Parliamentary inquiry, 1854-5, on Passenger ships—Heavy losses at sea
previously, and especially in 1854—Emigration system—Frauds practised
on emigrants—Runners and crimps—Remedies proposed—Average price, then,
of passages—Emigration officer—Medical inspection—American emigration
law—Dietary, then, required—Disgraceful state of emigrant ships at that
time—Act of 1852—Resolution of New York Legislature, 1854—Evidence as
to iron cargoes—Various attempts at improvement—Legislation in the
United States, 1855—Uniformity of action impossible—English Passenger
Act, 1855—Attempt to check issue of fraudulent tickets—General
improvements—Merchant Shipping Act discussed—Extent of owner’s
liability—Unnecessary outcry of the Shipowners—Question of limited
liability—Value of life—Powers given to the Board of Trade—Mode of
procedure in inquiries about loss of life—Further complaints of the
Shipowners, who think too much discretion has been given to the
Emigration officer—Though slightly modified since, the principle
of the Passenger Act remains the same—the “Rule of the road at
sea”—Examination now required for engineers as well as masters of
steam vessels—Injurious action of the crimps—Savings-banks for seamen
instituted, and, somewhat later, money-order offices.