The Men on Deck: Master, Mates and Crew, Their Duties and Responsibilities

Comparison of cargo and manifest.

The surveyor at the port of delivery shall cause the casks, bags, boxes, chests, or packages, to be inspected, and compared with the manifests, and the same being identified he shall grant a permit for unloading the same, or such part thereof as the master or conductor shall request; and when a part only of such merchandise is intended to be landed the surveyor shall make an indorsement on the back of the manifests, designating such part, specifying the articles to be landed, and shall return the manifests to the master or conductor, indorsing thereon his permission to such vessel or vehicle to proceed to the place of its destination. (R. S., 2830.)

Illegal unlading.

If after the arrival of any vessel laden with merchandise and bound to the United States, within the limits of any collection-district, or within four leagues of the coast, any part of the cargo of such vessel shall be unladen, for any purpose whatever, before such vessel has come to the proper place for the discharge of her cargo, or some part thereof, and has been there duly authorized by the proper officer of the customs to unlade the same, the master of such vessel and the mate, or other person next in command, shall respectively be liable to a penalty of one thousand dollars for each such offense, and the merchandise so unladen shall be forfeited, except in case of some unavoidable accident, necessity, or distress of weather. In case of such unavoidable accident, necessity, or distress, the master of such vessel shall give notice to, and, together with two or more of the officers or mariners on board such vessel, of whom the mate or other person next in command shall be one, shall make proof upon oath before the collector, or other chief officer of the customs of the district, within the limits of which such accident, necessity, of distress happened, or before the collector, or other chief officer to the collection-district, within the limits of which such vessel shall first afterward arrive, if the accident, necessity, or distress happened not within the limits of any district, but within four leagues of the coast of the United States. The collector, or other chief officer, is hereby authorized and required to administer such oath. (R. S., 2867.)

If any merchandise, so unladen from on board any such vessel, shall be put or received into any other vessel, except in the case of such accident, necessity, or distress, to be so notified and proved, the master of any such vessel into which the merchandise shall be so put and received, and every other person aiding and assisting therein, shall be liable to a penalty of treble the value of the merchandise, and the vessel in which they shall be so put shall be forfeited. (R. S., 2868.)

Special permit to unlade by night and preliminary entry.

Upon arrival at any port in the United States of any vessel or other conveyance from a foreign port or place, either directly or by way of another port in the United States, or upon such arrival from another port in the United States of any vessel or other conveyance belonging to a line designated by the Secretary of the Treasury as a common carrier of bonded merchandise, and, after due report and entry of such vessel in accordance with existing law or due report, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, of the arrival of such other conveyances, the collector of customs, with the concurrence of the naval officer at ports where there is a naval officer, shall grant, upon proper application therefor, a special license to lade or unlade the cargo of any such vessel or other conveyance at night; that is to say, between sunset and sunrise. (Sec. 1.)

The master of any vessel from a foreign port or place, upon arrival within a customs collection district of the United States, bound to a port of entry in such district, may make preliminary entry of the vessel by making oath or affirmation to the truth of the statements contained in his original manifest and delivering his said original manifest to the customs officer who shall board such vessel within such district, with a copy of said original manifest for the use of the naval officer at ports where there is a naval officer; whereupon, upon arrival at the wharf or place of discharge, the lading or unlading of the cargo of such vessel may proceed, by both day and night, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe. (Sec. 2.)

Before any such special license to lade or unlade at night shall be granted and before any permit shall be issued for the immediate lading or unlading of any such vessel after preliminary entry, as hereinbefore provided, either by day or by night the master, owner, agent, or consignee of such vessel or other conveyance shall make proper application therefor and shall at the same time execute and deliver to the United States, through the collector of customs, a good and sufficient bond, in a penal sum to be approved by the said collector, conditioned to indemnify and save the United States harmless from any and all losses and liabilities which may occur or be occasioned by reason of the granting of such special license or the issuing or granting of such permit for immediate lading or unlading; or the master, owner, agent, consignee, or probable consignee, as aforesaid, may execute and deliver to the United States, in like manner and form, a good and sufficient bond, in the panel sum of fifty thousand dollars, conditioned to indemnify and save the United States harmless from any and all losses and liabilities which may occur or be occasioned by reason of the granting of such special licenses and the issuing or granting of such permits for immediate lading or unlading by day and night during a period of six months. (Sec. 3.)

