Submarine Telegraph Act 1885

Legislation Crest

Submarine Telegraph Act 1885

1885 CHAPTER 49 48 and 49 Vict

An Act to carry into effect an International Convention for the Protection of Submarine Telegraph Cables.

[6th August 1885]

1 Short title.U.K.

This Act may be cited as the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885.

2 Confirmation of Convention.U.K.

The Convention of the fourteenth of March one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four mentioned in the schedule to this Act as set forth in that schedule is hereby confirmed, and subject to the provisions of this Act the articles of such Convention (referred to in this Act as the Convention) shall be of the same force as if they were enacted in the body of this Act.

3 Punishment for violation of Article 2 of Convention. U.K.

(1)A person shall not unlawfully and wilfully, or by culpable negligence, break or injure any submarine cable to which the Convention for the time being applies, in such manner as might interrupt or obstruct in whole or in part telegraphic communication.

(2)Any person who acts or attempts to act in contravention of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and on conviction—

(a)if he acted wilfully, shall be liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding five years, or to imprisonment, . . . . F1, for a term not exceeding two years, and to a fine either in lieu of or in addition to such penal servitude or imprisonment; and

(b)if he acted by culpable negligence, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, F2. . . , and to a fine not exceeding [F3one hundred pounds][F3level 3 on the standard scale]either in lieu of or in addition to such imprisonment.

(3)Where a person does any act with the object of preserving the life or limb of himself or of any other person, or of preserving the vessel to which he belongs or any other vessel, and takes all reasonable precautions to avoid injury to a submarine cable, such person shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully and wilfully within the meaning of this section.

(4)A person shall not be deemed to have unlawfully and wilfully broken or injured any submarine cable, where in the bona fide attempt to repair another submarine cable injury has been done to such first-mentioned cable, or the same has been broken; but this shall not apply so as to exempt such person from any liability under this Act or otherwise to pay the cost of repairing such breakage or injury.

(5)Any person who within or (being [F4a Commonwealth citizen]) without Her Majesty’s dominions in any manner procures, counsels, aids, abets, or is accessory to the commission of any offence under this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be liable to be tried and punished for the offence as if he had been guilty as a principal.

Textual Amendments

F2Words spent.

F3In s. 3(2)(b) for “one hundred pounds” there is substituted (S.) “level 3 on the standard scale” by virtue of Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G, 457A

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Reference to penal servitude to be construed as reference to imprisonment: (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1948 (c. 58), s. 1(1), (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21), s. 221(1) and (N.I.) Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 (c. 14), s. 1(1)

4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5U.K.

Textual Amendments

5 Application of law as to lights and signals for carrying into effect Articles five and six of Convention.U.K.

(1)[F6Safety regulations under section 85 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995], shall extend to authorise regulations for carrying into effect Articles five and six of the schedule to this Act, within as well as without the territorial waters of Her Majesty’s dominions, and regulations may be made, applied, altered, and revoked, and the contravention thereof punished accordingly under the said enactments, and section six of the M1Sea Fisheries Act 1883, shall extend to the enforcement of the said regulations as regards sea fishing boats within the limits of that Act.

(2)If any vessel engaged in the laying or repairing of a submarine cable to which the Convention for the time being applies, interferes contrary to the said regulations or articles with any vessel engaged in fishing, or if the operations of any vessel in connexion with any such submarine cable are wilfully delayed so as to interfere with sea fishing, the master of the vessel, or the owner thereof, if it appear that he was in fault, shall be deemed guilty of a breach of the said regulations and may be punished accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F6Words in s. 5 substituted (1.1.1996) by 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 7(a) (with s. 312(1))

Marginal Citations

6 Powers of British and foreign officers.U.K.

(1)For the purpose of carrying into effect the Convention, a person commanding a ship of war of Her Majesty or of any foreign state for the time being bound by the Convention, or a ship specially commissioned for the purpose of the Convention by Her Majesty or by the government of such foreign state, may exercise and perform the powers and duties vested in and imposed on such officer by any article in the Schedule to this Act.

(2)If any person obstructs any such officer in such exercise or performance, or refuses or neglects to comply with any demand or direction lawfully made or given by him in pursuance of this Act, such person shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding [F7fifty pounds][F7level 3 on the standard scale], or to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding two months, . . . F8

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F9

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F10

(5)Every such action shall be brought in one of Her Majesty’s superior courts in the United Kingdom (which courts shall have jurisdiction to try the same wherever the matter complained of occurred) F11. . . or in a court exercising in a British possession the like authority as the High Court in England, but in no other court whatsoever.

Textual Amendments

F7In s. 6(2) for “fifty pounds” there is substituted (E.W.S.) “level 3 on the standard scale” by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 54).

F11Words in s. 6(5) repealed (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 44, s. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. II Group 2

7†Incorporation of Part X. of 17 & 18 Vict. c. 104.U.K.

[F12Part XII of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (legal procedings)] shall have effect as if enacted in this Act, and offences under this Act may be tried, and fines under this Act recovered accordingly, save that nothing in the said part shall authorise the award of any punishment not authorised by this Act, or the summary prosecution of any indictable offence under this Act.

