Merchant Shipping Act 1894

134 Time of payment of wages for foreign-going ships.

In the case of foreign-going ships (other than ships employed on voyages for which seamen by the terms of their agreement are wholly compensated by a share in the profits of the adventure)—

(a) The owner or master of the ship shall pay to each seaman on account, at the time when he lawfully leaves the ship at the end of his engagement, two pounds, or one fourth of the balance of wages due to him, whichever is least; and shall pay him the remainder of his wages within two clear days (exclusive of any Sunday, fast day in Scotland, or Bank holiday) after he so leaves the ship:

(b) If the seaman consents, the final settlement of his wages may be left to a superintendent under regulations of the Board of Trade, and the receipt of the superintendent shall in that case operate as if it were a release given by the seaman in accordance with this Part of this Act:

(c) In the event of the seaman's wages or any part thereof not being paid or settled as in this section mentioned, then, unless the delay is due to the act or default of the seaman, or to any reasonable dispute as to liability, or to any other cause not being the wrongful act or default of the owner or master, the seaman's wages shall continue to run and be payable until the time of the final settlement thereof.