Admiralty – Warranty of Seaworthiness – Extension to Injury Caused by Appliance Not in Control of Shipowner

Libellant, a longshore foreman for a stevedoring company loading petitioner’s ship, was injured when a snatch block broke, causing some loading gear to fall upon his leg. Conflicting evidence in the lower court was resolved by the trial judge, who found that the snatch block was supplied by the stevedoring company. On the basis of this finding, the trial court held that neither the ship nor its appliances were unseaworthy, and that libellant could not recover against the shipowner. The court of appeals reversed and remanded the cause for determination of damages. On certiorari to the Supreme Court, held, affirmed per curiam without opinion. Alaska Steamship Company v. Petterson, 347 U.S. 396, 74 S.Ct. 601 (1954). The Court considered the case governed by Seas Shipping Co. v. Sieracki and Pope and Talbot v. Hawn. Three justices dissented.