212 LAWS GOVERNING MARINE INSPECTION 



I 



such matter; and every owner, agent, master, mate, or other member 

 of the crew, who, when called upon by such Coast Guard official, does 

 not produce any such books, papers, or documents, if in his possession 

 or power, or does not appear and give evidence, shall, unless he shows 

 some reasonable cause for such default, be liable to a penalty of not 

 more than $100 for each offense; and, on application made by such 

 Coast Guard official, shall be further punished, in the discretion of the 

 court, as in other cases of contempt of tlie process of the court. (R.S. 

 § 4555; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §§ 101-104. eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 

 7875, 60 Stat. 1097.) 



Commencement of wages 



46 U.S.C. 591 (R.S. 4524) 



A seaman's right to wages and provisions shall be taken to commence 

 either at the time at which he commences work, or at the time specified 

 in the agreement for his commencement of work or presence on board, 

 whichever first happens. ( R.S. § 4524. ) 



Wages not dependent on freight earned 



46 U.S.C. 592 (R.S. 4525) 



No right to wages shall be dependent on the earning of freight by 

 the vessel; but every seaman or apprentice who would be entitled 

 to demand and receive any wages if the vessel on which he has served 

 has earned freight, shall, subject to all other rules of law and con- 

 ditions applicable to the case, be entitled to claim and recover the 

 same of the master or owner in personam, notwithstanding that 

 freight has not been earned. But in all cases of wreck or loss of vessel, 

 proof that any seaman or apprentice has not exerted himself to the 

 utmost to save the vessel, cargo, and stores shall bar his claim. (R.S. 

 § 4525.) 



Termination of wages by loss of vessel; transportation to place 

 of shipment 



46 U.S.C. 593 (R.S. 4526) 



In cases where the servdce of any seaman terminates before the 

 period contemplated in the agreement, by reason of the loss or wreck 

 of the vessel, such seaman shall be entitled to wages for the time of 

 service prior to such termination, but not for any further period. 

 Such seaman shall be considered as a destitute seaman and shall be 

 treated and transported to port of shipment as provided in sections 

 678 and 679 of this title. This section shall applv to fishing and whal- 

 ing vessels but not to yachts. (R.S. §4526; t)ec. 21, 1898, ch. 28, 

 §§ 3, 26, 30 Stat. 755, 764 ; Mar. 5, 1934, ch. 40, 48 Stat. 395.) 



Right to wages in case of improper discharge 



46 U.S.C. 594 (R.S. 4527) 



Any seaman who has signed an agreement and is afterward dis- 

 charged before the commencement of the voyage or before one month's 

 wages are earned, without fault on his part justifying such discharge, 

 and without his consent, shall be entitled to receive from the master 



