HAZLETON 'V.MANHATT.A:N ·lNS. CO.
159
by the district court. There is nothiug purporting to correct it, or to award any costs against the intervenors. The order of March 29, 1880, and the decree (Lnd summary judgment of May 17, 1880, cannot be construed as making such correction or awarding any such costs. The appellants are entitled. to a deceee reversing the said decree and summary judgment of May 17J 1880, with costs inhoth courts, to be taxed against the libellants.
THE
HENRY
P.
DEWEY.
(DiBtrlet Ot1Urt, .E. D. NfJlDYO'1'k. December 10,1880.) NBGLlGl!l1ic:m.-hiJUR1E8 TO THE
PEBSON-AcCIDBNT. Where it is shown that an injury to the person was caused by an accident, and was in no way attributable to a neglect on the part of those in charge of the ship, the libel will be dismissed.
The libel is accordingly dismissed, with costs.
'HAZLETON
and others
tI. MANHATTAN
INs. Co.
(District Oourt, N. D. IZlinoi8. April 24, 1882.) 1. GENERAL A BY INSURER.
Where the libellants show that the cargo put on deck was properly stowed, and the respondent, who was the insurer of the hull, olIered no proof to show that it could have been stowed in any better or safer manner there, he' is liable to contribution on general average for a necessary jettison of such deck load. I. UNDERWRITER ON HULL-Lu.BLE TO CONTRIBUTION-CuSTOM AND USAGE.
The underwriter upon the hull is liable to contribute to general average for jettison of the deck load when the custom or usage of the trade in which, the vessel is employed is to carry part of her cargo on deck.
160 3.
FEDERAL REPORTER.
INSURANCE-CONTRACT CONSTRUED-USAGES OF TRADE.
Where the insurance was for the season, the policy running as a marine risk, and the vessel was to be employed in the freight and passenger husiness, it is a necessarily-implied part of the contract of insurance that in the conduct of her business she would conform to the usages of the trade in which she was engaged; and it being clear that it was an established usage to carry part of 8 cargo like that in question upon deck, and that it was deemed not onlyconven·, ient but prudent to do so, the court must assume that the underwriter intended or contemplated that part of a cargo like that in question would be stowed on deck, and that he assumed all the dangers and advalltages of such usage. 4. SAME-PROVISION FOR ADJUSTMENT.
Where the policy provides that it is" subject to the usages and regulations of the ports of New York on all matters of adjustment and settlement of losses not herein otherwise clearly specified and provided for, to be stated by a competent adjuster of marine losses designated by the insurers," it is to be construed only to refer to the manner of making adjustment when liability exists, and does not control the question of the extent of the liability of the underwriter upon his contract; and where the underwriter had ample notice of the loss, and neglected or refused to designate an adjuster, he cannot object that the adjuster who made the general average was not design.ated by the company.
Schuyler d Kremer, for libellant. Rae d Smith, for respondent. BLODGETT, D. J. This is a libel by the owners of ,the schooner :Melvina against the respondent, as underwriter on the hull of the schooner, for a general average claim by reason of the jettison of a quantity of pig iron from the deck of the schooner. The material facts as they appear in the record are: That on the eighth of November, 1880, the schooner Melvina took on board Elk Rapids, Michigan, a cargo of pig iron for the port of Chicago, about 406 tons of which was stowed under deck, and about 61 tons, with the consent and knowledge of the shipper, was stowed on deck. The schooner was in all respects sea-worthy and properly manned when she commenced her voyage from Elk Rapids for Chicago. The weather was stormy and cold, and she was compelled to take refuge for several days in the harbor of Ludington, and while there snow and sleet fell almost continually. On the twenty-third of November she left Ludington in a sea-worthy condition, and properly manned, in prosecution of her voyage to Chicago. During the night of the 23d it became very cold, and a severe wind and snow storm set in, and the vessel became loaded with ice. The tiers of iron piled along the deck were drifted full of snow and ice, so that the water which came on board did not run off freely through the scuppers, and the vessel was in danger. of foundering; and to save the lives of her crew, the vessel, and her cargo below deck, her deck load was jettisoned. Thus relieved the schooner rode out the storm in safety, and made her port of destination with the remainder of the cargo, where due protest and notice fOl',general average was made. The Manhattan Insurance Company, respondent in this case. had issued a policy upon the hull, tackle. apparel, and furniture of the schooner for the sum
HAZLETON V. MANHATTAN INS. CO.
