Henshaw v. Marine Insurance Co.

2 Cai. Cas. 274
New York Supreme Court·Decided February 15, 1805·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

Kent, Ch. J.

delivered the opinion of tne court. The court are of opinion that the previous intention to touch at Halifax did not make it a different voyage, as the termini, as well as the substantial object of the voyage described in the policy, and of the voyage upon which the vessel sailed, were the same. This point is considered as settled in the English law, by the cases of *Carter v. Royal Ex. Ass. Co., 2 Stra. 1249; Thellusson v. Ferguson, Doug. 346, (361 of 3d ed.;) Kewley v. Ryan, 2 H. Bl. 343, and Middlewood v. Blakes, 7 D. &. E. 162. The same question arose in this court in the case of Silva v. Low, decided in October term, 1799. The voyage there, as described in the policy, was from Wilmington, in North Carolina, to Falmouth; but, previous to sailing, the captain declared his intention to touch at New York for seamen ; and one question in the cause (which was twice argued) was, whether the sailing under that declared intent was a distinct voyage ? All the above cases were reviewed and considered, and upon that question the majority of the court were of opinion that it was to be deemed still the same voyage. The second point was decided this very term in the case of Walden v. Le Roy. The only difference in the two cases is, that this is an insurance on the ship, and that was an insurance on the cargo. But this makes no difference in the application of the rule for contribution. The opinion of the court accordingly is, that the plaintiff is entitled to recover, and that the wages and provisions of the crew during the necessary detention, at Dublin, to repair, go into a general average.

LiyiNGSTON, J.

As to the first point, whether this were anything more than an intended deviation, I concur in tha opinion just delivered. Both in England and in this coum try it is well settled that an intention, however strong or well ascertained, to touch at an intermediate port, not mentioned in the pohcy, does not constitute a different voyage, but only an intention to deviate. Were this res integra, doubts might reasonably be entertained ; but it is no reason [277]*277for shaking tbe authority of several adjudged eases, merely because a better rule might possibly have been adopted. Underwriters, at any rate, cannot complain of a rule which is evidently calculated to diminish their risk, for the moment the separating point is past, which may be at a very small distance from the port of departure, the whole premium is earned, and there is an end of all further peril. But, without further speculation, it is enough to say, that it has been ajdudged more than once, that where the termini of a voyage are the same, an intention to touch at some other place, out of its usual course, does not constitute a deviation or a different voyage.

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Henshaw v. Marine Insurance Co., 2 Cai. Cas. 274 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1805).

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