14. Ship's to the United States Naval War Code of 1900, the papers generally expected to be on board a vessel are : 1. The Register 2. The crew and passenger list 3. The log book 4. A bill of health 5. The manifest 6. A charter party, if the vessel is chartered 7. Invoices and bills of lading The register is a document issued by the govern ment under whose flag the ship sails, describing the vessel in detail and certifying to its registration. Most ships supplement this register by a certiffcate stating the British equivalent of its registered ton nage, gross and net. American vessels must also be provided with "certificates of inspection" signed by the inspector of the United States Steamboat Inspec tjo Service. Each officer must be able to produce a certificate of competency.
The list of the crew, usually called "ship's articles," is a large printed document. It contains a description of the ship, a description of the voyage contemplated, a scale of provisions, and the bill of fare. A complete list of the members of the crew then follows, giving age, nationality, address, wages, and the position to be filled by each man. This list is to be signed by master and crew in the presence of a shipping com missioner or customs official. A "crew list" giving substantially the same information is to be deposited with the customs collector of the port.
The "passenger list" is required for the purpose of immigration and emigration statistics. It must be laid before the immigration and custom house offi cials at the port of destination.
The master of the ship must also submit a list of stores remaining on board at the end of the voyage.
The "log book" contains a complete record of the events of the voyage, the conditions of the weather, the damages suffered, if any, the daily distance cov ered, and disciplinary measures taken.
An "engineer's log" is often kept of engine per formance. This log is required by British law.
The "bill of health" is also required; without it entrance into the port of destination would be diffi cult. This is a document stating that "no plague nor
any other dangerous or contagious disease in an epi demic form at present exists" in the port of departure.
The "manifest" is a list of all the shipments con stituting the cargo; the quality, value, destination and origin are given. The captain compiles it from the "captain's copy" of the various bills of lading. A copy of the manifest must be filed with the customs officials of the port of departure and another must be presented collector of customs at the port of destination. Where a mixed cargo is carried, con sisting of many shipments, the manifest is a formida ble document.
A "charter party" is a contract between the owner of the ship and a shipper for the rental of the vessel.
In some cases, especially in voyages in Latin coun tries, it is necessary to secure a vise of the consul of the country of destination on the ship's papers. It may also be necessary to have a consular "bill of health" issued.
When all the formalities required by the port of departure are satisfied, the ship receives its "clear ance papers." Upon arrival at the port of destination the ship's papers are inspected by the custom and health offi cials and if found to satisfy the regulations a "clear ance inwards" is issued, allowing the ship to dock and discharge cargo.
In time of war a "ship's passport" must be carried. It is issued by the Secretary of State and serves the same purpose as a passport issued to an individual. It establishes beyond doubt the nationality of the ves sel. Upon arrival in a foreign port the passport must be deposited with a consul of the United States, who will issue it again upon departure.
In rare cases another document is found among the ship's papers, "the bottomry bond." The bot tomry bond is a contract in the nature of a mort gage of a ship on which the owner, or the master, borrows money to enable him to make repairs, to fit out the ship or to purchase a cargo. The ship is the security pledged for repayment.