Seaman

A person whose business vidual engaged in navigating ships, barges, &c., upon the high seas; and says that those employed for this purpose upon rivers, lakes, or canals are denominated watermen. This seems con-ect, according to English usage, but is not to be adopted for this country. While it is probably true that " sea " (5. V.) does not include the lakes nor rivers above the tide, the word seaman — at least, whenever it appears in American jurisprudence in any connection warranting a liberal construction (as in a statute giving a remedy for seamen's wages, or authorizing a nuncupative will) — should be read as including those who are concerned in prosecuting navigation in aid of commerce, equally, whether their service is rendered on tidal or non-tidal waters. See Mariner. In a broad sense, seaman may extend to the master and officers; in a narrower one, it means only one of the crew. The context and general object must determine.