Hanson v. Puget Sound Navigation Co.

The Puget Sound Navigation Company, acting through its president, Captain Peabody, offered for sale the ferryboat “S. S. Malahat.” H. C. Hanson, a naval architect and marine surveyor, was approached by Captain Peabody as a possible purchaser or one who, because of his contacts, might be able to sell the ferryboat. Mr. Hanson, however, was not a broker.

An agreement was reached whereby Hanson would attempt to sell the “Malahat” for a net sum to the company of fifty thousand dollars, and any sum in excess thereof for which the boat was sold would be returned to Hanson as payment for his…