the charges exacted from him, and the institutions he is compelled to maintain, are all but unchanged. For these reasons, it has for some time been apparent to me, that it would be greatly to the advantage of our shipowners to sail their vessels under foreign flags, if other nations would grant them that privilege. These are the subjects of inquiry in the following pages. I have treated them in a business way, for I am a mere man of business, with very little experience in the art of composition, and little time not occupied in the details and avocations of a city life. This book has not been written in the vain hope of recommending myself, or to espouse the cause of any party or parties. I have been actuated solely by a sense that the shipping interest laboured under burdens and trammels which could be advantageously removed, and by a wish to contribute, in however small a degree, to its improvement. I have had, however, some facilities for the execution of the following work. Bred to the sea, and familiar with the details of building and navigating ships, I could not fail to have some acquaintance with our Maritime Laws, and with the regulations which affect British shipping. The study of these was in fact forced upon me, and those imperfections and contradictions which may very readily escape the attention of others have been brought forcibly home to my consideration. The opinions I have expressed are founded on practical experience, and I have conscientiously endeavoured to be accurate in matters of fact. For these reasons, this Work, though imperfect in other respects, may be of some little service to the public. FULHAM, January 24. 1852. CONTENTS. Rise of our Maritime Rights and Privileges. - Navigation Laws of Cromwell and Charles II. - Navigation Laws of Holland. Comparative Progress of British and Foreign Shipping in our Trade. Effects of Huskisson's Treaties on our Shipping. Effect of Peel's Revision of the Tariff.. Effects of Labouchere's Policy. Export Trade to our Colo- nies and Possessions.- Export Trade of the United States and of each of the principal Countries of Europe, with the Entries Inwards of their Shipping at our Ports. - Burdens, First Mode of Classification. Lloyd's Registry. The bene- ficial Effects which originally accrued from it, and the Necessity now for its Revision. Remedies proposed for the Abuses which exist. Modern Progress of Shipbuilding. Steam Vessels. Their rapid Increase. The Screw. Iron Sailing Vessels. American Clippers and Colonial a Mercantile Marine Act of 1850. Masters and Officers to undergo an Examination of their Competency. - Nautical Schools suggested. - Principles of the Act approved: its Machinery objected to. Important as regards the Preven- tion of Desertion. - Extent and Evils thereof stated. Remedies proposed. East Indian Mercantile Marine Salvage by Recapture. - Ordinary Salvage. The Right of Her Majesty's Ships-of-War to claim Salvage considered, Constitution and Jurisdiction. - Powers of the Judge.. of Proceeding and taking Evidence. Objections to the Antiquity of the Society.-Constitution and Duties.-Revenue: from what Sources obtained, and how disbursed. the London Association for the Abolition of Light Dues. Trinity Pensions.-Objections to their Payment with Money |