Hecht, Levis & Kahn, Inc., Libellant-Appellant v. The S. S. President Buchanan, Her Engines, Etc., and American President Lines, Ltd.

LUMBARD, Circuit Judge.

The purchaser of crude rubber in transit by ship from Singapore to New York has sued the respondent carrier for damage to the rubber, allegedly caused by improper stowage. Judge Walsh, in an opinion delivered orally at the close of the evidence, found for the carrier, except for the minor item of oil damage. The question raised by this appeal is whether Judge Walsh committed error in finding that the damage resulted from the inherent vice of the cargo rather than improper stowage of the carrier.

The S. S. President Buchanan is a cargo ship of the “Victory Ship” class,…