Court Opinion

ID: 8637320
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-24 19:47:24.773568+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:55:58.425290
License: Public Domain

SPRAGUE, District Judge,
held that the proof of usage was not sufficient; that though, generally speaking, it might be the practice in the port of Boston, so to adjust similár cases. yet it appeared ■ that the usage was not uniform, and therefore it was of no weight in
*881determining the question. The general principle of law was, that when sacrifices were made, or expenses incurred for the general benefit, all the parties interested should contribute. In the present case, when these expenses were incurred, the cargo was in safety; it could not be said that the cargo was saved, or relieved from peril by the expenses of getting the vessel off. The only ground on which the claim could be made would be that they were incurred for the furtherance of the voyage, and in order to its completion. If this was so, then the expenses of repairs should also be charged in general average, for they stand on the same ground. But this could not be maintained. The cargo cannot be held to contribute unless it receives a benefit. Often the right of the master to detain a cargo while he makes repairs is a burthen upon the shipper, and is of no benefit to him except in extraordinary cases; as where no other vessels can be procured to take it and the cargo would perish or be of no value if left. In such a case, if the expenses of repairs exceeded the benefit to the ship-owner therefrom, it is manifest that such excess should be paid by the cargo if incurred for its benefit, but whether such payment should be made by general average or payment of the whole excess, there seemed to be some diversity of opinion.
The following authorities, among others, were adverted to. 1 Mag. Ins. 67; 2 Phil. Ins. 86; 4 Mass. 550-555; 2 Pick. 9-11; Stev. & B. Ins. 75; 2 Mete. (Mass.) 143. 144; Abb. Shipp. (S. & P.’s notes) 575; 3 Maulé & S. 482; Stev. & B. Ins. 130, and note (a) 14i.
In the present case, the general rule, according to the authorities, was in accordance with the general principle, and the owner of the cargo could not be held liable to contribute towards the expenses of getting off the vessel.