Legal Document

348 U.S. 336 75 Supreme Court Reporter 382 99 L.Ed. 354 Elie Judge BOUDOIN, Petitioner,v.LYKES BROTHERS STEAMSHIP CO., Incorporated Number 406. Argued Feb. 11, 1955. Decided 28, Mr. Raymond or Haw. Hawai‘i Reports KFH45 A2 Kierr, New Orleans, La., for petitioner. Andrew R. Martinez, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This is a suit by an American seaman against owner and operator ocean freighter, Mason Lykes, on which he was formerly employed. He based his claim recovery both negligence breach warranty seaworthiness. The case tried court upon waiver jury. District found plaintiff, holding that shipowner breached its seaworthiness officers were negligent. 112 F.Supp. 177. Appeals reversed, 211 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 618. We granted certiorari to resolve seeming conflict between Keen versus Overseas Tankship Corp., 194 515, decided Second Circuit. 814, 73. 2 Plaintiff employed in engine department as oiler. ship had deck maintenance man, named Manuel Gonzales. Plaintiff's injury inflicted Gonzales who, during course night's drinking party, went plaintiff's room took bottle brandy from under bed. awoke, startled; attacked him with bottle, causing severe injuries. 3 placed liability case, where Learned Hand wrote: 4 'The hull gear has never meant shall withstand every violence wind weather; all it means she be reasonably fit voyage question. Applied seaman, such is, not competent meet contingencies; but equal disposition seamanship ordinary men calling.' 518. 5 'equal calling'. (112 180.) 6 assault plaintiff occurred early morning November 25, 1949. happened party board much liquor consumed, nearly fifth. was, indeed, drunk when assaulted plaintiff. evidence disputed; shortly after struck returned large knife also intended use him. When taken ship's hospital, created disturbance outside—threatening mate, trying enter sick-bay, offering give blood transfusion. Those events followed heels assault. 7 About six hours assault, ordered master's cabin, refused make any statement about Later clean hospital. Instead doing that, left orders. Early afternoon bottles at time captain apprehended him, away, irons—a step testified seldom used. 8 next day, 26, vessel without leave did return until logged disobedience orders fined being absent leave. On Lykes United States, discharged captain, though, since time, served respondent's vessels. 9 basis these facts, 'a person dangerous propensities proclivities' plaintiff; violent character, belligerent disposition, excessive habits, disposed fighting making threats assaults.' 10 think record does warrant rejection Court's findings 11 species fault. Osceola, 189 158, 23 483, 47 760; Seas Shipping company Sieracki, 328 85, 90—94, 66 872, 875—877, 90 1099. Yet mean liable injuries 'resulting sailor's brawl', put Jones Bros. Steamship Co., Cir., 204 815, 816. It gets damage member crew. fisticuffs shipboard. 12 'All are some degree irascible; workman apt angry fellow complains work their common superior; will harbor resentment provoke quarrel over even lapse several hours. Sailors lead rough life more fists than office employees; what seem sedentary protected persons insufficient provocation personal encounter, measure 'disposition' 'the calling." supra, 817. 13 can weather storms. merely carry cargo'. Silvia, 171 462, 464, 19 7, 8, 43 241; Southwark, 191 1, 9, 24 3, 48 65. If not, liable, irrespective fault part. supra; supra. 14 see no reason draw line one hand personnel other.1 A proclivity assaulting people may, deadly risk rope weak strand latent defect. problem, many aspects law, degree. Was within usual customary standards calling? Or wicked propensity evil conduct, savage vicious nature? former, risks sea crew takes. nature, then becomes perilous place. bursting seams might well safer place homicidal maniac member. 15 do intimate nor extreme need reached before unseaworthiness arises. there sufficient justify crossed line, endanger others who worked ship. justified concluding calling contingencies voyage. conclude support cause action Therefore we reach question negligence. 16 Reversed. 17 REED concurs result ground officers. Situations involving have been presented recent decisions. Recovery allowed Thompson Coastal Oil D.C.N.J., 119 838, reversed other grounds, 221 559. crewman murder fellows meat cleaver those calling. In Stankiewicz Fruit S.S. D.C.S.D.N.Y., 123 714, directed verdict defendant seaworthiness, assailant As noted, same held test met following earlier argument. And Kelcey Tankers 217 541.

Classification Label: 7