Wharf - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition wharf

Definition :

Wharf, a broad plain place, near some creek or haven, to lay goods and wares on that are brought to or from the water. See Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act, 1847 (10 & 11 Vict. c. 27), s. 68, and Port of London (Consolidation) Act, 1920 (10 Geo. 5, c. clxxiii.).

A structure on shore of navigable waters, to which a vessel can be brought for loading or unloading, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1589.

There are two kinds-1st, legal, which are certain wharves in all seaports, appointed by commission from the Court of Exchequer, or legalized by Act of Parliament; 2nd, sufferance, which are places where certain goods may be landed and shipped, by special sufferance granted by the Crown for that purpose, 2 Steph. Com. See as to both kinds, Customs (Consolidation) Act, 1876 (39 & 40 Vict. c. 36). As to larcenies from a wharf, see Larceny Act, 1916, s. 15. As to implied liability or warranty for fitness of wharf for a ship unloading, see The Moorcock, (1889) 14 PD 64.

Wharf, as a landing stage built especially along the shore for loading or unloading vessels, Ramanatha Aiyar's The Law Lexicon, 2nd Edn.; Board of Trustees of the Port of Bombay v. Sriyanesh Knitters, (1999) 7 SCC 359.Wharf, as being a broad plain place, near some creek or haven, to lay goods and wares on that are brought to or from the water, Jowitt's Dictionary of English Law, 2nd Edn.; Board of Trustees of the Port of Bombay v. Sriyanesh Knitters, (1999) 7 SCC 359.

It is defined as a structure of masonry or timber erected on the shore of a harbour, river, or the like, alongside which vessels may lie to load or unload cargo, passengers etc., also, any landing place for vessels, as a pier or quay, Webster's Dictionary; Board of Trustees of the Port of Bombay v. Sriyanesh Knitters, (1999) 7 SCC 359.