Thе libelant claims some three or four hundred dollars for an injury to her canal-boat by collision. Upon thе evidence in the case I am satisfied that the actual damage could be repaired by the use of bolts, and braces for $15, so that the canal-boat, for all the practical purposes of use, of convenience, and of strength, would be just аs good, and just as durable, as before the injury. Whether, if repaired in that way, her market value would be essеntially depreciated is a question upon which thе witnesses differ. An owner whose boat is damaged by the negligence of another is entitled to have his boat repaired in a way which will not leave her essentially depreciated in her market value, or inferior for practical use. But where an injury can be perfectly repaired for all practical uses at slight expense, but, as in this case, cannot be placed in exactly the same condition as new, except by taking out and replacing much other good work at a very considerable expense, the court must hesitate in allowing damagеs on the basis of the latter mode of repair, еspecially where, as in this case, though a long time has elapsed, no such repair has been made. The court could only be warranted in allowing for new beams upon very plain and certain prоof that the market value of the boat will otherwise be materially and certainly lessened. In the conflicting evidence in this case I think the acts of the libеlant herself, or rather of her husband, who was the master and manager, must be considered as a sufficient practical guide for the court on the latter point.
A great preponderance of evidеnce shows clearly that after full examination оf this injury by the captain’s surveyors, he offered to settle for $25; while the claimants would give him but $10. A considerable timе has elapsed, yet no kind of repair of the injurеd beam has been made up to the present time; and on the survey during the trial the alleged break shows even less than when recent; and the fact of the break itself is not altogether beyond doubt. Under these сircumstances the court would not be justified in awarding damages upon the basis of a necessity of taking out some 40 feet of the gunwale streak in order to repair this comparatively slight injury. I must regard the estimate made by the captain after his survey as sufficient tо cover whatever trifling difference may be madе in the value of the boat by a i-epair in the ordinary inexpensive way; and I award him the sum he then claimed, and which has since been paid into the registry, namely, $25; for which judgment may be entered, without costs.