Document: 345 U.S. 446 73 S.Ct. 733 97 L.Ed. 1140 CALMAR S.S. CORP.v.UNITED STATES. No. 262. Argued Jan. 15, 1953. Decided April 27, Mr. Edwin S. Murphy, New York City, for petitioner. Hubert H. Margolies, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 By Suits in Admiralty Act1 United States consents, under defined conditions, to filing against it District Courts libels personam. Libels which concern vessels 'operated by or States' and 'employed as merchant vessels' are authorized. The question this case is whether a privately owned steamship, undoubtedly * States', was vessel' within meaning Act while carrying military supplies equipment hire. Since considerable volume litigation appears be affected, we granted certiorari, 344 853, 92, on petition Government did not oppose. 2 vessel here, Portmar, voyage those involved 303, Calmar Steamship Corporation v. Scott, 427, 739, tried together with suit. Calmar's claim additional charter hire loss its vessel. latter based two theories. States, said, liable an insurer extent that war-risk insurance purchased pursuant provisions Article 2.17 charter2 does cover loss. also liable, Calmer contends, because Portmar result compliance master orders issued authority agreed 2.11 charter3 hold owners harmless from all consequences such compliance. 3 Other relevant follows: 'good steel steamship hull, machinery thoroughly efficient state' chartered 'for trading one round voyage.' deliver 'ready receive cargo clean-swept holds tight, staunch, strong every way fitted service' manned 'a Master full complement officers crew her tonnage.' exercise due diligence 'to maintain (the vessel) state during currency Charter.' employed, further provided, 'in lawful merchandise, including petroleum products proper containers, between safe ports places, trades limits Charter, Charterer agents shall direct.' Hire payable, constructive total loss, time casualty resulting loss.' Otherwise periods prevented working damage warlike acts caused fault States. wages Master, were paid Calmar. Drydocking, cleaning painting expenses likewise borne 'The (although appointed Owner) (was to) directions regards employment, agency prosecution voyages; load, stow, trim discharge at expense supervision who (was) sign bills lading presented Vessel, supervising loading, stowing, trimming, tallying discharging, (were deemed Charterer, except so far pertain(ed) safety Vessel.' investigate complaints master, make necessary changes appointments. Finally, specifically provided '(n)othing herein stated construed demise Vessel Charterer.' 4 Court found Portmar. 5 'was operated profit owner, charge crew, selected employed owner responsible alone. That public stores munitions render 'public' character She neither absolutely nor pro hac vice Public service alter *.' 103 F.Supp. 243, 263. 6 Consequently assumed jurisdiction Act. It awarded decree $238.50 due, addition Government, reimbursement incurred prior February 19, 1942, when damaged abandoned.4 But court held merits latter's period following date. any theory Id., page 269. 7 Appeals reversed. While, could, indeed, charter, have been 'merchant foreign commerce, she fact carried indicated employed. For load consisted entirely 'war materiel.' equipment, ammunition, high-octane gasoline use war planes. A ship 'while employed,' is, cargo, held, vessel'. This said 'abundantly established' Western Maid, 257 419, 42 159, 66 299, Bradey Cir., 151 F.2d 742, City York, 8 270, Norman Bridge, 290 F. 575, 'at least recognized' Grain Phillips, 261 106, 43 283, 67 552. Corp. 197 795, 801—802. In reaching conclusion, adopted Government's position below. Court, changed tune. Mildly suggesting view pressed 'has some support,' urges now 'that existed better grounded.' Thecases relied Appeals, argues, dealt significantly different problem than arises do support conclusion nature criterion determining terms language impose criterion. phrase, vessel', more appropriately read refer simply Such reading inconsistent legislative history, and, unlike tends regard sister statute, Vessels Act, Stat. 1112, 46 U.S.C. § 781, U.S.C.A. permits suits damages States,'5 manifestations single larger purpose, jointly forming rational system free random omissions exceptions. Moreover, points out, test arrangements effectuated charter-party controlling facts lends itself, test, simple expeditious application, reasonably predictable result. We agree here. 9 supra, attempts bring 'proceedings rem collisions occurred libelled owned, vice, service.' 