The Montapedia

Billings, D. J.

This is a suit instituted by subjects of the empire of China against a British vessel. They were shipped at a port within the United States, namely, at San Francisco, for a voyage which was to occupy three years, and were to be discharged at Hong Kong. The whole question is, does the statute of June 7, 1872, (17 St. 262; Bev. St. at various sections from section 4501-4512,) apply to a British vessel ? The conclusion which I have reached is that it does not. The act of June 7,1872, is, in the provisions which relate to the shipping of seamen, a literal copy of the “Merchant…