Brewer’s World

James Brewer

CAPTAIN TED, as he was known, was a clever man who was employed as a bunker trader; that is, he dealt in marine fuel for his company. His name was a sobriquet bestowed by his colleagues, for his talents included the ability to talk at such a great rate his convoluted line of argument generally got his way for him. Called upon at a trial to give evidence supporting his company’s attempt to recover unpaid money from a shipping client, he did so with such verve that, to some surprise, a High Court judge found him a clear, concise and compelling witness. The judge found the defaulting buyer was liable, in that it had acted as a principal rather than managing agent of the ship concerned.