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. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...One of these, that came to our knowledge not long ago, was the positive refusal of the master of a vessel in considerable danger, to accept the offer of a Life-boat's crew to take the vessel to a place of safety, and to leave the question of remuneration to be settled by arbitration. He insisted on an agreement for a specific.sum. It appears to us that the course suggested by the Life-boatmen would have been a reasonable and honest solution of the problem, far more likely to result in a fair settlement than the otherwise unavoidable bargaining for a specific sum. This, however, does not appear to be the opinion of some shipowners, for we have since been informed that the latter course is more frequently adopted than might be expected. It is impossible to withdraw the question of the remuneration to Life-boats for salvage of property from the general category of remuneration for similar seri vices. And it is, in our opinion, unreasonable to expect men in Life-boats to perform such services on terms more favourable to the shipowners than they can possibly make with other people, simply because they belong to the same class, and have only the same source to look to for remuneration. The Institution relieves salvage property from what would otherwise frequently bo a very heavy charge, viz., that for saving the lives of the crew. The law makes this the first charge for salvage on the ship and her cargo, or any part that may be saved; but the Institution distinctly prohibits the Life-boat's crew from making any such claim, and informs them they must look to the Institution only for reward. WEATHER FORECASTS. The forecasting of storms and weatherchanges is generally supposed to be wrapped in mystery, and the rules which have from time to time...