California Packing Corp. v. States Marine Corp. of Del.

ROCHE, District Judge.

Joined in this action are seven causes of libel for damages to canned goods shipped aboard seven vessels owned or operated by respondent. The parties seek an interlocutory order affixing liability, the issue of damages having been reserved for subsequent determination.

All of the voyages in question took place in the years 1954 to 1956 and were intercoastal trips from west coast ports to the gulf coast via the Panama Canal. Six of the seven — all but the Beaver State — were winter or early spring voyages commencing at, ports where the temperatures were considerably lower…