It is agreed between the master, seamen, and
mariners of the Ship Elizabeth the
Property McDewill Godrich …… where of Tudor
Tucker is master, now bound from the port
of Mantego Bay in the Island of Jam….. to
Turks….
That in consideration of the monthly, or other
wages against each respective seaman and mariner’s
name hereunder set, they severally shall and
will perform the above mentioned voyage; and
the said master doth hereby agree with, and
hire and said seamen and mariners for the said
voyage, at such monthly wages, to be paid pursuant
…… of Great-Britain: And they the said seamen
and mariners do hereby promise and oblige themselves
to d their duty, and obey the lawful commands
of their officers on board of the said ship,
or the boats thereunto belonging, as become
good and faithful seamen and marieners; and
at all places where the said ship shall put
in, or anchor at during the said voyage, to
do their best endeavours for the preservation
of the said ship and cargo, and not to neglect
or refuse doing their duty by day or night,
nor go out of the said ship on board any other
vessel or on shore, under any pretence whatsoever,
without leave first obtained of the captain
or commanding officer on board; that in default
thereof, they will not only be liable to the
penalties mentioned in the act of Parliament
made in the second year of the reign of King
George II, &c. entitled, an act for the
better regulation and government of seamen in
the merchants service; but will further , in
case they should, on any account whatsoever,
leave or desert the said ship, without the master’s
content, till the above said voyage be ended,
and the ship discharged of her loading, be liable
to forfeit and loose what wages may at such
time of their desertion be due to them; together
with every their goods, chattles, &c. on
board, renouncing by these presents to all title,
right, demand and pretension thereunto for ever
for them, their heirs, executors, and administrators.
And it is further agreed by both parties, that
eight and forty hours absence without leave
shall be deemed a total desertion, and render
such seamen and mariners liable to the penalties
above mentioned. That each and every lawful
command which the said master shall think necessary
hereafter to issue for the effectual government
of the said vessel, suppressing immorality and
vice of all kinds, be strictly complied with,
under penalty of the the person or persons disobeying,
forteiting his or their whole wages, or hire,
together with every thing belonging to him or
them on board the said vessel. And it is further
agreed on, that no officer nor seaman belonging
to the said ship, shall demand, or be intitled
to his wages, or any part thereof, until the
arrival of the said ship, at the above mentioned
port of discharge in the Island of Bermuda.
That each seamand and mariner who shall well
and truly perform the above mentioned voyage,
(provided always that there be no plunderage,
embezzlement, or other unlawful acts committed
on the said vessels cargo or stores) be intitled
to the wages or hir that may become due to him,
pursuant to this agreement. That for the due
performance of each and every of the above mentioned
articles, agreements, and acknowledgement of
their being voluntary, and without compulsion,
or any clandestine means being used, agreed
to and signed by us; in testimony whereof we
have each, and every of us, under affixed our
hands, the month and day against our names affixed,
and in the year of our Lord.
