Ship's Husband

Ship's husband, a peculiar agent appointed by the owner of a ship to look after the repairs, equip-ment, management, and other concerns of the ship. His duties are: (1) To see to the proper outfit of the vessel, the repairs, tackle and furniture necessary for a seaworthy ship. (2) To have a proper master, mate, and crew for the ship, so that in this respect it shall be seaworthy. (3) To see to the due furnishing of provisions and stores. (4) To see to the regularity of clearance from the Custom-house of the registry. (5) To settle contracts, and provide for payment of the furnishings requisite. (6) To enter into charter-parties, or engage the vessel for general freight, under usual conditions; and to settle for freights and adjust averages with the merchant. (7) To preserve the proper certificates, surveys, and documents, in case of disputes with insures of freighters, and to keep regular books of the ship, Story's Agency, 31. See Maclachlan on Shipping. He must be registered under the (English) Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, s. 59 (2)