850
FEDERAL REPORTER.
vessels knew of the approach of the other, knew that the separating distance was less than the allowed 800 yards, knew that there had been no exchange of understood signals, and therefore knew that there had been no common understanding as to the paths or courses of the respective vessels. Each vessel, notwithstanding this knowledge, and indirect disobedience to a rule of navigation made familiar by constant application, and sacredly obligatory as essential to the safety of life and property upon a river teeming with coming and going boats, continued on its course. Both boats were tending towards the same point, and collision was the inevitable-consequence. If the Greenville had completely stopped at any point between the distance of two miles, where she admits she perceived the Lee, and the 800 yards, or if the Lee had stopped, even at the distance of five or six hundred yards, when she admits she fully perceived the Greenville, the collision could not have taken place. The antecedent faults of either vessel, even if they had existed exactly as claimed by the other, would not have resulted in the disaster but for the common violation of this wellknown and fundamental rule of navigation. Both vessels must, therefore, be adjudged to have been guilty of fault. It follows that the damage which both vessels suffered, and that resulting from the los8 of the cargo of the Greenville, upon which insurance has been paid, as well as from that which was uninsured, should be divided. Let it be referred to a commissioner to report upon the aggregate loss to the two boats and to the insurance company, who are libelants in the second suit. U.pon the coming in of this report the question as to the extent of liability of the owners of each boat beyond her value will be determined, if it is presented by the values found by the commissioner and adopted by the court.
THE HETTIE ELLIS. l (Cl:rouit (Jourt, E. D. Louisiana. ADMIRALTy-JETTISON-CONDUCT OF MASTER.
June, 1884.)
In a case in admiralty, where the shipper has heen prejudiced by the jettison of his goods, the court may look into the facts of the case and determine whether the owners have appointed a competent master, and whether that master has used reasonable skill and judgment in encountering the peril of the sea that has made the jettison necessary; and where a jettison has been necessary through the conduct of the master, concurring with a peril of the sea, whether that conduct was reasonably skillful, judicious, and prudent. S. C. 20 FED. REP. 39.3 and 507, affirmed.
Admiralty Appeal. 1 Reported
On petition for a rehearing.
by Joseph P. Hornor, Esq., of the New Orleans bar.
THE HETTIE ELLm.
351
E. H. FM"I'ar, for libelants. James R. Beckwith, for claimants. PARDEE, J. "The obligation of the owners is to appoint a. competent master, having reasonable skill and judgment and courage, and they are liable if, through his failure to possess or exert these quali. ties in any emergency, the interest of shippers is prejudiced. But they do not contract for his infallibility, nor that he shall do, in an emergency, precisely what, after the event, others may think would have been best." Lawrence v. Minturn, 17 How. 100. In the same case it 'is, said: "But if a jettison of a cargo becomes necessary in consequence of any fault or breach of contract by the master or owners, the jettison is attribut8lble to that fault or breach of contract, and not to sea peril, though that may also be present and enter into the case." From this authority it follows that in a case in admiralty, where the shipper has been prejudiced by the jettison of his goods, the court may look into the facts of the case and determine whether the owners have appointed a master, and whethar that master has used reasonable skill and judgment in encountering the peril of the sea that has made the jettison necessary, and where a jettison haa been necessary ,through the conduct of the master, concurring with a peril of the sea, whether that can· duct was reasonably skillful, judicious, and prudent. In this inquiry neither infallibility nor the wisdom furnished by the rasult are to be required, but certainly the ordinary skill, judgment, and prudence of the profession are to be required, else the shipper's goods are at the mercy of the master. The rule is to be found between infallibility and irresponsibility. And it is no new doctrine that the master and owners may be held responsible for the want of skill and judgment on the part of the master in sailing his ship. , "If the master'remain in port without sufficient cause when the season is favorable for the voyage, and the goods are, in consequence, lost or injured, the ship-owner is bound to repair the loss. But the master is culpable if he sails in spite of wind and weather; for the voyage must be made according to the circumstances of the ship, time, and place, and according to the practice of skillful navigators." Fland.Mar. La.w, 157. "There is good authority in the maritime law for the position'that the master is bound not to sail out in tempestuous weather, though the point has not been directly adjudicated in this country or in England. The laws of Oleron, of West Capelle, and of Wisbuy expressly make him liable for any damage happening to the cargo in consequence of sailing in bad weather." Curt. Mer. Seam. 215. "For if any injury or loss happen to the ship or cargo by reason of his negligence or misconduct, he is personally responsible for it; and although the merchant may elect to sue the owners, they will have a remedy against him 'to make good the damages they aro compelled to pay." Abb. Shipp. 167.
