n that of the
state from which they have their commission, if they have no
charter-party, and if loaded with effects belonging to the enemy, or
with contraband goods. In ships of war, the prizes are to be divided
among the officers, seamen, &c., according to the act; but in
privateers, according to the agreement between the owners. By statute 13
Geo. II. c. 4, judges and officers failing in their duty in respect to
the condemnation of prizes, forfeit L500, with full costs of suit, one
moiety to the crown, and the other to the informer. Prize, according to
jurists, is altogether a creature of the crown; and no man can have any
interest but what he takes as the mere gift of the crown. Partial
interest has been granted away at different times, but the statute of
Queen Anne (A.D. 1708) is the first which gave to the captors the whole
of the benefit.

PRIZE ACT OF 1793. Ordained that the officers and sailors on board every
ship and vessel of war shall have the sole property in all captures,
being first adjudged lawful prize, to be divided in such proportions and
manner as His Majesty should order by proclamation. In 1746 a man,
though involuntarily kept abroad above three years in the service of his
country, was deemed to have forfeited his share to Greenwich.

PRIZE-ACTS. Though expiring with each war, are usually revived nearly in
the same form.

PRIZEAGE. The tenth share belonging to the crown out of a lawful prize
taken at sea.

PRIZE-COURT. A department of the admiralty court; (_oyer et terminer_)
to hear and determine according to the law of nations.

PRIZE-GOODS. Those taken upon the high seas, _jure belli_, from the
enemy.

PRIZE-LIST. A return of all the persons on board, whether belonging to
the ship, or supernumeraries, at the time a capture is made; those who
may be absent on duty are included.

PRIZE-MASTER. The officer to whom a prize is given in charge to carry
her into port.

PRIZE-MONEY. The profits arising from the sale of prizes. It was divided
equally by chart. 5 Hen. IV.

PRIZING. The application of a lever to lift or move any weighty body.
Also, the act of pressing or squeezing an article into its package, so
that its size may be reduced in stowage.

PROA, OR FLYING PROW. _See_ PRAHU.

PROBATION. The noviciate period of cadets, midshipmen, apprentices, &c.

PROBE. A surgical sounder.--_To probe._ To inquire thoroughly into a
matter.

PROCEEDS. The product or produce of prizes, &c.

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