148 F. 331 | W.D.N.Y. | 1906
The question here is whether a traveling derrick is a part of the apparel, tackle, and furniture of the scow Buffalo. The derrick in question which concededly belonged to the owners of the scow, was a part of her apparel, tackle, and furniture, and
“If they are Indispensable Instruments, without which the ship cannot execute its mission and perform its functions, it may, in ordinary loose application, be included under the term “ship,” being that which may be essential fo it — as essentia] to it as any part of its own immediate machinery.”
The case of Swift v. Brownell, Fed. Cas. No. 13,695, cited by proctors for respondent, is not controlling here. There it was simply held that provisions and supplies of a whaling ship were not within the meaning of the word “ship” or “vessel” as those terms are used in our statute. Under the English law they were appurtenances, but, as the term “appurtenances” was omitted from our statute, it was thought that they did not come under its provisions. It will readily be observed that the facts .of that case are distinguishable. The derrick cannot be classed strictly within the meaning of an appurtenánce of a ship, even though it could be, and frequently was, moved to and from the ship. In its operation it was conjointly used with the ship, and became an indispensable and necessary part thereof — as necessary as the mast of a sailing vessel, or the engine of a steamer. See the Edwin Post (D. C.) 11 Eed. 602.
The coal buckets were not aboard the vessel when the accident happened, and therefore the proctors for libelant consent that they should not be included in the report of the appraisers.
The application to exempt the derrick is denied. A decree limiting the liability of the vessel in question in accordance with the foregoing views may be entered.