Such application having been duly made and the required bond having been duly executed and delivered, special license or licenses to lade or unlade at night after regular entry of vessels, and due report of other conveyances, may be granted, and a permit or permits may be issued for the immediate lading and unlading, by day and night, of vessels admitted to preliminary entry, or of other conveyances of which due report of arrival has been made: Provided, That the provisions of this Act shall extend and be applicable to any vessels or other conveyances bound to a port of entry in the United States to be unladen at a port of delivery or to be unladen at a place of discharge designated by the Secretary of the Treasury under the provisions of section twenty-seven hundred and seventy-six of the Revised Statutes as amended: Provided further, That when preliminary entry of a vessel shall be made by the master as herein provided he shall not be relieved from making due report and entry of his vessel at the custom-house in accordance with existing law, and any liability of the master or owner of any such vessel to the owner or consignee of any merchandise landed from her shall not be affected by the granting of such special license, but such liability shall continue until the merchandise is properly removed from the dock whereon the same may be landed. (Sec. 4.)

The Secretary of the Treasury shall fix a reasonable rate of extra compensation for night services of inspectors, storekeepers, weighers and other customs officers and employees in connection with the lading or unlading of cargo at night, or the lading at night of cargo or merchandise for transportation in bond or for exportation in bond, or for the exportation with benefit of drawback, but such rate of compensation shall not exceed an amount equal to double the rate of compensation allowed to each such officer or employee for like services rendered by day, the said extra compensation to be paid by the master, owner, agent, or consignee of such vessel or other conveyance, whenever such special license or permit for immediate lading or unlading or for lading or unlading at night or on Sundays or holidays shall be granted, to the collector of customs, who shall pay the same to the several customs officers and employees entitled thereto according to the rates fixed therefor by the Secretary of the Treasury. Customs officers acting as boarding officers, and any customs officer who may be designated for that purpose by the collector of customs, and hereby authorized to administer the oath or affirmation herein provided for, and such boarding officers shall be allowed extra compensation for services in boarding vessels at night or on Sundays or holidays—at the rate prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury as herein provided, the said extra compensation to be paid by the master, owner, agent, or consignee of such vessels. (R. S., 2871; June 30, 1906; Feb. 13, 1911; sec. 5.)

Unlading by day.

Except as authorized by the preceding section, no merchandise brought in any vessel from any foreign port shall be unladen or delivered from such vessel within the United States but in open day—that is to say, between the rising and the setting of the sun—except by special license from the collector of the port, and naval officer of the same, where there is one, for that purpose, nor at any time without a permit from the collector, and naval officer, if any, for such unlading or delivery. (R. S., 2872.)

When the license to unload between the setting and rising of the sun is granted to a sailing vessel under this section, a fixed, uniform, and reasonable compensation may be allowed to the inspector or inspectors for service between the setting and rising of the sun, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, to be received by the collector from the master, owner, or consignee of the vessel, and to be paid by him to the inspector or inspectors. (June 26, 1884; sec. 25.)

If any merchandise shall be unladen or delivered from any vessel contrary to the preceding section, the master of such vessel, and every other person who shall knowingly be concerned, or aiding therein, or in removing, storing, or otherwise securing such merchandise, shall each be liable to a penalty of four hundred dollars for each offense, and shall be disabled from holding any office of trust or profit under the United States, for a term not exceeding seven years; and the collector of the district shall advertise the name of such person in a newspaper printed in the State in which he resides, within twenty days after each respective conviction. (R. S., 2873.)

All merchandise, so unladen or delivered contrary to the provisions of section twenty-eight hundred and seventy-two, shall become forfeited, and may be seized by any of the officers of the customs; and where the value thereof, according to the highest market price of the same, at the port or district where landed, shall amount to four hundred dollars, the vessel, tackle, apparel, and furniture shall be subject to like forfeiture and seizure. (R. S., 2874.)

Supervision of unlading.

The collector of any district at which any vessel arrives, immediately on her first coming within such district, or the surveyor of any port where such vessel is, may put and keep on board such vessel, while remaining within such district, or in going from one district to another, one or more inspectors to examine the cargo or contents of such vessel, and to superintend the delivery thereof, or of so much thereof as shall be delivered within the United States, and to perform such other duties according to law, as they shall be directed by the collector, or surveyor, to perform for the better securing the collection of the duties. Only collectors shall have power, however, to put inspectors on board vessels to go from one district to another. (R. S., 2875.)

