Any seaman volunteering for the navy shall receive
a bounty of 3 pounds. If a navy seaman is killed or drowned, his
widow is to receive a year's pay as bounty. No seaman in a
merchant ship is to receive more than 35s. per month because of
the present war.
Still later, anyone who has run goods or avoided customs was
indemnified if he enlisted in the navy as a common sailor for
three years.
Those under 18 or over 55 were made exempt from impressment into
the king's service. The time of service was limited to five years
if the serviceman so demanded. Worn out and decrepit seamen no
longer being treated at the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich
are to receive a pension as determined by the hospital.
In war, the Navy used blockading tactics and attack by fireships
grew obsolete. In peace, when not used in convoys to remote lands,
many ships of war were used as cruisers to guard the coast and
trade and to accompany merchant ships going out and returning
home. About 1755, marine forces of the navy were raised and
quartered on shore.
No war ship may carry goods except gold, silver, and jewels and
except the goods of a ship in danger of shipwreck or already
shipwrecked.
The king was authorized to prohibit the export of gunpowder,
saltpeter, ammunition, and arms.
When a ship had been forced on shore or stranded on the coast, it
had been the practice for people to plunder it and to demand high
payment for salvaging its goods.
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