I'EDERAL MP9RTER,
vol! 65.
quentsubjeot of litigation and lI.a§Hinvariably, been Box Co. v. Fed. 139; Folding-Box & Paper Co. v. American Paper Pail & Box Co. (on preliminary injunction) 48 Fed. 913, affirmed 51 Fed. 229, 2 C. C. A. 165; same, on final hearing, 55 Fed. 488; National Folding-Box & Paper Co. v. Phoenix Paper Co., 57 Fed. 223. Upon the question of infringement also the defendants are con· fronted by four circuit court decisions and one decision of the circuit court of appeals, holding that devices '\Tery similar in construe·, tion infringe the second claim of the Ritter patent. There is also the decision of this court directly upon the point involved. It is true that this decision was not made at final hearing, but upon a motion for a preliminary injunction; but it is also true that it was made by the judge who decided the original case, a,fter "a careful examination of the exhibits introduced by the defenQants as samples of the locking device in the boxes sold by them." He was clearly of the opinion that the defendants' flap did not hook into the angle of the slot and engage at a single point, but that there was a straight-edge engagement. In such circumstances the decorous and orderly administration of justice requires that the prior decision should be followed, and especially so in a <,lase where no injunction can issue and a speedy review can be had. The court has examined the complainant's title, in the light of the defendants' accusations, and is of the opinion that it is sufficiently established. The patent having expired pendente lite the complainant is entitled to a decree for an accounting, with costs. DE LEON v. LEITCH et aL (District Court, E. D. Louisiana. February 11, 1895.) No. 1. ADMIRALTy-JURIsDICTION-BoND FOR SALVAGE.
Where salved property is delivered by the salvors to the owners, upon their promise to execute a bond for salvage when· requested, and such a bond is afterwards given, and dated back to a day before the dellvery of the property, a court of admiralty has jurisdiction to entertain a llbel in personam on the bond.
2.
SALVAGE-AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCE.
The steamship M., on a voyage trom New Orleans to Honduras, struck a reef off the coast of Mexico, and, being In great danger of going to pieces, was abandoned by the crew. On the following day, N. and D. went on board, brought' ashore a. quantity ot specie, guarded it for three days, and then took it on a. schooner to meet a. steamer bonnd to £elize; put it on board such steamer, and brought it safely to Belize, incuITing in these services considerable expense and considerable hardship and danger. Held, that an allowance to N. and D., as salvage, ot one-third of the value ot the specie, was proper.
This was a libel in personam by A. C. De Leon, executor of R. S. De Leon, against James Leitch and the firm of Lefebvre, Krug & Oswald, upon a bond given to secure payment of salvage. The bond in question is as follows:
DJj; LEON V. LEITCH.
1003
British Honduras. Articles of agreement entered into at Belize, this eighth day of January, In the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, between James MIchael Norich, of New Orleans, in the United States of America, and Reginald S. De Leon, of Puerto Cortez, in the republic of Honduras, of the one part, and the several persons or firms whose names are hereunto subscribed of the other part: Whereas, the steamship Macgregor, of Glasgow (J. S. Miller, master), having sailed from New Orleans on the 27th day of December last, bound on a voyage thence to Puerto Cortez, via Belize and Livingston, laden with a general cargo, and having on· the evening of the 30th day of December, about 9:30 o'clock, accIdentally struck on a reef at Ascension Bay, on the Yucatan coa8t of Mexico, and remaining there fast and immovable, and being in great danger of going to pieces and being abandoned by the crew for the night, and on the 31st day of December being still fast and In danger of brea.klng up, the parties hereto of the first part went on board the said vessel, and brought ashore a large quantity of specie which was .laden on the said vessel, and buried the same In the sand, alj.d guarded the same by day and by night until the third (lay of January, when they carried the same on board a schooner, and took It out to sea to meet the steamship Wanderer, which was expected to be on her voyage from New Orleans to Belize; and having, on the sixth day of Jallu/u'y, fallen In with the said vessel, put the said specie on board of her, and brought it safely to Belize, whe.re they arrived this day; whereby, or in consequence of the premises, the parties hereto of the first part have In· curred considerable expenses, disbursements, and charges, and have encountered considerable risks and dangers to their lives, and have been put to considerable hardships and trouble, the amount or value whereof cannot at present be sufficiently ascertained, and which may form a charge on the said specie so saved, or may come under the denomination of salvage to which the said parties hereto of the second part, being