Wharfinger

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Wharfinger \Wharf"in*ger\, n. [For wharfager.]
     A man who owns, or has the care of, a wharf.
     [1913 Webster] Wharl

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:



  WHARFINGER. One who owns or keeps a wharf, for the purpose of receiving and 
  shipping merchandise to or from it, for hire. 
       2. Like a warehouseman, (q.v.) a wharfinger is responsible for ordinary 
  neglect, and is therefore required to take ordinary, care of goods entrusted 
  to him as such. The responsibility of a wharfinger begins when he acquires, 
  and ends when he ceases to have the custody of the goods in that capacity. 
       3. When he begins and ceases to have such custody depends generally 
  upon the usages of trade and of the business. When goods are delivered at a 
  wharf, and the wharfinger has agreed, expressly or by implication, to take 
  the custody of them, his responsibility commences; but a mere delivery at 
  the wharf, without such assent, does not make him liable. 3 Campb. R. 414; 4 
  Campb. R. 72; 6 Cowen, R. 757. When goods are in the wharfinger's possession 
  to be sent on board of a vessel for a voyage, as soon as he delivers the 
  possession and the care of them to the proper officers of the vessel, 
  although they are not actually removed, he is, by the usages of trade, 
  deemed exonerated from any further responsibility. 5 Esp. R. 41; Story, 
  Bailm. Sec. 453 Abbott on Ship. 226; Molloy, B. 2. 2, s. 2; Roccus, Not. 88; 
  Dig. 9, 4, 3.