In 1740 two Acts were passed, one for the better supply of seamen to serve in the Royal Navy, one allowing English merchant-vessels to be navigated by foreign sailors, not exceeding three-fourths of the crew, such foreign seamen serving for two years to be considered natural-born subjects. Another was to prevent impressment of seamen of the age of fifty or upwards, and all such as have not attained the full age of eighteen; also all foreigners serving in merchant-vessels, sea-apprentices for the first three years, and persons of any age for the first two years of their being at sea. A new board was also appointed to superintend the business of the Sick and Hurt Office. The charge of the prisoners of war was also intrusted to this board. Anson, one of the most celebrated of British admirals, entered the navy in 1712, as a volunteer on board the _Ruby_, Captain Chamberlain, with whom he continued for several years, till, in 1718, he was appointed second lieutenant of the _Montague_. After commanding the _Weasel_ sloop, he was promoted to the rank of post-captain in 1724. After commanding numerous ships, and conducting himself with much ability and discretion, he was selected to command that expedition to the South Seas which made his name famous. In 1740 he sailed from Spithead on the 18th of September, with a squadron of five ships, the _Centurion_, of 60 guns; the _Gloucester_, of 50, Captain Norris; the _Sovereign_, of 50, Captain Legge; the _Pearl_, of 40 guns, Captain Mitchell; the _Wager_, 28, Captain Kidd; the _Tryal_, 8 guns, Captain Murray; and two victuallers, the _Anna_ and _Industry_ pinks. On board the _Wager_ sailed the Honourable John Byron, then a midshipman. The _Wager_ must serve as an example for the rest of the ships. She was an old Indiaman, bought into the service, and now fitted out as a man-of-war, but also deeply laden with stores and merchandise of all sorts. Her crew consisted of men pressed from long voyages, while her land forces were a wretched detachment of infirm and decrepit invalids from Chelsea Hospital, desponding under the prospect of a long voyage. Her commander, Captain Kidd, before his death, predicted that misfortunes would overtake her. The _Centurion_, however, under the judicious management of Commodore Anson, performed a successful voyage, and had the good fortune to capture a rich Spanish galleon. In consequence of the way ships had suffered from the attacks of worms on former occasions, those now destined for the West Indies were sheathed by a new process.