764
FEDERAL REP(,R.TER,
vol. 88.
equipinent,'and navigation of vessels used OLI the navigable waters of the poited States, as well as those engaged in foreign or interstate commerce, has long and Ij.lmost Universally been acquiesced in. They are, in their object and effect, salutary, and in some particulars indispensable, to the safety of the foreign and interstate commerce, which congress has the unquf',stioned right to regUlate, and the effect of a decision adverse to their validity would be so momentous and far-reaching that I consider it to be my duty. as district judge ofthe United States, to assume their constitutionality, and to leave the question of their validity, in whole or in part, under the constitution, to be passed upon by a higher tribunal."
The finding of the court will be, that penalties amounting in the aggregate to the sum of $3,230 bave been incurred by the owner of said steam-boat for the causes stated in the herein, as amended, which, together with the costs of this suit, are a lien thereon from the date bereof; and, unless paid within 10 days,execution may issue to collect the same. '
THE EASTERN
CEMENT
RoeL THE ALASKA.
&
A.
R. Co. v.
(District (Jourt, 8. D. New York. May 8, 1889.) PARENT.
Where the primary fault is on the vessel bound to keep out of the way for Improperly,attempting to cross the other's bows, the latter will not be held In fault except npon a preponderance of proof that she did not stop and back 8S Soon 88 she had reason to apprehend danger, because the other could not or would not clear without her co-operation. '
STEAMERS-OROBSmG Bows-BACKING WHEN DANGER AP, '
In Admiralty. Libel for collision. Goodrich,Deady Goodrich, for libelant. Wilcox,'Ada7tt8 Macklin, for claimant. BROWN, J.' About half-past 6 A. M., November 13,1888, as the libelant's stearn-lighter Cement Rock was going up and across the East river towards the New York shore, she came in collision, from 200 to 400 feet ,off pier 39, with the ferry-boat Alaska, which was on one of her usual trips from Williamsburgh to Roosevelt-Street slip, New York. According to tbe testimony, the signal whistles of each boat were not beard as given. The Cement Rock, however, having the Alaska on bel' starboard hand, was required by the rules to go to the right. There was nothing to prevent her doing so. Tbe tide was stronK ebb. Instead of observing the rule, she undertook to cros.s the Alaska's bows to get into slack water on tbe New York shore, and gave a signal of two whistles. The pilot of the Alaska heard, as he says, but one blast, and gave a reply of one, which was not heard on the Cement Rock. The Alaska continued to sheer somewhat towards the New York shore, beading for bel' slip.
THE MAGGIE S. HART.
765
The Cement Rock too late undert.ook to change and go to the right. She claims that the Alaska then gave her two whistles, which is denied by the latter; and I am inclined to think the only foundation for this is the several short blasts given by the Alaska as a danger signal when the boats were very near each other. In disobeying the rules without excuse, the Cement Rock took the risk of her attempt to cross the Alaska's bows. The Alaska reversed her engines, and came nearly to a standstill. The primary fault being on the part of the Cement Rock, all that was incumbent upon the Alaska was, to stop and reverse so soon as she had reason to apprehend that the Cement Rock could not, or would not, clear her, either by crossing or by going to the right. Considering the ease with which the Cement Rock was handled, and the fact that the Alaska must have been nearly, if not quite, stopped, I do. not feel justified in holding that she did not reverse as soon as it was evident that the Cement Rock could not be expected to clear without the Alaska's cooperation; and unless that is reasonably plain upon a preponderance of proof, the vessel having the original right of way is not to be charged with fault. The Baltic, 2 Ben. 98; The Greenpoint, 31 Fed. Rep. 231; The Servia, 30 Fed. Rep. 502, (both affirmed in the circuit;) The Farragut, 35 Fed. Rep. 617; The City of Albany, 34 Fed. Rep. 812; The St. John, Id. 763, 7 Blatcbf. 220". The libel must therefore be dismissed, with
costa.
THE MAGGm S. HART THE IVANHOE.
THE THE 1. 2. MAGGm
MATTHIAS.
S.
HART 'V. 'ruE IVANHOE .A.ND THE MATTHIAS.
(flil/triot Oourt, E. D. Penn8ylvania. April 26, 1889.) COLLISION-DuTY OF STEAM-VESSELS.
A vessel under steam must keep out of the way of a sailing vesseL
SAME-PILOT IN CHARGE OF TuG AND BARK-JOINT LIABILITY.
A bark and a tug are both responsible for a collision with a sailing vessel when the pilot of the bark is in charge of both, and the collision occurs through bis fault.
In Admiralty.
Libel for collision. S. Hart. Henry S. Edmunda, for the Ivanhoe. Flanders &" Pugh, for the Matthias. John F. Lewi8, for the
BUTLER, J. On the 12th of August, 1888, the schooner, laden with ice, was passing up Delaware bay against the tide. About half past 1 o'clock at night, while hl"ading N. N. W., and near the Cross Ledge light, the; resp(jndents came into view (the Ivanhoe towing the bark,