THE LISCARD.
as to both lots, which were separated in the ship, and kept separ8Ite thereafter. Excepting as to the amount of libelants' claim, the case aguinst the Manheim Company is me same as that against the London Assurance. The underwriters are both fO'l'eign companies and their method of business is to is'sueto their American agents open policies of insurance, for account of whom it may concern. Under these open policies their agents issue to the assured short certificates which stipulate as follows: "This certificate represents and takes the place of the policy and conveys all the right of the original policy holder, for the purpose of collecting any loss or claim, as fully as if the property was covered by a special policy direct to the holder of this certificate."
The certificate and policy taken together contain the contraot of insurance. Under the terms of this contract, the underwriters are liable for all kinds of sea peril, losses and damages to the whDat, whether partial or total, except as provided in the following clause: "ll'ree of particular average unless the vessel be stranded, sunk, burned or in collision."
The Liscard, while in the harbor of New York, after the insurances had attached, was run into by a scow or lighter, in tow of the George Carnie. Before <the collision the steamer was fully loaded; her bills of lading had all been signed '<lnd delivered to libelants, and she had made every preparation to leave port; had oaSit off her mooring lines for the purpose of starting to sea, but in consequence of some trifling difficulty with her engines she again made fast to the wharf. 'fhe collision occurred after thus :remooring. A break WfrS made by the collision in the inclosed iron side of the steamer above her deck, called the ''bulwark,'' of considerable length and open from one and a half to one and a quarter inches, a part of the distance. The steamer was duly surveyed before starting out, and pronounced seaworthy. In the course of her voyage she encountered very rough weather, which lasted fllr several days, and opened the seams of her deck, letting water in u)On the wheat. Waiter passed in also through the hatches, frO'Ill which canvas covers had been torn by the storm. Eventually her engines gave out under the strain, and she returned in distress to Boston. 'I'he wheat was there discharged, and found to be seriously damaged. Surveyors reported thwt no part of it was fit for fuether transportation, and recommended a sale. On February 2d, Lawrence Johnson & Co. and 'the master agreed that the voyage should be terminated and the cargo received at Boston. The insurers assented on condition that the rights of neither party to the policies should be affected thereby. The wheat covered by the London Assurance Co. wa;s sold for $28,554.15, which deducted from the valuation, $40,887.00, showed a loss of $12,332.85; while that covered by the l\fanheim Insura,nce Company's policy sold for $27,851.25, which being deducted from the valuation, $40,887.00, showed a 1088 of $13,305.25. Parts of these balances have been paid by other companies having policies on the cargo. 'l'he libelants rendered servo
46
FEDEll.AL REPORTER,
vol. 56.
lees and incurred expenses under the "sue and laror" clause of the policies, for which also they seek recovery. The policies attached while the wheat was in harbor at New York, immediately on loading. In the language employed it was insured "at and from New York and bound for Lisbon." There is no controversy about the material facta. The single question is one of law, and arises out of the terms of the' clause a bove quoted respecting "particular average," or partial loss. If the question was new it would be embarrassing. It is very old, however, having arisen and been decided in England more than a century ago; and the decision then made has been adhered to without variation ever since. The clause originally was confined to cases of "stranding," but was quickly extended to cases of burning and collision as well. Its introduction in the peculiar form here found, soon gave rise to litigation; the insured contendthat if stranding, burning, or collision occurs during the voyage, whether the loss be attributable to it or not, the policy is to be read as if this conditional limitation had been omitted; and the insurer contending that the clause contemplates only such f,(,l'anlllIlK burning, OJ' collision as causes the loss. The English rourts, after full discussion and consideration adopu'd the former view, giving to the language a strict, literal, interpretation; and notwithstanding the repeated efforts subsequently made to procure a reversal, the decision has been adhered to with pertinacity and steadiness to this day. Lown. Mar. Ins. 319, 320, says: "A stranding at any time during the voyage is sufficient. It is of no consequence whether this causes tile damages or not. The injury to the ship may be repaired before tile damage to the cargo occurs. A strtmding the voyage (without regard to its consequences) operates to efface tile clause from the policy."
