Amok Gold Mining Co. v. Canton Insurance Office

This is an action upon a policy of marine insurance, in which plaintiff recovered a verdict of $1,923, interest and costs; and defendant appeals from the judgment entered thereon.

By the policy the defendant insured mining supplies consisting of fifteen hundred feet of fuse, five drums of gasoline, one ton of sacked coal, seven tons of dynamite and 1M blast caps, “in the power schooner ‘Harold Blekum’ at and from Seattle, Washington, to Uyak, Alaska.” Subject to the effect of certain conversations between the master of the schooner and the owner, it is conceded that the underwriters were liable upon the policy until the goods could be discharged and safely landed at Uyak, Alaska; and the first question on which counsel disagree is the meaning to be attached to the words “to Uyak.”

To persons unacquainted with the remote coasts and harbors of the Alaskan peninsula and the conditions existing there this would seem an easy question, but it is not so under the facts of the case, and in view of the varied adventures which befell the schooner on its unlucky voyage. The facts are such that these words must be defined in view of all the surrounding circumstances and conditions; and some…