The inspector shall make known to the master of such vessel the duties he is to perform; and shall suffer no merchandise to be unladen, or otherwise removed from such vessel, without a permit in writing from the collector of the port, and naval officer thereof, if any. The inspector shall enter in a book, to be by him kept according to such a form as shall be prescribed or approved by the collector, the name of the person in whose behalf such permits are granted, together with the particulars therein specified, and the marks, numbers, kinds, and description of the respective packages which shall be unladen pursuant thereto, and shall keep a like account in the book of all merchandise which, not having been entered within the time limited by this Title [R. S., 2517-3129], or for some other cause, has been sent to the store or warehouse provided for the reception of such merchandise; such book shall be delivered to the surveyor in the month of January in every year for his inspection, and immediately after such inspection be transmitted by the surveyor, with such observations as he may think necessary thereon, to the collector, to be deposited in his office. (R. S., 2876.)

The inspector shall attend to the delivery of the cargo under his care, at all times when the unlading or delivery of merchandise is lawful, particularly from the rising to the setting of the sun on each day, Sundays and the fourth day of July in each year excepted; for which purpose he shall constantly attend and remain on board the vessel, the deliveries from which he is to superintend, or at any other station where his inspection is necessary. The inspector shall not quit such station or place without the leave of the surveyor of the port first obtained, who shall appoint another inspector, if he deems it necessary, to supply the place of such inspector during his absence; and any inspector who shall neglect or in any manner act contrary to the duties hereby enjoined, shall for the first offense be liable to a penalty of the sum of fifty dollars, and for the second offense shall be displaced, and be incapable of holding any station of trust or profit under the revenue laws of the United States, for a term not exceeding seven years. (R. S., 2877.)

No inspector shall perform any other duties or service on board any vessel, the superintendence of which is committed to him for any person whatever, other than what is required by this Title [R. S., 2517-3129], under the penalty of being disabled from acting any longer as an inspector of the customs; the wages or compensation of such inspector as may proceed from one district to another, shall be defrayed by the master of the vessel committed to his care; every inspector or other officer of the revenue, while performing any duty on board any vessel, not in a port of the United States, discharging her cargo, shall be entitled to receive from the master of such vessel such provisions and accommodations as are usually supplied to passengers, or as the state and condition of such vessel will admit, on receiving therefor fifty cents a day; and any master of any vessel who shall refuse such provisions and reasonable accommodations shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars. (R. S., 2878.)

If, by reason of the delivery of the cargo in several districts, more than the term allowed by law shall in the whole be spent therein, the wages or compensation of the inspector who may be employed on board of any vessel, in respect to which such term may be so exceeded, shall, for every day of such excess, be paid by the master or owner; and the inspector shall, previously to the clearance of the vessel, render an exact account to the collector of all such compensation as has been paid, or is due and payable by the master or owner. (R. S., 2879.)

The inspector who may be put on board of any vessel shall secure, after sunset in each evening, or previous to his quitting the vessel, the hatches and other communications with the hold of such vessel, or any other part thereof he may judge necessary, with locks or other proper fastenings, which locks or other fastenings shall not be opened, broken, or removed until the morning following, or after the rising of the sun, and in the presence of the inspector by whom the same were affixed, except by special license from the collector of the port, and the naval officer, if any, first obtained. If the locks or other fastenings, or any of them, are broken or removed contrary to this section, or, if any merchandise or packages are clandestinely landed, notice thereof shall be immediately given by the inspector to the collector and naval officer, if any, of the port where the vessel may be; and the master of such vessel shall, for each or every such offense, be liable to a penalty of five hundred dollars. (R. S., 3070.)

Merchandise shall not be entered or delivered from customs custody elsewhere than at one of the ports of entry hereinbefore designated, except at the expense of the parties in interest, upon express authority from the Secretary of the Treasury and under conditions to be prescribed by him. When it shall be made to appear to the Secretary of the Treasury that the interests of commerce or the protection of the revenues so require, he may cause to be stationed at places in the various collection districts, though not named as ports of entry, officers or employees of the customs with authority to enter and clear vessels, to accept entries of merchandise, to collect duties, and to enforce the various provisions of the customs and navigation laws. (See Appendix A.) (Executive order; Mar. 3, 1913.)

