Effective February 29, 1888 Statutes at Large 25 Stat. 41 | Public law 50-17 | |
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Long title An Act to carry into effect the International Convention of the fourteenth of March, eighteen hundred and eighty-four, for the protection of submarine cables. Nicknames Protection of Submarine Cable Act of 1888 Enacted by | ||
Submarine Cable Act of 1888 is an United States federal statute defining penalties for intentional and unintentional disturbances of submarine communications cable in international waters. The Act of Congress acknowledge the Convention for the Protection of Submarine Telegraph Cable of 1884 necessitating the international cooperation for the safeguard of international communication cables placed on the ocean floor.
Contents
The legislation was passed by the 50th United States Congressional session and confirmed as a federal law by the 24th President of the United States Grover Cleveland on February 29, 1888.
Provisions of the Act
The 1888 Act was penned as thirteen sections establishing rulings for the protection of oceanic basin telegraph cables.
47 U.S.C. § 1 ~ Punishment for injuries intentionally done47 U.S.C. § 2 ~ Penalty for culpable negligence47 U.S.C. § 3 ~ Saving life47 U.S.C. § 4 ~ Observance of cable ships & signals47 U.S.C. § 5 ~ Fishing vessels47 U.S.C. § 6 ~ Officers authorized47 U.S.C. § 7 ~ Penalities for refusing to show papers47 U.S.C. § 8 ~ Suits for damages47 U.S.C. § 9 ~ Liability of master47 U.S.C. § 10 ~ Definition of terms47 U.S.C. § 11 ~ Summary trials47 U.S.C. § 12 ~ Application47 U.S.C. § 13 ~ JurisdictionWartime Discretion
On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution declaring American entry into World War I. On April 28, 1917, the 28th President of the United States Woodrow Wilson issued Executive Order 2604 discontinuing the transmission of international communications.
Act of 1921
The Submarine Cable Act of 1921 appended Title 47 Telegraphy implementing licensing requirements for the coastal landing and operations of submarine cables along the United States coastal areas.