g the office of lord high admiral of Great Britain for the time
being, be judged most proper for that purpose; the aforesaid ships of
war to be careened at least [three] times in the year, or oftener, if
there be occasion; and that the seamen on board any such cruisers shall
not be turned over into any other ship or ships, but such only as shall
be appointed for cruising, or home convoys, according to the tenour of
this act.

(2.) "Provided always, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that nothing herein contained shall restrain, or be construed to
restrain, the lord high admiral or commissioners for executing the
office of lord high admiral for the time being, from directing any of
the ships which shall be appointed to be cruisers in pursuance of this
act, to be employed in the line of battle, (in case of great necessity,)
on this side cape Finisterre, without whose immediate direction, the
said ships shall be always cruising, or employed as home convoys, except
when they are careening or refitting.

(3.) "And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the lord high
admiral, or commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral
for the time being, shall, on or before the [first day of July next]
authorize and appoint a commissioner of the navy, or some one or more
person or persons, who shall constantly reside at such place or places
as his majesty shall direct; by virtue of which appointment, such person
or persons, in the place or places for which he or they shall be
appointed, shall superintend or oversee every thing relating to the
aforesaid cruisers; and shall take care that every thing necessary be
immediately provided for all and every the aforesaid cruising ships of
war, that shall come into any port by stress of weather, or to careen or
refit; and as soon as they or any of them are refitted, shall order all
or any of the said ships of war to put to sea again as soon as possible.

(4.) "And be it farther enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from
and after the said [first day of July] if any captain, or other officer
on board any of his majesty's ships of war, shall wilfully spring, carry
away, or lose any mast or masts of any such ship [Footnote: Left out,
_or ships_.], or shall make any false pretence or excuse for leaving the
station on which such ship or ships shall be appointed to cruise, or
shall return into port before the expiration of the term appointed for
his cruise, withou