Court Opinion

ID: 4934695
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-24 01:13:09.043781+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:14:37.735557
License: Public Domain

Peters, C. J.
It was said in Howard v. Miner, 20 Maine, 330, that on a contract for the delivery of specific articles which are ponderous or cumbrous, when it is not designated in the contract, and there is nothing in the condition and situation of the parties to determine the place of delivery, it is the privilege of the creditor to name a reasonable and suitable one ; that the debtor should request the creditor to select the place, and if the creditor fails to do so, the debtor may appoint the place.
In the case at bar a vessel was purchased on the eastern coast somewhere, to be delivered to the buyer in Portland. Had the defendant provided a suitable place at some dock or wharf, which could have been reached by the use of reasonable exertion, the *191delivery should have been made there. The purchaser, after notice, failing to provide a place, we think the seller would be justified in tendering a delivery at safe anchorage in the harbor. He should not be required to go to special expenses to himself to obtain a place at the wharf or upon the shore.
By the bill of exceptions, examined with the judge’s charge, we find that a controversy arose between the parties over the requirement of the purchaser that the seller should go to the expense himself of placing the vessel in a dry dock in order that the seller could there examine her. There was some reason to suspect that the vessel had been ashore on her voyage to Portland, and the purchaser desired an inspection to see whether she had escaped injury or not.
There can be no doubt that, in offering delivery, the seller was under obligation to afford an opportunity to the purchaser to make the examination. But any expenses to be incurred thereby, beyond what would be necessary in putting the vessel in a proper place for delivery, would fall upon the buyer and not upon him. The seller was under no obligation to incur any unusual expense. He could not be called upon to place the vessel in a dry dock. He tenders the property as sound, according to the agreement under which he acted. The buyer must accept or reject it at his risk. Benj. Sales, § 695. Croninger v. Crocker, 62 N. Y. 151.

Exceptions overruled.

Walton, Danforth, Emery, Foster and Haskell, JJ., concurred.