161
of $3,000, insuring the schooner against the perils of navigation, jettison, etc., which policy was tbenin force; and the amount charged against this policy by the adjuster in making the general average was $293.39, which the respondent, after due notice and demand, refused to pay. The proof also shows without 'contradiction that it is usual and customary for vessels engaged in carrying pig iron on these lakes to stow a portion of the cargo on deck, for the reason that it "makes the vessel work easier in the sea and without straining;" the proof tending to show that where the entire cargo cons41ts of iron about 15 per cent. is loaded on deck. The proof also shows, and without contradiction, that the iron in question was properly stowed upon the deck, being piled in tiers next the bulwarks. The respondent denies its liability-First, because the peril which made the jettison necessary was occasioned by the choking of the scuppers by snow and ice which gathered on and among the iron by' reason of its improper, stowage; second, because the insurer of the hull is not liable to general average for a jettison of the deck load; third, because the policy, that .. in case of loss the adjustment shall be made according to the usage and rules of the ports of New York, and by an experienced adjuster to be selected by the underwriter;" and it is admitted, by stipulation filed in this case, that by the usage of underwriters of the port of New York "the loss of a deck load would not be adjusted as a general average loss," '
As to the first of these points it is sufficient to say that the libellant'sproof shows that the cargo put on deck was properly stowed on deck, and the respondent has offered no proof to show that it could have been stowed in any better or safer manner there. The validity of this objection, it seems to me, must depend on whether the iron was rightfully stowed at all on deck. If it was rightfully there, the proof seems to show that it was properly placed; that is, it is not shown to have been in a wrong or improper, place on deck. The proof docs not show that it was alone the clogging of the scuppers by snow and ice among the iron that had weighted the vessel down, 80 that she would not rise to the sea, and was in danger of foundering, but her whole rigging and hull were loaded with ice as well as her deck. It is likely that the closing of the scuppers increased the a,ccumulation of ice; but I conclude from the proof that if the scuppers had been free there would still have been a large quantity of ice on the vessel, and a necessity for throwing off the deck load to save her from foundering. Indeed, from the proof I think it probable that it was fortunate for all on board of this vessel, and all interested in her hull and cargo, that she had a portion of her cargo on deck, where it could be promptly jettisoned, and that had the whole cargo been below deck the vessel would probably have foundered before enough of the cargo could have been got overboard to relieve her. v.12,no.2-11
162
ll'EDERAL BEPORTEB.