Textual Amendments

F12Words in s. 7 substituted (1.1.1996) by virtue of 1995 c. 21, ss. 314(2), 316(2), Sch. 13 para. 7(b) (with s. 312(1))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4Unreliable marginal note

8 Evidence.U.K.

(1)Any document drawn up in pursuance of Article seven or Article ten of the schedule to this Act shall be admissible in any proceeding, civil or criminal, as prima facie evidence of the facts or matters therein stated.

(2)If evidence contained in any such document was taken on oath in the presence of the person charged in such evidence, and such person had an opportunity of cross-examining the person giving such evidence and of making his reply to such evidence, the officer drawing up such document may certify the said facts, or any of them.

(3)Any document or certificate in this section mentioned purporting to be signed by an officer authorised to act under the Schedule to this Act for carrying into effect the Convention, shall be admissible in evidence without proof of such signature, and, if purporting to be signed by any other person, shall, if certified by any such officer to have been signed, be deemed until the contrary is proved to have been signed by such other person.

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F13.

Textual Amendments

9 Liability of masters of vessels.U.K.

Where any offence against this Act has been committed by means of a vessel, or of any boat belonging to a vessel, the master of such vessel shall, until some other person is shown to have been in charge of and navigating such vessel or boat, be deemed to have been in charge of and navigating the same, and be liable to be punished accordingly.

10 Savings.U.K.

The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other provisions existing at common law or under Act of Parliament or under the law of a British possession for the protection of submarine cables; and nothing in this Act shall prevent any person being liable under any Act of Parliament, law of a British possession, or otherwise to any indictment, proceeding, punishment, or penalty other than is provided for any offence by this Act, so that no person shall be punished twice for the same offence; and nothing in this Act, nor any proceedings with respect to any matter, shall exempt a person from any liability in any action or suit with reference to the same matter so that no person shall be required to pay compensation twice in respect of the same injury.

11 Extent of Act.U.K.

This Act shall so far as such extension is consistent with the tenor of this Act extend to the whole of Her Majesty’s dominions, and to all places within the jurisdiction of the Admiral of England, and to all places where Her Majesty has jurisdiction.

12 Definitions.U.K.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

  • The expression “vessel” means every description of vessel used in navigation in whatever way it is propelled; and any reference to a vessel shall include a reference to a boat belonging to such vessel:

  • The expression “master” includes every person having command or charge of a vessel:

  • The expression “British possession” includes any part of Her Majesty’s dominions exclusive of the United Kingdom:

  • The expression “person” includes a body of persons corporate or unincorporate.

13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F14U.K.

Textual Amendments

SCHEDULEU.K. SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHS CONVENTION

Convention for the preservation of telegraphic communications by means of submarine telegraphs made on the 14th of March 1884, between Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, His Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia, His Excellency the President of the Argentine Confederation, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, &c., and Apostolic King of Hungary, His Majesty the King of the Belgians, His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, His Majesty the King of Denmark, His Excellency the President of the Dominican Republic, His Majesty the King of Spain, His Excellency the President of the United States of America, His Excellency the President of the United States of Colombia, His Excellency the President of the French Republic, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Guatemala, His Majesty the King of the Hellenes, His Majesty the King of Italy, His Majesty the Emperor of the Ottomans, His Majesty the King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxemburg, His Majesty the Shah of Persia, His Majesty the King of Portugal and the Algarves, His Majesty the King of Roumania, His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Salvador, His Majesty the King of Servia, His Majesty the King of Sweden and of Norway, and His Excellency the President of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay.

The following is an English translation of the Convention with the omission of the formal beginning and end:—

ARTICLE IU.K.

The present Convention applies outside territorial waters to all legally established submarine cables landed on the territories, colonies, or possessions of one or more of the High Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE IIU.K.

It is a punishable offence to break or injure a submarine cable, wilfully or by culpable negligence, in such manner as might interrupt or obstruct telegraphic communication, either wholly or partially, such punishment being without prejudice to any civil action for damages.

This provision does not apply to cases where those who break or injure a cable do so with the lawful object of saving their lives or their ship, after they have taken every necessary precaution to avoid so breaking or injuring the cable.

ARTICLE IIIU.K.

The High Contracting Parties undertake that, on granting a concession for landing a submarine cable, they will insist, so far as possible, upon proper measures of safety being taken, both as regards the track of the cable and its dimensions.

ARTICLE IV U.K.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

The owner of a cable who, on laying or repairing his own cable breaks or injures another cable, must bear the cost of repairing the breakage or injury, without prejudice to the application, if need be, of Article II. of the present Convention.

ARTICLE VU.K.

Vessels engaged in laying or repairing submarine cables shall conform to the regulations as to signals which have been, or may be, adopted by mutual agreement among the High Contracting Parties, with the view of preventing collisions at sea.

When a ship engaged in repairing a cable exhibits the said signals, other vessels which see them, or are able to see them, shall withdraw to or keep beyond a distance of one nautical mile at least from the ship in question, so as not to interfere with her operations.

