Myers v. The Harriet
Myers v. The Harriet
Opinion of the Court
General average is not allowed except when the vessel went to a port of necessity, from which its voyage was afterwards resumed.
, 2. That freight is not earned if the voyage is abandoned by the delict of the ship or master.
3. The captain was not justified in making sale of the cargo at Kingston. It does not appear that he made any exertion to obtain funds by the hypothecation of the vessel or by any maritime contract. Cln order to justify a sale of the cargo, the necessity must be absolute and unequivocal or the sale is a tort. The captain sold the cargo, not only to pay the repairs, but because he had determined the voyage should be broken up. It appears that one-half of the amount brought by the cargo would have been sufficient to pay all the repairs — even if such a course were allowable. The sale was without excuse. The
4. The rule determining the amount of damages is the value of the cargo at the place of shipment, all expenses and interest from the time of shipment. If the libelant claims more than this, or the defendant asks to ne charged less, they must clearly and unequivocally show that the goods would, at the place of destination, bring the amount claimed to be the proper value.
Decree for libelants.
It is referred to the commissioner to ascertain the amount.
The defendant afterwards obtained leave to appeal to the circuit court.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MYERS v. The HARRIET
- Status
- Published