James H. Bryant v. National Transport Corp. And National Shipping & Trading Corp

OPINION OF THE COURT

HASTIE, Circuit Judge.

Predicating jurisdiction upon diversity of citizenship, plaintiff, an employee of Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., hereinafter “Sun,” brought this action against the owner and operator of SS National Defender for shipboard personal injury allegedly caused by the unseaworthiness of the vessel and by negligence in its operation. At the conclusion of the evidence, the trial judge directed a verdict for the defendants. This appeal followed.

SS National Defender is a huge tanker, nearly 800 feet in length. Sun contracted with the shipowner to receive the…