|
|
Not to deprive from advantages vessels herein described.
|
IV. And provided also, That nothing herein contained shall extend, or be construed to extend to deprive any ship or vessel, which before the passing of this act hath been built, or rebuilt upon any foreign made keel or bottom, and which before the said first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, was duly registered as a British or Irish ship, from continuing to enjoy any privilege or advantage to which such ship or vessel is now by any law or usage entitled, nor to prevent any such ship or vessel which shall have been begun to be repaired or rebuilt before the said first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and bona side continued to be repaired or rebuilt, from being registered according to, and in pursuance of this act, by an order under the hands of the commissioners of the revenue in this kingdom, or of any three or more of them, which order the said commissioners are hereby authorized and empowered to make, if it shall be made appear to the satisfaction of the said commissioners upon oath, that such ship or vessel was stranded by the act of providence, and not with a fraudulent intent, and was at the time of being so stranded, the sole property of some foreigner or foreigners, or that such ship or vessel was a droit of admiralty, and it be in like manner fully and clearly ascertained to the satisfaction of such commissioners, that the said ship or vessel from the damage received from being so stranded, was rendered unfit to proceed to sea, without undergoing a thorough repair in this kingdom, and that the was necessarily sold for the benefit of the foreign owner or owners, or being a droit of admiralty, was sold by virtue and under the authority of an order or commission from the court of admiralty, and that she was fairly and openly purchased by a subject or subjects of his Majesty, and being the sole and entire property of such subjects or subjects, that she hath been so much repaired, that two thirds of her at least are of British or Irish built.
|