respectively owners or consignees, or agents of owners or consignees, of the said specie so saved, may be liable to contribute: Now, these articles ;witness that, in consideration of the engagements and agreements of the said parties of the second part hereinafter contained, the said James Michael Norich and Reg:iuald S. De Leon engage and agree with each of the said parties of the second part that they shall, and will deliver, or caused to be delivered, as $Qon as can be conveniently done, at the port of Belize, aforesaid, and on reasonable request, the respective amounts of specie so laden on board the said steamship Macgregor. and so saved belonging or consigned, respectively, unto the several parties of the second part, his or their factors, agents, or assigns, and permit them to receive, take possession, and remove the same according to their respective rights, positions, or ownerships thereof, in consideration whereof the said parties hereto of the second part do hereby for themselves, severally and respectively, and not jointly, personally engage and agree with the said James Michael Noricb and Reginald S. De Leon, jointly and severally, to pay, or cause to be paid, unto the said James Michael Norich and Reginald S. De Leon, or unto their executors, administrators, or assigns, their proper and respective proporijons of the said salvage in respect of their respective sums of specie so saved. and all legal charges and other expenses to which the said parties of the second part are or shall be respectively liable, or which the said specie ought to bear under the aforesaid circumstances, ratably and In fair proportions, according as the amount and proportions thereof may be ascertained and adjusted by any court of law bavlng competent jUrisdiction in the premises, or by private arrangement, amongllll the parties hereto. In witness whereof, the parties bereto have hereunto set their bands, the day and year first above written. [Signed} J. M. Norich. p. p. R. S. De Leon, A. C. De Leon. Mutrie, Arthur & 'Currie. Lefebvre, Krug & Oswald. James Leitch. W. J. McKinney, Actg. Seey. on Behalf of the Government ()f British Honduras.
1004
FEDERAL REPOR'fli:R,
vol. 65.
W.s. Benedict and R. De Gray, for libelant.
PARLANGE, District Judge. This is a libel in personam by the testamentary executor of one of two salvors, on a bond given to secure the payment of salvage. The original libel averred that the specie saved was delivered to the consignees, and that theI'eafter, the salvors having communicated with the consignees, the latter signed the bond. Under such allegations, it may be that libelant could not recover in this court. Cutler v. Rae, 7 How. 729; Railway C9. v. Swan, 111 U. S. 384, 4 Sup. Ct. 510. The libel was amended so as to aver that the bond was signed prior to and as a condition of the delivery of the specie. Subsequently, a further amendment was made to the libel, so as to aver that, priOl' to the delivery of the specie to the consignees, they agreed to give the bond. I am satisfied that the last amendment sets out the real facts. The receipts which the consignees gave when they received their specie, state that they agree to sign a bond when called upon to do so. The bond was doUbtless postdated, but I do not see that such action was objectionable, under the circumstances. The specie was delivered under a written promise to sign a bond, and subsequently the bond was executed by all parties, dating it back to the date of the delivery. No one complains of this. Under the allegations of the second amendment to the libel and the facts which support them, the court has jurisdiction. Coast Wrecking Co. v. PhoeniX Ins. Co., 7 Fed. 236; Maury v. Culliford, 10 Fed. 388; The John M. Chambers, 24 Fed. 383; 35 Fed. 835; Olivari v. Insurance Co.) 37 Fed. 894; Sweeney v. Thompson, 39 Fed. 121. See notes foot of page 166, Ben. Adm. (Ed. 1894). That a pa,ssenger, in a proper ease, may recover salvage, is settled. The Connemara, 108 U. S. 353, 2 Sup. Ct. 754. The total amount of specie saved was about $21,244. Only two of the consignees who signed the bond are before the court,James Leitch, for whom $3,700 were saved; and th.e firm of Lefebvre, Krug& Oswald, for which $1,288.25 in Mexican dollars, worth $950 in American money, were saved. The services rendered were highly meritorious. The bond, signed by all the parties, recites that the salvors "have incurred considerable expenses,disbursements, and charges, and have encountered considerable risks .and dangers to their lives, and have heert put to considerable hardships and trouble." Under the circumstances, I consider that an allowance for salvage of one-third of the sums saved is just and Of course, the libelant can recover but one·half of the salvage;.the other salvor, Norich, not having sued. There will thereforebea decree in favor of libelant against James Leitch for one-sixth of $3,700, or $616.66i; and against the firm of Lefebvre, Krug & Oswald for one-sixth of $950, or $158.33!, and costs. Let W. B;'Schmidt, the attorney in fact of Herman Krug, be notified of the rendition of the decree.
