BLACK SEA & DANUBE SHIPPING & TRADING COMPANY, LTD. v. GOELAND TRANSPORT & TRADING COMPANY, LTD.

(1942) 74 Ll L Rep 192

KING'S BENCH DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Atkinson.

Charter-party - Conversion - Hire - Alleged failure to redeliver vessels at end of charter period - Charter by plaintiffs to defendants (company formed by Ministry of Economic Warfare) of vessels operating on River Danube - Vessels to be redelivered at end of contract "in same condition as taken over less normal wear and tear" - Option to renew for further period - Plaintiffs informed by defendants two days before end of charter period that by reason of unsettled conditions in Rumania they did not wish to renew, but that they proposed to exercise their administrative control to negotiate a sale to the Soviet Government - Proposals agreed to by plaintiffs - Refusal by Rumanian Government to sanction sale - Vessels commandeered by Rumanian military authorities - Evidence that vessels were already under arrest of Rumanian Government - Claim by plaintiffs for damages - Whether owners were bound to accept redelivery before owners' repair survey.