Practically, the prescriptions of this ordinance were not applied. The 

 old system persisted, the captains and pilots of the high seas being agreed 

 as to their capability after passing a simple examination before the royal hy- 

 drographer, the only condition being the scanty knowledge required for these 

 two positions. 



The great Ordinance of 1681 created the commission of captain of the 

 high seas, of which possession was required henceforth for command of all 

 vessels making distant voyages. It declared detailed prescriptions on the 

 functioning of hydrographic schools. It stipulated that the courses of the hy- 

 drographic professor were free and that their appointments would be paid on 

 the money of the sea tax, that the school would be open at least four days per 

 week, but that the professor had the right to take three months vacation per 

 year. 



A new Ordinance, promulgated April 15, 1689, carried new details on 

 the instruction to be given to future captains and pilots of the high seas. It 

 included instructions on "summary of the sphere, different kinds of maps, 

 the division of time, the golden number, the solar cycle, the epact, currents 

 and tides, use of the dividers and principles of the magnetic compass. " The 

 lessons bore equally on "the instruments for celestial observations and meth- 

 ods of making a good dead reckoning, the leeway of a vessel, and the way to 

 observe and correct it, " as well as "computing courses by the 'quartier de 

 reduction'", a graphical method of solving navigational problems. 



The wise precepts of Colbert were not limited to the question of aptitude 

 for command. Aside from the security of the vessel and its crew, there was 

 included health protection as well. The Ordinance of 1681 fixed the principle 

 by measures which were enforced only after the Rule of 1717. 



These acts prescribed that a surgeon would be required to sail on all 

 vessels making long voyages, or fishing in Newfoundland, and having a crew 

 of more than 20. On vessels with crews of more than 50, two surgeons were 

 required. In the last case, it was rare during this period for boats on long 

 voyages and never happened on fishing vessels. Many of the latter, especial- 

 ly the bank vessels, did not hire even the 20 men requiring a surgeon. Thus 

 the number of surgeons shipped was much less than the number of vessels in 

 a season. Nevertheless, this measure was beneficial and notably meliorated 

 the lot of the fishermen. 



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