The Skipton Castle

In December, 1910, libelants shipped on board the British steamer Skipton Castle, then lying in the port'of Antwerp, Belgium, certain merchandise to be carried from said port to San Francisco. This merchandise, consisting for the most part of mineral water, baskets, and enamel ware, was stowed in the No. 1 between-decks. In the No. 1 hold immediately below was stowed a quantity of bone meal. The hatch between the No. 1 hold and No. 1 between-decks was not entirely closed, but was left with spaces between the boards so that the air from the hold could rise freely into the between-decks. The merchandise, when delivered in San Francisco, was badly damaged; the damage, speaking generally, consisting of the bursting of the bottles containing the mineral water, the molding and rotting of the baskets, and rusting of the enamel ware.

The bills of lading provide, among other things, that the ship “should not be liable for loss or damage occasioned by act of God, * * * sweating, * * * decay, or the indirect causes thereof, contact with, or smell or evaporation from, other goods, * * * injury to wrappers, however caused, * * * heat * * * at any time or in any place, * * * or any other…