352
"And the same doctrine is recognized in our law. In v. Ket land, 1 Wash. C. C. 142, it was laid down as a rule that a man whc undertook to navigate a ship was pledged to his owners, apd they to all the world who might be affected, for his skill, care, and attention. It is not sufficient that he exercises his best judgment. He must possess competent skill as a commander. In Purviance v. Angu8, 1 Dall. 180, the court said that 'it is a wrong position that a master of a ship is not answerable for an error in judgment, but only for the fault of the heart in civil matters. Reasonable care, attention, prudence, and fidelity are expected from the master of a ship.'" Abb. Shipp. (Smith & Perkins' Notes) p. 167, note 1, and p. 119 and note. In the case of The HetHe Ellis it cannot be found from the evidence, and considering all presumptions in favor, that the owners furnished "a competent master, having reasonable skill andjudgment." If they did furnish such a master, then it is clear from the evidence that he failed to exert such reasonable skill and judgment, whereby the interest of the shippers was prejudiced. If the master was not competent, then the owners are liable for his want of skill and judgment, resulting to the prejudice of the shippers. If he was competent, all that need btl said is that his conduct in unnecessarily putting his ship in peril was reckless and foolhardy, without reasonable skill and judgment, and was faulty and negligent in the extreme. On the trial of the case the court found that the Hettie Ellis had anchored every previous night of the voyage, although the weather was fair, in safe places; but that on the night in question, which was dark and very foggy, and threatening to be, stormy and tempestuous, the master neglected to anchor behind Round island, as was usual, and as other vessels did, but attempted with a square-bowed, flat-bottomed scow or barge, with a high deck-load. and without landmarks in sight, to navigate an open sound full of shoals, and that this conduct was unskillful, lacking judgment, faulty, and negligent, and concurred in making the jettison necessary, and for this faulty and negligent conduct the owner and the ship were responsible to the shippers who were prejudiced thereby. After a thorough re-examination of the case, I am satisfied that the decision and decree were correct. A rehearing is therefore refused.
WILKINSON V. VELA WARE, L. &: W. B. CO.
858
WILKINSON
and others v. DELAWARE, L. & W. R. Co.
(Oircuit Oourt, D. NeJI/) Jt/I'S6Y. November 20,1884.)
1.
A railroad corporation chartered in one state does not become a domestic corporation in another state by virtue of leasing, purchasing, and operating roads in that state under certain enabling acts of the legislature. 2. SAME-TIME OF ApPLICATION-ACT OF MARCH 3,1875, e. 137, t 3. The clause" before or at the term at which the cause could be first tried," in the removal act of 1875, means at tlll! time when, by the usual orderly course of practice, under the rules of the court. the case could be set down trial, if an action at law, or for final hearing, if an equity case.
REMOVAL OJ' CAUSE-FOREIGN CORPORATION-LEASE OF RAILROAD IN ANOTHER STATE-ENABLING AC'fs.
Motion to Remand Cause. Geo. B. Ely, for plaintiff. Bedle, Muirheid If McGee, for defendant. NIXON, J. Two reasons are assigned why this cause should be re. manded to the state court: (1) Because the defendant corporation, although chartered by the state of Pennsylvania, has become a oitizen of New Jersey, as lessee of the Monis & Essex Railroad Company, and by the legislature of the state of New Jersey validating and con. firming the said lease; (2) Lecause the petition for removal was filed too late. 1. The Morris & Essex Railroad Company, a corporation of the state of New Jersey, on the tenth of December, 1868, made and executed to the defendant oorporation of the state of Pennsylvania a lease of its railroad, road-bed, and franchises, and all its property of whatever kind, to be held by the last-named company for and during the oontinuance of the charter of the first-named company. or any.re. newal of the same, upon its assuming the debts of the lessor and paying an annual dividend of 7 per cent. to the holder of its out· standing capital stock. The legislature of New Jersey, on the ninth day of February following, passed an act confirming the lease, and all the provisions, contracts, and conditions contained therein, and authorizing the defendant corporation to hold, use, occupy, and enjoy all said property, franchises, and powers granted and demised to them, and to operate the railroad and its branches in the way and upon the con. dition, in all respects, and not otherwise, as authorized by the act of incorporation of the said lessor company. When this lease was made there was no law in New Jersey which authorized the railroad companies of the state to lease their property and franchises to foreign corporations, and the act above referred to was passed to enable the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Company to exercise its franchise, and transact its business, inside of the state of New Jersey under the powers and privileges conferred upon the Morris & Essex Railroad Company. It was simply an enabling act, and contained no provision v.22F,no.7-28