ship's papers

plural noun

1. necessary papers presented at all legal inspections of a ship, and containing the owner's name, description of cargo, destination, etc.

ship's papers

plural noun

1. the documents that are required by law to be carried by a ship for the purpose of ascertaining details of her ownership, nationality, destination, and cargo or to prove her neutrality

Word History and Origins

Origin of ship's papers¹

First recorded in 1655–65