Empresa Maritima a Vapor v. North & South American Steam Navigation Co.

On the twentieth of July, 1882, the respondents, a New Jersey corporation, chartered from the libelants, a Spanish corporation, the Spanish steamer Bellver, for service between New York and the West Indies, at the rate of £1,000 per month, with the right of renewal for a subsequent term. The charterers took possession on the seventh of August, and continued her employment, under the charter-party, until February, 1883, when they renewed the engage*503ment for a further period of six months. By the terms of the charter-party the owners bound themselves to keep the ship and machinery in perfect…