Woods v. Globe Navigation Co.

40 Wash. 376 | Wash. | 1905

Crow, J.

On December 24, 1903, the steamship “Tampico,” owned and operated by appellant, the Globe Navigation Company, left Tacoma, Washington, on a voyage to the Hawaiian Islands. Despondent, Patrick J. Woods, who was aboard -said ship as an able seaman, was injured while on tbe Pacific Ocean, and brought this action for damages sustained.

The complaint alleged, that respondent was injured by reason of the negligence and carelessness of the master in charge of said ship; that on. January 5, 1903, a hard gale was blowing and the sea was running high; that respondent, being subject to the orders of the master, was directed by him to assist in setting a sail; that while he was so doing, the sheet (a rope attached to the boom) fouled in the shackles, and respondent was directed to loosen the same; that while he was attempting to loosen said sheet, the master, without giving him any warning or notice, ordered the helm “hard down,” which said order was executed by the helmsman ; that the effect thereof was to quickly change the course of the ship and cause it to broach by suddenly bringing it broadside against the waves of the sea; that in consequence thereof, the waves struck with great force against the side of the ship where respondent was working, and carried him across the deck, causing him to strike against certain iron stanchions, breaking his leg.

Appellant denied that said injury was caused by any negligence on the part of the owners of said vessel; alleged that the broaching of the vessel resulted from the inability of the crew to manage the same, on account of the violence of the elements, and by reason of the fact that the steering apparatus had, as a consequence of violent storms, become out of order; and that, if there was any negligence, it was that of the respondent himself, or of a fellow servant. These affirmative allegations were denied by the reply. Upon a jury trial, a verdict was rendered in favor of respondent for $2,000; and a motion for a new trial being denied, judgment was entered upon said verdict, and this appeal has been taken.

On the trial respondent’s contention was that it is the custom of officers in charge of sea-going vessels to give notice and warning to seamen, while in the discharge of their duties, of any sudden change in the course of the ship-, so that such seamen may protect, themselves from danger resulting therefrom; that, as the master of the Tampico failed to give warning of his order to place the helm hard down, he was guilty of negligence causing respondent’s injuries. Appellant in its brief contends that tbe owner of a ship is not liable for injuries to an employee caused by the unskillful act of tbe officers in charge; that, if tbe ship owners use proper care and diligence in selecting competent officers to command and direct, tbe company is not liable to a seaman for an injury caused by some particularly poor judgment or unskillful act on tbe part of such officers while in command;. and appellant, at tbe trial, asked the court to charge tbe jury in substance in accordance with this contention. This proposition of appellant is based upon tbe further contention that, even if negligence be conceded on the part of tbe master, yet appellant is not liable for tbe reason that the act of the master was one . done in the operation of the vessel; that tbe same being an operative act performed in tbe course of navigation, and not on behalf of tbe owners, but having to do solely with the boat at a time of peril, was tbe act of a fellow servant, and tbe consequence thereof was a risk assumed by respondent, when be entered tbe service of ap*pellant. In other words, tbe contention of appellant is that no liability exists upon its part- by reason of tbe fact that tbe relation of fellow servant existed between respondent and tbe master of said vessel.

Appellant, has cited numerous authorities which seem to sustain its view. These authorities, however, are taken almost entirely 'from decisions of tbe federal courts, in which tbe fellow servant doctrine is different from that heretofore announced by this court. We think tbe position of appellant, that tbe master and respondent were fellow servants, cannot be sustained in view of our former bolding in Keating v. Pacific Steam Whaling Co., 21 Wash. 415, 58 Pac. 224, where it was held that tbe relation of fellow servant does not exist between tbe captain or mate and an ordinary seaman.

As above suggested, respondent contended that it was tbe custom on sea-going vessels for a master or mate to give notice or warning of an order such, as the one claimed to have been given in this case, which was given without such warning; and that, by reason thereof, respondent, having no opportunity to protect himself, was injured. All these claims were strenuously denied by appellant, both in its pleadings and by evidence upon the trial. From an examination of the record, we find a serious conflict of evidence on these points. It therefore became necessary for the court to submit them to the jury for determination. This was done] and the verdict justifies us in assuming that the findings were in favor of respondent. There being ample evidence to sustain the verdict, it must remain undisturbed.

Appellant made a motion for a new trial, in which it urged the foregoing points, and also contended that it was entitled to a new trial by reason of. surprise. In support of said motion, appellant’s attorney who tried the case filed an affidavit showing that one Hall, who had been subpoenaed as a witness by appellant and had promised to attend the trial, had, without notifying appellant or its attorney, failed to appear when wanted] that the testimony of said Flail was of great importance, and that his unexpected absence constituted surprise. Said attorney, by his affidavit, also stated that one Tollefson, the ship’s carpenter, made statements upon the witness stand entirely at _variance with what he had previously told appellant and its attorneys, which statements were very damaging to appellant, and also constituted surprise. Appellant now insists that, by reason of said surprise, it should be granted a new trial, and that the trial court erred in refusing the same. A new trial will not be granted on the ground of surprise arising from the absence of a witness or from unexpected testimony, unless a claim to such surprise is promptly made during the trial, and a continuance asked in order that the party applying may secure the attendance of i the absent witness and produce evidence to meet the emergency. There is nothing in the record showing this to have been done. We therefore think no error was committed by the court in refusing a new trial. 14 Ency. Plead. & Prac., 723; Pincus v. Puget Sound Brewing Co., 18 Wash. 108, 50 Pac. 930; Reeder v. Traders’ Nat. Bank, 28 Wash. 139, 68 Pac. 461; Gaines v. White, 1 S. D. 434, 47 N. W. 524.

The judgment is affirmed.

Mount, O. J., Dunbar, Hadley, Fullerton, and Bud-kin, JJ., concur.

Boot, 3., having been of counsel, took no part.