on shore at a time, and take with them one meal of victuals, "as much as they can eat at once," but no drink. They were bound to return to the ship in season, so as not to lose a tide, and they were held responsible for any damage resulting from their default.
Demurrage. The twenty-first clause related to detentions, and provided for the payment of demurrage. If a merchant, having freighted a ship, did not load her by the time appointed, he was bound to make compensation for such delay, and the sailors were entitled to a fourth part of the amount; the remainder being allotted to the master, he finding the crew in provisions. Formerly, eight days were allowed the merchant to unload, which afterwards was extended to fifteen. But that did not affect the payment of freight, which was required to be paid in eight days, whether the ship was discharged or not. The master could not detain the goods on board for freight, but when in a boat or lighter, he was entitled to stop them until he was satisfied.
Bottomry. The twenty-second clause relates to selling goods on board, to provide for the ship, in which the laws of bottomry were enforced.[1]
A bad pilot forfeited his head. The twenty-third clause was a frightful instance, copied from the so-called Rhodian laws,[2] of barbarous legislation. It enacted that if a pilot, or "lockman,"[3]
- ↑ It was further ordained, that the wines on board the ship should be sold at the price customary at the place to which she had come.
- ↑ It has been shown by Pardessus and others that these so-called "Rhodian Laws" are a compilation of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and distinct from the one famous Rhodian Law whose title, "De Jactu," has been preserved.
- ↑ Pardessus retains this form of the word, but the MSS. read "lodman" (i.e. leading-man, pilot), which is probably the true form.—See Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 7965, fol. 89, &c.