Limit of time for unlading.

Whenever any merchandise shall be imported into any port of the United States from any foreign port, in any vessel, at the expiration of ten working days if the vessel is less than five hundred tons register, and within fifteen working days if it is of five hundred tons register and less than one thousand, and within twenty working days if it is of one thousand tons register and less than fifteen hundred, and within twenty-five working days if it is of fifteen hundred tons register and upward, not including legal holidays and days when the condition of the weather prevents the unlading of the vessel with safety to its cargo, after the time within which the report of the master of any vessel is required to be made to the collector of the district, if there is found any merchandise other than has been reported for some other district or some foreign port, the collector shall take possession thereof; but with the consent of the owner or consignee of any merchandise, or with the consent of the owner or master of the vessel in which the same may be imported, the merchandise may be taken possession of by the collector after one day's notice to the collector of the district. All merchandise so taken shall be delivered pursuant to the order of the collector of the district, for which a certificate or receipt shall be granted. (R. S., 2880; May 9, 1896.)

The limitation of time for unlading, prescribed by the preceding section, shall not extend to vessels laden exclusively with coal, salt, sugar, hides, dyewoods, wool, or jute butts, consigned to one consignee, arriving at a port for orders; but if the master of any such vessel requires a longer time to discharge her cargo, the wages or compensation of the inspector, for every day's attendance exceeding the number of days allowed by law, shall be paid by the master or owner; and thereupon the collector is hereby authorized and required to allow such longer time, not exceeding fifteen days. (R. S., 2881; June 3, 1892; sec. 2.)

All merchandise of which the collector shall take possession under the provisions relating to the time for the discharge of a vessel's cargo shall be kept with due and reasonable care at the charge and risk of the owner. (R. S., 2969.)

Post entry.

If any package whatever which has been so reported is wanting, and not found on board such vessel, or if the merchandise on board such vessel does not otherwise agree with the report or manifest delivered by the master of any such vessel, in every such case the master shall be liable to a penalty of five hundred dollars; except that if it is made to appear to the satisfaction of the collector, naval officer, and surveyor, or to the major part of them where those officers are established at any port, or to the satisfaction of the collector alone where neither of the others is established, or in case of trial for the penalty, to the satisfaction of the court, that no part whatever of merchandise of such vessel has been unshipped, landed, or unladen since it was taken on board, except as specified in the report or manifest, and pursuant to permits, or that the disagreement is by accident or mistake, in such case the penalty shall not be inflicted. But in all such cases the master of any vessel shall be required and shall make a post entry or addition to the report or manifest by him delivered of any and all merchandise omitted to be included and reported in such manifest; and it shall not be lawful to grant a permit to unlade any such merchandise so omitted before such post entry or addition to such report or manifest has been made. (R. S., 2887.)

Returns of unlading of cargo.

When the delivery of merchandise from on board of any vessel is completed, copies of the accounts or entries which have been kept or made thereof, by the officer charged with the deliveries, shall be returned to the collector of the district, and the naval officer, if any, within three days after such delivery has been completed, if at the port where such officer resides, and if at any other port as soon as the nature of the case will admit, not exceeding fifteen days. The accounts or entries to be so returned shall comprise all deliveries made pursuant to permits, and all packages or merchandise sent to the public stores; also each and every package remaining on board of such vessel for the purpose of being exported therein to a foreign port, or to some other district of the United States. (R. S., 2888.)

Such returns shall be signed by the inspectors respectively under whose superintendence the deliveries have been made; and, after examination, and on being found correct, shall be countersigned or certified by the surveyor of the port, if any, at the port where the deliveries have been made. The returns shall be transmitted by him to the naval officer, if any; who shall compare the same with the manifests and entries in his possession; and if any difference appears, the particulars thereof shall be noted by indorsement on the returns; and if no difference appears, it shall be so noted by like indorsements. The naval officer shall transmit the returns to the collector of the district; and on being returned to the collector, shall be by him compared with the manifests and entries of the merchandise, which have been made by the owner, consignee, or his factor or agent; and if any difference appears, the same shall be noted by indorsement on such manifests, specifying the particulars thereof; and if no difference appears, it shall be noted by like indorsement, that the delivery corresponds with the entry or entries thereof. The indorsement or memorandum shall, in each case, be subscribed by the officer by whom the comparison was made. (R. S., 2889.)

