PRIZE

The regulations with regard to prizes in the royal navy are as follow:

"I. When any Ship or vessel is taken from the enemy, the hatches are to be immediately spiked up, and her lading and furniture secured from embezzlement, till sentence is passed upon her in some court of admiralty, empowered to take cognizance of causes of that nature.

"II. The captain is to cause the officers of the prize to be examined; three or more of the company, who can give bell evidence, to.be brought to the said court of admirality, together with the charter-parties, bills of lading, and other Ship's papers found on board.

"V. When a privateer is taken, great care is to be had to secure all the ship's papers, especially the commission; but if there be no legal commission found on board, then all the prisoners are to be carried before some magistrate, in order to their being examined and committed, as pirates."

N.B. The third and fourth articles relate to the finding any of the king's subjects in the prizes; and appear unnecessary in this place.

Reference Works