Chapter 63. to encourage American shipbuilding
706 words·~3 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-27/chapter-63-124409·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 63.— An Act to encourage American shipbuilding.May 10, 1892. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,American registers granted to certain foreign-built steamships. That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to grant registers, as vessels of the United States, to such foreign-built steamships now engaged in freight and passenger business, and sailing in an established line from a port in the United States, as are of a tonnage of not less thanTonnage and speed. eight thousand tons, and capable of a speed of not less than twenty knots per hour, according to the existing method of Government test for speed, of which not less than ninety per centum of the shares of theOwnership. capital of the foreign corporation or association owning the same was owned January first, eighteen hundred and ninety, and has continued to be owned until the passage of this act by citizens of the United States, including as such citizens corporations created under the laws of any of the States thereof, upon the American owners of such majorityAmerican owners to obtain full title. interest obtaining a full and complete transfer and title to such steamships from the foreign corporations owning the same: *Provided*, That*Proviso*.
Owners to build equal tonnage of ships in American shipyards. such American owners shall, subsequent to the date of this law, have built, or have contracted to build, in American shipyards, steamships of an aggregate tonnage of not less in amount than that of the steamships so admitted to registry. Each steamship so built or contractedMinimum tonnage. for to be of a tonnage of not less than seven thousand tons. Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Treasury, on being satisfied that suchRecord of transfer. steamships so acquired by American citizens, or by such corporation 28 or corporations as above set forth, are such as come within the provisions of this act, and that the American owners of such steamships, for which an American registry is to be granted under the provisions hereof, have built or contracted to build in American shipyards steamships of an aggregate tonnage as set forth in the first section hereof, shall direct the bills of sale or transfer of the foreign-built steamships so acquired to be recorded in the office of the collector of customs of the proper R.
S., sec. 4155, p. 801. Vessels to enjoy all privileges but coast-wise trade.collection district, and cause such steamships to be registered as vessels of the United States by said collector. After which, each of such vessels shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of a vessel of the United States, except that it shall not be employed in the coastwise trade of the United States. Sec. 3. That no further or other inspection shall be required for theAdditional inspection not required. said steamship or steamships than is now required for foreign steamships carrying passengers under the existing laws of the United States, and that a special certificate of inspection may be issued for each Measurement. etc.steamship registered under this act; and that before issuing the registry to any such steamship as a vessel of the United States the collector of customs of the proper collection district shall cause such steamship to be measured and described in accordance with the laws of the United States, which measurement and description shall be recited in the certificate of registry to be issued under this act.
Sec. 4. That any steamships so registered under the provisions ofUnited States may take the vessels as cruisers. Payment. this act may be taken and used by the United States as cruisers or transports upon payment to the owners of the fair actual value of the same at the time of the taking, and if there shall be a disagreement as to the fair actual value at the time of taking between the United States Appraisement.and the owners, then the same shall be determined by two impartial appraisers, one to be appointed by each of said parties, who, in ease of disagreement, shall select a third, the award of any two of the three so chosen to be final and conclusive.
Approved, May 10, 1892.