106 F. 746 | D. Wash. | 1901
The facts in this case, according to á statement thereof, agreed to by respective parties, are as follows: ¶‡⅜ libelants signed shipping articles for a voyage from Port Town-séndtq Guayaquil, Ecuador, and other ports and places, back to a fihal gort’-'of discharge in the United States'; the-term of employ-im&rfnbt’to exceed-12 calendar months, and started on said voyage;
There seems to be a, popular idea that a seaman cannot be bound by any contract, in writing .or otherwise, with reference to his personal services as a mariner or in settlement for wages. "While the courts regard seamen as wards of the admiralty, and protect them from unfair treatment, notwithstanding their own improvidence in signing away their rights, still seamen are recognized as men, and
Upon both of the grounds upon which the case is defended I hold that the libelants have no meritorious cause of action, and therefore direct ,that a decree be entered dismissing the case, with costs.