241 F. 204 | S.D. Ala. | 1915
“In the nature of the employment, her officers could tell better than the men on the boats what sort of a line was required to secure the boats to*206 gether, and to keep them in their positions. If she failed in this duty she was guilty of a maritime fault.” The Quickstep, 9 Wall. (76 U. S.) 665, 19 L. Ed. 767.
“A tug with, vessels in tow * * *• is bound to consult their safety as well as her own. ‘ She must see that what clears her of danger does not put them in peril. Eor many purposes they may be regarded as a part of herself. They have the benefit of her traction, and she the burden of their inertia.” The Syracuse, 9 Wall. (76 U. S.) 672, 19 L. Ed. 783.
‘ I do not find from the evidence any negligence or fault on the part of the schooner Mills, or’the pilot in charge of her, contributing tothe collision.. But the weight of the evidence satisfies me that, from want of care, ignorance of the channel, negligence, or lack of maritime skill in the navigation of the tug and tow, on the part of those in charge of the tug, makes the tug Mary Wittich responsible for the collision and answerable for the damage resulting therefrom.
■Decree for the libelant for $415.90, with costs.