was intended to ensure the sailor wasn't "forcibly or unknowingly signed on by a crimp".

In 1884, the Dingley Act came into effect. This law prohibited the practice of seamen taking advances on wages. It also limited the making of seamen's allotments to only close relatives. However, the crimps fought back. In 1886, a loophole to the Dingley Act was created, allowing boardinghouse keepers to receive seamen's allotments.

The widespread adoption of steam-powered vessels in the

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