Royal Interocean Lines v. Panama Canal Co.

JOHN R. BROWN, Circuit Judge.*

This matter came on trial before the Court. All material facts are stipulated by the parties. The only question of law presented to the Court is whether, under the circumstances of this case certain sections of the Canal Zone Code operate to raise the doctrine of sovereign immunity to thereby bar recovery of certain damages by Plaintiff, the owner of the M/V STRAAT HONG KONG, against Defendant, the Panama Canal Company. The Court finds that it does not.(i) Stipulated Facts

On June 7, 1977 Plaintiffs vessel, STRAAT HONG KONG, came into the Panama Canal from its…