Plamals v. S. S. "Pinar Del Rio"

Plamals, the petitioner, a subject of Spain, belonged to the crew of the British ship “ Pinar Del Rio.” She was anchored at Philadelphia, April 27, 1923. He was being hoisted, up to paint the smoke stack; a rope broke; he fell to the deck and sustained serious injuries. The accident resulted from the negligence of the mate who selected a defective rope. An abundant supply of good rope was on board.

Six months after the accident Plamals began this proceeding in rem against the ship in the District Court, Southern District of New York. The libel alleged that his injuries “ were due to the fault…