GILCHRIST
v.
LUMBERMAN'S MIN. CO.
1005
GILCHRIST et al. v. LUMBERMAN'S MIN. CO. (Circuit Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. February 5, 1895.) No.86.
1.
SHIPPING-CHARTER PARTY-BREACH- WAIVER.
Libelant chartered respondents' vessel to carry eight cargoes of iron ore from E. during a certain season of navigation, the charter allowing Ii" belant fOtIr days to load after she reported at E. After 'she had taken seven cargoes, she was delayed by a cause which could not excuse her failure to make. the eighth trip., But thereafter, when the season was nearly closed,., and respondents did not wish to send her to E., because afraid she coul4 not get a load before the close of the season, libelant requested them to send her, representing to them that there would be no difficulty in loading her; Relying thereon, respondents sent her, and on the fourth day' after her arrival the season closed. Owing to the frozen condition ot the. ore at the time of the request and statement, she could not have been loaded in less than two weeks. Held, that libelant, by his request and misrepresentation, waived any right to hold her for her previous delay in arriVing at E., and that failure to carry the eighth cargo must be attributed to the close of the season, or vis major, for which there was no liability. ' LOSSES.
Respondents cannot recover damages of libelant on the ground that they were not permitted to take a cargo, which could have been' loaded before the close of the season, from E., for other persons, as on the arrival of the vessel at E. they knew that it was impossible for libelant to load her with his iron before the close of the season, and therefore they were not obliged to wait, but were lit liberty to take a cargo for other parties, and it was their own fault that they did not.
On rehearing. For former opinion, see 5 C. C. A. 244, 55 Fed. 681. Before T'AF'l', Circuit Judge, and SAGE and SWAN, District Judges. TAF1', Circuit Judge. This case has been once decided. The opinion is reported in 6 U. S. App. 607, 5 C. C. A. 244, 55 Fed. 681. In that opinion we reversed the decree of the circuit court awarding damages to the libelant and appellee, and remanded the case with instructions to dismiss both the libel and cross libel. A motion was subsequently made by the appellants to modify the order in this court so far as it directed the dismissal of the cross libel, and to direct a reference to a master to determine the damages due the appellants and respondents on their cross libel. The appellee arid libellant also filed a petition for a rehearing on the merits. Both the motion and the petition must be denied. ' The libel was filed to recover damages for the breach of a charter party of the schooner Foster to carry eight cargoes of iron ore from on Lake Superior, to the Lake Erie ports during the season of 1886. Seven cargoes were carried or provided for. The breach alleged was in the failure to carry the eIghth. The eighth cargo should, by the contract, have been earned in November. The Foster was delayed nine days at Chicago, from the 17th to the 26th of that month, by the running aground of two vessels in the Chicap-o river. During this interval, the agent of the libelant reqllested the managing owner of the Foster to send her to Escanaba to carry the eighth
1006
,'FEDERAL REPORTER,
cargo. The latter did not wish to do so, because afraid that he could not get a load before the close of the season. The agent of the libelant assured him that if the Foster went she would be loaded. The ore which the libelant proposed to ship was soft or hematite ore. Unlike hard ore, this freezes in cold weather, and the process of loading it is then very laborious and slow. Hence, the anxiety of the Foster's owner to know whether if she went to Escanaba the libelant could and would load her.· Relying on the statement of libelant's agent, the Foster did go to Escanaba, arriving there on the 26th; but the soft ore was frozen hard, and it was then impossible to load her in a less period than two weeks, which would keep the vessel in the dock until ten days after the close of navigation. It is undisputed that ore was frozen hard on the 16th of November, and that the libelant's agent had the means of knowing this when he assured the agent of the respondents that if the Fo.ster :went to Escanaba she could be loaded. The contract provided that the libelant might have four days to load after the Foster reported at Escanaba. The season cloSed on November 30. It may be conceded that the cause for the Foster's delay in the Ohicago river, arising as it did while she