Mate

The officer next in rank to the master on a merchant vessel. In such vessels there is always one mate, and sometimes a second, third, and fourth mate, according to the vessel’s size and the trade in which she may be engaged. When the word mate is used without qualifleation, it always denotes the first mate; and the others are designated as above. On large ships the mate is frequently styled first ofilcor, and the second and third mates, second and third oflacers.

Parish, Sea Off. Man. 83.

The mate, as well as the inferior officers and seamen, is a mariner, and entitled to sue in admiralty for his wages; and he has a lien on the vessel for his security. Even when he acts as master in consequence of the death of the apiiointed master, he can sue in the admiralty for his proper wages as mate, but not for the increased compensation to which he is entitled as acting master. And he is entitled, when sick, to be cured at the expense of the ship. The mate should possess a sufficient knowledge of navigation to take command of the ship and carry on the voyage in case of the death of the master; and it may well be doubted whether a vessel be seaworthy for a long voyage at sea when only the master Is competent to navigate her; Blount, Gom. Dig. 32; Dana, Seaman’s Friend 146; Gurtis, Rights and Duties of Merchant Seamen 96, note. It is the st)eclal duty of the mate to keep the log-book. The mate takes charge of the larboard watch at sea, and in port superintends the storage and breaking out of the cargo. The mate succeeds, of course, to the staalso has command, with the authority required by the exigencies of the case, during the temporary absence of the master. See Mastee of a Ship,