United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/14th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 65
[Obsolete.]
Chap. LXV.—An Act respecting the late officers and crew of the sloop of war Wasp.
Whereas, there is reason to apprehend that the sloop of war Wasp, an armed ship of the United States, and lately commanded by Captain Johnson Blakely, is lost:
Twelve months’ pay allowed to the representatives of Capt. Blakely, his officers and crew.
Fifty thousand dollars to be distributed as prize money.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there be allowed and paid to the representatives of Captain Johnson Blakely, and of each of the officers and crew aforesaid, as is hereinafter directed, twelve months’ wages; and that there be paid to the aforesaid representatives, and to the survivors of said officers and crew, if such there be, the sum of fifty thousand dollars, to be distributed as prize money for the capture and destruction, by said sloop of war, of the British armed vessels Reindeer and Avon.
How the distribution is to be made.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the distribution of said wages and compensation shall be as follows, viz: one third to the widow, and two third parts to the children of the deceased, and in case there be no child, the whole to the widow; and if there be no widow, then to the child or children; and if there be neither widow nor child, then to the parent or parents; and if there be no parent, then to the brothers and sisters;Shares not called for to go into the navy pension fund.
Proviso. and if there be neither brother nor sister, then such share or shares not claimed as aforesaid, shall be and remain part of the navy pension fund; and the sums aforesaid shall be paid out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated: Provided, that in all cases in which there shall be only one child, the widow shall have an equal share with the child.
Prize agent to be appointed under this act.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby authorized and required to appoint a prize agent, whose duty it shall be to disburse the moneys aforesaid, or to refund any balance thereof, under such rules and regulations as the said secretary may prescribe; and that all moneys not claimed by virtue of this act within two years from the day when said sums shall be put at the disposal of the said prize agent, shall be deemed and held a part of the navy pension fund.
Approved, April 20, 1816.