The learned judge of the district court, who decided this cause, so clearly and accurately stated the law which governs it, as I think it ought to he held to exist, that I do not propose to amplify or repeat his statement. I adopt it fully. As a general rule the jettison of a deck cargo would not entitle its owners to contribution in general average from the cargo stowed below deck. But where, in pursuance of a general custom of the trade to which the special kind of cargo belongs, the vessels engaged in its transportation are loaded partly on deck and partly under deck, and the deck cargo is necessarily sacrificed for the safety of the rest, the general cargo may he subjected to contribution to pay the loss.
In the court below the case turned upon the existence of such a custom, and was properly decided upon the insufficiency of the proof of it. Since the case came into this court further evidence has been taken, which shows it to be the custom, where a full cargo of gas pipe is shipped, that part of it is stowed above and part below deck. This is the uniform usage among manufacturers of gas pipe east of the Alleghanies,'who employ water transportation, and for the reason that, on account of the light weight of the article compared with its bulk, the full capacity of the vessel cannot be made available without such distribution of the cargo. It»is coeval with the manufacture and transportion of gas pipe on a large scale, and it is, therefore, shown to have been of such general prevalence and long continuance as to entitle it to be recognized as a general custom of the trade.
There must, then, be a decree for the libellant against the respondent for its contributory portion of the loss caused by the jettison. This is admitted to he $77.50, and for this sum, with interest from the date of filing the libel, and costs in this court alone, decree will be entered.