The Carriso

This is a libel for damage to certain cork hoard shipped from Lisbon to San Francisco as deck load on the motorship Carriso. The cork board arrived in a damaged condition, the damage being due to sea water. The bill of lading provided that the ship had “liberty to carry the goods and any other goods on deck or under deck.” Libelants urge that this clause is invalid, because it is in conflict with the Harter Act, and deprives the shipper of his right to recover for cargo damage under that act. They also contend that, if the option for deck stowage be construed to be valid, respondents are nevertheless liable for improper stowage, in view of the known nature of the cork board and its susceptibility to serious damage if brought into contact with sea water.

The evidence shows that the cork board was crated and that it was dunnaged, except as to the portion stowed forward, where the mate considered, properly, I think, that it was hardly likely that the ship would take water. The mate also testified that' complete dunnaging would not have prevented the damage. Under these circumstances, I cannot hold respondents liable for improper stowage, assuming the bill of lading clause permitting…