Hansen v. Oil Transfer Corp.

The defendant, a steamship company, entered into an arrangement with the plaintiff at New York, pursuant to which the plaintiff was sent to Aruba, a West Indies port, at defendant’s expense, to join the defendant’s vessel, as chief mate. While still in New York, the defendant prepared a letter, which, while on one hand, seems to confirm the plaintiff’s status as an employee, nevertheless contains an express provision to the effect that the plaintiff was not to be deemed an employee until he signed the shipping articles. The plaintiff indicated his acceptance of the provisions of this letter,…