CRIMP, an agent for the supplying of soldiers and sailors, by kidnapping, drugging, decoying or other illegal means. Crimps were formerly regularly employed in the days of impressment (q.v.). Now the term is used, first of any one who engages to supply merchant seamen without a license from the Board of Trade, and is not either the owner, master or mate of the ship, or is not bona fide the servant, and in the constant employment of the owner, or is not a superintendent (Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, III.) ; and, with a wide application, of the extortionate lodging or boarding-house keepers, who are generally in league with the "crimp" proper.
Sections 212 to 219 inclusive of the above Act provide for the protection from imposition of merchant seamen in sea-going Brit ish ships registered in or out of Great Britain or which ought to be so registered. Local officials at seaports have power to make by-laws for licensing and regulating of sailors' lodging-houses, and to inflict penalties for infringement thereof. If this power be not exercised, the Board of Trade may do so. Penalties are also imposed by the act for overcharging by lodging-house keepers, for detaining of seamen's effects, and for soliciting. Unauthorized persons are prohibited from boarding a ship in port without leave. The Board of Trade officer at a port may provide money for sending a seaman to his home on discharge, and may forward his wages after deducting the expenses. Facilities are also given for having wages sent home from foreign ports at a small charge.
In the ports of the United States of America crimping was long prevalent, especially on the Pacific coast, and its preven tion was very difficult, but State regulations as to the licensing of boarding-houses, and the limitation of the amount of so-called "blood-money" paid by masters of vessels to the suppliers of crews to ships denuded by desertions, have reduced the abuse.