Opinion
No. 25690.
October 24, 1969.
George W. Healy, III, James Hanemann, Jr., New Orleans, La., for Waterman Steamship Corp. and Waterman of Puerto Rico, USA, Inc.; Phelps, Dunbar, Marks, Claverie Sims, New Orleans, La., of counsel.
Max Zelden, John R. Peters, Jr., Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere Denegre, New Orleans, La., for Marcus J. Casbon, Ryan Stevedoring Co. and Travelers Ins. Co.; Zelden Zelden, New Orleans, La., of counsel.
Before JOHN R. BROWN, Chief Judge, THORNBERRY, Circuit Judge, and TAYLOR, District Judge.
The facts of this case with all of the contradictions and inconsistencies typical of a fracas, whether land-based, waterborne, or amphibious, are set forth in the District Court's opinion, Casbon v. Waterman Steamship Corporation, E.D. La., 1967, 274 F. Supp. 481. Whatever doubts there might be concerning liability based upon unseaworthiness from the pugnacious predisposition of the night mate, there was adequate basis under Jamison v. Encarnacion, 1930, 281 U.S. 635, 50 S.Ct. 440, 74 L.Ed. 1082, for concluding that the night mate considered himself to be exerting discipline and command within the confines of his jurisdiction so that misuse of excessive force constituted negligence for which the shipowner was responsible. The District Judge's fact conclusions pass muster under F.R.Civ.P. 52(a), and the resulting judgment is amply supported on legal principles. That includes the denial of recovery over against the stevedore and the cross appeal complaining of the damage award.
Affirmed.