Holmar v. The Miami
Holmar v. The Miami
Opinion of the Court
The contention on the part of the libelant is that this suit is in the nature of an action on the case, and it is stated in the libel that it is an action on the case for the breach of a duty by the master and owners of the vessel to the libelant; but the facts of the case, as alleged, fail to show that, from the breach of the duty complained of, any right of action on the case arose. An action on the case is a concurrent remedy with assump-sit for many breaches of contract, whether the breach is nonfeasance or malfeasance; and, when a cause of action is stated in the complaint as arising from a breach of duty growing out of a contract, it is ex delicto, and case — an action on the case — will lie. 1 Brick. Ala. Dig. pp. 40, 41, pars. 5, 18. But the libelant sustained no relation to the vessel and owners by contract. All that can be said is that the act complained of happened on board the vessel, but it cannot be held that there was any breach of any maritime duty or obligation on the part of the master of the vessel. The libelant was not rightfully on the vessel. He came aboard clandestinely, and hid away on the vessel. He was, as he calls himself, “a stowaway,” and was such wholly without the consent or knowledge of the master. He was a trespasser. There was no contract between any one representing the vessel and the "libelant, and there was no duty to the libelant on the part of the officers and crew of the vessel. The Germania, Fed. Cas. No. 5,360, When I speak of “duty” here, T
Reference
- Full Case Name
- THE MIAMI. HOLMAR v. THE MIAMI
- Status
- Published