An American merchant vessel sailing from an American to a foreign port
is required under penalty to deposit its register and also its sea
letter with the American consul immediately upon reaching its
destination. “It is usual also to deposit its crew list and shipping
articles”. These documents are known as the “ship’s papers”, and are
kept by the consul until the ship has received “clearance”.
The consul is required to give the masters of vessels all information in
his possession concerning coast surveys, pilot and hydrographic charts,
etc., such as are published by the Navy Department, and to furnish to
the State Department any information that may be of service to
navigation.