Insurance Co. of North America v. S/S American Argosy

MANSFIELD, Circuit Judge:

Defendants, the S/S American Argosy and her owner, United States Lines (USL), appeal from a judgment of the Southern District of New York (Werker, J.) awarding the plaintiff Insurance Company of North America $8,157.84 for damage to its insured’s cargo. Because of the small sum involved, the district court at the parties’ request disposed of the case pursuant to “old” Local Admiralty Rule 15.1 It found the American Argosy liable in rem for an unauthorized bill of lading issued by its co-defendant Transmodal Cargo Carriers, holding that the ship ratified the bill by…