History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce, Volume 3 (of 4)Lindsay, W. S. (William Schaw)
History
History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce, Volume 3 (of 4)
Lindsay, W. S. (William Schaw)
Commerce -- History; Shipping -- History; Steam navigation -- History
By the United States Statute of the 22nd February, 1847, it was
provided that the space to be allowed to passengers should be fourteen
clear superficial feet of deck for each passenger, if such vessel did
not pass within the Tropics. By an Act of 1848 this was so far altered,
that when “the height between the decks is less than six feet, and more
than five feet, each passenger shall be allowed sixteen superficial
feet; but if the height between decks be less than five feet, then
twenty-two superficial feet; and for every passenger on the orlop
deck, thirty feet.” Under our Act, no ship could clear out that had not
six feet between the decks. In some cases the law of the United States
was but loosely observed; while other cases, doubtless, occurred where
English vessels sailed from Liverpool to New Orleans with a number
greatly exceeding what they could legitimately carry, but which they
had reason to expect would not be noticed on their arrival. Owing,
however, to some change of persons at the Custom House at New Orleans
an inspection was instituted; two vessels were heavily fined, and one
was confiscated. But it was found more difficult to provide against
the frauds practised by the Shipowners in supplying bad or unwholesome
provisions.
[Sidenote: Dietary, then, required.]
The amount of provision by the Parliamentary scale to each adult
passenger per week was, viz., water, 21 quarts; biscuit, 2½ lbs.;
wheaten flour, 1 lb.; oatmeal, 5 lbs.; rice, 2 lbs.; molasses, 2 lbs.,
to be issued in advance, at the interval of twice a week. Potatoes
might be given in lieu of oatmeal or rice, in the proportion of 5 lbs.
of potatoes for 1 lb. of oatmeal or rice; and, in vessels sailing from
Liverpool, or from Scotch or Irish ports, oatmeal might be substituted
in equal quantities for rice. The dietary was afterwards altered by
the Act of 1851, an alternative scale being promulgated, with the
substitution of beef or pork, preserved meat, salt fish, split peas,
&c., &c., for bread-stuffs. This more expensive scale was adopted in
the ports, whence English emigrants usually sailed; but, besides the
legal supply, nearly every emigrant took with him some additional
provision, such as bacon, eggs, &c., &c.
[Sidenote: Disgraceful state of emigrant ships at that time.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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