Vessels in distress.

If any vessel from any foreign port, compelled by distress of weather, or other necessity, shall put into any port of the United States, not being destined for the same, the master, together with the mate or person next in command, may, within twenty-four hours after her arrival, make protest in the usual form upon oath, before a notary public or other person duly authorized, or before the collector of the district where the vessel arrives, setting forth the cause or circumstances of such distress or necessity. Such protest, if not made before the collector, shall be produced to him, and to the naval officer, if any, and a copy thereof lodged with him or them. The master shall also, within forty-eight hours after such arrival, make report in writing to the collector, of the vessel and her cargo, as is directed hereby to be done in other cases. And if it appear to the collector, by the certificate of the wardens of the port, or other officers usually charged with, and accustomed to ascertain the condition of vessels arriving in distress, if any, or by the certificate of two reputable merchants, to be named for that purpose by the collector, if there are no such wardens, or other officers duly qualified, that there is a necessity for unlading the vessel, the collector and naval officer, if any, shall grant a permit for that purpose, and shall appoint an inspector to oversee such unlading, who shall keep an account of the same, to be compared with the report made by the master of the vessel. (R. S., 2891.)

All merchandise so unladen from any vessel arriving in distress shall be stored under the direction of the collector, who, upon request of the master of such vessel, or of the owner thereof, shall, together with the naval officer, where there is one, and alone where there is none, grant permission to dispose of such part of the cargo as may be of a perishable nature, if any there be, or as may be necessary to defray the expenses attending such vessel and her cargo. But entry shall be made therefor, and the duties paid. (R. S., 2892.)

In case the delivery of the cargo does not agree with the report thereof, made by the master of such vessel so arriving in distress, and if the difference or disagreement is not satisfactorily accounted for in manner prescribed by this Title [R. S., 2517-3129], the master of such vessel shall be liable to such penalties as in other like cases are prescribed. (R. S., 2893.)

The merchandise, or the remainder thereof, which shall not be disposed of, may be reladen on board the vessel so arriving in distress, under the inspection of the officer who superintended the landing thereof, or other proper person; and the vessel may proceed with the same to the place of her destination, free from any other charge than for the storing and safe-keeping of the merchandise, and fees to the officers of the customs as in other cases. (R. S., 2894.)

Obstruction by ice.

When a vessel is prevented by ice from getting to the port or place at which her cargo is intended to be delivered, the collector of the district in which such vessel may be obstructed may receive the report and entry of such vessel, and, with the consent of the naval officer, where there is one, grant permits for unlading or landing the merchandise imported in such vessel, at any place within his district, most convenient and proper. The report and entry of such vessel, and her cargo, or any part thereof, and all persons concerned therein, shall be subject to the same regulations and penalties as if the vessel had arrived at the port of her destination, and had there proceeded to the delivery of her cargo. (R. S., 2896.)

Salvage of merchandise.

All merchandise imported into the United States shall, for the purpose of this title [R. S., 2517-3129] be deemed and held to be the property of the person to whom the merchandise may be consigned; but the holder of any bill of lading consigned to order and endorsed by the consignor shall be deemed the consignee thereof.

And in case of the abandonment of any merchandise to the underwriters, the latter may be recognized as the consignee, and under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, merchandise saved from a vessel wrecked or abandoned at sea, or on or along the coasts of the United States and promptly brought into a port of the United States by or in possession of the salvors of the same, can, for the purpose of its title, be regarded as the property of such salvors, and the valuation thereof and payment of duties thereon can be made accordingly and with due reference to the condition of said merchandise as thus saved and the necessities of the case:

Fraudulent importation of merchandise.

If any person shall fraudulently or knowingly import or bring into the United States, or assist in so doing any merchandise, contrary to law, or shall receive, conceal, buy, sell, or in any manner facilitate the transportation, concealment, or sale of such merchandise after importation, knowing the same to have been imported contrary to law, such merchandise shall be forfeited and the offender shall be fined in any sum not exceeding five thousand dollars nor less than fifty dollars, or be imprisoned for any time not exceeding two years, or both. Whenever, on trial for a violation of this section, the defendant is shown to have or to have had possession of such goods, such possession shall be deemed evidence sufficient to authorize conviction, unless the defendant shall explain the possession to the satisfaction of the jury. (R. S., 3082.)