McArthur, Mar. Ins. 283--285; Pars. Mar. Ins. 630, 631; and Arn. Mar. Ins.,-say substantially the same. The decisions, and the reasons on which they are founded, are so fnlly stated by these authors that it would be a waste of labor to say more about them. In the United States the question has not been raised, doubtless, because parties here have acquiesced in its decision as stated, elsewhere. However reasonable a different construction of the clause might have been in the commencement, it would be most unreasonable now. As the proofs show, and as would be inferred in their ttbsence, insurers and insured contract with reference to this construction. Where the insurer desires to vary the risk he varies the language, and the premium demanded, accordingly. If he intends to limit his liability for partial loss to cases in which such loss is attributable to the stranding, burning, or collision, he says so and charges a diminished premium. A departure from the established construction now would, therefore, work great injustice to the insured. ·While paying for one risk, he would be secured against another of less I cannot doubt that the courts of this country will follow those of England on this
47
subject. The importance of uniformity in the rules respecting commerce, and kindred subjects, in this country and that, cannot be overstated. The circumstance that some differences exist now affords no support for an argument in favor of others. Buzby v. Insurance Co., 31 Fed. Rep. 422. It is not denied that a "collision," in the admiralty sense of the term, occurred during the risk, in this case. It is denied, however, that it was such a collision as the policy contemplates; because, as is contended, it had not, and could not have, any connection with the loss sustained; and because also it occurred at New York. This is however, I think, the old question, presented under slightly varied circumstances; and the decisions referred to cover it. As we have seen it is of no consequence whether the collision led to the loss, or might have led to it, or not. The contract does not say it shall-to fix the insurer's liability for "particular average," and the strict interpretation referred to was adopted because the language is the insurer's, and because, also, it avoids the danger which must result from groping after unexpressed intentions; and furthermore saves the insured from the necessity of producing proofs such as must always be difficult, and often impossible, of attainment. In many cases the loss may result from previous stranding or collision and leave no evidence of the fact. 'fhe visible effects of such accidents may be unimportant, and yet the hidden consequences be serious. If this collision had occurred at sea I can hardly believe it would be urged that the policy does not embrace it. If it would, then what description of collision, short of oue entailing the loss, is embraced? 'fhe authorities cited show that any accidental stranding, burning, or collision, no matter how slight, is within the dause. If the stranding is but momentary, or the burning consumes but slightly any material part of the vessel it is sufficient. All attempts to find a resting place, or draw a line, between the simple occurrence of such accidents and their occurrence with attendant loss, must lead simply to confusion. Where would the line be placed-by what rule would it be fixed? It has been urged in some instances that the stranding or burning, etc., should be "serious." But what does this term, in such nection, signify? Not that it shall be serious as respects the loss insured against; that is admitted. As respects the ship all such accidents are serious; they involve her safety and threaten destruction, though she may escape with little injury, or none. And then again, how is to be known, as before suggested, that serious hidden injury is not inflicted-slIch as the tempests alone will develop? It has also been contended that the consequences should be such as to disable the ship and temporarily suspend navigation. But of what importance is this to the insurer, if it has no connection with the loss? And why draw the line here rather than elsewhere? 'l'he purpose of the construction referred to was to avoid all such speculation and uncertainty_ Nor does the Dolicy say where the collision shall occur. Why,
tS
FEDERAL REPORTER,
