[WAGES OF SEAMEN IN CASE OF WRECK.]
Speech in the Senate, on introducing a Bill to secure Wages to Seamen in Case of Wreck, February 12, 1855.
On the 26th of December, 1854, Mr. Sumner introduced the following resolution:—
"Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be directed to consider if any legislation be needed in order to secure the wages of merchant seamen in the case of wreck."
On the 12th of February, 1855, Mr. Sumner followed up this resolution by introducing a bill, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, as follows:—
"A Bill to secure Wages to Seamen in case of Wreck.
"Be it enacted, &c., That, in case of wreck or loss of any ship or vessel of the United States, every seaman belonging thereto shall be entitled to his wages up to the period of such wreck or loss, whether such ship or vessel shall or shall not have previously earned freight, provided such seaman shall have exerted himself to the utmost to save the ship, cargo, and stores; and in any trial of the question of services, the master, although a party to the suit, shall be a competent witness on this question.
"Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That every stipulation, by which any seaman shall consent to abandon his wages, in case of wreck or loss of the ship or vessel, or in case of the failure to earn freight, shall be wholly void."
On this bill Mr. Sumner spoke as follows.