I? 6ot C 21, Anno feptimo 6c odavo G cr L I E L M I III. A. D. 1696.;! CAP. XXL An A6t for the Increafe and Encouragement of Seamerf. ORASMUCH as the Strength and Safety of this, and other His Majefty's Realms and Domi- ._ nions, do very much depend upon the furniftiing and fupplying of His Majefty's Royal JNavy with a competent Number of able Mariners and Seamen, which may be in a Redinefs at all Times for that
- Service :
' II. And whereas the Seamen of this Kingdom have for a long Time diftinguiflied themfelves throughout ' the World by their Induftry and Skilfulnefs in their Employments, and by their Courage and Conffancy ' manifefted in Engagements for the Defence and Honour of their Native Country : And for an Encou-
- ragement to continue this their ancient Reputation, and to invite greater Numbers of His Majefty's Sub-
- je£ts to betake themfelves to the Sea, it is fit and reafonable that fome competent Provifion fhould be
- made, that Seamen, who by Age, Wounds, or other Accidents, Ihall become difabled for future Ser-
' vice at Sea, and fhall not be in a Condition to maintain themfelves comfortably, may not fall under Hard- ' ftiips and Miferies, may be fupported at the publick Charge, and that the Children of fuch difabled Sea- ' men, and alfo the Widows and Children of fuch Seamen as fhall happen to be flain, killed, or drowned ' in Sea-fervice, may in fome reafonable Manner be provided for and educated : ' III. And whereas His Majefty, and Her late Majefty the Queen, of Blefled Memory, refle£ling upon ' the Premiffes, determined with themfelves. That an Hofpital (hould be erefted, eftablifhed, and endowed
- for the Purpofes aforefaid, and in order thereunto by their Letters Patents under the Great Seal of
- England, bearing Date the five and twentieth Day of OSioher laft paft, did give and grant to certain Per-
' fons named therein, their Heirs and Afligns, a certain Piece or Parcel of Ground, fituate and being ' within the Parifti of Eqft Greenwich in the County of Kent, Parcel or reputed Parcel of their Manor of ' Eaji Greenwich aforefaid, and in the faid Letters Patents particularly defcribed, and the Capital Mefiuage
- commonly called by the Name of "The Palace of Greenwich, ftanding upon the faid Piece or Parcel of
- Ground, and feveral other Edifices, Buildings, and other Things in the faid Letters Patents mentioned
- (except as herein is excepted) to the Intent that the PremilTes fhould be converted and employed unto and
- for the Ufe and Service of an Hofpital, for the Relief of Seamen, their Widows, and Children, and an
- Encouragement of Navigation, as therein is mentioned ;
' IV. And whereas His Majefty, in further Execution of his pious and princely Intention for the found-
- ing and endowing of an Hofpital at Greemvich for the Purpofes aforefaid, by His Letters Patents under
- the Great Seal of England, bearing Date the tenth Day of September one thoufand fix hundred ninety ' 5
' and five, hath conftituted Commiflioners, and granted an annual Sum, payable out of the Treafury, and il ' given divers proper Directions, Powers, and Authorities, for the carrying on and perfefting the faid 1 | i.R.i,.Jiit.i. <■ Hofpital, and the Eiidov/ment and Maintenance thereof, and of the faid Perfons to be placed therein :' i;
- •■*■• And to the Intent that fuch Mariners, Watermen, Seamen, Fifhermen, Lightermen, Bargemen, and ;^
Keelmen, as fhall voluntarily come in and regifter themfelves, in and for His Majefty's Sea Service, as hereafter mentioned, may have and receive the Privileges, Benefits, and Advantages following : Be it enaJled, ^c, REP. " Mariners, &'c. above i8 and under 50 may regifter themfelves in the King's Service. Repealed by 9 " Annae, c. 21. §.63. as to regiftering of Seamen. Regifter Office to be kept at the Navy Office, London, " or elfev/here. Seamens Names to be regiftred in Courfe of Time without Fee. Regifters of Sea Ports " to give Certificate-s gratis, of the Number and Names of Seamen regiftred in their Office, and tranfmit " them to the Navy Office. An Account to be given once a Year to the Commiffioncrs of the Admiralty. " Number not to exceed 30,000 Men, and each to have 40^. per Ann. Bounty. Repealed by 9 Annse, " c. 21. §. 63. None but regiftred Seamen to be preferred. Regiftred Seamen in Service may affign two " " Months Pay in Six. Monies due to Seamen dead in the Service, to be paid to their Executors. Re- " criftred Seamen to have a double Share out of Prizes, and freed from ferving on Juries, and Parifh " bffices, i^c" VII. And for the Relief, J3enefit, or Advantage, of fuch the faid regiftred Mariners or Seamen, Water- men, Fiflaermen, Lightermen, Bargemen, Keelmen, or Seafaring-men, who by Age, Wounds, or other Accidents, fhall be difabled for future Service at Sea, and fhall not be in a Condition to maintain themfelves comfortably, and the Children of fuch difabled Seamen, and the Widows and Children of fuch of them as fhall happen to be flain, killed, or drowned, in Sea-fervice, fo far forth as the Holpital herein before mentioned fhall be capable to receive tbem, and the Revenue thereof will extend for or towards their Re- lief or Support, and according to the Rules, Orders, and Conftitutions, to be fettled and provided for th« vernoi^ofGree.i- and Purfer, Of fo many of them as were in the faid Ship for the Time_ being, under his or their Handand wich Hofpital, Seal, unto the Governor or Governors of the faid Hofpital at Gr«?nwV/j for the time being, be admitted to be taken in, -^^id placed in the faid Hofpital, and fhall have provided and allowed unto him, during his Life, at the anJ provided for Charges of the faid Hofpital, and out of the Revenues thereof, according to the Rules, Orders, and Con- ddfing Life. ftitutions, to be provided and fettled for the faid Hofpital, and the Government and Regulation thereof. Widows and fitting and convenient Lodging, Meat, Drink, Clothing, and other Necefiaries and Conveniencies; and children of Sea- ^j^q tj^g Widows of fuch Seamen, Watermen, Fifhermen, Lightermen, Bargemen, Keelmen, and Sea- men flain or faring* 3
