Orient Mid-East Lines, Inc. v. Shipment of Rice

WISDOM, Circuit Judge:

Damage sustained by the S.S. Orient Transporter draws us into the esoteric world of “general average”, the ancient maritime doctrine that “loss for the common benefit which is incurred by one who partakes in a maritime venture should be shared ratably by all who participate in the venture”. Cia. Atlantica Pacifica, S.A. v. Humble Oil & Refining Co., D.Md.1967, 274 F.Supp. 884, 891. General average may go back to the Phoenicians, but undoubtedly it was practiced in Rhodes at least as early as 300 B.C., and was accepted throughout the Mediterranean world long before it was…