United States - Passenger act of 1882

In computing the number of passengers carried or brought in any vessel, children under one year of age shall not be included, and two children between one and eight years of age shall be counted as one passenger; and any person brought in such vessel who shall have been, during the voyage, taken from any other vessel wrecked or in distress on the high seas, or have been picked up at sea from any boat, raft, or otherwise, shall not be included in such computation.

Second. The expression "steerage passenger" means all passengers except cabin passengers, and persons shall not be deemed cabin passengers unless the space allotted to their exclusive use is in the proportion of at least thirty-six clear superficial feet to each passenger.

Third. The expression "lowest passenger deck" means the deck next below the water line; and the expression "passenger deck" includes every deck or portion of a deck which is above the lowest passenger deck, and is appropriated for passengers.

Fourth. A vessel shall not carry passengers, whether cabin or steerage passengers, on more than one deck below the water line.

Fifth. The height between that part of any deck on which steerage passengers are carried and the deck immediately above it shall not be less than six feet.

Sixth. No steerage passengers shall be carried on the lowest passenger deck unless it is efficiently lighted by side scuttles and otherwise to the satisfaction of the inspector.

Seventh. No greater number of steerage passengers shall be carried on the lowest passenger deck than in the proportion of one steerage passenger to every twenty-one clear superficial feet allotted to their use. If, however, the height between the lowest passenger deck and the deck immediately above it is less than seven feet, and the apertures, exclusive of side scuttles, through which light and air are admitted are less in size than in the proportion of three square feet to every one hundred superficial feet of that deck, no greater number of steerage passengers shall be carried on that deck than in the proportion of one steerage passenger to every thirty clear superficial feet thereof, subject to the allowance for measurement of public rooms, lavatories, and bath rooms, if any, provided for by paragraph ten.

Eighth. No greater number of steerage passengers may be carried on a passenger deck than in the proportion of one steerage passenger to every eighteen clear superficial feet of deck allotted to their use, subject to the allowance for measurement of public rooms, lavatories, and bath rooms, if any, provided for by paragraph ten. If, however, the height between any passenger deck and the deck immediately above it be less than seven feet, no greater number of steerage passengers may be carried on that deck than in the proportion of one steerage passenger to every twenty-one clear superficial feet thereof, subject to the allowance for measurement of public rooms, lavatories, and bath rooms, if any, provided for by paragraph ten.

Ninth. A vessel, whatever be the superficial space of the passenger decks and of the lowest passenger deck, shall not carry a greater number of steerage passengers on the whole than in the proportion of one steerage passenger to every five superficial feet of air or promenade space provided on a deck so open as not to be included in the tonnage and approved by the inspector, and this space shall not be counted or included in the area available for any other passengers, or in other areas for steerage passengers prescribed by this section.

Tenth. In the measurement of the passenger decks and of the lowest passenger deck, the space occupied by that part of the personal baggage of the steerage passengers which the inspector permits to be carried there shall be included, and also, on whatever deck located, commodious and suitable dining rooms, lounging rooms, smoking rooms, lavatories, toilet rooms, and bath rooms: Provided, That - (a) The space in any place appropriated to the use of steerage passengers in which they sleep shall not be less than eighteen superficial feet in the case of the lowest passenger deck and fifteen superficial feet in the case of a passenger deck. (b) Each space so included in the measurement must be clearly marked to the satisfaction of the inspector as being exclusively appropriated far the use of the steerage passengers.

Eleventh. Each separate compartment in which steerage passengers are berthed shall be conspicuously marked, showing the total area of such compartments.

In every such steamship or other vessel there shall be a sufficient number of berths for the proper accommodation as hereinafter provided, of all such passengers. There shall not be on any deck nor in any compartment or space occupied by such passengers more than two tiers of berths. The berths shall be properly constructed, and be separated from each other by partitions, as berths ordinarily are separated, and each berth shall be at least two feet in width and six feet in length; and the interval between the floor or lowest part of the lower tier of berths and the deck beneath them shall not be less than six inches, nor the interval between each tier of berths, and the interval between the uppermost tier and the deck above it, less than two feet six inches; and each berth shall be occupied by not more than one passenger over eight years of age; but double berths of twice the above-mentioned width may be provided, each double berth to be occupied by no more and by none other than two women, or by one woman and two children under the age of eight years, or by husband and wife, or by a man and two of his own children under the age of eight years, or by two men personally acquainted with each other. All the male passengers upwards of fourteen years of age who do not occupy berths with their wives shall be berthed in the fore part of the vessel, in a compartment divided off from the space or spaces appropriated to the other passengers by a substantial and well-secured bulkhead; and unmarried female passengers shall be berthed in a compartment separated from the spaces occupied by other passengers by a substantial and well-constructed bulkhead, the opening or communication from which to an adjoining passenger space shall be so constructed that it can be closed and secured. Families, however, shall not be separated except with their consent. Each berth shall be numbered serially, on the outside berth-board, according to the number of passengers that may lawfully occupy the berth; and the berths occupied by such passengers shall not be removed or taken down until the expiration of twelve hours from the time of entry, unless previously inspected within a shorter period. For any violation of either of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be liable to a fine of five dollars for each passenger carried or brought on the vessel.