Fishing gear and nets shall be kept at the same distance.

Nevertheless, fishing vessels which see or are able to see a telegraph ship exhibiting the said signals shall be allowed a period of twenty-four hours at most within which to obey the notice so given, during which time they shall not be interfered with in any way.

The operations of the telegraph ships shall be completed as quickly as possible.

ARTICLE VIU.K.

Vessels which see, or are able to see, the buoys showing the position of a cable when the latter is being laid, is out of order, or is broken, shall keep beyond a distance of one-quarter of a nautical mile at least from the said buoys.

Fishing nets and gear shall be kept at the same distance.

ARTICLE VII U.K.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Owners of ships or vessels who can prove that they have sacrificed an anchor, a net, or other fishing gear in order to avoid injuring a submarine cable shall receive compensation from the owner of the cable.

In order to establish a claim to such compensation, a statement supported by the evidence of the crew, should, whenever possible, be drawn up immediately after the occurrence; and the master must, within twenty-four hours after his return to, or next putting into port, make a declaration to the proper authorities.

The latter shall communicate the information to the consular authorities of the country to which the owner of the cable belongs.

ARTICLE VIIIU.K.

The tribunals competent to take cognizance of infractions of the present Convention are those of the country to which the vessel on board of which the offence was committed belongs.

It is, moreover, understood that, in cases where the provisions in the previous paragraph cannot apply, offences against the present Convention will be dealt with in each of the Contracting States in accordance, so far as the subjects and citizens of those States respectively are concerned, with the general rules of criminal jurisdiction prescribed by the laws of that particular State, or by international treaties.

ARTICLE IXU.K.

Prosecutions for infractions provided against by Articles II., V., and VI. of the present Convention shall be instituted by the State, or in its name.

ARTICLE XU.K.

Offences against the present Convention may be verified by all means of proof allowed by the legislation of the country of the court. When the officers commanding the ships of war, or ships specially commissioned for the purpose by one of the high contracting parties, have reason to believe that an infraction of the measures provided for in the present Convention has been committed by a vessel other than a vessel of war, they may demand from the captain or master the production of the official documents proving the nationality of the said vessel. The fact of such document having been exhibited shall then be endorsed upon it immediately. Further, formal statements of the facts may be prepared by the said officers, whatever may be the nationality of the vessel incriminated. These formal statements shall be drawn up in the form and in the language used in the country to which the officer making them belongs; they may be considered, in the country where they are adduced, as evidence in accordance with the laws of that country. The accused and the witnesses shall have the right to add, or to have added, thereto, in their own language, any explanations they may consider useful. These declarations shall be duly signed.

ARTICLE XIU.K.

The proceedings and trial in cases of infraction of the provisions of the present Convention shall always take place as summarily as the laws and regulations in force will permit.

ARTICLE XIIU.K.

The High Contracting Parties engage to take or to propose to their respective Legislatures the necessary measures for insuring the execution of the present Convention, and especially for punishing, by either fine or imprisonment, or both, those who contravene the provisions of Articles II., V., and VI.

ARTICLE XIIIU.K.

The High Contracting Parties will communicate to each other laws already made, or which may hereafter be made, in their respective countries relating to the object of the present Convention.

ARTICLE XIVU.K.

States which have not signed the present Convention may adhere to it on making a request to that effect. This adhesion shall be notified through the diplomatic channel to the Government of the French Republic, and by the latter to the other Signatory Powers.

ARTICLE XVU.K.

It is understood that the stipulations of the present Convention do not in any way restrict the freedom of action of belligerents.

ARTICLE XVIU.K.

The present Convention shall be brought into force on a day to be agreed upon by the High Contracting Powers.

It shall remain in force for five years from that day, and unless any of the High Contracting Parties have announced, twelve months before the expiration of the said period of five years, its intention to terminate its operation, it shall continue in force for a period of one year, and so on from year to year.

If one of the Signatory Powers denounce the Convention, such denunciation shall have effect only as regards that Power.

ARTICLE XVIIU.K.

The present Convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications exchanged at Paris with as little delay as possible, and, at the latest, at the expiration of a year.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLEU.K.

The stipulations of the Convention concluded under to-day’s date for the protection of submarine cables shall be applicable, in conformity with Article I., to the colonies and possessions of Her Britannic Majesty, with the exception of those herein-after mentioned, namely:—

Canada.

Newfoundland.

The Cape.

Natal.

New South Wales.

Victoria.

Queensland.

Tasmania.

South Australia.

Western Australia.

New Zealand.

Provided always, that the stipulations of the said Convention shall be applicable to any of the above-named colonies or possessions on whose behalf notice to that effect shall have been given by Her Britannic Majesty’s Representative at Paris to the French Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Each of the above-named colonies or possessions which may have acceded to the said Convention shall be at liberty to withdraw from it in the same manner as the powers parties to it. In the event of any of the said colonies or possessions desiring to withdraw from the Convention, a notification to that effect shall be made by Her Britannic Majesty’s Representative at Paris to the French Minister for Foreign Affairs.