Case Name: NEW ORLEANS-BELIZE ROYAL MAIL AND CENTRAL AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY v. THE UNITED STATES
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1915-10
Citations: 51 Ct. Cl. 477
Docket Number: 
Parties: NEW ORLEANS-BELIZE ROYAL MAIL AND CENTRAL AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY v. THE UNITED STATES.
Judges: 
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Volume: 51
Pages: 477–478

Head Matter:
NEW ORLEANS-BELIZE ROYAL MAIL AND CENTRAL AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY v. THE UNITED STATES.
[Not reported in O. 01s. R.; 239 U. S. R., 202.]
On the plaintiff's appeal.
No opinion was delivered by the court below, but judgment was rendered for the defendants. On appeal the judgment was affirmed and the Supreme Court decided:
Under the charter party in this case, the United States did not so become the owner of the vessel pro hac vice as to be liable for injuries during the term of the charter and for demurrage thereafter during period of repair.
The charterer of a vessel does not become owner pro hac vice where the control, as in this case, remains with the general owner, even though the direction in which the vessel proceeds is determined by the charterer.
Authority to direct the course of a third person’s servant does not prevent his remaining the servant of that third person.
The United States in this case, held not liable for damages sustained by a vessel under charter to it when rendering services in aid of another vessel belonging to the United States.
The fact that this case is a hard one does not make the United States legally responsible for the injuries sustained by a vessel during the period chartered. United States v. Russell, 13 Wall., 623, distinguished.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Holmes
delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court November 29, 1915.