Document: 338 U.S. 421 70 S.Ct. 190 94 L.Ed. 225 ALCOA S.S. CO., Inc.v.UNITED STATES. No. 271. Argued Nov. 15, 1949. Decided Dec. 19, Mr. Melville J. France, New York City, for petitioner. Samuel D. Slade, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 It is principle American maritime law that ocean carrier freight charges are not earned unless and until goods to destination.1 But contractual provisions establishing shipper's liability regardless actual delivery have been uniformly held valid,2 become common stipulations in carriers' bills lading. Shipments government property made subject conditions carrier's usual contract carriage standard form bill lading specifically provides otherwise.3 At bar single question interpretation whether a 'Goods or Vessel lost lost' provision survives terms Has provided against on public at sea? 2 On June 13, 1942, petitioner's ship, S. Gunvor, shipped cargo lumber Mobile, Alabama, bound Trinidad under her first day out she was torpedoed by enemy submarine. Ship were total loss. In spite failure deliver shipment, surrendered it, its claim paid War Department September 1942. audit, however, Comptroller General disallowed payment ground had earned, sum offset other claims admittedly owing Petitioner instituted this suit Tucker Act (see 28 U.S.C.A. §§ 1346, 2401, 2402) United States District Court Southern recover claimed. The case no way concerns value lost. Reversing conclusion Court, 80 F.Supp. 158, Appeals Second Circuit found 'carefully devised plan' pay only if shipment actually arrives destination.4 We granted certiorari because determination issue raised here will guide adjustment large body similar now pending. 813, 80. 3 Review existing prevailing commercial usage respecting earning assistance solving narrow problem specific before us. Further, view our case, we need decide may properly consider Government's extensive argument regarding past administrative practice, nor rule upon relevance weight. As citation two instances where, allegedly, honored General, agree with court below consistent practice has out, indeed such relevant consideration. therefore deal bare words contract. 4 A brief statement general scheme facilitate discussion niceties draftsmanship. filled consignor time signed agent transmitted consignee. consignee, receipt shipped, endorses consignee's certificate printed hands over carrier. then submits appropriate agency endorsed voucher support charges. Setting forth details disbursing machinery, there reverse 'General Conditions Instructions,' clearly referred face bill.5 5 'Condition 2' initial basis controversy here: 'Unless otherwise stated hereon, same rules as govern shipments forms therefor carrier.' Clause 6 that: 'Full destination * all advance Goods due payable soon received purposes transportation; *.' conceded parties these quoted provisions, obligated Gunvor 'specifically' negative provision. With regard strict construction draftsman contract, concluded inconsistent 6, liable property. 7 Occupying place among 'Conditions' bill, central here, '1. Prepayment shall be demanded carrier, collection from presentation office indicated hereof lading, accomplished, attached prepared authroized Government form, 8 simple 'prepayment' does not, think, force goods. This clause seems us forbid accrual charge obligation delivery, but prohibit advance.6 it seem clear second sentence 1' expressly submission documents, 'properly accomplished,' authorized form. If put express notice fulfillment either posits cargo, 'lost must vitiated. fact, both contemplate delivery. I. 9 condition fully satisfied. 'Accomplishment' he argues technical term ancient use sea signifying more than surrender consignee holder. immediately, imply where used alone. one Payment conditioned an 'accomplished' lading; accomplished.'7 Unless modifier mean nothing, can inferred 'accomplishment' contemplated. requisites accomplished' set forth. italicize pertinent words. 10 Reference 'Instruction informs 'The sign original last becomes evidence which settlement service made.' certificate, denominated 'Certificate Delivery,' introduced words: 'I described apparent good order condition, except noted hereof.' 6' recites 'Receipt 'Report Loss, Damage, Shrinkage' hereon.' calls notation loss damage accomplishment possible. sum, 'the' rely 'accomplished,' surrendered, accompanied Delivery' 'on shipment,' 'receipt' report. 11 entries situation those could anticipated bill. Certificate Delivery only: 's.s. 'Gunvor' action. For Acting Engineer (signature illegible) Superintendent, August 8, 1942.' spaces in, any entry Shrinkage.' do course, suggest particular determine issue, inescapable entirely record explanation arrive. Without goods, been, stressed, so II. 12 By further voucher, separate document.8 'Instructions Carriers,' voucher. 'Instructions' appears unequivocal language, position undelivered reads explicitly: 'Payment transportation quantity stores *.'9 13 think advanced conclusiveness clause. invokes 'unless hereon'; arguable 'hereon' 'thereon,' consequently forbidding non-delivered cannot considered. But, assuming reliance placed reasoning leads anomalous (1) piece paper labeled 'bill lading' 'earned' though delivered; (2) denies right Such yields accrued obligation, without means collection. reasonable accept available alternative reading, hold 'otherwise hereon' satisfied reference conditioning 14 To petitioner comports practicalities. intent abundantly clear, basic draftsmanship succeeds giving stipulation. summons attention voucher; unmistakable. An experienced unfamiliar document uses regularly, prescribed every largest customers made. 15 Since lading's destination, decision correct, affirmed. 16 Affirmed. 17 FRANKFURTER BURTON dissent grounds expressed Judge Augustus N. Hand. Cir., 175 F.2d 661, 663. 18 DOUGLAS took part consideration case. See, e.g., Brittan v. Barnaby, 21 How. 527, 533, 177; Caze & Richaud Baltimore Ins. Co., Cranch 358, 362, 370; Robinson, Admiralty, § 82 (1939); Borchard, Earning Freight Uncompleted Voyages, 30 Yale L.J. 362 (1921). E.g., International Paper Co. Gracie Chambers, 248 387, 39 149, 63 318; Allanwilde Transport Corp. Vacuum Oil 377, 147, 312, A.L.R. 15. Bill Lading, Standard Form 1058, approved U.S., 24, 1928; Comp.Gen. 698; 424, 192, infra. Also back series 'Administrative Directions' required law. century legislative 'no money whatever Jan. 31, 1823, Stat. 723, 31 529. interprets statute '* exceed rendered *' resolve favor. Like below, find unnecessary pass contention. significantly parallel Voucher Instruction reads: corresponding receipted; (Italics supplied.) 1068, 26, 1931; 588. All balance here. weight natural shrinkage en route shown for, packages intact.' syntax exception destroyed conjunction italics. official copy 589 shows 'and' printer's error. correct word 'the'.

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