Shared burdens: The General Average adjustment of the Jan Maria

Sabine C P J Go

doi:10.1177/08438714211013585

Abstract

The Jan Maria was a Dutch schooner that, in 1883, en route from the Baltic to its home port, was forced to jettison cargo during a fierce storm, which resulted in a General Average (GA) procedure. GA refers to a method that redistributes damages that were deliberately inflicted by the master, in order to save the ship and its cargo, among all those parties that benefited from the action. The report of this procedure of the Jan Maria has been preserved and is exceptional in its completeness. It offers a unique view on a complex procedure and also on the coping mechanisms of small-scale entrepreneurs in a volatile business environment. In this article, I will explain the principle and functioning of GA, and I will argue that, in spite of financial innovations like marine insurance, GA remained an important part of risk management.

Highlights

The Jan Maria was a Dutch schooner that, in 1883, en route from the Baltic to its home port, was forced to jettison cargo during a fierce storm, which resulted in a General Average (GA) procedure
For example, if a master decides to jettison a part of the cargo to lighten the ship to outrun pirates, or he orders the main mast to be cut during a storm, it is not just the owner of the jettisoned cargo or the shipowner who bear these costs, as the damages are borne by all parties involved
Not consistently through time, received far more attention, including from academics.[102]. Is it because scholars are more interested in novel concepts and constructs? Perhaps we are more intrigued by the demise of institutions, and the reasons behind their downfall, than a concept that seems to have worked efficiently in the wings, adapting to changes if necessary but persisting

Summary

The last voyage of the Jan Maria

Before the unfortunate night in December in 1883, when the Jan Maria was towed to the port of Geestemünde, the ship had already had an eventful life. The remainder had been lost, most probably when the deck load floated overboard.[84] The costs of this alternative transport to Zaandam were initially paid by the firm of Mr Bosse, who was reimbursed by the owner of the ship, Van Vliet.[85] According to the dispach, the previously mentioned Mr Ihlder acted as representative of the insurers of the ship’s cargo. Kamphuijs had the load of beams insured, we have no information regarding the insured value or the premium paid.[86] after the case of the Jan Maria was concluded in Geestemünde, Van Vliet & Company paid the difference between the revenues and costs of Mk 2,552.69 to Marcus, Durkee & Gundersen.[87]. The ship was brought to Geestemünde ‘empty’, meaning without any of the crew aboard

Distribution of General Average

Concluding remarks

Findings

Author biography