Introduces a Bill, 1871.
Government measure of that year.
But in that year, 1871, Mr. Plimsoll, not satisfied
with the course of legislation, introduced a Bill
having the same objects in view as his resolution of
the previous Session, which, however, was also withdrawn,
Government agreeing to introduce a separate
Bill, as they had been unable to pass their Merchant
Shipping Code Bill, containing the clauses of the
larger measure relating to draught of water and
surveys. Accordingly, before the close of the Session
a short Bill was introduced and passed[1] with these
provisions, but with very little discussion, on account
of the lateness of the Session. In this Bill the clause
giving seamen charged with desertion a right to a
survey, was justly modified by confining the right to
cases where the complaint of unseaworthiness is made
by one-fourth of the crew; or if they exceed twenty
by not less than five, and to cases where a complaint
of unseaworthiness had been made by them before
quitting the ship. The power of ordering a survey
was also given to naval courts abroad.
Mr. Plimsoll publishes a book, 'Our Seamen,' 1873. Although these amendments had, as I have shown, been for some years contemplated by Government, and had been, in fact, submitted for the consideration of Parliament before Mr. Plimsoll expressed any opinion on the subject, they did not satisfy his demands; and in order that his views might become more extensively known, he published in January, 1873, a curious book.[2] It is of that sensational class
- ↑ Merchant Shipping Act, 34 & 35 Vict. cap. 110. "Unseaworthy Ships."
- ↑ It was entitled 'Our Seamen: an Appeal by Samuel Plimsoll, M.P.,' and was "dedicated to the Lady Gracious and Kind who seeing a labourer working in the rain sent him her rug to wrap about his shoulders." Virtue and Co., Ivy Lane, London.
