Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 51.djvu/252

 MULTILATERAL-BILLS OF LADING-AUGUST 25, 1924 Who, duly authorized therefor, have agreed on the following: ARTICLE 1 In this convention the following words are employed with the Defiitions. meanings set out below: (a) "Carrier" includes the owner of the vessel or the charterer who enters into a contract of carriage with a shipper. (b) "Contract of carriage" applies only to contracts of carriage covered by a bill of lading or any similar document of title, insofar as such document relates to the carriage of goods by sea; it also applies to any bill of lading or any similar document as aforesaid issued under or pursuant to a charter party from the moment at which such instrument regulates the relations between a carrier and a holder of the same. (c) "Goods" includes goods, wares, merchandise, and articles of every kind whatsoever except live animals and cargo which by the contract of carriage is stated as being carried on deck and is so carried. (d) "Ship" means any vessel used for the carriage of goods by sea. (e) "Carriage of goods" covers the period from the time when the goods are loaded on to the time they are discharged from the ship. ARTICLE 2 Subject to the provisions of Article 6 under every contract of Carrerresponsibil- ities, rights, etc. carriage of goods by sea the carrier, in relation to the loading, han- P-t p .25 2 - dling, stowage, carriage, custody, care, and discharge of such goods shall be subject to the responsibilities and liabilities, and entitled to the rights and immunities hereinafter set forth. ARTICLE 3 1. The carrier shall be bound before and at the beginning of the DUtiibe'ngorv^nd voyage to exercise due diligence to:- . (a) Make the ship seaworthy; (b) Properly man, equip, and supply the ship; (c) Make the holds, refrigerating and cool chambers, and all other parts of the ship in which goods are carried, fit and safe for their reception, carriage, and preservation. 2. Subject to the provisions of Article 4 the carrier shall properly Loading, etc., of and carefully load, handle, stow, carry, keep, care for, and discharge Pot,p. 251. the goods carried. 3. After receiving the goods into his charge the carrier or the master Bill of lading; iu- or agent of the carrier shall, on demand of the shipper, issue to the shipper a bill of lading showing among other things: (a) The leading marks necessary for identification of the goods as the same are furnished in writing by the shipper before the loading of such goods starts, provided such marks are stamped or otherwise shown clearly upon the goods if uncovered, or on the cases or coverings in which such goods are contained, in such a manner as should ordinarily remain legible until the end of the voyage; (b) Either the number of packages or pieces, or the quantity, or weight, as the case may be, as furnished in writing by the shipper; 249

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