The Bérengére

155 F. 439 | D. Or. | 1907

WOLVERTON, District Judge

(after stating the facts). What measure of damages should be applied for the ascertainment of the amount of libelants’ recovery? This is the principal question for determination. Proctor for libelants insists that the measure should be the difference between the invoice price libelants were to receive for the steel from Robertson-Manning Company and the amount paid therefor, in its damaged condition, by Honeyman. It is reasoned that the ship is liable in that measure because it is responsible for the damaged condition of the steel,-and it was that condition that prompted Robertson-Manning- Company to refuse to receive it. Upon the other hand, - it is urged that the true measure is the difference between the market value of the merchandise in Portland at the time of the ship’s arrival and the value thereof in its damaged condition.

It is a general rule, recognized both in this country and in England, subject to certain well-established qualifications, that anticipated profits prevented by the breach of a contract are not recoverable in the way of damages for such breach. The application of the rule, however, is not always the same in different jurisdictions. The grounds that go in support of it are ordinarily the dependency and contingency of that character of profits upon uncertain, variable, and changing conditions, their remoteness, and the omission of any • engagement, either express or implied through contractual relations, to answer therefor. But where such anticipated profits are not contingent, uncertain, or remote, or where, from the express or implied terms of the contract or the special circumstances under which it was entered" into, it may reasonably be presumed that they were within the intent and mutual understanding of the parties thereto, they constitute, by the consensus of judicial opinion, a proper measure for recovery in the way of damages for breach of the contract. Howard v. Stillwell & Bierce Mfg. Co., 139 U. S. 199, 11 Sup. Ct. 500, 35 L. Ed. 147; Western Union Tel. Co. v. Hall, 124 U. S. 444, 8 Sup. Ct. 577, 31 L. Ed. 479; Hockersmith v. Hanley, 29 Or. 27, 44 Pac. 497. This latter principle has been applied, as between carrier and shipper, where an unreasonable delay has been suffered by the carrier, and the contract of affreightment, through intendment, contemplated that the goods should be delivered for immediate sale in the market at destination. In such case the carrier is liable to the shipper for the decrease in the market value of the goods from the time they should have been delivered in due course. The Caledonia, 157 U. S. 124, 15 Sup. Ct. 537, 39 L. Ed. 644, affirming the decision of the Circuit Court to the same effect in 43 Fed. 681. “The liability of the vessel,” says Brown, District Judge, in The Giulio (C. C.) 34 Fed. 909, “for the loss of a market during the period of negligent delay after the goods have been taken on board, has been often decided in the courts of this country.” See, also, The Sammie (D. C.) 36 Fed. 568; The City of Para (D. C.) 44 Fed. 689. The rule, however, is otherwise where there has been no delay, and the cargo is damaged through fault of the carrier. In such case the measure of damages is the difference between the value of the goods in their damaged state and their value at the port of destination, had they been delivered in good order. Henderson & Gaines v. Ship Maid of Orleans, 12 La. Ann. 352; Western Manuf’g Co. v The Guiding Star (C. C.) 37 Fed. 641.

In this- jurisdiction interest has been allowed on the measure from the time of delivery. The Nith (D. C.) 36 Fed 86- This as between the shipper and the carrier. But the ship’s liability is not to be affected by private contracts between the shipper and strangers for the purchase and sale of the goods. The Compta, 6 Fed. Cas . p. 233, No. 3,070. The reasoning of Judge Hoffman in that relation is cogent and pertinent.- He says:

“The shipowber by the bill of lading does not enter into any engagement with the owner of goods that may be damaged to go'into a joint speculative operation founded upon the anticipated state of the market at some indefinite future time, to be judged of by the shipper, who retains in his own hands the whole conduct of the adventure. Such a rule would ,impose on the shipowner obligations, and liabilities little suspected' by ■'persons engaged in that business, and. of which his contract by bill of lading contains no hint. The only safe, rational, and equal rule is to hold, as before stated, the vessel liable for the difference between market value of the goods, if sound, and their value in their damaged condition at the time and place of delivery.”

These authorities leave nothing for me to add in the determination of this cause.' The damages sought to be recovered were occasioned, not by delay, but by the failure to carry in good condition, and the rule applicable in determining the measure thereof is plainly the one last stated. The amount recoverable, therefore, is $240, with interest thereon at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum from October 1 1903, the date of the arrival of the ship in port. To this should be added other items of expenditure occasioned by the damage, namely: Moving steel on Columbia dock, $3.50; wharfage, $22.25; storage, $22.60; (The Giulio, supra) ; and also, I think, commission on sale of the steel, $68.75 — making a total added of $117.10.

I disallow the item for telegrams and that for counsel fees, as being for the individual benefit of the libelants; also the items for premium occasioned by giving bond in court, $5.00, and court costs advanced, $18.20, because I assume they will be taxed, of course, following the decree in favor of the libelants.