenever, as in the case of small vessels during bad weather, the green and red lights cannot be fixed, these lights shall be kept on deck, on their respective sides of the vessel, ready for instant exhibition, and shall, on the approach of or to other vessels, be exhibited on their respective sides in sufficient time to prevent collision, in such manner as to make them most visible, and so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side.

To make the use of these portable lights more certain and easy, they shall each be painted outside with the color of the light they respectively contain, and shall be provided with suitable screens.

LIGHTS FOR SHIPS AT ANCHOR.

Exceptional

lights for small sailing vessels.

at anchor;

ARTICLE 7. Ships, whether steamships or sailing-ships, when at anchor Lights for ships in roadsteads or fairways, shall, between sunset and sunrise, exhibit where it can best be seen, but at a height not exceeding twenty feet above the hull, a white light in a globular lantern of eight inches in diameter, and so constructed as to show a clear uniform and unbroken light visible all around the horizon, and at a distance of at least one mile.

LIGHTS FOR PILOT-VESSELS.

sels.

ARTICLE 8. Sailing pilot-vessels shall not carry the lights required for for pilot-vesother sailing-vessels, but shall carry a white light at the masthead, visible all around the horizon, and shall also exhibit a flare-up light every fifteen minutes.

LIGHTS FOR FISHING-VESSELS AND BOATS.

ARTICLE 9. Open fishing-boats and other open boats shall not be required to carry side lights required for other vessels, but shall, if they do not carry such lights, carry a lantern having a green slide on the one side and a red slide on the other side, and on the approach of or to other vessels, such lantern shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision, so that the green light shall not be seen on the port side, nor the red light on the starboard side. Fishing-vessels and open boats when at anchor, or attached to their nets and stationary, shall exhibit a bright white light. Fishing-vessels and open boats shall, however, not be prevented from using a flare-up in addition, if considered expedient.

Lights for fishing-vessels and boats.

Rules for fogsignals.

Steering and sailing rules.

Two sailingships meeting;

Two sailingships crossing.

Two ships under steam meeting;

Two ships under steam crossing.

Sailing-ship and ship under

steam.

Ships under

RULES GOVERNING FOG-SIGNALS.

FOG-SIGNALS.

ARTICLE 10. Whenever there is a fog, whether by day or night, the fog-signals described below shall be carried and used, and shall be sounded at least every five minutes, viz:

(a) Steamships under way shall use a steam-whistle placed before the funnel, not less than eight feet from the deck.

(b) Sailing-ships under way shall use a fog-horn.

(c) Steamships and sailing-ships when not under way shall use a bell.

STEERING AND SAILING RULES.

TWO SAILING-SHIPS MEETING.

ARTICLE 11. If two sailing-ships are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, the helms of both shall be put to port, so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

TWO SAILING-SHIPS CROSSING.

ARTICLE 12. When two sailing-ships are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, then, if they have the wind on different sides, the ship with the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the ship with the wind on the starboard side, except in the case in which the ship with the wind on the port side is close-hauled, and the other ship free, in which case the latter ship shall keep out of the way. But if they have the wind on the same side, or if one of them has the wind aft, the ship which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the ship which is to leeward.

TWO SHIPS UNDER STEAM MEETING.

ARTICLE 13. If two ships under steam are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve risk of collision, the helms of both shall be put to port, so that each may pass on the port side of the other.

TWO SHIPS UNDER STEAM CROSSING.

ARTICLE 14. If two ships under steam are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the ship which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

SAILING-SHIP AND SHIP UNDER STEAM.

ARTICLE 15. If two ships, one of which is a sailing-ship and the other a steamship, are proceeding in such directions as to involve risk of collision, the steamship shall keep out of the way of the sailing-ship.

SHIPS UNDER STEAM TO SLACKEN SPEED.

ARTICLE 16. Every steamship, when approaching another ship, so as steam to slacken to involve risk of collision, shall slacken her speed, or, if necessary, stop speed. and reverse; and every steamship shall, when in a fog, go at a moderate speed.

Vessels over

VESSELS OVERTAKING OTHER VESSELS.

ARTICLE 17. Every vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out

taking other ves- of way of the said last-mentioned vessel.

sels.

Construction

of articles 12, 14,

15, and 17.

CONSTRUCTION OF ARTICLES 12, 14, 15, And 17. ARTICLE 18. Where, by the above rules, one of two ships is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep her course subject to the qualifications contained in the following article:

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PROVISO TO SAVE SPECIAL CASES.

ARTICLE 19. In obeying and construing these rules due regard must be had to all dangers of navigation, and due regard must also be had to any special circumstances which may exist in any particular case rendering a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.

NO SHIP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TO NEGLECT PROPER
PRECAUTIONS.

Special cases.

tions to be al

ways observed.

ARTICLE 20. Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any ship, or the Proper precauowner, or master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to carry lights or signals, or of any neglect to keep a proper lookout, or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.

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CHAP. LXX. An Act to provide for the Collection of Hospital Dues from Vessels of Stat. at Large, the United States sold or transferred in foreign Ports or Waters. Vol. XIII. p. 61.

