Document: 364 U.S. 421 81 S.Ct. 200 5 L.Ed.2d 169 WATERMAN STEAMSHIP CORPORATION, Petitioner,v.DUGAN & McNAMARA, INC. No. 35. Argued Oct. 20, 1960. Decided Nov. 21, Mr. Thomas F. Mount, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. George E. Beechwood, respondent. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner is owner vessel S. Afoundria. respondent a stevedoring company. A longshoreman employed by was injured aboard Afoundria while engaged with other employees in unloading ship at port Philadelphia. cargo consisted bagged sugar. working hold, and his injuries resulted from collapse vertical column hundred-pound bags which operations had left without lateral support. 2 He sued District Court Eastern Pennsylvania to recover injuries. settled claim and, way third-party complaint, sought amount paid satisfaction longshoreman's claim. complaint alleged that improper stowage cargo1 created an unseaworthy condition ship's hold imposed absolute liability upon as shipowner injuries, but 'the direct, proximate, active substantial cause accident' been negligence respondent, who, 'failing perform contracted services safe, proper, customary, careful workmanlike manner,' brought existing into play. 3 As affirmative defense stevedore there no direct contractual relationship between it coverting rendered At trial parties stipulated this allegation correct, appearing consignee cargo, not petitioner, actually unload ship. directed verdict holding right indemnity against under circumstances absence them. Appeals Third Circuit affirmed en banc decision, three judges dissenting.2 Certiorari granted consider whether situation such fatal 362 926, 80 754, 4 745. In Ryan Stevedoring Co. v. Pan-Atlantic Corp., 350 124, 76 232, 100 L.Ed. 133, established contractor who enters service agreement liable indemnify damages sustained result stevedore's breach warranty obligations contract reasonable safety. This extends handling Ryan, well use equipment incidental handling, Weyerhaeuser S.S. Nacirema Co., 355 563, 78 438, 491. may be breached when does more than call play vessel's unseaworthiness. Crumady J. H. Fisser, 358 423, 429, 79 445, 448, 413. factual allegations present case comprehend latter situation. cases considerable emphasis placed stevedore. If those decisions stood alone, might thought open question privity essential support duty indemnify. But fact bridge crossed case. There we explicitly held assumption responsibility shipowner's resulting unsafe performance unaffected party hired That decided premises shipowner, operating charter. Court's language unambiguous: 6 'We think governed principle announced owes he goes plainly benefit owners are or not. enough bring zone modern law recognizes rights beneficiaries. Restatement, Law Contracts, § 133. Moreover, said case, 'competency safety inescapable elements undertaken.' U.S., page 237. They part 'warranty comparable manufacturer's soundness its manufactured product.' Id., pages 133—134, See MacPherson Buick Motor 217 N.Y. 382, 111 N.E. 1050, L.R.A. 1916F, 696. 7 conclude since stevedores, unseaworthiness play, amounted service, over.' 428—429, 448. 8 reasoning applicable here. We can perceive difference principle, so far concerned, operator whom has chartered cargo. Nor any significant distinction respect original asserted rem personam proceeding. asserted. equally owner's nondelegable provide seaworthy vessel. Osceola, 189 158, 175, 23 483, 487, 47 760; cf. Continental Grain Barge FBL—585, 19, 1470, 1540. owner, less ship, beneficiary service. 9 Accordingly judgment reversed, remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. 10 Reversed remanded. loaded Philippines several weeks earlier unrelated 272 F.2d 823 (on rehearing).

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