{
  "id": 8659674,
  "name": "F. M. COOKE v. FOREMAN DERRICKSON VENEER COMPANY",
  "name_abbreviation": "Cooke v. Foreman Derrickson Veneer Co.",
  "decision_date": "1915-09-22",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "493",
  "last_page": "495",
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      "cite": "169 N.C. 493"
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    "id": 9292,
    "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina"
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    "name_long": "North Carolina",
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      "cite": "165 N. C., 4",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:16:09.233721+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "F. M. COOKE v. FOREMAN DERRICKSON VENEER COMPANY."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Bbown, J.\nIn Roberts v. Lumber Co., 165 N. C., 4, it is held by a unanimous Court: \u201cWhere A enters into a contract with B for tbe renting of a boat, wherein it is agreed that A will keep it in good repair and return it in good condition, and the boat is returned in a damaged condition, A is liable to B for damages arising from the breach of contract, irrespective of the question of negligence.\u201d\nThat case fully sustains the judgment rendered upon the issues. At common law bailment contracts are largely implied from the character of the transactions. From the delivery of a chattel in bailment the law implies an undertaking upon the part of the bailee to execute the bailment purpose with due care, skill and fidelity.\nThe bailee is liable for reasonable care in protecting and caring for the subject of the bailment. Coggs v. Bernard, 1 Smith Ldg. Cases, 7th Ed., 369.\nThe parties may, however, substitute a special contract for this contract implied by law. In such cases the express agreement determines the rights and liabilities arising from the bailment. The bailee may be relieved of all liability, or he may become an insurer. A bailee may thus become liable, irrespective of negligence or fraud for a breach of the bailment contract. Hale on Bailments, 28, and cases cited in notes; Grady v. Schweinler, 15 A. and E. Anno. 161.\nThis doctrine is first recognized in this State in Martin v. Cuthbertson, 64 N. C., 328; Lane v. Cameron, 38 Wis., 603; Cullen v. Lord, 39 Iowa, 302.\nIn line with this doctrine it is held in Massachusetts that a special promise or contract must be alleged where the ground of action is not the negligence of the bailee liable only for ordinary care. Kingsley v. Bill, 9 Mass., 198.\nThe 'doctrine in its most advanced form is thus referred to by the Chief Justice in Clark v. Whitehurst, at this term, in referring to the case of Sawyer v. Wilkinson, 166 N. C., 497:\n\u201cThough -this decision is in accordance with the weight of authority, there are many cases which hold that even where the party holds under a contract of bailment, if there is a special contract to return the horse in good condition, and the horse dies in the bailee\u2019s possession, though without fault on his part, he is liable for its value as insurer.\u201d\nIt is stated in the record that the \u201cdefendant agreed to redeliver the barge in as good condition as when received, ordinary wear and tear excepted.\u201d Under such contract the defendant is liable for the return of the barge in as good condition as when received, unless prevented by the \u201cact of G-od or the King\u2019s enemy,\u201d and is liable for the stipulated rent until returned.\nIf the barge had gone down in a storm or had been entirely destroyed without the fault or negligence of defendant, so the contract could not be performed, a different case would be presented from the one before us.\nThe plaintiff seeks to recover the rent for this barge while in the possession of defendant. It was delivered to defendant in proper condition to be used as contemplated by the parties on 23 February, 1914, and returned on 13 April. The barge was loaded by defendant with \u201cshook,\u201d and while so loaded and under the control and management of defendant, it capsized, turning away from the wharf at defendant\u2019s plant, on 24 February, 1914.\nThe barge remained in defendant\u2019s possession loaded with defendant\u2019s \u201cshooks\u201d until defendant raised it and unloaded it and returned it to plaintiff on 13 April. Under such conditions under the contract of bailment, the defendant is clearly liable for the stipulated rent irrespective of any negligence upon its part.\nThis case differs from Sawyer v. Wilkerson, supra, very materially. In that case the mule died without any fault or negligence upon the part of the bailee, and the animal could not be returned. Actus Dei nemvrd facii injuriam.\nIt also differs from Seevers v. Gabel and McEvers v. Steamboat cited in the opinion in that ease. In those cases the property, the subject of the bailment, was entirely destroyed by fire in one case, and an ice floe in the other, without the fault of bailee and which no foresight on his part could have prevented.\nIn this case the barge was under the control of defendant, loaded and managed by him when it sank, turning away from its wharf. It contained defendant\u2019s cargo, and it was, therefore, necessary as well as the duty of defendant to raise it and retain it in its possession until the cargo was removed.\nIn the meantime, as the barge was under the control and management of defendant until returned to the owner, his Honor correctly held it liable for the rent.\nNo error.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Bbown, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Thomas J. Marhham, Aydlett & Simpson for plaintiff.",
      "Ehringhaus & Small for defendant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "F. M. COOKE v. FOREMAN DERRICKSON VENEER COMPANY.\n(Filed 22 September, 1915.)\n1. Bailment \u2014 Implied liability \u2014 Negligence\u2014Fraud\u2014Contracts\u2014Insurer.\nAt common law a contract of bailment places by implication an undertaking upon the bailee to execute the bailment purposes with due care, skill and fidelity, or reasonable care in protecting and caring for the subject of bailment, which may be changed by special contract, making the bailee\u2019s responsibility that of an insurer, irrespective of negligence or fraud in the breach of the bailment contract.\n2. Same \u2014 Bent of Barge.\nWhere a barge is rented under a contract that it will be returned to the owner in as good condition as when received, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and it appears that the barge was in condition to fulfill the requirements contemplated and that while in the bailee\u2019s possession and service it turned over in the water, delaying its return: Held, the bailee is liable for the rent thereof until its return to the owner, irrespective of the question of its negligence, the only available defense being the \u201cact of God or the king\u2019s enemies.\u201d\nAppeal by defendants from Shaw, J., at tbe June Special Term, 1915, of PASQUOTANK.\nCivil action tried upon these issues:\n1. Did tbe defendant hire tbe barge from tbe plaintiff, as alleged? Answer: \u201cYes.\u201d\n2. Was tbe said barge, at tbe time of delivery to tbe defendant, in a proper condition to be used as contemplated by tbe parties? Answer: \u201cYes.\u201d\n3. What amount is due for rent of barge? Answer\u2019: \u201c$175, with interest from 13 April, 1914.\u201d\n4. Was said barge injured by. the negligence of tbe defendant while in its custody, as alleged? Answer: \u201cNo.\u201d\n5. If so, what damage has tbe plaintiff sustained by reason of tbe same? Answer: \u201cNone.\u201d\nTbe court rendered judgment for tbe plaintiffs, and defendants appealed.\nThomas J. Marhham, Aydlett & Simpson for plaintiff.\nEhringhaus & Small for defendant."
  },
  "file_name": "0493-01",
  "first_page_order": 547,
  "last_page_order": 549
}