FREIGHT, formerly a charge paid to the owner of a ship for the carriage of goods. but this term now extends to transportation by land, especially by rail roads. In maritime freight the person chartering a ship pays freight for goods sent by it, and dead freight for any de ficiency of cargo; the terms of the agree ment are fixed by the charter party. 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 subject of positive stipulation in the contract of affreightment, they are ascer tained 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 forwarded 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 earn ing of freight by the ships. This rule was set aside by the British Merchant Shipping Act of 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 the United States; 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 is the subject of insurance. See CARRIER.