18 F. Cas. 258 | E.D.N.Y | 1874
The charter provides for a cargo of yellow pine timber, hewn on four sides, and resawed yellow pine lumber, not less than one-half of resawed. The cargo tendered to the ship consisted partly of yellow pine timber, and a great part of rough-edged timber, instead of at least one-lialf resawn. This cargo was received under protest, made and extended, as not conforming to the charter party; and, in the bills of lading given by the master, the proviso for a delivery was, “on paying freight as per charter party, with additional claim as per protest.” The charter party contained the usual clause binding the merchandise to be laden on board to the true and faithful performance of the •agreement. Under this state of facts, the •question arises, whether the ship has a lien upon the cargo actually shipped for a sum •equal to what the freight would have amounted to, had the resawed timber, stipulated for in the charter party, been shipped, instead •of the rough-edged timber which was shipped.
The charter provides no rate of freight for rough-edged timber; and the bill of lading fixes no rate of freight, except by the above provisions referring to the charter and protest. Looking at these documents together, the charter, the protest, and the bill of lading, it appears quite clear that the understanding of the parties was, that this rough-edged timber should be transported on freight, and should pay as freight a sum sufficient to bring the earnings of the vessel for the voyage up to the total freight which would have been realized had the charter been strictly complied with. It is not a case of dead freight, but of substituted freight, transported, nevertheless, under a contract to pay freight upon its delivery, the amount of which, although not stated, was to be calculated on the termination of the voyage by a reference to the original charter. Such a contract, if no more -than an agreement, upon delivery of the cargo, to pay damages for the violation of the ■charter, then unliquidated, presents no difficulty. A court of admiralty can enforce, without embarrassment or injustice, a lien for such damages, and such a proceeding is •common in the admiralty.
The report should, therefore, be confirmed, :and a decree entered for the sum reported, with costs.
