2 F. Cas. 115 | D. Pa. | 1804
When I first came into this court, I found it taken for granted, that the captain had a legal right to displace the mate for just cause. I have seen repeated instances, where the exercise of this power was necessary for the safety of the ship; and I have examined into many cases, wherein it had been executed from arbitrary, capricious, and improper motives. It is established by the maritime laws, and so it ought to be, that the captain must be supreme in the ship. His lawful orders must be obeyed. But when a contract is in question, the law, by its proper courts, will see that it is not vacated, for any other than legal, reasonable and necessary causes. The courts will control and examine the powers and conduct of the master. He is authorized to give all commands for the navigating, government and safety of the ship; but he has
The second point depends on the first—-the mate tendered himself ready to perform his duty as mate, but the master refused to receive him in that capacity: he was not bound to act in any other station. If any loss accrued to the owners hereby, the master, and not the mate, is responsible. If a common mariner even rebels, disobeys and refuses to do his duty, but repents in time and offers amends, and a return to, and faithful discharge of his duty, the master is bound to receive him. If the master will not so receive and reinstate him, but discharges him, the maritime laws declare that he may follow the ship, and recover his wages for the whole voyage.
I do not think it necessary to determine the point made in this cause, “Whether the mate is, or is not, bound when the voyage is ended, to assist in unlading the cargo?” The mate seems peculiarly charged with this duty (however it may be with the mariners) and he offered to perform the service. I have on many occasions, given my opinion on the subject of the duty of mariners, under similar circumstances with the mate. On the whole, I think wages must be paid agreeably to the contract in the shipping articles.