Bribery and solicitation of bribes.

Any person who shall give, or offer to give or promise to give any money or thing of value, directly or indirectly, to any officer or employee of the United States in consideration of or for any act or omission contrary to law in connection with or pertaining to the importation, appraisement, entry, examination, or inspection of goods, wares, or merchandise, including herein any baggage, or of the liquidation of the entry thereof, or shall by threats or demands, or promises of any character attempt to improperly influence or control any such officer or employee of the United States as to the performance of his official duties shall, on conviction thereof, be fined not exceeding two thousand dollars, or be imprisoned at hard labor not more than one year, or both, in the discretion of the court; and evidence of such giving, or offering, or promising to give, satisfactory to the court in which such trial is had, shall be regarded as prima facie evidence that such giving or offering or promising was contrary to law, and shall put upon the accused the burden of proving that such act was innocent, and not done with an unlawful intention. (June 10, 1890; sec. 26; Oct. 3, 1913, sec. III, AA.)

Any officer or employee of the United States who shall, excepting for lawful duties or fees, solicit, demand, exact or receive from any person, directly or indirectly, any money or thing of value, in connection with or pertaining to the importation, appraisement, entry, examination, or inspection of goods, wares, or merchandise, including herein any baggage, or liquidation of the entry thereof, on conviction thereof, shall be fined not exceeding five thousand dollars, or be imprisoned at hard labor not more than two years, or both, in the discretion of the court. And evidence of such soliciting, demanding, exacting, or receiving, satisfactory to the court in which such trial is had, shall be regarded as prima facie evidence that such soliciting, demanding, exacting, or receiving was contrary to law, and shall put upon the accused the burden of proving that such act was innocent and not with an unlawful intention. (June 10, 1890; sec. 27; Oct. 3, 1913; sec. III, BB.)

Liens for freight or general average.

Whenever the collector of the port of entry of the vessel, or other proper officer of the customs, shall be duly notified in writing of the existence of a lien for freight, charges, or contribution in general average upon imported goods, wares, or merchandise in his custody, he shall, before delivering such goods, wares, or merchandise to the importer, owner, or consignee thereof for consumption, or to any vessel or vehicle for transportation or exportation, give seasonable notice to the party or parties claiming the lien; and the possession by the officers of customs shall not affect the discharge of such lien, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe; and such officer shall refuse the delivery of such merchandise from any public or bonded warehouse or other place in which the same shall be deposited until proof to his satisfaction shall be produced that the freight, charges, or contribution in general average thereon has been paid or secured; but the rights of the United States shall not be prejudiced thereby, nor shall the United States or its officers be in any manner liable for losses consequent upon such refusal to deliver. If merchandise so subject to a lien, regarding which notice has been filed, shall be forfeited to the United States and sold, the freight, charges, or contribution in general average due thereon shall be paid from the proceeds of such sale in the same manner as other charges and expenses authorized by law to be paid therefrom are paid. (R. S., 2981; May 21, 1896.)

CHAPTER V
LIABILITY OF OWNERS, MASTERS, AND SHIPPERS

Liability of Owners, Masters and Shippers.

If any shipper of platina, gold, gold dust, silver, bullion, or other precious metals, coins, jewelry, bills of any bank or public body, diamonds, or other precious stones, or any gold or silver in a manufactured or unmanufactured state, watches, clocks, or time pieces of any description, trinkets, orders, notes, or securities for payment of money, stamps, maps, writings, title-deeds, printings, engravings, pictures, gold or silver plate or plated articles, glass, china, silks in a manufactured or unmanufactured state, and whether wrought up or not wrought up with any other material, furs, or lace, or any of them, contained in any parcel, or package, or trunk, shall lade the same as freight or baggage, on any vessel, without at the time of such lading giving to the master, clerk, agent, or owner of such vessel receiving the same a written notice of the true character and value thereof, and having the same entered on the bill of lading therefor, the master and owner of such vessel shall not be liable as carriers thereof in any form or manner; nor shall any such master or owner be liable for any such goods beyond the value and according to the character thereof so notified and entered. (R. S., 4281.)

