ENLISTMENT, in the navy, is managed by the admiralty, and is changed from time to time in its details, according to the degree of willingness among sea-faring men to enter the service. In 1830, an act was passed to give certain additional advantages to volunteer seamen. In 1835, another act empowered the crown to double the amount of bounty given to a volunteer, if he was already a seaman. In 1847, it was enacted that such persons as were entitled, if enlisted, to double bounty, should form a select class; and that ship-owners should not be allowed to hire such persons as crews for merchant ships, if the government thought proper to issue a proclamation to that effect. At the commencement of the war with Russia, in 1854, it was deemed expedient not only to give extra bounties to seamen willing to enlist, but to make a money-present to seamen already in the navy, as an equivalent advantage. The bounty given to seamen varies from time to time, according to the exigencies of the service; but recent legislation has established a distinction between limited and continuous service. A seaman may enlist
for 5 or for 10 years, or for the period the ship he enters is in commission; if for the longer period, he receives higher pay and other advantages. At the end of this longer period, he may demand his discharge; and, if abroad, he may claim to be brought home free of expense. His commanding-officer may, in emergency, retain his further service for 6 months, on payment of another increase of pay. The crown, besides, possesses a power of compelling renewed service from seamen under certain conditions, iu case of invasion or other national peril.
Other matters bearing on this subject will be found noticed under BOUNTY, COAST VOLUNTEERS, IMPRESSMENT, and MANNING THE NAVY.