Maritime Law, Albert Saunders. London, 1901; Sweet Maxwell, Ltd.
The Rhodian Sea-Law, Walter Ashburner. Oxford, 1909; The Clarendon Press.
History of Admiralty Jurisdiction, R. H. Dana. 5 American Law Review 581.
[1] "The first vessels were rafts. The raft is the parent of the modern ship" (Seabrook v. Raft, 40 Fed. 596).
CHAPTER II
TITLE AND TRANSFER
1. How Title Acquired.—
Title to a ship is acquired in the same ways as other personal property, by construction, purchase, gift or exchange. It may pass by delivery, without any bill of sale or other written document. This method, however, is neither advisable nor practicable where the value is substantial or active business is contemplated.[2]
2. Registration and Regulation.—
The United States, like other commercial countries, provides a complete system for the registry and regulation of all ships entitled to the privileges of American vessels. These laws do not require registry or enrollment unless such privileges are desired. The owner may acquire and dispose of his boat without reference to them, but, until it is registered or enrolled, it is not a vessel of the United States and cannot engage in any trade.