429, 160. Maid itself property. Liberty Carolinian, other involved, were, collisions, bareboat charters. Carolinian army transport crew. commissioned naval dispatch boat, manned, course, navy served transport. foodstuffs European relief, which, if distributed what had enemy territory, sold appropriate government official. while, noted, three hands based, suit Liberty, though owned. And principal case, '(t)he only really open debate', 432, 160, Holmes, addressed himself, enforceable liability could created passed into private ownership, although no arose occurred. claimed, publicly 'solely' vessel, hence collision gave rise virtue Shipping 1916 construed, subjecting seizure.6 contention, these facts, Holmes disposed passing stating 'the obvious truth, Maid) engaged constituents our activity sequel ordinary merchandizing regiment troops.' 10 Of cases like attempted seizure 1916. vice. but business. sense Acts. officer ancient statute commission gold destroyer he commanded. citation Phillips apt, fails apt 11 today would subject for, by, cannot now, seized, reason construction materially Nor same question. former consequence holding great number instances, libel dismissed heard admiralty court. When here operated, however, relegate libelant, contract substantial enough cognizable law side Tucker 28 (Supp.III) 1346, Claims.7 Yet judicial system, accustomed forum matters admiralty; everything else being equal, efforts should made divert type judges less experienced admiralty. regarded discreet enactments treating related situations isolation. Hence there why arising connection materiel relating require action filed Claims.8 involving recovery sought side.9 authoritative indication Congress wished results, quite another thing us, absence guidance Congress, assume did. 12 mission. consider claims not, disposition libel, pass on. 13 judgment must vacated cause remanded proceedings opinion. 14 ordered. 15 Judgment directions. Section reads 'No corporation representatives own entire outstanding capital stock possession corporation, possessed shall, provision personam, arrest process possessions: Provided, chapter apply Panama Railroad Company.' 41 525, 741, 741. provides: 'In where possessed, proceeding maintained commencement personam may brought mentioned section title, be, tugboat corporation. district parties suing, them, reside their place business charged found. *' 742. 'Article 2.17. Owner provide, pay or, elect give notice election date delivery provide payable form risk policies *. required sail until contemplated has placed written telegraphic assumption sufficient.' 2.11. Subject always direction prosecute his voyages utmost indemnify Owner, liabilities whatsoever agents, given appeal restricted jurisdictional issue, intimated award error merits. 'A compensation towage salvage services, salvage, rendered States: after 6th day April, 1920.' 1916, 39 728, 730, amended, 40 900, 994, 49 1987, 2016, 52 964, 808, provides part: 'Every purchased, chartered, leased (United Maritime C)ommission unless otherwise authorized commission, registry enrollment license. solely laws, regulations, governing vessels, interested therein whole part, mortgage, lien, interest therein.' Lake Monroe, 250 246, 460, 63 962, permitted seizure, just quoted, 'of steam States,' 248, 461. avoid embarrassment subjected September 7, (c. 451) (39 728), ninth enforcement maritime liens. 962.' Blamberg Bros. 260 452, 458, 179, 180, 346. unmindful considerations fairness prompted passage later compensated prohibition seizures waiver immunity 2. states: See note 1. Surely weighed actions field indicate that, want valid reasons contrary, coextensive. imply attitude can decide concrete cases, meant to. direction. (Supp. III) 1491, 1491. litigant hedge Claims simultaneously might well uncertainties inherent applied Appeals. (The true know cargo. manifest secret. carry mixed may, voyages, without cargo.) 1500, 'Court respect plaintiff assignee pending Time limitations differ Claims. limitation years former, 526, 745, six latter, 2501, 2501. starting accrual vary well. Compare 2516, 2516; see De La Rama Co. 386, 390, 381, 383. sounding basis expressly authorizes claims. intimate claims, suggest causes very qualify There over assumed. Thomason 184 105; Loyola, 161 126. cf. Eastern Lines 187 956. All purpose class matter how narrow, applied, will task, torture Acts all-inclusive grant Courts. equivocal secure most harmonious results. Suit lie instances Tort 60 842, §§ 2671 et seq.

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