RS 34:865: Shipping seamen without discharges; penalty

No master of a vessel, nor any person for him, shall ship any seaman who does not produce a discharge, unless previously thereto he gives twelve hours' notice that such seaman has applied to be shipped without a discharge to all the masters of vessels then in port, who have, within two months next before, advertised any deserter from their vessels. Until the expiration of such time, the master of any vessel to whom such seaman may apply to be shipped, may detain him on board his vessel, to the end that he may be reclaimed if he is a deserter; but if such seaman is not reclaimed, it shall then be lawful to engage him without producing any such certificate. If any master of a vessel ships any seaman contrary to the provisions of this section, he shall forfeit fifty dollars, to be recovered by any person who will sue for the same.