Compania Ithaca De Vapores, S. A. v. United States

Plaintiff’s amended petition is based upon an alleged settlement with the Maritime Commission of its claim for damage to its vessel while it was under time charter to the defendant. The question now presented to us is whether or not defendant’s obligation to respond in damages, which is of course maritime in nature, has been supplanted by a contract to pay a certain sum, which gives this court jurisdiction.

Before redelivery of plaintiff’s vessel, the SS. Moldova, it was surveyed, and redelivery specifications embodying 272 items were prepared and agreed upon by representatives of the…