Smith v. American Mail Line, Ltd.

This is an appeal by American Mail Line, Ltd. (hereinafter called appellant) from a judgment in the amount of seventy-two thousand dollars 1 awarded to Jor dan Smith, a merchant seaman (hereinafter called respondent) . Respondent’s suit was based on negligence under the Jones Act, 46 U. S. C., § 688, and on unseaworthiness under the general maritime law.

The injury complained of was allegedly sustained by respondent while working as a member of the deck gang of the “China Mail,” on February 28, 1957. At the time, the vessel was docked in Los Angeles, California. Principally (with two…