No owner of any vessel shall be liable to answer for or make good to any person any loss or damage which may happen to any merchandise whatsoever, which shall be shipped, taken in, or put on board any such vessel, by reason or by means of any fire happening to or on board the vessel, unless such fire is caused by the design or neglect of such owner. (R. S., 4282.)

The liability of the owner of any vessel, for any embezzlement, loss, or destruction, by any person, of any property, goods, or merchandise, shipped or put on board of such vessel, or for any loss, damage, or injury by collision, or for any act, matter, or thing, lost, damage, or forfeiture, done, occasioned, or incurred, without the privity or knowledge of such owner or owners, shall in no case exceed the amount or value of the interest of such owner in such vessel, and her freight then pending. (R. S., 4283.)

Whenever any such embezzlement, loss, or destruction is suffered by several freighters or owners of goods, wares, merchandise, or any property whatever, on the same voyage, and the whole value of the vessel, and her freight for the voyage, is not sufficient to make compensation to each of them, they shall receive compensation from the owner of the vessel, in proportion to their respective losses; and for that purpose the freighters and owners of the property, and the owner of the vessel, or any of them, may take the appropriate proceedings in any court, for the purpose of apportioning the sum for which the owner of the vessel may be liable among the parties entitled thereto. (R. S., 4284.)

It shall be deemed a sufficient compliance on the part of such owner with the requirements of this Title [R. S., 4131-4305] relating to his liability for any embezzlement, loss, or destruction of any property, goods, or merchandise, if he shall transfer his interest in such vessel and freight, for the benefit of such claimants, to a trustee, to be appointed by any court of competent jurisdiction, to act as such trustee for the person who may prove to be legally entitled thereto; from and after which transfer all claims and proceedings against the owner shall cease. (R. S., 4285.)

The charterer of any vessel, in case he shall man, victual, and navigate such vessel at his own expense, or by his own procurement, shall be deemed the owner of such vessel within the meaning of the provisions of this Title [R. S., 4131-4305] relating to the limitation of the liability of the owners of vessels; and such vessel, when so chartered, shall be liable in the same manner as if navigated by the owner thereof. (R. S., 4286.)

Nothing in the five preceding sections shall be construed to take away or affect the remedy to which any party may be entitled, against the master, officers, or seamen, for or on account of any embezzlement, injury, loss, or destruction of merchandise, or property, put on board any vessel, or on account of any negligence, fraud, or other malversation of such master, officers, or seamen, respectively, nor to lessen or take away any responsibility to which any master or seaman of any vessel may by law be liable, notwithstanding such master or seaman may be an owner or part owner of the vessel. (R. S., 4287.)

Any person shipping oil of vitrol, unslaked lime, inflammable matches, or gunpowder, in a vessel taking cargo for divers persons on freight, without delivering, at the time of shipment, a note in writing, expressing the nature and character of such merchandise, to the master, mate, officer, or person in charge of the lading of the vessel, shall be liable to the United States in a penalty of one thousand dollars. (R. S., 4288; June, 19, 1886; sec. 4.)

The individual liability of a shipowner shall be limited to the proportion of any or all debts and liabilities that his individual share of the vessel bears to the whole; and the aggregate liabilities of all the owners of a vessel on account of the same shall not exceed the value of such vessel and freight pending: Provided, That this provision shall not affect the liability of any owner incurred previous to the passage of this act, nor prevent any claimant from joining all the owners in one action; nor shall the same apply to wages due to persons employed by said shipowners. (June 26, 1884; sec. 18.)

The provisions of the seven preceding sections, and of section eighteen of an act entitled "An act to remove certain burdens on the American merchant marine and encourage the American foreign carrying-trade, and for other purposes," approved June twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-four, relating to the limitations of the liability of the owners of vessels, shall apply to all seagoing vessels, and also to all vessels used on lakes or rivers or in inland navigation, including canal-boats, barges, and lighters. (R. S., 4289; June 19, 1886; sec. 4.)

Act of February 13, 1893 (Harter Act).

It shall not be lawful for the manager, agent, master or owner of any vessel transporting merchandise or property from or between ports of the United States and foreign ports to insert in any bill of lading or shipping document any clause, covenant, or agreement whereby it, he, or they shall be relieved from liability for loss or damage arising from negligence, fault, or failure in proper loading, stowage, custody, care, or proper delivery of any and all lawful merchandise or property committed to its or their charge. Any and all words or clauses of such import inserted in bills of lading or shipping receipts shall be null and void and of no effect. (Sec. 1.)

