Freight

Freight is the reward paid to the owner of a ship for the carriage and safe delivery of goods. A person chartering a ship pays freight for the goods sent by it, and dead freight in respect of any deficiency of cargo; the terms of the agreement are fixed by the Charter-party (q.v.). A person sending goods by a general ship pays freight for them; and the contract takes the form of a bill of lading. So far as the rights of parties are not made the subjects of positive stipulation in the contract of affreightment, they are ascertained with reference to the usage of trade. The carrier's duty is to have the ship ready to start at the time appointed (wind and weather permitting), and to receive the goods and carry them to their destination; having performed these duties, he has a lien on the goods and a right of action in case of non-payment of freight. The shipper's duty is to have his goods forward in time. Freight is not usually payable unless the voyage is completed; but it is sometimes prepaid, in whole or in part, at the risk of the shipper. It was formerly held that the wages of the crew depended on the earning of freight by the ship; as Lord Stowell expressed it, 'freight was the mother of wages.' This rule has been finally set aside by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854. Even in case of shipwreck a seaman may recover his wages; but his claim will be barred if evidence can be given to show that he failed to exert himself to the utmost to save the ship and cargo. The old rule is adhered to in America; but it does not apply to the master, nor does it apply to seamen if freight has been lost by the fault of the master or owners. Freight may be made the subject of insurance. See CARRIER, INSURANCE.