A MANUAL OF THE PRINCIPLES OF ADMIRALTY LAW
FOR STUDENTS, MARINERS, AND SHIP OPERATORS

BY

GEORGE L. CANFIELD

OF THE MICHIGAN BAR

AND

GEORGE W. DALZELL

OF THE BAR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

WITH A SUMMARY OF THE NAVIGATION LAWS
OF THE UNITED STATES

EDITORS' PREFACE

This is the third volume of a series of manuals dealing with the business of ocean shipping and transportation. The first volume published dealt with steamship traffic operation and was written by Professor G. G. Huebner. The second volume was upon "Marine Insurance," the author being Professor S. S. Huebner. In the first volume published, the following preface appeared:

"This volume upon the management of ocean steamship traffic is the first of a series of manuals designed to assist young men in training for the shipping business. The necessity for such a series of manuals became evident when, as a result of the great war, the tonnage of vessels under the American Flag was, within a brief period, increased many fold. To carry on the war and to meet the demands of ocean commerce after the war, the United States Government, through the Shipping Board and private shipyards, brought into existence a large mercantile marine. If these ships are to continue in profitable operation under the American Flag, the people of the United States must be trained to operate them. Steamship companies, ship-brokers and freightforwarders must all be able to secure men necessary to carry on the commercial and shipping activities that make use of the ships. A successful merchant marine requires ships, men to man the ships, and business organization to give employment to the vessels. 'In its Bulletin upon 'Vocational Education for Foreign Trade and Shipping' (since republished as ' Training for Foreign Trade,' Miscellaneous Series No. 97, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents), the Federal Board for Vocational Education includes among other courses suggested for foreign trade training two shipping courses. upon subjects with which exporters should be familiar, namely, 'Principles of Ocean Transportation' and ' Ports and Terminals.' Although such general courses are helpful to the person engaging in the exporting business, a training for the steamship business

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as a profession requires much greater detail in the knowledge of concrete facts of a routine nature. An analysis was made of the various divisions of the steamship office organization and it was suggested to the United States Shipping Board that as no literature existed of sufficient practicability and detail several manuals should be written covering the principal feature of shore operations.

"The response of the Shipping Board was hearty. The Shipping Board appointed Mr. Emory R. Johnson of its staff, then conducting an investigation of ocean rates and terminal charges, as its editor. The Federal Board for Vocational Education designated Mr. R. S. MacElwee, then engaged in the preparation of studies in foreign commerce. Before the project was completed Mr. Johnson severed his connection with the Shipping Board in 1919, and January, 1919, Mr. MacElwee became Assistant Director of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce. The interest of the editors in the project did not terminate, however, and their close coöperation has been voluntarily continued out of conviction that the works will be helpful.

"The books have been written with a view to their being read by individual students conducting their studies without guidance, also with the expectation that they will be used as class textbooks. Doubtless colleges, technical institutes and high schools having courses in foreign trade, shipping business and ocean transportation, will desire to use these volumes as class texts in a manner outlined in 'Training for the Steamship Business,' by R. S. MacElwee, Miscellaneous Series 98, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. It is expected that evening classes and part-time schools, organized under the patronage of the Federal Board for Vocational Education, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested organizations will find the manuals useful. Should these volumes accomplish the desired purpose of giving the American people a somewhat greater proficiency in the business of operating ships, they will have proven successful."

This volume on "The Law of the Sea" is intended to present the principles of admiralty law in concise and practical form. It is a manual for the student, the owner, or the master of a

vessel who may desire to acquire information concerning the main facts and principles of maritime law without attempting to acquire such a mastery of the subject as is possessed by an admiralty lawyer.

THE EDITORS