The Southlands

HUTCHESON, District Judge.

This is a suit for loss of cargo of lumber stowed on deck, as the result of being lost overboard and/or jettisoned in a storm.

The shipment being upon a clean bill of lading, it is conceded that stowage on deck amounts to a deviation (see The Delaware, 14 Wall. [81 U. S.] 579, 20 L. Ed. 779; The St. Johns N. F. [C. C. A.] 280 F. 553; see, also, same case in Supreme Court, 263 U. S. 119, 44 S. Ct. 30, 68 L. Ed. 201, 1923 A. M. C. 1132), unless respondent can prove a custom of the port to so ship. The Delaware, supra; Rosenberg Bros. & Co. v. United States Ship. Board…