Light and air.
Every such steamship or other vessel shall have adequate provisions for affording light and air to the passenger-decks and to the compartments and spaces occupied by such passengers, and with adequate means and appliances for ventilating the said compartments and spaces. To compartments having sufficient space for fifty or more of such passengers at least two ventilators, each not less than twelve inches in diameter, shall be provided, one of which ventilators shall be inserted in the forward part of the compartment, and the other in the after part thereof, and shall be so constructed as to ventilate the compartment; and additional ventilators shall be provided for each compartment in the proportion of two ventilators for each additional fifty of such passengers carried or brought in the compartment. All ventilators shall be carried at least six feet above the uppermost deck of the vessel, and shall be of the most approved form and construction. In any steamship the ventilating apparatus provided, or any method of ventilation adopted thereon, which has been approved by the proper emigration officers at the port or place from which said vessel was cleared, shall be deemed a compliance with the foregoing provisions; and in all vessels carrying or bringing such passengers there shall be properly-constructed hatchways over the compartments or spaces occupied by such passengers, which hatchway shall be properly covered with houses or booby hatches, and the combings or sills of which shall rise at least six inches above the deck; and there shall be proper companion-ways or ladders from each hatchway leading to the compartments or spaces occupied by such passengers; and the said companion-ways or ladders shall be securely constructed, and be provided with hand-rails or strong rope, and, when the weather will permit, such passengers shall have the use of each hatchway situated over the compartments or spaces appropriated to their use; and every vessel carrying or bringing such passengers shall have a properly located and constructed caboose and cooking-range, or other cooking apparatus, the dimensions and capacity of which shall be sufficient to provide for properly cooking and preparing the food of all such passengers. In every vessel carrying or bringing such passengers there shall be at least two water-closets or privies, and an additional water-closet or privy for every one hundred male passengers on board, for the, exclusive use of such male passengers, and an additional water-closet or privy for every fifty female passengers on board, for the exclusive use of the female passengers and young children on board. The aforesaid water-closets and privies shall be properly enclosed and located on each side of the vessel, and shall be separated from passengers' spaces by substantial and properly-constructed partitions or bulkheads; and the water-closets and privies shall be kept and maintained in a serviceable and cleanly condition throughout the voyage. For any violation of either of the provisions of this section, or for any neglect to conform to the requirements thereof, the master of the vessel shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.

Provisions.
An allowance of good, wholesome, and proper food, with a reasonable quantity of fresh provisions, which food shall be equal in value to one and a half navy rations of the United States, and of fresh water, not less than four quarts per day, shall be furnished each of such passengers. Three meals shall be served daily, at regular and stated hours, of which hours sufficient notice shall be given. If any such passengers shall at any time during the voyage be put on short allowance for food and water, the master of the vessel shall pay to each passenger three dollars for each and every day the passenger may have been put on short allowance, except in case of accidents, where the captain is obliged to put the passengers on short allowance. Mothers with infants and young children shall be furnished the necessary quantity of wholesome milk or condensed milk for the sustenance of the latter. Tables and seats shall be provided for the use of passengers at regular meals. And for every willful violation of any of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months. The enforcement of this penalty, however, shall not affect the civil responsibility of the master and owners of the vessel to such passengers as may have suffered from any negligence, breach of contract, or default on the part of such master and owners.

