Carlson v. Wheeler-Hallock Co.

The plaintiff and appellant, August Gr. Carlson, brought this action against the defendant-respondent under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (46 U. S. C. A., section 688), commonly called the Jones Act.

On April 27, 1940, the Steamship Samoa, under charter to defendant, was being loaded with cargo at the Port of Portland. Part of the cargo consisted of large rolls of paper, weighing approximately 1800 pounds each. These rolls were cylindrical in shape, and measured approximately 7% feet in length by 3y2 feet in diameter. The plaintiff, who was a member of the ship’s crew, was an able-bodied and…