This case was about liability for goods jettisoned from a ship. Alexander Maclaren, master of the Diligence of Fortrose, caused goods belonging to David Lindsay to be thrown overboard during a storm. Lindsay sued Maclaren in the High Court of Admiralty, seeking compensation. Lindsay claimed that when goods were ejected to save a ship, it was the master’s duty to apportion liability among all owners of the ship’s cargo; according to Lindsay, Maclaren had failed to do this. Maclaren, in turn, brought an action against all the owners, including Lindsay, so that their liability could be calculated. Lindsay was successful in his action before the High Court of Admiralty, and Maclaren (together with his cautioner, Alexander Mackenzie) offered a bill of suspension in the Court of Session. Maclaren argued that the proceeding should be stayed until his action against the owners was concluded. However, Lindsay argued that Maclaren was liable because he failed to make up an average-bill apportioning liability to the other owners, and because he improperly stowed Lindsay’s goods above deck.
Documents in this case (1)
- David Lindsay v. Rebecca M'Kenzie alias Aird — Memorial, 25 Jan 1780January 25, 1780 Petition of John Easton asking the Court to ordain the procurator who signs the petition to condescend upon the particular persons who authorise him to appear for them
People & places in this case
People involved
- Alexander Mackenzie, W.S. — Suspender
- Alexander Maclaren — Suspender
- Rebecca Mackenzie — Suspender
- Henry Davidson — Suspender
- John Mackenzie — Suspender
- David Lindsay — Charger
- Henry Erskine — Advocate for Charger
- James Erskine, Lord Barjarg and Alva — Lord Ordinary
- John Aird — Named in case documents
- William Mackenzie, of Belmaduthie — Named in case documents
- High Court of Admiralty — Named in case documents
