894
84 FEDERAL REPORTER.
ered. 73 Fed. 831. Not much more has been made to appear now, and little more seems necessary to be said. The hand recess was well known before Hoffman's supposed invention, and its use is the same in one form as in another of such a bookcase. Rollers were known for relieving the books and their supports from friction; and so were roll· ers at each side of room for handling the books. Rollers at each side of the hand recess in front of and above the frame may be new in that exact pO!lition; but they operate there as such rollers had done be· fore, and no differently because of any relation to the hand recess formed of the frame. There does not seem to be any new working combination in either of these claims. Bill dismissed.
LEITER v. RONALDS.
(Circuit Court, S. D. New York.· February 5, 18!ll.) SHIPPING-CHARTER OFf:ACHT-OPTION TO EXTEND-CONSIDERATION.
under a charter of a steam yacht for two months, at a fixed sum paid, fully equipped for a voyage to Galveston, with an option to the hirer of extending the charter at pro rata rates by giving 15 days' notice, the original consideration, together with the promise to pay pro rata rates, is a sufficient consideration for an extension thereof by exercising the option; so that if, through lack of equipment and unseaworthiness at the beginning of the original voyage, the yacht breaks down during the extended period, to the charterer's injury, he may recoveI therefor.
This was an action at law by Joseph Leiter against George L. Ronalds to recover damages alleged to have resulted from the breach by defendant of his obligations under a charter of a steam yacht. Robert H. Griffin, for plaintiff. Elijah G. Boardman, for deferidant. WHEELER, District Judge. This cause has now been heard on demurrer to the complaint, which alleges that the plaintiff, by charter, hired the defendant's steam yacht for two months from January 9, 1896, at $3,000 paid, fully equipped for a voyage to Galveston, insured to cover the term of the charter, or any extension thereof, with an option to the liirer of extending the charter, at pro rata rates, by giving fifteen days' notice prior to the expiration of the two months; that notice was so given, extending the charter to include, upon the same terms and warranty, the port of Tampico; that the yacht was not tight, staunch, and strong, and fitted for such service, but that the propeller shafts and hangers were inadequate, and the deck and hull sprung, whereby, while the plaintiff was proceeding with it southerly to the port of Tampico, a propeller shaft broke, and with the propeller fell . into the sea, causing leakage, and $5,441.97 expenses and damages to the plaintiff, not covered by adequate insurance. The defendant's counsel argues in support of the demurrer that the express guaranties only coyered the safe voyage to Galveston and return, and would be without consideration for any voyage beyond, where the loss occurred, if so agreed to. But the price paid for the original voyage, and the
THB: BARNSTABLE.
895
agreement to pay that for the extension, were a sufficient consideration for the whole of both; and as the breach accrued at the beginning of the original voyage, and the damage in the extended voyage, they would support the agreement as covering the damage. And the owner of a vessel, chartering her, "is bound to see that she is seaworthy, and suitable for the service in which she is to be employed. If there be defects, known or not known, he is not excused. He is obliged to keep her in proper repair. unless prevented by perils of the sea, or unavoidable accident. Such is the implied contract where the contrary does not appear." Work v. Leathers, 97 U. S.379. The extension of the charter to include the port of Tampico would, even if by parol, and separate, seem to include this obligation, which would cover these damages, accruing, as alleged, without fault of the plaintiff or the officers or crew of the yacht, and "owing entirely to its inherent and structural defects, and unfitness for the services required of it, unseaworthiness, and lack of proper equipment." Some considerations urged in behalf of the defendant, as to how the contract of extension would be understood by the parties, might be material on trial, but cannot be here, where the allegations of the complaint have to be taken as admitted to be trne. Upon the facts so here admitted, the complaint appears to set forth a good cause of action. The defendant may, however, withdraw the demurrer, and answer over by the next rule day. Demurrer overrnled, with leave to defendant to answer over by next rnle day. THE BARNSTABLE. HALL et aI. v. THE BARNSTABLE. TURRET STEAM SHIPPING CO., Limited, v. BOSTON FRUIT CO. (District Court, D. Massachusetts. January 25, 1898.> No. 760.
L
SHIPPING-CHARTER PARTIES-RISIl: OF COLLISION-LIENS.
In the absence of more definite provisions, a declaration In the charter party that the owner "shall pay for the insurance on the vessel" casts on him, as between owner and charterers, the' risk of a collision lien becoming attached to her through her negligent navigation, though her master, officers, and crew are appointed by the charterers, and they are vested with complete possession, so that her navigation is their business.
2.
SAME-PUBLIC POLICY.
Public policy does not forbid the owner from contracting with the char· terer to be Hable for damages to other vessels caused by negligent navlga· tion of the chartered ship, while In charge of a master and crew appointed and controlled by the charterer. Parol evidence by an experienced broker, who negotiated a charter containing a provision that the owner should "pay all insurance on the vessel," that he told the owner he was liable for insurance of all kinds, including insurance against colilsions, unless he wanted to take the risk and not insure, Is admissible to explain the intentions of the parties.
.. PAROL EVIDENCE-CHARTER PARTY.
This was a libel in rem by A. G. Hall and others against the steamship Barnstable to recover damages resulting from a collision. The