"Such insurance shall be effected either with the Bureau of War Risk Insurance or in insurance companies, and on terms satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury.

"Such insurance shall provide, and the Bureau of War Risk Insurance is authorized to write policies so providing—

"(a) In case of death, permanent disability which prevents the person injured from performing any and every kind of duty pertaining to his occupation, or the loss of both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, or both eyes, or any two thereof, for the payment of an amount equivalent to one year's earnings, or to twelve times the monthly earnings of the insured, as fixed in the articles for the voyage (hereinafter referred to as the principal sum), but in no case shall such amount be more than $5000 or less than $1500;

"(b) In case of any of the following losses, for the payment of the percentage of the principal sum indicated in the following tables:

  1. "One hand, fifty per centum;
  2. "One arm, sixty-five per centum;
  3. "One foot, fifty per centum;
  4. "One leg, sixty-five per centum;
  5. "One eye, forty-five per centum;
  6. "Total destruction of hearing, fifty per centum;

"That the Bureau of War Risk Insurance may include in its policy undertakings to pay specified percentages of the principal sum for other losses or disabilities; and

"(c) In case of detention by an enemy of the United States, following capture, for the payment during the continuance of such detention of compensation at the same rate as the earnings of the insured immediately preceding such detention, to be determined in substantially the same manner as provided in subdivision (a) of this section.

"The aggregate payments under this section in respect to any one person shall not exceed the amount of the principal sum.

"Payments provided for in this section shall be made only to the master, officer, or member of the crew concerned, except that a payment for loss of life shall be made to the estate of the insured for distribution to his family free from liability of debt, and payment on account of detention by an enemy following capture shall be made to dependents of the person detained, if designated by him.

"No claim under this section shall be valid unless made by the master, officer, or member of the crew concerned, or his estate, or a person designated under this section, within two years after the date on which the President suspends the operations of this Act in so far as it authorizes insurance by the United States."