As to the soo'ond,poil;1t,that the insurer of the hull is not lia.ble to' general average for a. jettison of deok load, the question has been so ably and thoroughly examined and dist.rnssed, in the light of the authorities in the report of the commissiQner, that Ido not deem it necessary to do more than statetha.t t 'cpnour in his conclusions. It is true, there would seem :at thefirat glance to be some conflict of authority upon this point, ,but after a careful examination of the cases cited by the commissioner, and by the proctors in their briefs, Ithink the rule fairlydedncible from the modern cases is that the underwriter upon thehull islia.ble to contribute to genera.l average for jettison of the deck load,.when the custom or usage of the trade in which the vessel is employed is tooa.rry part of her oargo on deck. In 1 Parsons, Shipp. & Adm. 854, it is said: "The that the jettison of goods carried on deck gives no claim for contribution;is founded upon the reason that they ought not to be there.. Whenever it is proper to carry the goods on deck it mightseem'to be proper that the voluntary sacrifice of them should be contributed for. The propriety of so carrying them should be j'! determined tn any case, we think, by CUlltom." , ,. ,
On page 356 of the same work the author says: " We apprehend the rule shOuld be that whenever, from the pecul1ar nature of ,the goods or of the voyage, or, in fact, for I\ny reason, a custom exists to carry goods deck, and. this, custom was well established and known, it would bind all the parties interested.",
The insurance in this case was for the season, the policy running as a marine risk from the first of April to November 30th; and the schooner was to be employed in the freight and passenger business in the waters, bays, harbors. rivers, canals, and other tributaries of Lakes Snperior, Michigan, St. Clair, Erie. and Ontario. It is a neo. essarily-implied part of ,this contract of insurance that, in the conduct of her business,she would conform to the usages of the trade in which she was engaged. In PeUy v. Royal E:J.'change AB8'n 00. 1 Burr. 341, Lord Mansfield said: "The insurer, in estimating the price at which he is willing to indemnify the trader against all risks, must, have nnder his consideration the nature of the voyage to be performed, and. the usual COjlrse and manner of doing it. Everything done in the usual course must have been foreseen and in contemplation at the time he engaged. He took the risk upon the supposition that what was usual or necessary would be done. '" '" '" And in general what is usually done by such a shIp with snch a cargo in such a voyage is understood to be referred by every policy, and to make a part of it as much as it it was expressed."
HAZLETON t7.' MANHATTAN INS. CO.
166
It being clear, then, that it was an established usage tocarry,part of a cargo like this upon deck, and that it was deemed not only con· venient but prudent to do so, the court must assume that this under. writer intended or contemplated that part of a cargo like this would be stowed on deck, and assumed all the dangers and advantages of such usage. It is urged by the learned proctors for the respondent that the usage must not only extend to the carrying of cargo on deck, but als(l) a custom of the underwriters to contribute by general average for a cargo so carried must be established. But I do not think the tom of the underwriters to pay can be cOI1sidered. as in any respect controlling or modifying the rule as laid down. The underwriter must adjust himself to the custom of the trade which he insures, and the mere fact that the underwriter refuses to pay can have no bearing upon the question of his obligation and liability. He insures the vessel to engage in the trade in which she is to be employed according to the usual methods in which that trade is conducted, and must be presumed to have understood and contemplated the ordinary ueages of loading and stowing cargo. As to the third point, that the respondent is not liable because the policy provides that it is "subject to the usages and regulations of the ports of New York on all matters of adjustment and settlement of losses not herein otherwise clearly specified and provided for, to be stated by a competent adjuster of marine losses designated by the insurers. OJ By a stipulation filed in the case it is admitted that according to the usage of the port of New York the loss of a deck load would not be adjusted as a general average loss. This clause I construe only to refer to the manner of making the adjustment when a liability exists, or is admitted, and does not control the question of the extent of the liability of the underwriter upon his con. tract. This clause does not inject into this contract the usage of the port of New York as to the liability of the insurer to contribute for jetti. son of deck load, for that must be settled by the usage of the trade' in which the ship insured was to be employed; but the office of this clause is to make the rule of distributing the loss among those liable to a general average contribution such as is used in the "ports of New York, OJ which I think includes not alone the port of New York city, but all the ports of the state of New York, including Buffalo and Oswego and other lake ports, as well as New York city.
164
BEPORTER.
