Puget Sound Machinery Depot v. The Guy C. Goss , 53 F. 826 ( 1892 )

HANFORD, District Judge.

The libel in this case charges that the pipe was so damaged when delivered as to be of no value whatever, and that the damage was caused by bad stowage, and negligence on the part of the master and crew, but fails to specify in what w'ay the pipe was damaged, — whether by breakage, rust, or otherwise. The answer admits that the pixie was received by the ship in good order, but denies that it was damaged when delivered; denies all the allegations of negligence; and avers that the cargo was properly stowed and dunnaged. The case was, according to the practice in this court, referred to a commissioner to take and report the evidence.

Tlie libelant produced as witnesses its president, secretary, and manager, and upon the testimony of these three rested. Said testimony as a whole is quite as vague and unsatisfactory as the libel. In substance it is that the pipe, when first examined after being discharged from the ship, was in bad condition. Mr. Thomas M. Greene, the secretary, estimates the total damage at $1,000. The others each say (referring to the entire consignment, as I assume) that it was damaged about 33J- per cent. There is not a word in the testimony offered in behalf of the libelant in chief as to breakage or rust. Fo offer was made to give in detail any information as to tlie number of pieces that were found to be injured, nor as to the manner in which the damage wa,s caused. Only from questions to the respondent’s witnesses, and testimony introduced after the evidence for the defense had closed, does it appear that the libelant’s grievance is on account of rust. Fo offer was made of evidence tending to prove that the vessel was unseaworthy, or that the cargo was not well stowed or not properly dunnaged, or that the master, mariners, or stevedores wore guilty of any negligence; and the proctor for the libelant rested upon the meager testimony above summarized, without giving notice of an intention to offer further proof at a later stage of the case.

Thereupon the proctor for claimant filed with the commissioner a motion to dismiss for want of sufficient evidence to sustain tie material allegations of the libel; but, without waiting to submit the motion to the court, the respondent proceeded before the commissioner with the taking of evidence on his side, after giving notice that the motion was not waived. The pipe was shipxied under a contract containing a clause exempting the ship from liability for “leakage, breakage, or rust, except from improper stowage;” which contract is set forth in an exhibit attached to the libel. The voyage was not protracted beyond tlie time ordinarily required for sailing from Few York to 1’uget sound. The vessel at the time of sailing was staunch and seaworthy, and made the passage without developing any defect or incapacity for transporting in safety the cargo which she carried. All necessary repairs occasioned by events of tlie voyage were promptly made. The pumps were worked regularly, and kept the water from accumulating in the ship. The evideuce qh the part of the respondent is positive to the effect that the cargo was well stowed and properly dunnaged, and that in every way known to ship masters and stevedores the cargo was protected and made secure for the voyage.

In rebuttal the libelant introduced some expert evidence to the effect that, in the opinion of the witnesses, the character of the rust on the pipe indicated that it was caused by salt water. The proctors for the libelant appear to have a theory that the damage was caused by the blowing of bilge water through the air strip, but there is no evidence to support it; and there is in the case no testimony as to the cause of the rust, except mere conjectures of the witnesses. These who give opinions that salt water caused it know-nothing about the construction of the ship, or the manner in which the cargo was stowed, or the occmrences of the voyage, and of course have no basis for an opinion as to how or when salt water could have come in contact with the pipe. Without better evidence than this, I cannot find that the rust was caused by “improper stowage,” unseaworthiness of the ship, or negligence or unfaithfulness on the part of the master or any person in the service of the ship; and without evidence to support such findings the libelant cannot recover. Bust is a cause of deterioration inherent in the goods. In issuing the bills of lading care was taken to protect the ship from liability for damage from this cause not due to some act or omission or defect for which the owner, master, agent, or some person in the service of the ship might be held to be blameworthy. Therefore the burden of proof rests upon the libelant to show such blamew-orthy act, omission, or defect. Clark v. Barnwell, 12 How. 272; McKinlay v. Morrish, 21 How. 343; Transportation Co. v. Downer, 11 Wall. 129.

The rules of practice in admiralty, while flexible and liberal, require orderly procedure and fairness in the conduct of a cause. Additional evidence may be introduced at any stage of the case before a final decree is signed in the court of original jurisdiction, and even after an appeal, when a trial de novo is allowed in the appellate court, provided good cause be shown for not producing it at the proper time; but it cannot be received out of túne, without a sufficient reason therefor appearing. Hnder this rule the claimant is entitled to have the case decided upon the evidence of the first three witnesses examined, unaided by the other evidence taken. It is my opinion, howrever, ■ that the result must be tlie same whether all the evidence offered on both sides, or only that offered by the libelant in chief, he considered. Decree of dismissal.