[From Home Office File HO 98/78]

Proclamation re Wrecks and Salvage 2 May 1835

ISLE of MAN.

To the Agents of the Shipowners and Insurance Offices at the different Ports of the Island.

In the event of any Vessel being Wrecked upon the Coasts of the Island, it is your immediate duty to obtain the best assistance for the preservation of the Lives on Board and of the Cargo. To effect the first of these objects, there is an excellent Association in the Island, whose services never will be found wanting, and any additional assistance which may be required should be instantly sought for.

All Persons, whether in authority or no, should promptly and without the least delay give their aid to save the Lives of the Mariners and the Cargo under their care; and if the calls of humanity be not strong enotgh to obtain the requisite assistance, the law encourages every person to come forward and use his best exertions in saving the property, and for these exertions, he is, without any agreement, entitled to Salvage, or a reasonable compensation for his trouble in saving any part of the Cargo.

To entitle himself, however, to this conpensation, he must act OPENLY AND HONESTLY, AND NOT WITHHOLD or CONCEAL any part of the Property he may have saved, If he does this, he forfeits all claim to Salvage, and his withholding or concealing the Property may subject him to a Criminal Prosecution.

The honest Salvors of Property, who make a prompt and early discovery of Goods in their possession have a lawful possession of such Goods until they are paid for their services. The lawfulness of such possession is the foundation of their claim to Salvage. An unlawful possession totally destroys such claim. It is the policy of the Law to allow Liberal Salvage to the honest and humane exertions of every person engaged in preserving Wrecked Property, whilst on the other hand it will not fail to punish with just severity all those who are guilty of the disgracefil and barbarous offence of PLUNDERING Wrecked Property, OR of WITHHOLDING or CONCEALING it after it shall have been so Plundered.

I have, as his Majesty's Attorney-General, thought it my duty to cause these observations to be circulated throughout the Island. J. CLARKE, Atty.-General.

Castle Town, May 20th, 1835

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