Convoy

Convoy, ships of war which accompany merchantmen in time of war, to protect them from the attacks of the enemy. There are five things essential to sailing with convoy:-viz. (1) It must be with a regular convoy under an officer appointed by government; (2) it must be from the place of rendezvous appointed by government; (3) it must be a convoy for the voyage; (4) the mater of the ship must have sailing instructions from the commanding officer of the convoy; (5) the ship must depart and continue with the convoy till the end of the voyage, unless separated by necessity. See (English) Naval Discipline Act, 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. 109), and s. 46 of the (English) Naval Prize Act, 1864 (27 & 28 Vict. c. 25), by which the master of a ship deserting a convoy is liable to a penalty of 500l. and one year's imprisonment. See Hall or Wheaton on International Law.