Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V Marine Insurance-- Continued The Amendment of the British Merchant Shipping Laws a Subject of Keen Controversy--Large Number of Vessels "Missing" Attracts Attention -- Loss of Life in "Missing " Vessels --What was Said by Apologists of the System--Evidence to Show that Care in Shipbuilding and Navigation Make for Safety. 'HE subject upon which we are now about to enter brings 1 us not merely to modern, but to recent times; and the consideration of it plunges us into a controversy which is by no means settled--a controversy which adds to the intricacies of marine law and the mysteries of marine insurance all the difficulties of warring interests and strong emotions. I shall tell the story as I see it, giving authority for my statements where it seems necessary. At the same time, it is but fair to warn the reader that hardly a single statement of importance has been made in this controversy that has not been contradicted, explained, or offset by some counter statement. The changes in public sentiment on this subject, and in the law relating to it, up to 1871, I do not pretend to have followed with attention. It was stated, in the course of a debate in the British House of Commons in 1875, that before 1839 the law was not in satisfactory form; but that in that year a change was made which had the effect of lessening the number of losses at sea. The same speaker declared, however, that, in 1862, under the influence of the Free Trade idea, restrictions imposed in 1839 were removed, the power of the shipowners was increased while their responsibility was made less, the result being a marked increase in the loss of lives at sea. It is not necessary for our present purpose to seek to test the accuracy of that statement. A whole volume...