Medical attendance.
In every such steamship or other vessel there shall be properly built and secured, or divided off from other spaces, two compartments or spaces to be used exclusively as hospitals for such passengers, one for men and the other for women. The hospitals shall be located in a space not below the deck next below the main deck of the vessel. The hospital spaces shall in no case be less than in the proportion of eighteen clear superficial feet for every fifty such passengers who are carried or brought on the vessel, and such hospitals shall be supplied with proper beds, bedding, and utensils, and be kept so supplied throughout the voyage. And every steamship or other vessel carrying or bringing emigrant passengers, or passengers other than cabin passengers, exceeding fifty in number, shall carry a duly qualified and competent surgeon or medical practitioner, who shall be rated as such in the ship's articles, and who shall be provided with surgical instruments, medical comforts, and medicines proper and necessary for diseases and accidents incident to sea-voyages, and for the proper medical treatment of such passengers during the voyage, and with such articles of food and nourishment as may be proper and necessary for preserving the health of infants and young children; and the services of such surgeon or medical practitioner shall be promptly given, in any case of sickness or disease, to any of the passengers, or to any infant or young child of any such passengers, who may need his services. For a violation of either of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.

Discipline and cleanliness.
The master of every such steamship or other vessel is authorized to maintain good discipline and such habits of cleanliness among such passengers as will tend to the preservation and promotion of health, and to that end he shall cause such regulations as he may adopt for such purpose to be posted up on board the vessel, in a place or places accessible to such passengers, and shall keep the same so posted up during the voyage. The said master shall cause the compartments and spaces provided for, or occupied by, such passengers to be kept at all times in a clean and healthy condition, and to be, as often as may be necessary, disinfected with chloride of lime, or by some other equally efficient disinfectant. Whenever the state of the weather will permit, such passengers and their bedding shall be mustered on deck, and a clear and sufficient space on the main or any upper deck of the vessel shall be set apart, and so kept, for the use and exercise of such passengers during the voyage. For each neglect or violation of any of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars.

Privacy of passengers.
Neither the officers, seamen, nor other persons employed on any such steamship or other vessel shall visit or frequent any part of the vessel provided or assigned to the use of such passengers, except by the direction or permission of the master of such vessel first made or given for such purpose; and every officer, seaman, or other person employed on board of such vessel who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, and be imprisoned not exceeding twenty days, for each violation; and the master of such vessel who directs or permits any officer, seaman, or other person employed on board the vessel to visit or frequent any part of the vessel provided for or assigned to the use of such passengers, or the compartments or spaces occupied by such passengers, except for the purpose of doing or performing some necessary act or duty as an officer, seaman, or other person employed on board of the vessel, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be fined not more than one hundred dollars for each time he directs or permits the provisions of this section to be violated. A copy of this section, written or printed in the language or principal languages of the passengers on board, shall, by or under the direction of the master of the vessel, be posted in a conspicuous place on the forecastle and in the several parts of the vessel provided and assigned for the use of such passengers, and in each compartment or space occupied by such passengers, and the same shall be kept so posted during the voyage; and if the said master neglects so to do, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

Explosives; cattle.
It shall not be lawful to take, carry, or have on board of any such steamship or other vessel any nitro-glycerine, dynamite, or any other explosive article or compound, nor any vitriol or like acids, nor gunpowder, except for the ship's use, nor any article or number of articles, whether as a cargo or ballast, which, by reason of the nature or quantity or mode of storage thereof, shall, either singly or collectively, be likely to endanger the health or lives of the passengers or the safety of the vessel, and horses, cattle, or other animals taken on board of or brought in any such vessel shall not be carried on any deck below the deck on which passengers are berthed, nor in any compartment in which passengers are berthed, nor in any adjoining compartment except in a vessel built of iron, and of which the compartments are divided off by water-tight bulkheads extending to the upper deck. For every violation of any of the provisions of this section the master of the vessel shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year.

Boarding vessel; passenger list.
It shall not be lawful for the master of any such steamship or other vessel, not in distress, after the arrival of the vessel within any collection district of the United States, to allow any person or persons, except a pilot, officer of the customs, or health officer, agents of the vessel, and consuls, to come on board of the vessel, or to leave the vessel, until the vessel has been taken in charge by an officer of the customs, nor, after charge so taken, without leave of such officer, until all the passengers, with their baggage, have been duly landed from the vessel; and on the arrival of any such steamship or other vessel within any collection district of the United States, the master shall submit for inspection to the officer of customs who first makes demand therefor, and shall subsequently deliver with his manifest of cargo on entry, a correct list, signed and verified on oath by the master, of all passengers taken on board the vessel at any foreign port or place, specifying, in the manner to be prescribed from time to time by the Secretary of Commerce, the name of each passenger, age (if a child of eight years or under), sex, married or single, location of compartment or space occupied during the voyage (if the passenger be other than a cabin passenger), whether a citizen of the United States, number of pieces of baggage, and if any passenger die on the voyage the list shall specify the name, age, and cause of death of each deceased passenger. For a violation of either of the provisions of this section, or for permitting or neglecting to prevent a violation thereof, the master of the vessel shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.

The Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized and directed to prescribe from time to time and enforce regulations governing the boarding of vessels arriving at the seaports of the United States, before such vessels have been properly inspected and placed in security, and for that purpose to employ any of the officers of that Department.

Each person violating such regulations shall be subject to a penalty of not more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both, in the discretion of the court.

This Act shall be construed as supplementary to section nine of chapter three hundred and seventy-four of the Statutes of eighteen hundred and eighty-two, and section forty-six hundred and six of the Revised Statutes.

Each and every collector of customs to whom shall be delivered the manifests or lists of passengers prescribed by the twelfth section of the act aforesaid, approved March third, eighteen hundred and fifty-five, shall make returns from such manifests or lists of passengers to the Secretary of Commerce of the United States, in such manner as shall be prescribed by that officer, under whose direction statements of the same shall be prepared and published.

Death of passenger.
In case there shall have occurred on board any such steamship or other vessel any death among such passengers during the voyage, the master or consignees of the vessel shall, within forty-eight hours after the arrival of the vessel within a collection district of the United States, or within twenty-four hours after the entry of the vessel, pay to the collector of customs of such district the sum of ten dollars for each and every such passenger above the age of eight years who shall have died on the voyage by natural disease; and the master or consignees of any vessel who neglect or refuse to pay such collector, within the times hereinbefore prescribed, the sums of money aforesaid, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty dollars in addition to the sum required to be paid as aforesaid for each passenger whose death occurred on the voyage. All sums of money paid to any collector under the provisions of this section shall be by him paid into the Treasury of the United States in such manner and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Inspection.
The collector of customs of the collection district within which, or the surveyor of the port at which, any such steamship or other vessel arrives, shall direct an inspector or other officer of the customs to make an examination of the vessel, and to admeasure the compartments or spaces occupied by cabin emigrant passengers, or passengers other than cabin passengers, during the voyage; and such measurement shall be made in the manner provided by law for admeasuring vessels for tonnage; and to compare the number of such passengers found on board with the list of such passengers furnished by the master to the customs officer; and the said inspector or other officer shall make a report to the aforesaid collector or surveyor, stating the port of departure, the time of sailing, the length of the voyage, the ventilation, the number of such passengers on board the vessel, and their native country, respectively; the cubic quantity of each compartment or space, and the number of berths and passengers in each space, the kind and quality of the food furnished to such passengers on the voyage; the number of deaths, and the age and sex of those who died during the voyage, and of what disease; and in case there was any unusual sickness or mortality during the voyage, to report whether the same was caused by any neglect or violation of the provisions of this act, or by the want of proper care against disease by the master or owners of the vessel; and the said reports shall be forwarded to the Secretary of Commerce at such times and in such manner as he shall direct.

Penalties.
The provisions of this act shall apply to every steamship or other vessel whereon emigrant passengers, or passengers other than cabin passengers, are taken on board at a port or place in the United States for conveyance to any port or place in a foreign country except foreign territory contiguous to the United States, and shall also apply to any vessel whereon such passengers are taken on board at any port or place of the United States on the Atlantic Ocean or its tributaries for conveyance to a port or place on the Pacific Ocean or its tributaries, or vice versa; and whether the voyage of said vessel is to be continuous from port to port or such passengers are to be conveyed from port to port in part by the way of any overland route through Mexico or Central America; and the said collector of customs may direct an examination of the vessel to be made by an inspector or other officer of the customs, who shall make the examination and report whether the provisions of this act have been complied with in respect to such vessel, and the said collector is authorized to withhold the clearance of such vessel until the coming in of such report; and if the said report shall show that any of the provisions of this act have not been complied with, the collector is authorized and directed to withhold the clearance of such vessel until the said provisions are complied with; and if any such vessel leaves the aforesaid port or place without having been duly cleared by the collector of customs, the master shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not exceeding one year, and the vessel shall be liable to seizure and forfeiture.

The amount of the several fines and penalties imposed by any section of this act upon the master of any steamship or other vessel carrying or bringing emigrant passengers, or passengers other than cabin passengers, for any violation of the provisions of this act, shall be liens upon such vessel, and such vessel may be libeled therefor in any district court of the United States where such vessel shall arrive or depart.