Court Opinion

ID: 8759324
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-26 12:00:04.999794+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:01:27.888300
License: Public Domain

COXE, Circuit Judge
(after stating the facts). The statute provides that the owner of a vessel may limit his liability provided the damage was occasioned “without the privity, or knowledge of such owner.” Rev. St. § 4283 [U. S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 2943]. The District Court held that the bulkhead was improperly constructed to. stand the strain occasioned by the negligent method of unloading adopted by the master of the barge on the occasion in question. The court found the owner liable for this fault, but held that, having purchased the barge from a responsible and highly competent builder and having made an initial inspection, the collapse of the bulkhead cannot be attributed to the privity or knowledge of the owner.
The construction of the bulkhead was manifestly improper if the bins were to be unloaded separately, and the presence of the “gate” in the lower section would seem to indicate that such unloading was not only contemplated but expected. Nevertheless, we incline to the opinion that an owner, who,- after a general inspection, purchases a vessel from a shipbuilder of recognized standing and reputation, who equips her with machinery, means and appliances which are suitable and sufficient if properly used, should be permitted to limit his liability for damage occasioned by the negligent use of such appliances by the owner’s employés. If the bins had been unloaded simultaneously, or if a sufficient amount of coal had been left in bin No. 2 to sustain the bulkhead, no accident would have happened. Before the master directed or permitted a course to be taken which put the lateral strain of 160 tons of coal upon the bulkhead he should have made an examination to ascertain if it were in a condition to withstand such pressure. Had he done so he would have discovered the inadequacy of the nails in number and size and, as the unloading continued, the insufficiency of the hooks supporting the cleat in the middle of the bulkhead.
These are faults which may be imputed to the owner in an action of' negligence, but we do not think the mere existence of such faults and defects warrants the implication that the owner had knowledge of, or was privy to, the act- or omission which caused the damage, within the meaning of the limited liability act. The question is an interesting one and by no means free from doubt but considering all the circumstances we are disposed to resolve the doubt in favor of the petitioner. The decree does substantial justice to all the claimants.
We think the testimony warranted the District Court in finding that the coal company was negligent and that the persons injured were free *726from concurring negligence. It was the duty of the coal company to exercise reasonable skill and care, to provide a suitable and safe place in which to work for persons lawfully employed on its barge. If an injury be inflicted by reason of a defect of which the owner, or the agent to whom the owner’s authority is delegated, knew or might have known by the exercise of reasonable diligence, the owner is liable. The evidence certainly warranted the conclusion that the. bulkhead was defective.
First. It collapsed. If it were intended to support the strain when bin No. 2 was empty and bin No. 1 was full it proved inadequate and this alone was sufficient to raise a presumption of fault.
Second. The top cleat was faulty in construction and insufficiently secured. The nails were too few in number, did not go through the boards, but were driven into the upper beam so that the weight of the coal in the adjoining bin exercised a straight strain or leverage tending to pull them out. Had the cleat been so placed that the strain would have been at right angles to the axes of the nails the construction would, apparently, have been much safer.
Third. The hooks on the middle cleat were insufficient and pulled out when the strain came.
That all of these defects could have been discovered by the master if he had made the slightest effort in that direction is too plain for debate. Ten minutes inspection when the barge was empty would have disclosed them all and he was bound to make the inspection, especially if he intended to unload the bins in a manner conceded to be dangerous by those engaged in the business of unloading coal.
The injured men were mere coal shovelers. They had a right to rely upon the obligation of the owner to provide a safe place in which to work. Presumably they knew nothing of boat building and, ■even if they possessed some knowledge, there was no opportunity to exercise it, as the bins were full when they were ordered to work. The defects were not so obvious that an ordinary stevedore would discover them and the failure of these coal shovelers to do so cannot be imputed to them as negligence.
We think the court correctly disposed of the questions relating to costs and expenses.
The decree is affirmed, with interest and costs.