Santamaria v. The SS Othem

BYERS, Chief Judge.

The libelant (stevedore) seeks a decree against the Steamship Othem because of her alleged unseaworthiness on May 4, 1954; he fell on the deck of the ship during the course of his employment and suffered injuries.

By consent, all parties named in the libel have been dismissed from the cause, save the ship and her owner.

The libelant was a gangwayman standing alongside hatch No. 4, which was 19 feet wide and 29 feet fore and aft, just prior to his accident, and fixes the time of the latter at around 9:30 a. m.

As will be seen, the actual time is an important element of the…