The powers of customs’ officers in the matter of wreckage or salvage
is a matter of great interest; and as it is referred to in a recent
Report by Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Customs, a few notes on the
subject may not be out of place. The whole of the wreck-work in the
United Kingdom is discharged by these officers, under the general
superintendence of the Board of Trade. All wreck found by any person,
except the owner thereof, is to be delivered up to the duly appointed
person termed the Receiver; and even if found by the owner, the
receiver is to be apprised of the facts. The receiver has power, with a
warrant from a justice of the peace, to enter into any house or other
place wherever situated, and there search for, seize, and detain any
wreck he may find. In all cases, he shall, within forty-eight hours
after taking possession of any wreck, cause to be posted up at the
custom-house in the port nearest to which such wreck was found or
seized, a description of the same, and of any marks by which it may
be distinguished. In certain cases, he is, moreover, to transmit a
description of the wreck in his hands to the Secretary of Lloyd’s in
London; and also to any admiral, vice-admiral, lord of the manor, or
other person having claims for his own use to otherwise unclaimed wreck.
The work of the receiver includes many transactions in connection
with wreck requiring much care, tact, and discretion, involving the
arrest and detention of ships and cargoes, on declaration by salvors of
claims to remuneration for salvage services, ships and cargoes being
held under arrest until salvage claims are settled, or until proper
security is given by bond or otherwise in satisfaction thereof, as
well as the disposal of the claims of salvors, and the restoration
of wreck to the owners thereof, after satisfying such claims, other
than for salvage, that may be against it. The receivers are, moreover,
authorised to dispose at once of all wrecked goods of a perishable
nature; and of all other goods at the end of a year, unless they can
be previously disposed of to the advantage of all persons concerned.
In the performance of his work, the receiver is to ‘endeavour to make
himself acquainted with the persons and characters of the boatmen and
others in the district who are likely to act as salvors or to find and
recover wreck;’ and he is to ‘remember that the powers of controlling
and directing such persons, and of furthering and adjusting their
claims for salvage, are to be exercised in such a manner as shall most
conduce to the preservation of life and property, and that he stands
between them on the one hand and the owner and insurer on the other in
an independent and judicial position.’ It is his special duty, whilst
providing for the claims of bonâ fide salvors, to protect, so far as
his powers permit, owners against vexatious and improper claims. The
receiver is further required to proceed to any place in the United
Kingdom, either on the shore or in a tidal river, where any ship may
be stranded or in distress; and there to take command of all persons
present, and issue such directions as he may deem appropriate for the
preservation of the ship and her apparel, as well as the cargo and the
lives of all persons on board.
The number of wrecks reported in 1884-85 was eleven thousand three
hundred and seventy-one; and the number sold or otherwise disposed of,
ten thousand one hundred and thirty-three. The amount of money received
on account of wreck was twenty-four thousand one hundred and fifteen
pounds; but as much of this amount is received in very small sums, it
does not adequately represent the very important work performed in this
matter every year by the officers of Customs.