Venable v. Captain John

Brown, J. 1. The evidence does not establish any sale of the whisky to the consignee. The libelants are, therefore, the proper parties to bring this suit for damages. 2. Upon the refusal of the consignee to receive the goods, it was the duty of the propeller, as a common carrier, to store the barrel properly on account of the consignor, until he could be found. This duty is a maritime one, and for any neglect or imperfect performance of it the vessel is liable in rem for damages. Richardson v. Goddard, 23 How. 39; The Surrey, 26 Fed. Rep. 791, 794. 3. The whisky -was not, in this case, properly stored. The betweondecks of the propeller, where it lay for a long time, more or less subject to access, was not a suitable place. The libelants’ agent testifies that the bung was loose when he examined it, and I am not satisfied that the loss was from leakage only; and, not having been stored in a proper place, the vessel is liable for the loss. 4. In the interview's between the libelants’agent and the captain, no agreement was arrived at, through the improper claims of each,—from the denial of responsibility by the master on the one hand, and no offer to pay freight on the other. I cannot find, upon the evidence, that the libelants have established a case of conversion of the whole barrel, or any refusal to deliver the barrel, on payment of freight; for no freight has ever been offered, and the proof does not show/ how much of the whisky still remains. To enable both parties to comply with their legal duties, I shall direct that, upon delivery by the propeller of the barrel at any proper place in New York, on account of the libelants, and notice thereof to them, within 10 days, and payment for the whisky missing when the barrel shall be delivered, less the freight charges of the propeller,—one for carrying and one for returning,—with the disbursements of this action, the respondent will be discharged; otherwise payment for the value of the whole barrel will be ordered, with costs.