Epton v. American Mail Line, Ltd.

This is an action for personal injuries by a longshoreman against a shipowner based upon the allegation that the merchant ship “Japan Mail” was unseaworthy in that the cargo then being loaded by it at Longview, Washington, consisting of bales of wood pulp, was packaged in faulty and improper containers.

The trial court, sitting without a jury, entered a judgment for plaintiff in the sum of $26,454.50. Defendant appeals, contending that the vessel was not rendered unseaworthy because of defects in the packaging of the wood pulp and that, in any event, the amount of the judgment was excessive. ①

T…