was engaged in a trip not mentioned or contemplated in her contract with libelant, furnished no excuse for failure to make the eighth trip. That trip, under the contract,should have been made in November; and, had she reached Escanaba early in that month, she could have secured a load, and carried it. When she was lying in the Ohicago river, it was so late in the season that if she went to Escanaba there was every probability that she could not complete her contract, because of the difficulty in loading the ore, and that by going she would not only not save herself from liability in damages for failure to carry the eighth cargo that season, but would lose the time of the trip from Ohicago to Escanaba, with the risk and labor attending it. If she did not go to Escanaba she would, of course, incur liability in damages for breach of the contract; but she could, as the evidence shows, use the time taken in going to Escanaba by shipping a cargo of grain from Ohicago to Lake Erie ports. In this situation the libelant's agent requested the Foster to go to Escanaba, representing to her managing owner that there would be no difficulty in loading her. As a matter of fact, when this request and statement were made it was impossible for the Foster to secure a load from libelant and get down before the close of navigation, because the ore was frozen solid. The statement that the libelant could and would load her involved, therefore, a false representation, on the faith of which the Foster changed her position. If she had not a reasonable prospect of complying with her contract, she was not obliged to do a vain thing. Under these circumstances, it seems clear to us that the libelant is estopped to claim damages for the Foster's delay in reaching Escanaba. By requesting her to go so late, and by misrepresenting the important fact, knowledge of which would have prevented her going, the libelant effectually waive4 any right to hold her in damages for her previous delay in reaching Escanaba. But it
GILCHRIST V. LUMBERMAN'S MIN. CO.
1007
Is said that when she did reach there the libelant still had, by the contract, four days to load, and that this period did not elapse until after the close of navigation, so that the frozen condition of the ore did not, in law, prevent the Foster from making the trip, but rather her own delay in reaching Escanaba. But, as we have said, this delay was waived by the request and statement of the libelant's agent, and respondents' subsequent failure to carry the eighth cargo must be attributed to the close of the season, or vis major, for which they were not liable. The stipulation in the contract by which the libelant was given four days to load does not affect the materiality of the misrepresentation as to the condition of the ore. It does not appear that, had the ore been unfrozen, the loading might not and would not have taken place in less than four days, and in time to have taken a trip down with a cargo. Certainly, if the owner of the Foster had known the condition of the ore, he would have been reaeonably certain that he could not take the eighth cargo. In view of the impossibility of libelant's loading the Foster in four days, it is difficult to see how, in justice, it can rely on that stipulation to avoid the effect of the misrepresentation of its agent. But, while we think that the course of the libelant's agent was such as to prevent the allowance of damages in its favor against reo spondents, we are equally clear that the respondents cannot establish any claim for damages against the libelant on their cross libel. They claim damages because they were compelled to lay up at Escanaba, and were not permitted to take a cargo of hard are from Escanaba for other persons, and make a profit. 'Wnen the Foster arrived at Escanaba, her master must have been at once advised that it was impossible for the libelant to load her with soft ore before the close of the season, because the ore was frozen hard. He was not obliged to wait, therefore, but was at liberty to leave Escanaba; and if, as the libel avers, he could have taken a cargo of hard are for other. parties from there, there was nothing to prevent his doing so. In· stead of this, the evidence shows that the vessel was stripped and laid up two days before the season closed. Respondents cannot reo cover damages for losses which were self-inflicted. The motion to modify the decree and to refer to a master, and the petition for a rehearing, are both denied, and the mandate will issue at once to carry out the order of this court as originally made.
END OJ' CASES IN VOL.
6IL