It shall not be lawful for any vessel transporting merchandise or property from or between ports of the United States of America and foreign ports, her owner, master, agent or manager to insert in any bill of lading or shipping document any covenant or agreement whereby the obligations of the owner or owners of said vessel to exercise due diligence, properly equip, man, provision, and outfit said vessel, and to make said vessel seaworthy and capable of performing her intended voyage, or whereby the obligations of the master, officers, agents, or servants to carefully handle and stow her cargo and to care for and properly deliver same, shall in any wise be lessened, weakened, or avoided. (Sec. 2.)

If the owner of any vessel transporting merchandise or property to or from any port in the United States of America shall exercise due diligence to make the said vessel in all respects seaworthy and properly manned, equipped, and supplied, neither the vessel, or owners, agent, or charterers shall become or be held responsible for damage or loss resulting from faults or errors in navigation or in the management of said vessel, nor shall the vessel, her owner or owners, charterers, agent, or master, be held liable for losses arising from dangers of the sea or other navigable waters, acts of God, or public enemies, or the inherent defect, quality, or vice of the thing carried, or from insufficiency of package, or seizure under legal process, or for loss resulting from any act or omission of the shipper or owner of the goods, his agent or representative, or from saving or attempting to save life or property at sea, or from any deviation in rendering such service. (Sec. 3.)

It shall be the duty of the owner or owners, masters, or agent of any vessel transporting merchandise or property from or between ports of the United States and foreign ports to issue to shippers of any lawful merchandise a bill of lading, or shipping document, stating, among other things, the marks necessary for identification, number of packages, or quantity, stating whether it be carrier's or shipper's weight, and apparent order or condition of such merchandise or property delivered to and received by the owner, master, or agent of the vessel for transportation, and such document shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt of the merchandise therein described. (Sec. 4.)

For a violation of any of the provisions of this act the agent, owner, or master of the vessel guilty of such violation, and who refuses to issue on demand the bill of lading herein provided for, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars. The amount of the fine and costs for such violation shall be a lien upon the vessel, whose agent, owner, or master is guilty of such violation, and such vessel may be libeled therefor in any district court of the United States, within whose jurisdiction the vessel may be found. One-half of such penalty shall go to the party injured by such violation and the remainder to the Government of the United States. (Sec. 5.)

This act shall not be held to modify or repeal sections forty-two hundred and eighty-one, forty-two hundred and eighty-two, and forty-two hundred and eighty-three of the Revised Statutes of the United States, or any other statute defining the liability of vessels, their owners, or representatives. (Sec. 6.)

Sections one and four of this act shall not apply to the transportation of live animals. (Feb. 13, 1893; sec. 7.)

General libel bond.

When a warrant of arrest or other process in rem is issued in any cause of admiralty jurisdiction, except in cases of seizures for forfeiture under any law of the United States, the marshal shall stay the execution of such process, or discharge the property arrested if the process has been levied, on receiving from the claimant of the property a bond or stipulation in double the amount claimed by the libelant, with sufficient surety, to be approved by the judge of the court where the cause is pending, or, in his absence, by the collector of the port, conditioned to answer the decree of the court in such cause. Such bond or stipulation shall be returned to the court, and judgment thereon, against both the principal and sureties, may be recovered at the time of rendering the decree in the original cause. And the owner of any vessel may cause to be executed and delivered to the marshal a bond or stipulation, with sufficient surety, to be approved by the judge of the court in which he is marshal, conditioned to answer the decree of said court in all or any cases that shall thereafter be brought in said court against the said vessel, and thereupon the execution of all such process against said vessel shall be stayed so long as the amount secured by such bond or stipulation shall be at least double the aggregate amount claimed by the libelants in such suits which shall be begun and pending against said vessel; and like judgments and remedies may be had on said bond or stipulation as if a special bond or stipulation had been filed in each of said suits. The court may make such orders as may be necessary to carry this section into effect, and especially for the giving of proper notice of any such suit. Such bond or stipulation shall be indorsed by the clerk with a minute of the suits wherein process is so stayed, and further security may at any time be required by the court. If a special bond or stipulation in the particular cause shall be given under this section, the liability as to said cause on the general bond or stipulation shall cease. (R. S., 941; Mar. 3, 1899.)