The Cumberland
The Cumberland
Opinion of the Court
This case comes before the court on exceptions to the assessor’s report. The interlocutory decree directed that the damages should be divided, and it appears that both vessels were damaged.
The Cumberland was in collision July 7,1902; was abandoned to the underwriters July 31st, and on that day the abandonment was accepted; was sold by the underwriters August 20th. The libelant claims demurrage between July 7th and August 20th. The claimant contends that no demurrage is allowable, but only interest. The assessor allowed demurrage to July 31st.
If the property of A. is injured by B., A. can recover from B. the dainage suffered; but, in assessing this damage, a court or jury is guided by rules more or less artificial. Where a vessel is totally destroyed in a collision, the Supreme Court has decided that the libelant shall recover “the value of the vessel, with interest thereon, and the net freight pending at the time of the collision.” The Umbria, 166 U. S. 404, 421, 17 Sup. Ct. 610, 41 L. Ed. 1053. See The Columbus, 3 W. Rob. 158. Under the circumstances stated, this rule is deemed to furnish a restitutio in integrum. That the wreck has been sold for a sum more or less considerable does not affect the rule, except by crediting the price received to the wrongdoer. But no plaintiff is permitted to enhance his damages, and so the respondent, whom the libelant seeks to charge with the original value of the vessel damaged (either the total value, or the balance left after deducting from the total value of the vessel the proceeds of the wreck), may show in reduction of damages that she can be restored by repair to her original condition for a smaller sum. He may then satisfy his liability by paying the cost of these repairs. The substitution of cost of repair for diminution in value as a measure of damages is ordinarily a concession to the claimant, and not a substituted method of assessment of which the libelant can avail himself at his discretion. If the repairs cost more than the loss of value, the claimant can ordinarily satisfy his liability by paying the latter. The Havilah, 50 Fed. 331, 1 C. C. A. 519; The Venus (D. C.) 17 Fed. 925. Where loss of value is awarded, interest is ordinarily allowed from the collision to the time of payment. The Illinois (D. C.) 84 Fed. 697. Where the cost of repairs is awarded, the libelant recovers, in addition thereto, compensation for loss of the vessel’s use during repair. This compensation is called “demurrage.”
Applying .these rules to the case at bar, we find that the libelant sought to recover the difference between the value of the Cumberland before collision and her value after collision, as determined by the
The contention of the libelant is sustained, and demurrage is allowed to August 20th, when the vessel was sold. The libelant asks for no more, and the repairs could not have been completed by that time.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- THE CUMBERLAND THE ADMIRAL FARRAGUT
- Status
- Published