Ship's husband
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SHIP'S HUSBAND, mar. law. An agent appointed by the owner of a ship, and
invested with authority to make the requisite repairs, and attend to the
management, equipment, and other concerns of the ship he is usually
authorized to act as the general agent of the owners, in relation to the
ship in her home port.
2. By virtue of his agency, he is authorized to direct all proper
repairs, equipments and outfits of the ship; to hire the officers and crew;
to enter into contracts for the freight or charter of the ship, if that is
her usual employment; and to do all other acts necessary and proper to
prepare and despatch her for and on her intended voyage. 1 Liverm. on Ag.
72, 73; Story on Ag. Sec. 35.
3. By some authors, it is said the ship's husband must be a part owner.
Hall on Mar. Loans, 142, n.; Abbott on Ship. part 1, c. 3, s. 2.
4. Mr. Bell, Comm. 410, Sec. 428, 5t ed. p. 503, points out the duties
of the ship's husband, as follows, namely: 1. To see to the proper outfit of
the vessel, in the repairs adequate to the voyage, and in the tackle and
furniture necessary for a sea-worthy ship.
5.-2. To have a proper master, mate, and crew, for the ship, so that,
in this respect, it shall be sea-worthy.
6.-3. To see the due furnishing of provisions and stores, according to
the necessities of the voyage.
7.-4. To see to the regularity of the clearance's from the custom-
house, and the regularity of the registry.
8.-5. To settle the contracts, and provide for the payment of the
furnishings which are requisite to the performance of those duties.
9.-6. To enter into proper charter parties, or engage the vessel for
general freight, under the usual conditions; and to settle for freight, and
adjust averages with the merchant; and,
10.-7. To preserve the proper certificates, surveys and documents, in
case of future disputes with insurers and freighters and to keep regular
books of the ship.
11. These are his general powers, but of course, they may be limited or
enlarged by the owners; and it may be observed, that without special
authority, he cannot, in general, exercise the following enumerated acts:
1. He cannot borrow money generally for the use of the ship; though, as
above observed, he may settle the accounts for furnishings, or grant bills
for them, which form debts against the concern, whether or not he has funds
in his hands with which he might have paid them. 1 Bell, Com. 411, 499.
12.-2. Although he may in general, levy the freight which is, by the
bill of lading, payable on the delivery of the goods, it would seem that he
would not have power to take bills for the freight, and give up the
possession of the lien over the cargo, unless it has been so settled by the
charter party. Id.
13.-3. He cannot insure, or bind the owners for premiums. Id.; 5 Burr.
2627; Paley on Ag. by Lloyd, 23, note 8; Abb. on Ship. part 1, c. 3, s. 2;
Marsh. Ins. b. 1, c. 8, s. 2; Liv. on Ag. 72, 73.
14. As the power of the master to enter into contracts of
affreightments, is superseded in the port of the owners, so it is by the
presence of the ship's husband, or the knowledge of the contracting parties
that a ship's husband has been appointed. Bell's Com. ut supra.