Legal Document

370 U.S. 165 82 Supreme Court Reporter 1226 8 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 412 Robert MORALES et al., Petitioners,v.CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, al. Number 480. Argued April 23 and 24, 1962. Decided June 11, Arthur Judge Mandell, Houston, Tex., for petitioners. Preston Shirley, Galveston, respondent, City of Galveston. Edward W. Watson, Cardigan Shipping Company, Limited Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion Court. 1 On afternoon March 14, 1957, S. Grelmarion was berthed at Texas, taking on a cargo wheat from pierside grain elevator owned operated by city. The being loaded directly into ship means spout. petitioners were longshoremen engaged in 'trimming' as it received offshore bin vessel's 2 hold, which then about three-quarters full. A last 'shot' called released bin. this shot had been treated with chemical insecticide, injured fumes chemical, made noxious concentration closely confined area where they working. brought present suit against Galveston owner vessel to recover their injuries.1 Their claim predicated upon negligence shipowner, unseaworthiness ship. After an extended trial, District entered judgment respondents, based detailed findings fact, D.C., 181 F.Supp. 202, Appeals affirmed, 5 Cir., 275 Federal Reporter, 2nd 191. certiorari (364 295, 81 107, 84) we vacated remanded case consideration light Mitchell versus Trawler Racer, Inc., 362 539, 80 926, 4 941, decided interim. That court, one judge dissenting, view that inapplicable facts case, again affirmed Court's judgment, 291 97. We granted consider seemingly significant question admiralty law. 368 816, 104, 7 23. 3 factual issues bearing alleged shipowner determined favor Specifically, court found not itself applied fumigant question, neither respondents knew, or exercise reasonable care should have known, improperly fumigated inland point someone else.2 Even cursory examination lengthy record shows these substantial evidence. They re-examined appeal.3 cannot say clearly erroneous. McAllister States, 348 19, 20—21, 75 6, 99 L.Ed. 20. Of greater significance litigation is issue prompted our remand reconsideration. Briefly stated, whether, Court, error hold seaworthy time injured.4 In supra, reversed defendant, because mistakenly imported concepts common-law action unseaworthiness. There jury erroneously instructed liability could attach only if unseaworthy condition 'there reasonably long period so ought seen removed.'5 theory that, least arises during progress voyage, shipowner's obligation 'is merely see used under circumstances * incident correction newly arisen defect.'6 It ship's rail habitually egress dock rendered presence slime gurry. did decide issue, but new trial proper criteria, holding actual constructive knowledge essential his liability, he has absolute duty 'to furnish appurtenances fit intended use.' U.S., 550, 933. 6 judge's determination Grelmarion's seaworthiness no way inconsistent decision case. agree. not, Mitchell, depends knowledge. He indicate may be excused temporary. Rather, pointed out, trier found, evidence, 'the cause injury any defect fact contaminated *.' 98. what happened unexpected, isolated occurrence. Several years before there three, perhaps four, incidents involving city itself. But arose adopted series safety inspection measures completely innocuous fumigated, 'vast quantities other grains through elevator, some eight ten percent city, without similar recent years.'7 came 'chloropicrin, insecticide never respondent city.'8 none here. Under rule absence forced ventilation system constitute unseaworthiness.9 might arise number individualized circumstances. Her gear defective, her disrepair, crew unfit. method loading cargo, manner its stowage, improper. Mahnich Southern S.S. Co., 321 96, 64 455, 88 561; Seas company Sieracki, 328 85, 66 872, 90 1099; Pope & Talbot, Hawn, 346 406, 74 98 143; Alaska Steamship Petterson, 347 396, 601, 798; Rogers Lines, 984, 849, 1120; Boudoin Lykes Bros. 336, 382, 354; Crumady Joachim Hendrik Fisser, 358 423, 79 445, 413; Atlantic Gulf Stevedores, Incorporated Ellerman Ltd., 369 355, 780, 798. For all reasons, others, service. What caused however, ship, appurtenances, crew, unforeseeable introduction agent without. ruled, unfit service she put, wrong. 9 Affirmed. 10 FRANKFURTER took part 11 DOUGLAS, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE BLACK concur, dissenting. 12 libellants 1957 result release closed hatch opening, source This chemicals weevil infestation; those libellants. 13 spaces equipped system. Grain vessels, rarely are equipped; concluded 'not necessary customary.' If instance releasing gases, maintained. instance. 10% Wheat commonly either elevators railroad cars. When properly applied, gases dissipated dangerous harmful after 24 48 hours. owners several like occurred causing longshoremen—one 1949, 1950, two 1953. 14 would N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions agree Rives 'reasonably use' (291 97, 99), up accidents. One 'intended service' was, therefore, past given off fumes. Unseaworthiness reason clearer here than temporary gurry unseaworthy. such span. whenever loaded. Petitioners course compensation medical treatment Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, 33 Code KF62 § 901 seq., Annotated KF65 U5 F.Supp., 207. '14. find quantity grain, excessive amount fumigant, aboard Grelmarion; (for evidence here) operation prior chloropicrin fumigants adhered sufficiently danger receipt elevator. '15. negligent failing know learn within make additional therefor, particular. dispute careful painstaking inspections examinations governmental authority when received, disbursed failed detect remaining traces grain. believe more successful. '17. customary design construction; clean, respects ready receive wheat; surveyed approved loading. No fumigation weevils vessel, necessary. Captain, agent, representatives particular.' 205—207. 'Careful of, reflection on, claims arguments opposing parties, controlling authorities, leaves us doubt charges negligence, basis whatever attack Indeed, convinced impartial disinterested whole, well supported wholly reasonable.' F.2d, 193. Appeals, discussion, proceeded assumption belonged class owed providing vessel. correct. 143. 540—541, n. 2, S.Ct., 927, 928. 265 426, 432. 205. Ibid. '* While systems, very customary. 'The finding heretofore introduced resulted unsually time. circumstances, admission thereof become unseaworthy, entirely adequate suitable every respect.' 206—207.

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