122
79
FEDERAL REPORTER.
such previous examination, and did not come out till morning, though better equipped in force than the defendants' tugs. The weather in this case was unpromising from the time the tow left Perth Amboy. It was rough, and blew a gale when crossing Newark Bay. This was itself sufficient notice of the necessity of special caution before leaving the Kills. Between 12 and 1, when the tow left the Kills, it was blowing 31 miles an hour-a smart gale from the westward-altogether dangerous for such a tow of open boats to meet. I do not find sufficient evidence to charge the tow injured with any fault, or with any degree of unseaworthiness. The very rough night affords, it seems to me, a reasonable explanation of all the defendants' criticisms. Decrees for the libelants, with costs.
THE VICTORIA.. THE POCAHONTAS. THE KOMUK. MINCH v. THE VICTORIA et al. (DIstrict Court, S. D. New York. February 15, 1897.) TUG AND Tow-DUTY OF EXAMINATION BEFORE ENTERING WEATHER.
ROUGH SEA
Tbe tug V., with two other tugs coming down the North river with a fleet of canal boats, ran Into a violent southeast storm and rough water In Haverstraw Bay, in which the tow was afterwards broken up. 'l'hel'e was abundant previous warning of storm, both from the ordinary and from cautionary signals displayed, and the tug entered Haverstrnw Bay without previous examination of the condition of the bay. Held" that the tug was liable for lack of reasonable prudence with such a tow, and was responsible for the damage.
Carpenter & Park, for libelant. Stewart & Macklin, for respondents. BROWN, District Judge. The above libels were filed to recover for the injuries to and loss of certain canal boats and their cargoes, in Tappan Zee, in a storm, while coming down the Hudson river in tow of the above-named tugs on the morning of the 29th of August, 1893. The libelant's boats were part of a fleet of 32 boats, i. e., 8 tiers of 4: boats each, which came from Albany in tow of Ronan's Line, on a hawser. On reaching West Point, in the evening of August 28th, the 3 tugs above named, which had come up from New York that afternoon and evening, took the tow, relieving the tugs that had brought it down from Albany. On the 28th, cautionary signals were given in New York, indicating the approach of a violent southeast storm. In crossing Newburg' Bay considerable rough weather was met, with indications of storm. The tow, however, proceeded on from West Point, being more or less in the shelter of the Highlands until they reached Stony Point, at about 1 a. m.
THE HELGOLAND.
123
At that time the wind was blowing strong from the southeast. Two hours before, it was blowing 21 miles an hour at New York, and at 1 o'clock it was blowing 31. The tugs, however, continued on past Stony Point without pause, or examination below to see if the weather was fit to proceed, and speedily ran into a heavy wind and sea, on a course nearly southeast, across Haverstraw Bay into Tappan Zee, until by the swamping and sinking of the canal boat Anthony, in the hawser tier, the tow was broken up. The subsequent damage was, I think, the incidental result of that breaking up of the tow, and of the endeavors of the tugs to take care of the boats. A great deal of testimony has been taken, conflicting as usual, as regards the condition of the weather before and after passing · Stony Point. I am satisfied that the tugs had abundant reason, through the cautionary signals that had been displayed, and from the signs of storm from the time the tow arrived at West Point, to require them to examine the state of the weather below Stony Point, before entering Haverstraw Bay. Above Stony Point there was abundant means of anchorage until the storm had subsided. It is true the storm was one of unusual violence for the summer season; but this had been predicted. The testimony of the captains of the tugs indicates that they were not accustomed to pay attention to cautionary signals. If this is the it must certainly be at their risk. In approaching exposed situations with boats of this character, not able to withstand heavy seas, it has often been shown before me that tugs are accustomed to go out ahead and make examination before taking tows out into an exposed situation (see The Bordentown, 40 Fed. 682); and this is required by reasonable prudence (The Nannie Lamberton [Dec. 11, 1896] 79 Fed. 121). I must, therefore, hold the tugs liable on the ground that they did not use the reasonable caution required of them, nor heed the express evidences of a storm before reaching Stony Point, nor regard the previous public notice of a coming violent southeast storm, with which they must stand chargeable. In re McWilliams (The Vandercook) 65 Fed. 251, affirmed 20 C. C. A. 580, 74 Fed. 648. The libelant is entitled to a decree, with costs.
THE HELGOLAND. NEW YORK, N. H. & H. R. CO. v. 'I'HE HELGOLAND.
(District Court, B. D. New York. February 13, 1897.) COLLISION-DAMAGE TO CIATION.
V ALUABI.E
BARGE BY TWISTING-PERMANENT DEPRE-
Where a new and valuable boat has received a permanent twist from a severe collision, and the boat In other respects has been repaired, but Without complete straightening, in consequence of the great expense that complete repair would Involve, held, that $1,800 for damage or depreciation not covered by the repairs made was a reasonable allowance, and was upheld.