Opinion ID: 456170
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hercules' Contentions on Appeal

Text: 36 Most of Hercules' enumerations of error involve the factfindings of the district court regarding negligence and unseaworthiness. Findings of the district court establishing the privity and knowledge of Hercules, which appellant also disputes, are factual findings as well. All of these findings of fact are subject to review under the clearly erroneous standard. See Farrell Lines, Inc. v. Jones, 530 F.2d 7, 12 (5th Cir.1976); Waterman Steamship Corp. v. Gay Cottons, 414 F.2d 724, 738 (9th Cir.1969). Hercules cites Flowers v. Crouch-Walker Corp., 552 F.2d 1277 (7th Cir.1977) in arguing for a higher standard of review because the trial court adopted some of the proposed findings of fact submitted by the claimants. Flowers is not on point, as that case consisted almost entirely of the testimony of a single witness whose credibility was not challenged. Accordingly, the Flowers court held that when appellate review is primarily a matter of drawing inferences from undisputed facts or determining their legal implications, review is much broader than in the instance where disputed evidence and questions of credibility are involved. Clearly, we have the latter situation in this case where disputed evidence and questions of credibility were involved and therefore a more critical review of the findings of fact beyond the clearly erroneous standard is not permitted.