Eleventh. Each separate compartment in which steerage passengers are berthed shall be conspicuously marked, showing the total area of such compartments. (Aug. 2,1882; Dec. 19, 1908.)
In every such steamship or other vessel there shall be a sufficient number of berths for the proper accommodation as hereinafter provided, of all such passengers. There shall not be on any deck nor in any compartment or space occupied by such passengers more than two tiers of berths. The berths shall be properly constructed, and be separated from each other by partitions, as berths ordinarily are separated, and each berth shall be at least two feet in width and six feet in length; and the interval between the floor or lowest part of the lower tier of berths and the deck beneath them shall not be less than six inches, nor the interval between each tier of berths, and the interval between the uppermost tier and the deck above it, less than two feet six inches; and each berth shall be occupied by not more than one passenger over eight years of age; but double berths of twice the above-mentioned width may be provided, each double berth to be occupied by no more and by none other than two women, or by one woman and two children under the age of eight years, or by husband and wife, or by a man and two of his own children under the age of eight years, or by two men personally acquainted with each other. All the male passengers upwards of fourteen years of age who do not occupy berths with their wives shall be berthed in the fore part of the vessel, in a compartment divided off from the space or spaces appropriated to the other passengers by a substantial and well-secured bulkhead; and unmarried female passengers shall be berthed in a compartment separated from the spaces occupied by other passengers by a substantial and well-constructed bulkhead, the opening or communication from which to an adjoining passenger space shall be so constructed that it can be closed and secured. Families, however, shall not be separated except with their consent. Each berth shall be numbered serially, on the outside berth-board, according to the number of passengers that may lawfully occupy the berth; and the berths occupied by such passengers shall not be removed or taken down until the expiration of twelve hours from the time of entry, unless previously inspected within a shorter period. For any violation of either of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be liable to a fine of five dollars for each passenger carried or brought on the vessel. (Aug. 2, 1882; sec. 2.)
Light and air.
Every such steamship or other vessel shall have adequate provisions for affording light and air to the passenger-decks and to the compartments and spaces occupied by such passengers, and with adequate means and appliances for ventilating the said compartments and spaces. To compartments having sufficient space for fifty or more of such passengers at least two ventilators, each not less than twelve inches in diameter, shall be provided, one of which ventilators shall be inserted in the forward part of the compartment, and the other in the after part thereof, and shall be so constructed as to ventilate the compartment; and additional ventilators shall be provided for each compartment in the proportion of two ventilators for each additional fifty of such passengers carried or brought in the compartment. All ventilators shall be carried at least six feet above the uppermost deck of the vessel, and shall be of the most approved form and construction. In any steamship the ventilating apparatus provided, or any method of ventilation adopted thereon, which has been approved by the proper emigration officers at the port or place from which said vessel was cleared, shall be deemed a compliance with the foregoing provisions; and in all vessels carrying or bringing such passengers there shall be properly-constructed hatchways over the compartments or spaces occupied by such passengers, which hatchway shall be properly covered with houses or booby hatches, and the coamings or sills of which shall rise at least six inches above the deck; and there shall be proper companion-ways or ladders from each hatchway leading to the compartments or spaces occupied by such passengers; and the said companion-ways or ladders shall be securely constructed, and be provided with hand-rails or strong rope, and, when the weather will permit, such passengers shall have the use of each hatchway situated over the compartments or spaces appropriated to their use; and every vessel carrying or bringing such passengers shall have a properly located and constructed caboose and cooking-range, or other cooking apparatus, the dimensions and capacity of which shall be sufficient to provide for properly cooking and preparing the food of all such passengers. In every vessel carrying or bringing such passengers there shall be at least two water-closets or privies, and an additional water-closet or privy for every one hundred male passengers on board, for the exclusive use of such male passengers, and an additional water-closet or privy for every fifty female passengers on board, for the exclusive use of the female passengers and young children on board. The aforesaid water-closets and privies shall be properly enclosed and located on each side of the vessel, and shall be separated from passengers' spaces by substantial and properly-constructed partitions or bulkheads; and the water-closets and privies shall be kept and maintained in a serviceable and cleanly condition throughout the voyage. For any violation of either of the provisions of this section, or for any neglect to conform to the requirements thereof, the master of the vessel shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars. (Sec. 3.)
Provisions.
An allowance of good, wholesome, and proper food, with a reasonable quantity of fresh provisions, which food shall be equal in value to one and a half navy rations of the United States, and of fresh water, not less than four quarts per day, shall be furnished each of such passengers. Three meals shall be served daily, at regular and stated hours, of which hours sufficient notice shall be given. If any such passengers shall at any time during the voyage be put on short allowance for food and water, the master of the vessel shall pay to each passenger three dollars for each and every day the passenger may have been put on short allowance, except in case of accidents, where the captain is obliged to put the passengers on short allowance. Mothers with infants and young children shall be furnished the necessary quantity of wholesome milk or condensed milk for the sustenance of the latter. Tables and seats shall be provided for the use of passengers at regular meals. And for every willful violation of any of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months. The enforcement of this penalty, however, shall not affect the civil responsibility of the master and owners of the vessel to such passengers as may have suffered from any negligence, breach of contract, or default on the part of such masters and owners. (Sec. 4.)
Medical attendance.
In every such steamship or other vessel there shall be properly built and secured, or divided off from other spaces, two compartments or spaces to be used exclusively as hospitals for such passengers, one for men and the other for women. The hospitals shall be located in a space not below the deck next below the main deck of the vessel. The hospital spaces shall in no case be less than in the proportion of eighteen clear superficial feet for every fifty such passengers who are carried or brought on the vessel, and such hospitals shall be supplied with proper beds, bedding, and utensils, and be kept so supplied throughout the voyage. And every steamship or other vessel carrying or bringing emigrant passengers, or passengers other than cabin passengers, exceeding fifty in number, shall carry a duly qualified and competent surgeon or medical practitioner, who shall be rated as such in the ship's articles, and who shall be provided with surgical instruments, medical comforts, and medicines proper and necessary for diseases and accidents incident to sea-voyages, and for the proper medical treatment of such passengers during the voyage, and with such articles of food and nourishment as may be proper and necessary for preserving the health of infants and young children; and the services of such surgeon or medical practitioner shall be promptly given, in any case of sickness or disease, to any of the passengers, or to any infant or young child of any such passengers, who may need his services. For a violation of either of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars. (Sec. 5.)