NAVAL

Appertaining to the navy, (q. v.) Naval courts. Courts held abroad in certain cases to inquire into complaints by the master or seamen of a British ship, or as .to the wreck or abandonment of a British ship. A naval court consists of three, four, or five members, being officers in her majesty’s navy, consular officers, masters of British merchant ships, or British merchants. It has power to supersede the master 6f the ship with reference is which the inquiry is held, to discharge any of the seamen, to decide questions as to wages, dend home offenders for trial, or try certain offenses in a summary manner. Sweet-Naval courts-martial. Tribunals for the trial of offenses arising in the management of public war vessels. Naval law. The system of regulations and principles for the government of the navy. Naval officer. An officer in the navy. Also an important functionary in the United States custom-houses, who estimates duties, signs permits and clearances, certifies the collectors’ returns, etc