Case Name: Triplet & Neale v. Van Name et al.
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1822-05
Citations: 2 Cranch 332
Docket Number: 
Parties: Triplet & Neale v. Van Name et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (District of Columbia - reported by Mackey)
Volume: 2
Pages: 332–333

Head Matter:
Triplet & Neale v. Van Name et al.
The vessel, and the cargo in the hold, are not liable to contribution for the deck-load town overboard for the general safety. .
Bill iri equity for contribution from the vessel, and remaining part of the cargq, for a. part of the deck-load thrown overboard for the general safety of vessel and cargo, in a voyage from New York to Alexandria, D. C.
Mr. Mason, for the defendant,
contended that the cargo under deck is not liable for average of deck-load thrown overboard for the preservation of the whole. Smith v. Wright et al. 1 Caines’ N. Y. Term Reports, 43 ; Inclah v. Randall, 2 Caines’ Cases, 324; Lenox v. United Insurance Company, 3 Johns. Cases, 178 ; Stevens on Average, 14, 18, 50 ; Code Napoleon.
Mr. Taylor, contra.
This is a coasting voyage, and the question depends upon the usage of the trade. The general principle is, that the vessel and remaining goods shall contribute for any part of the cargo thrown overboard for the safety of the residue. There is no reason for excepting the deck-load, unless the vessel is thereby overladen; in which case the master only is liable. The error has arisen from applying the law of insurance to a mere question of contribution. But the law of insurance is founded on the fact, that a deck-load is liable to greater risk than a cargo under deck. Beawes, Lex. Mere. Tit. Salvage.
The Code Napoleon is the municipal law of France, and is no evidence of the general maritime law upon this particular case. Mr. Taylor also cited a MS. note of the ease of the Sloop Matilda, from New York to Alexandria, D. C., which was submitted to arbitrators, James Bruce Nichols, an insurance broker, and George Coleman, a master of a vessel, who decided it to be a proper case for average, it not appearing that the vessel was overloaded.

Opinion:
The Court,
having taken time to consider, in the vacation, was of opinion that it was not a case of average, and dismissed the bill.