Document: 340 U.S. 71 S.Ct. 144 95 L.Ed. 86 LIBBY, McNEILL & LIBBYv.UNITED STATES. No. 37. Argued Oct. 13, 1950. Decided Nov. 27, As Amended on Denial of Rehearing Jan. 8, 1951. Mr. Stanley B. Long, Seattle, Wash., for petitioner. Samuel D. Slade, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a companion case to Standard Oil Company New Jersey v. United States, 54, 135, decided this day. Here, as there, Government insured petitioner's ship against war risks including 'all consequences hostilities or warlike operations.' The ordinary marine were covered by Lloyd's policy. vessel, States Army Transport David W. Branch, stranded January 1942, when an inexperienced helmsman made mistake in steering. admits that Branch was engaged operation transporting military supplies and personnel between bases, but denies phases caused stranding. Court Claims found fact there no causal connection 'warlike operation' stranding, accordingly gave judgment States. 87 F.Supp. 866, 115 Ct.Cl. 290. Petitioner's contentions reversal here are substantially same those advanced supra. reasons given our holding require affirmance case. 2 Affirmed. 3 DOUGLAS dissents set forth his dissent 70, 143, 4 FRANKFURTER, joined JACKSON, dissenting. 5 another insurance raising legal issue Co. be light it. facts must considered, question whether loss 'consequence' activities cannot answered abstract. 6 combination passenger cargo vessel having gross tonnage 5,544 tons, chartered her owners September 15, 1941. risks, On 11, departed from Seattle certain Alaskan ports. She operated loaded with materials destined bases Alaska. sailing orders issued Service directed follow inside passage Alaska because danger submarine attack if outside route across open seas followed. night running course 350 yards off Hammer Island, diverged headed toward island. helmsman, who incompetent, turned opposite direction ordered pilot divergence noticed, ran aground partially submerged reef. 7 case, it clear operation, so concluded. only circumstances fairly considered activity. court below concluded could not look beyond fault although specially number indicating collision grew out activity vessel. 8 (1) 'deperming process which subjected created unstable variable magnetic condition turn unstable, variable, unreliable compasses reinstalled. * In normal such would put sea condition. (B)ut urgent necessity transportation board Alaska, voyage undertaken notwithstanding known compasses.' 871, 290, 301. further steering 'by compass under directions pilot' prior 'instability result deperming may have been contributing factor ship's deviation course.' at 873, 874, 304, 305. 9 (2) master 'received instructions office Navy Routing Officer proceed maximum full ahead speed, excess usual peacetime operating time stranding.' 872, 303. 10 (3) through order avoid submarines, 'is narrow tortuous, contains rocks, reefs, shoals, swift, strong, unpredictable currents.' 868, 295. It navigationally dangerous, particularly wintertime weather conditions interfere observation landmarks, lights, other visual aids, has scene numerous strandings casualties.' Id. 11 (4) found: 'Because manpower shortage due difficult procure experienced competent helmsmen, reason helmsmen incompetent standing mate watch stand alongside steering.' 12 its speed had nothing do also passage, wandering war, rather than ship, since civilian vessels subject conditions. But misses point, itself 'because Alaska'. There suggest any voluntarily embark tortuous high personnel. Where forces occurrence large part patently referable insurer all operations should relieved liability because, circumstances, failed pilot.

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