Beatson v. Elwell

Headnote

Action to recover back advances on freight. In October, 1856, plaintiffs chartered of defendants the bark Satellite, then lying at Marseilles, for a voyage to Akyab and back to Europe for a cargo of rice, at a stipulated freight, payable on

the delivery of the cargo, “ less advances made to master at port of loading.” The charter had these words: “ Gash, for ship’s ordinary disbursements, to be advanced the master by charterer’s agents at port of loading, free of interest or commission, but subject to insurance.”

The bark arrived at Akyab, and during the spring and summer of 1857 the charterer’s agents advanced to the master for his ordinary disbursements the money in question in this action. The bark sailed on her homeward voyage in August or September, 1857, and put into Calcutta, where the master, without authority from the plaintiffs, and without any necessity therefor, sold the whole of the then cargo of rice, and broke up the voyage. Plaintiffs’ agents at Calcutta filed a bill against the master, and obtained the proceeds of the rice sold.

Held, plaintiffs were entitled to recover the advances; that the acceptance of the proceeds of the sale did not affect this right.