Shipping commissioner

— An officer of the United States, appointed by the several circuit courts, within their respective jurisdictions, for each port of entry (the same being also a port of ocean navigation) which, in the judgment of such court, may require the same; his duties being to supervise the engagement and discharge of seamen;

— to see that men engaged as seamen report on board at the proper time;

— to facilitate the apprenticing of persons to the marine service ; and other similar duties, such as may be required by law.

Rev. St. U. S. §§ 4501 — 4508 (U. S. Comp. St. 1901, pp. 3061-3067).