Fairchild v. Slocum

By the Court, Bronson, J. The defendants insist, first, that no joint contract was proved to carry the goods beyond Oswego, and that as to Lake Ontario the defendants were not carriers, but were at most only forwarders by the owners of lake vessels; second, that for a loss on the lake, they could only file liable on proof of gross negligence ; third, that no wánt of diligence or care was shown; and fourth, that there was a fatal variance between the declaration and . the contract proved. That Armstrong, acting as the agent of the defendants, contracted to carry the plaintiff’s goods from New York to Ogdensburgh was proved beyond all doubt; and the only question is, whether he had authority from all the defendants to make such a contract. On a careful consideration of the evidence, I think the jury were fully warranted in finding for the plaintiff on this point, as against all of the defendants. [332] It is a matter of no moment that the defendants were not interested in the tow-boats by which the goods were forwarded from New "York to Albany ; nor is it material as to th® result of this case, that they had no joint interest in the vessels employed on the lake. They were engaged in the business of carriers, and 'whether they used their own boats and vessels, or employed the vessels of other persons to carry for them on some part or even all of the route, can be a matter of no consequence. It is enough that they received the goods on an undertaking to carry and deliver them at Ogdensburgh, and it was not for the plaintiff to enquire in what particular manner they intended to perform the contract. This is not like the case of Roberts v. Turner, 12 Johns. R. 232. There the defendant was a mere warehouse keeper and forwarder of goods. The course of business was, for him to receive merchandize or produce at his store, and forward it by boatmen on the Mohawk river. The defendant was not a carrier, but an intermediate agent between the owner and the carrier, and the court said he had performed his whole undertaking when he gave the goods in charge to an experienced and faithful boatman. In the case at bar, the agreement of the defendants was, not that they would deliver the goods to a carrier on Lake Ontario, but that they would themselves carry and deliver the property at Ogdensburgh. Although by the contract, the defendants were not answerable for the dangers of Lake Ontario, yet, if the loss happened through the want of ordinary care or skill in lading or navigating the vessel, I think they would be liable; Did the loss happen through negligence 1 The schooner was seaworthy, and captain Tyler, the master was an experienced and very competent officer. There was the usual number of hands, though some of the witnesses thought it would have been more prudent to have had another in addition to those on board. The vessel left Oswego with a fair sailing breeze, and every thing promised a successful voyage. According to the evidence of the master and other persons on board, the schooner was capsized by a sudden squall or gust of wind, and the accident could not have [333] been avoided. The plaintiff attempted to prove that the deck load was too heavy, and was placed upon sleet, or ice, that there were not hands enough on board for the safe navigation of the vessel, and that at the time of the accident the watch was insufficient- He also insisted that there was negligence in not barring the hatches, and in permitting the vessel to broach at the time the squall struck her. Some of these questions had no possible connection with the loss which happened, and cannot therefore affect the liability of the defendants. The ground on which the plaintiff mainly relied was, that the evidence would warrant the jury in saying that the loss happened in consequence of placing too much of the cargo on deck. [Here the judge reviewed the evidence in the case, and then proceeded as follows:] After a patient and laborious examination of the testimony, I am satisfied that the verdict is clearly against the weight of evidence. It is not enough that some witnesses think it would have been more prudent to have had another hand, a more efficient watph, or to carry a smaller load upon deck. Nor is it enough that some men of great prudence would have acted with more abundant caution. It is conceded on the part of the plaintiff that the defendants are only answerable for a loss happening through the want of that diligence which is usually exercised by men engaged in navigating the lake ; that they were only bound to ordinary care. It is I think, impossible to read the case with attention, without being strongly impressed with the opinion that the loss was occasioned by one of the perils of navigating the lake, instead of the alleged negligence of the master; and that the defendants have been made answerable for the winds and the waves, against the express stipulation of their contract. There was a variance between the contract proved and that laid in the declaration. None of the counts mention the exception of the dangers of Lake Ontario. I think there should be a new trial; that the plaintiff should be allowed to amend his declaration, and that the costs of the former trial should abide the event of the suit. Ordered accordingly.