Court Opinion

ID: 8838978
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-26 16:33:59.377728+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:05:09.016669
License: Public Domain

Brown, J.
Taking all the testimony together, respondent’s as well as libelant’s, I am satisfied that the understanding upon which the tin was shipped upon the respondent’s lighter was that it should be insured by the respondent. Whether a common carrier or not, he is here practically in the same situation. For the injury and loss of the tin by the subsequent sinking of the lighter the respondent is therefore answerable.
The amended answer claims a limitation of his liability to the value of the vessel, under the acts of 1851, (Rev. St. § 4283,) and of June 26, 1884, (23 St. at Large, p. 57, § 18.) In previous cases I have expressed the opinion that the act of 1884 does not limit the liability of the owners of vessels upon their direct personal contracts outside of the ordinary) business of the vessel, but only the liability cast upon them by law, by reason of their ownership of the vessel, through the contracts or torts of the master or others engaged in her navigation. The Amos D. Carver, 35 Fed. Rep. 669; Force v. Insurance Co., Id. 778; Miller v. O’Brien, Id. 783.
The contract in the present case was the personal contract of the respondent; and, following the view previously expressed, I must hold him not entitled to the limitation of liability as claimed, and order judgment for the libelant for §2,100, the amount proved, with interest and costs.