United States

Be it enacted, &c. That in case of the sale or transfer of any vessel of Hospital dues to the United States in a foreign port or water, the consul, vice-consul, com- be collected from mercial agent, or vice-commercial agent of the United States within whose vessels sold in consulate or district such sale or transfer shall have been made, or in foreign ports. whose hands the papers of such vessel shall be, be and he is hereby authorized and required to collect of the master or agent of such vessel, all moneys that shall have become due to the United States under and by virtue of the act entitled "An act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen," approved July sixteenth, seventeen hundred and ninety-eight, and 1798, ch. 77. shall remain unpaid at the time of such sale or transfer; and that the said consul, vice-consul, commercial agent, or vice-commercial agent, (as the case may be,) be, and he is hereby, instructed and required to retain possession of the papers of such vessel until such money shall have been paid as herein provided; and in default of which, such sale or transfer shall be void, excepting as against the vendor: Provided, That this act shall not take effect until the expiration of sixty days from and after its passage.

No. 458. - APRIL 29, 1864.

CHAP. LXXI. An Act to increase the Compensation of Inspectors of Customs in certain Ports.

When act takes effect.

Stat. at Large, Vol. XIII. p. 61.

Be it enacted, &c. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he Pay of inspechereby is, authorized to increase the compensation of inspectors of customs tors of customs in certain ports in such ports as he may think it advisable so to do, and may designate, by may be increased adding to the present compensation of said officers a sum not exceeding until July 1, one dollar per day. But the increase hereby authorized shall not extend 1865. beyond July first, eighteen hundred and sixty-five.

No. 459. MAY 5, 1864.

CHAP. LXXVIII. — An Act for the Prevention and Punishment of Frauds in Relation to the Names of Vessels.

Stat. at Large, Vol. XIII. p. 63.

Names of

where to be placed on the

Be it enacted, &c. That every steamboat of the United States shall, in addition to having her name painted on her stern, as now required by steamboats, law, also have the same conspicuously placed in distinct, plain letters, of not less than six inches in length, on each outer side of the pilot-house, if vessel. it has such, and (in case the said boat has side-wheels) also on the outer

Dec. 31, 1792, ch. 1, § 3. Also Feb. 18, 1793, ch. 8, § 11. Penalty.

Name not to be changed nor deception practised as to name.

side of each wheel-house; and if any such steamboat shall be found without having her name placed as herein required, she shall be subject to the same penalty and forfeiture as is now provided by law in the case of a vessel of the United States found without having her name and the name of the port to which she belongs painted on her stern, as required by law. SEC. 2. That no master, owner, or agent of any vessel of the United States, shall in any way change the name of such vessel, or by any device, advertisement, or contrivance, deceive, or attempt to deceive, the public, or any officer or agent of the United States government, or of any State, or any corporation or agent thereof, or any person or persons, as to the true name of such vessel, on pain of the forfeiture of such vessel: Provided, When act takes That this act shall not take effect until the expiration of sixty days from and after its passage.

effect.

Stat. at Large, CHAP. LXXXIII. Vol. XIII. p. 69.

1865, ch. 70. Ships and vessels of the Unit. ed States, how to be measured and registered.

Proviso.

Register to express what.

No. 460.- MAY 6, 1864.

An Act to regulate the Admeasurement of Tonnage of Ships and
Vessels of the United States.*

Be it enacted, &c. That every ship or vessel built within the United States, or that may be owned by a citizen or citizens thereof, on or after the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, shall be measured and registered in the manner hereinafter provided; also every ship or vessel that is now owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States shall be remeasured and reregistered upon her arrival after said day at a port of entry in the United States, and prior to her departure therefrom, in the same manner as hereinafter described: Provided, That any ship or vessel built within the United States after the passage of this act may be measured and registered in the manner herein provided.

SEC. 2. That the register of every vessel shall express her length and breadth, together with her depth and the height under the third or spar Tonnage-deck. deck, which shall be ascertained in the following manner: The tonnagedeck, in vessels having three or more decks to the hull, shall be the second deck from below; in all other cases the upper deck of the hull is to be Vessel's length, the tonnage-deck. The length from the forepart of the outer planking, on the side of the stem, to the afterpart of the main sternpost of screw steamers, and to the afterpart of the rudder-post of all other vessels measured on the top of the tonnage-deck, shall be accounted the vessel's length. The breadth of the broadest part on the outside of the vessel shall be accounted the vessel's breadth of beam. A measure from the under side of tonnage-deck plank, amidships, to the ceiling of the hold (average thickness) shall be accounted the depth of hold. If the vessel has a third deck, then the height from the top of the tonnage-deck plank to the under side of the upper-deck plank shall be accounted as the height Measurements, under the spar-deck. All measurement to be taken in feet and fractions of feet; and all fractions of feet shall be expressed in decimals.

breadth of beam,

depth of hold, height under spar-deck.

in what taken, and how ex

pressed. Register tonnage, to be what and how ascertained.

SEC. 3. That the register tonnage of a vessel shall be her entire internal cubical capacity in tons of one hundred cubic feet each, to be ascer tained as follows: Measure the length of the vessel in a straight line along the upper side of the tonnage-deck, from the inside of the inner plank (average thickness) at the side of the stem to the inside of the plank on the stern timbers, (average thickness,) deducting from this length what is due to the rake of the bow in the thickness of the deck, and what is due to the rake of the stern-timber in the thickness of the deck, and also what is due to the rake of the stern-timber in one third of the round of the beam; divide the length so taken into the number of equal parts required by the following table, according to the class in such table to which the vessel belongs:

*See acts of Dec. 31, 1792, ch. 1, §§ 21 and 25; Feb. 18, 1793, ch. 8, §§ 26 and 34; March 2, 1799, ch. 23, § 64; and March 2, 1799, ch. 29, § 2.

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