MATE. The officer next in rank to the master on a merchant vessel.
In such vessels there' is always one mate, and sometimes a second, third, and fourth mate, ac cording to the vessel's size and the trade in which she may be engaged. When the word mate is used without qualification, it always denotes the first mate ; and the others are designated as above. On large ships the mate is frequently styled first offi cer, and the second and third mates, second and third officers. Parish, Sea Off. Man. 83.
The mate, as well as the inferior officers and seamen, is a mariner, and entitled to sue in admiralty for his wages ; and he has a lien on the vessel for his security. Even when he acts as master in consequence of the death of the appointed master, he can sue in the admiralty for his proper wages as mate, but not for the increased compensa tion to which he is entitled as acting master. And he is entitled, when sick, to be cured at the expense of the ship. The mate should
possess a sufficient knowledge of navigation to take command of the ship and carry on the voyage in case of the death of the mas ter; and it may well be doubted whether a vessel be seaworthy for a long voyage at sea when only the master is competent to navi gate her ; Blount, Coro. Dig. 32; Dana, Sea man's Friend 146; Curtis, Rights and Duties of Merchant Seamen 96, note. It is the spe cial duty of the mate to keep the log-book. The mate takes charge of the larboard watch at sea, and in port superintends the storage and breaking out of the cargo.
The mate succeeds, of course, to the sta tion, rights, and authorities of the captain or master on the death of the latter, and he also has command, with the authority re quired by the exigencies of the case, during the temporary absence of the master. See MASTER OF A SHIP.