Case Name: W. H. Letchford, et als. v. Ship Golden Eagle, et als.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1865-05
Citations: 17 La. Ann. 9
Docket Number: 
Parties: W. H. Letchford, et als. v. Ship Golden Eagle, et als.
Judges: Labadvg and Howell, J. J., absent.
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 17
Pages: 9–9

Head Matter:
W. H. Letchford, et als. v. Ship Golden Eagle, et als.
In a contract of affreightment, where tho defendants expressly allege and clearly prove that the dam age to goods was caused by stress of weather and dangers of the sea, beyond their contol, they will not be held liable.
from the Second District Court of New Orleans, Morgan, J.
F. W. Huntington for plaintiffs. Benjamin, Bradfoi'd <& Finney for defendants.

Opinion:
Jones, J.
The defendants sue tho plaintiffs, as common carriers, for damages dono to tlioir goods shipped from Havre to the port of New Orleans. Tlie proof shows that the vessel on which the goods were shipped was seaworthy and with a sufficient crew.
It is also shown that the goods were well stowed, but the damage occurred to the goods on the voyage. The contract of affreightment rendered defendants prima facie liable, and throws the burden upon them to allege aiid provo that they are within some exception of law that exonerates them from liability.
Their answer expressly alleges that if any damages occurred to plaintiff's goods during the voyage, it was from stress of weather and the dangers of the seas, for which these defendants are not responsible.
We think that defendants have by clear proof established that whatever injuries were suffered by plaintiffs, occurred by stress of weather and dangers of tlie sea, without any fault attributable to defendants,
Judgment affirmed.
Labadvg and Howell, J. J., absent.