Series IV. Vessel Documentation includes material relating to the physical condition and the official status of ships coming in and out of the Port of Salem. Subseries A. Enrollments and Registry Oaths contains four books of owners' enrollment oaths and one volume of masters' oaths; these oaths were signed by the ships' owners and masters as they placed themselves under bond to obey customs regulations. This subseries also includes one volume of coastwise vessel enrollments, lists of merchant vessels, and changes of masters of vessels. Subseries B. Privateers includes two volumes of applications for commissions as privateers. Subseries C. Entrances and Clearances document the arrival of foreign ships to their first United States port, and their departure from their last port before returning home. It also includes one folder of two loose entrances and clearances signed by the naval officer at the Custom House, temporary documents for vessels, and reports of boarding officers. The books in this subseries overlap because more than one person kept records on entrances and clearances. The volume of Entrances and Clearances for 1750-1762 is referenced in Early Coastwise and Foreign Shipping of Salem by Harriet S. Tapley. Subseries D. Other includes reports of fines, seizures and penalties, issuances and surrenders of Marine documents, two volumes of Tonnage duties paid, and one volume of Wharfages and Dockages paid.