Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 140

140. The right to wages shall not depend on the earning of freight; and every seaman and ap prentice who would be entitled to demand and recover any wages if the ship in which he has served had earned freight shall, subject to all other rules of law and M E R C H A N T S H I P P I N G [CAP. 234. 77 conditions applicable to the case, be entitled to demand and re cover the same, notwithstanding that freight has not been earned; but in all cases of wreck or loss of th e ship, proof that the seaman h as not exerted himself to the utmost to save the ship, cargo and store s, shall bar his claim to wages. Termination of service by wreck or loss of ship.