therefore, should we hold that such an occurrence at New York, after the risk attached, is excluded? If it had sunk the vessel, or otherwise injured the cargo there, it would certainly have rendered the insurers liable for a partial loss,-which could not be if the collision was not such as the policy contemplated. It is urged that there is a difference between the port risk and the sea risk. The difference, however, is simply in kind. That the insured is not subject to an implied warranty of seaworthiness while in port, is immatel'ial to the question. The contract is entire, and admits of no such division of the insurer's responsibility as is set up. The collision did not affect the vessel's seaworthiness; she wa:s still capable of resisting ordinary storms; and is not therefore blamable for starting on her voyage. Such an accident in port might be sufficiently serious to strain and weaken a vessel ISO as to incapacitate her to resist extraordinary tempests, without rendering her unseaworthy. Such straining and weakening might be invisible to surveyors, and yet cause the loss of her cargo at sea. I cannot, therefore, (and in view of the authorities,) attach importance to the fact that the only visible effect of this collision was the breaking of her bulwarks; and that it occurred at New York. But even this effect seems to have contributed to the loss, for according to the proofs some of the water entered the deck by means of this break, and ran through its seams and hatches upon the cargo. True the damages might have been as great if the break had not existed; for the sea strained the vessel from stem to stern and swept her decks with floods of water. Nevertheless the fact remains that the break in the bulwark probably, if not certainly, contributed to the damages. The view I entertain of the case, however, renders the fact unimportant. I regard every question raised as covered fully by the decisions ahove referred to, and do not therefore see anything open to discussion except the question whether we are to depart from uniformly recognized construction of the clause involved, after insurers and insured have conformed their contracts to it; and about this I have no doubt. A decree must therefore be entered sustaining the libel.
FISHER tJ. BOARD OF LIQUIDATION.
49
FISHER et aI. v. BOARD OF LIQUIDATION OF CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. (Circuit Court, E. D. Louisiana. May 29, 1893.) No. 12,174MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS-FUNDING OF INDEBTEDNESS-JUDGMENTS.
An owner of a judgment recovered against the board of directors of tho city schools of New Orleans for teachers' salaries accruing between 1872 and 1880 is not entitled to have bonds issued therefor by the board of liquidation of the city, for by Act La. 1884, No. 67, § 2, and the constitutional amendment of 1890, the oniy judgments which the latter board is authorized to fund are jUdgments against the municipality of New Orleans.
Application by Mrs. damus to the board of nied. Louque & McGloin, Henry C. Miller, for
M. M. Fisher and others for a writ of man· liquidation of the city of New Orleans. Defor relators. respondents.
BILLINGS, District Judge. This case is submitted on an application for a mandamus requiring the respondents to issue bonds under Act No. 74, p. 84, of the Acts of 1880. That act provides that the city of New Orleans may issue bonds of the denomination of five dollars, having 10 years to run from July, 1880, bearing 3 per cent. interest. Section 3: "Be it further enacted that the said bonds may be issued to take up the unbonded valid indebtedness of the said city of New Orleans, and the unpaid salaries of school teachers, and expense of maintaining the public schools created since 1872, and prior to January 1, 1880." The application is based upon a judgment rendered by this court in favor of the relators against the respondents, the board of directors of the city schools of New Orleans, for salaries due Mrs. Fisher, one of the relators, and others teachers who had assigned their certificates to her. The salaries accrued in the years 1874, 1875, and 1876. Act 74 of the Acts of 1880 became a law on the 7th of April, three days after the legislature passed Act 133, p. 180, of the Acts of 1880, to liquidate the indebtedness of the city of New Orleans, and to apply its assets to the satisfaction thereof; to create a board of liquidation, prescribe their duties, and to provide for a fiscal agent, and for the levying of a sufficient tax to pay interest. 'l'his act creates the board of liquidation, and provides: Section 1 creates this board for the purpose of liquidating, reducing, and consolidating the debt of the city of New Orleans, as hereinafter specified. Section 3 deals with what sort of debts may be canceled and taken up by said bonds, and they are the entire valid debt of the city of New Orleans, except the floating debt created up to the date of the passage of this act, whether presented by bonds of various classes or by judgments. Section 5, that the city shall transfer to it all the property, both real and personal, which is to be disposed of by them, and placed to the credit of the city fund debt. Section 8 provides v.56F.nu.2-4
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