The extent of the underwriter's liability on this policy is a question of law under the facts, and is not to be settled by the rules of adjustment in any particular locality. So, too, as to the suggestion that the underwriter had the right to name the adjuster to make this general average adjustment. The proof shows that the respondents had ample notice of the loss, and if they had claimed the Tight to appoint or select an adjuster, we must presume it ,would have been conceded to them; but they having neglected or refused to designate an adjuster, this objection, that the adjuster who made the general average was not designated by them, comes to late. I conclude, then, from the authorities which I have examined and the facts in the case, that there canba no doubt of the liability of this respondent to contribute upon this general average account. r.fhe jettison was made for the interest of all concerned. There can be no doubt under the proof that by this jettison the hull upon which this policy rested, and the remainder of the cargo, as well as the lives of the crew, were saved; and I can see no reason why those who are interested in the hull as, underwriters should not contribute their pro rata towards paying for a proper sacrifice for the common good. There is a further view of this case which it seems to me may help us by illustration in arriving at a correct conclusion. The policy vides that the underwriter "shall not be liable in cases of 108s or damage by reason of the incompetency of the master or insufficiency of the crew, or want of due care and skillin navigating .the vessel, and in loading, stowing, and securing the cargo of the vessel;" it being an established or conceded fact that stowage of a portion of a cargo of this kind on deck is necessary or prudent for the purpose of securing the easy and safe mana-gement of the vessel. Suppose this entire cargo had been stowed below deck and a total loss had occurred in the. storm when this jettison was made, could not these respondents have successfully resisted payment upon its policy on the ground that due skill and ordinary care had not been used in the stowing of the cargo, and that as a measure of safety a portion of this cargo should have been stowed upon the deck, both for the reason that it balanced or trimmed the vessel so as to make her sail better and ride the seas easier, and the further fact that a jettison, if necessary, could be more promptly made? , It seems to me, at least, if this cargo had all been stowed below decks, and the vessel had been lost, it is more than probable that the payment of the policy would have been resisted, and perhaps successfully, upon the ground. of improper stowage.
THE QUBENOF TUB EAST.
165
TIlE QUEEN OF THE EAST.*
(Circuit Court, .1£.
n. Louisiana.
May 8, 1882.J
1.
AmnRALTy-ToWAGE:
Payment for towage from and to sea, under a contract in which the time for payment for the same is not specified, is due in the port of New 01'le&llS; under the custom thereof, prior to the ship?s being towed back to sea.
2.
SAME-USAGE AND CU8'J'OM.
It is well settled that, in all maritime contracts, usage or is always applicable and binding on the parties to explain doulJtful and llupplement incomplete agreements and stipulations.
8.
BAME-LIEN FOR TOWAGE.
As, there was performance of the oontract for towage, the libellants had a lien upon the vessel for the full amount due them. Th6 Princ6 L60pold, 9 FED. REP. 838, distinguished.
E. D. Craig, for libellants. E. W. Huntington, for defendants. PARDEE, C. J. The facts of the case are: That in December, 1880, off the mouth of the Mississippi, the master of the ship Queen of the East contracted with the master of the libellants' tow-boat Confidence to tow the said ship to the port of New Orleans and back to sea for 35 cents per ton. No specification was made as to when the towage was to be paid, nor as to the proportion to be paid for up towage as against down. The ship was accordingly towed by libellants' boat to the city, whereupon a bill was made out by libellants' agents for the full amount of the towage, which bill was presented to the master of the ship, was approved by him, and then presented to and left with the ship's consignees and agents for payment. The agents refused to pay the bill, whereupon a demand for payment was made on the master of the ship, who als() refused to pay until the ship shonlu be put to sea. In February followin.g, the ship being re:tdy to sail, notice being given to the tow-boat's agents, the libellants' tow-boat went along-side and tendered performance of the down. towage, on condition that the bill should be settled before leaving port. Payment was refused by the master, who declared that he had the money and> would pay when the ship was put to sea, and by the agents, who offered their written guarani.)' that thllY would pay when the ship wasputto sea. Thereupon the tow-boat left, and libellants institute::! proceedings to libel the ship for tht full amount of towage and one day's demqrrage. The ship gave bond, and procuring another tow-boat, at a cost of $250, about double the ordinary towage, went on her voyage. Her claimants file a cross-libel, claiming from the tow-boat the al)lount paid for down towage, and tor three days' demurrage on account of delays caused by the alleged failure of the libellants to perform their contract. The evidence further shows that the tonnage of the Queen of the East was about 1,227 tons j that the proportion ot up towage to down towage is about two to one; and that when .Reported by Joseph P. Hornor, Esq., of the New Orleans bar.