3. The settling the several rates of pilotage and erecting light-houses, and other sea marks upon the several coasts of the kingdom, for the security of navigation; to which light-houses all ships pay one half-penny a tun.
4. The granting licences to poor seamen, not free of the city, to row on the river Thames for their support, in the intervals of sea service, or when past going to sea.
5. The preventing of aliens from serving on board English ships, without their licence, upon the penalty of 5l. for each offence.
6. The punishing of seamen for desertion, or mutiny, in the merchants service.
7. The hearing and determining the complaints of officers and seamen in the merchants service; but subject to an appeal to the Lords of the Admiralty, or the Judge of the court of Admiralty.
To this company belongs the ballast office, for clearing and deepning the river Thames, by taking from thence a sufficient quantity of ballast, for the supply of all ships that sail out of that river; in which service sixty barges with two men in each, are constantly employed, and all ships that take in ballast pay them 1s. a ton, for which it is brought to the ships sides.
In consideration of the great increase of the poor of this fraternity, they are by their charter impowered to purchase in mortmain lands, tenements, &c. to the amount of 500l. per annum; and also to receive charitable benefactions of well disposed persons, to the like amount of 500l. per annum, clear of reprizes.
There are annually relieved by this company about 3000 poor seamen, their widows, and orphans, at the expence of about 6000l.
They commonly meet to chuse their master at their house at Deptford; but are not obliged to do it there. See the article Deptford.
Their meetings are generally on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at their house in Water lane, Thames street; but their courts are not constantly fixed to a set time.