Section 357
SEC. 357. Whenever a vessel from a foreign port is compelled by stress of weather or other necessity to put into any other port than that of her destination, the master, together with the person next in command, within twenty-four hours after her arrival, shall make protest in the usual form, upon oath before a duly authorized person, setting forth the causes or circumstances of such necessity. This protest, if not made before the collector, must be produced to him, and a copy thereof lodged with him. The master of such vessel shall make report to the collector within forty-eight hours after her arrival and if it appears to the collector by the certificate of the surveyor of the port, or, if there be no such officer, by the certificate of two reputable merchants, to be named by the collector, that it is necessary to unlade the vessel, the collector shall grant a permit and detail an inspector to supervise the unlading; and the merchandise so unladen shall be stored under custody of the collector. At the request of the master of the vessel, or of the owner thereof, the collector may grant permission to enter and pay the duties on and dispose of such part of the cargo as may be of perishable nature or as may be necessary to defray the expenses attending the vessel. And if the delivery of the cargo do not agree with the master's report, and the difference be not satisfactorily explained, the master shall become subject to the penalties provided, in the case of ordinary importations. The cargo, or the residue thereof, may be reladen on board the vessel, under the inspection of an officer, and the vessel may proceed with the same to her destination, subject only to the charge for storing and safekeeping of the merchandise, and the fees for entrance and clearance. No port charges shall be collected on vessels entering through stress of weather or other causes above described.