Case Summary (G.R. No. 1922)

Liability of the Pilot for Ship Accidents

• The pilot in command of a vessel is held responsible for accidents resulting from their mistakes, rather than the vessel's owners.
• In this case, Francisco Gambe, the pilot of the steamer Alfred, was found to have made a critical error in navigation.
• The pilot's failure to issue the correct orders directly led to the accident, establishing his liability for the damages incurred.

Evidence and Findings of the Trial Court

• The trial court's findings were supported by the weight of the evidence, despite conflicting testimonies.
• The court accepted the facts as presented, concluding that the pilot's actions were the sole cause of the accident.
• The argument that the vessel's owners should be liable due to inadequate equipment was dismissed, as the lack of a speaking tube did not contribute to the pilot's error.

Assessment of Damages

• The defense argued that the evidence did not sufficiently demonstrate the actual damages to the bridge.
• However, the testimonies of Major Case, the city engineer, and A. W. Ayres, the port inspector, were deemed conclusive regarding the damages.
• The absence of rebuttal evidence from the defense reinforced the trial court's findings on the extent of the damages.

Conclusion and Judgment

• The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, holding the pilot accountable for the accident and the resulting damages.
• Costs were ordered against the appella...continue reading