76 P. 14 | Or. | 1904
after stating the facts in the foregoing terms, delivered the opinion of the court.
3. Defendant’s counsel next urge that there is no evidence to support the findings of fact in two particulars material to the plaintiff’s cause of action, namely, that defendant neglected to leave the barges in charge of watchmen, and that they were insecurely anchored or fastened; and in a third particular relating to the defense touching the manner of the storm that caused the vessels to break from their moorings and drift upon plaintiff’s trestle. The findings of fact of the trial court are conclusive upon us, if there was some competent evidence offered and admitted at the trial reasonably tending to their support, and, “whether or not that court was justified by the weight of evidence in making the findings, this court cannot consider”: Hicklin v. McClear, 18 Or. 126, 137 (22 Pac. 1057, 1061); Bartel v. Mathias, 19 Or. 482 (24 Pac. 918); In re Fenstermacher v. State, 19 Or. 504 (25 Pac. 142); State v. Myers, 20 Or. 442 (26 Pac. 307). The evidence, as it relates to the defendant having a watchman in charge of the barges at the time, is really not much in conflict, and is in apt support of the findings. One watchman was usually provided for all of the barges, but not even one was aboard on that occasion. There were three men, however, on what
Touching the manner of mooring the vessels, and with what kind of ropes and instrumentalities they were secured, there is much conflict. The defendant’s witnesses show that much care and circumspection were observed in this respect, and that new and secure ropes were used, and all that were necessary to provide against the influence and force of the usual extremes of the weather and tides that might be expected at that time of the year; while upon the other hand it must be admitted there was much testimony tending to show that the ropes were rotten and weak and wholly insufficient. It is argued, however, that plaintiff’s witnesses had not the means or facility of examining and ascertaining the quality and condition of such ropes and fastenings that the defendant’s had, but that goes to their credibility, and is for the trial court in determining the weight of evidence. We are not permitted to examine it here for that purpose. Unquestionably, there is ample evidence in the record upon which the findings could reasonably be based, so that it is not within our province to consider it further. The testimony concerning the stress of weather is of the same character, and we are concluded by the findings in this as in the other particulars.
Based upon these considerations, the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed, and it is so ordered.
Affirmed.