Atlantic Refining Co. v. United States

KALODNER, Circuit Judge.

The S.S. “E. H. Blum” stranded while being navigated through dense fog as she was bound up the Atlantic coast for Delaware Bay. This libel in admiralty is the outcome of that event. The vessel had been time chartered by her owner, the Atlantic Refining Company, the libellant herein, to the United States acting through its agent, the War Shipping Administration. Full charter hire is sought, and that is the over-all problem of the case.

The primary question for determination is whether the stranding was “ * * * caused or contributed to by war or warlike acts * * *” and/or…