The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-07
| CAPT. eoReERsoN's ADVENTURE.
less and Asks Damages From Itasca's
Owners.

In the United States District court, be-
fore Judge Webb, yesterday, was tried an
interesting marine case, growing out or the
adventures of a dory fisherman of Isle au
Ha1t last June. 1t is a libel brought by
Carl Borgerson of Rockland. against the
schooner "Itasca,'' of Cherryield. Carl
Borgerson was master of the schooner liza
Grover" of Roc kiand, which he had CHAR
tered for a fishing "trip. On the second Gay
of last June, southeast of Isle au Haul, he
was in dory some distance from the
schooner, engaged in hauling in trawl.
The weather was quite favorable. Capt.
Borgers OIL in the libel alleges that about
this time the schooner Itasca. Captain
Pinkham,appeared bearing down upon her.
He alleges that he hailed Ler repeatedly,
but that she paid no attention to him, and
continuing her course, striking his dory,
tipping it over and carrying it under the
vessel. The occupant succeeded in seizing
the bobstay of the schooner and climbed
aboard. receiving serious personal injuries.
He found no one on the deck of the Hasca
except the man at the wheel, and ran aft to
the quarterback before another person ap-
peared on deck. Captain Borgerson claims
that he lost by the collision three tubs of
tIawl, thousa nd pounds of fish. an anchor.
a buoy line, an oar, and other materials.
which with injuries to the dory, made a loss
of about $780, Also he received personal
injuries which inoapacitated him from work
for some time.
Captain Borgerson brings his suit through
Hon. Charles E. Littlefield and A. S. Little
field, ESQ.,, of Rockland.
The claim and answer of Lewis B. Pink
ham of Milbridge, master and pailee of the
"Itasca.' relates that D. W. and f. l..
Campbell. estate of Alexander Campbell
and Joseph Strout of Cherryfield. are the
owners of the "ltasca;" admits that on the
second day of June the "Ida Grover" was
on a fishing cruise; admits that on said day
the said schooner was southeast of Isle au
Haul, and that at noon the Gbellant was in
a dory belonging to said schooner, although
all knowledge is disclaimed as to whether
or not he was hauling trawl: denies that
the "1tasca" was without a watch on deck;
denies that the libellant repeatedly hailed
said schooner, but admits that the dory was
struck by the ''Itasoa." and that the libel
liant seized some of the schooner's head
gear and came on board; denies knowledge
as to whether the libellant lost any of his
gear on the doIy, and denies that either the
dory or the libellant were damaged or hurt;
denies that the collision was due to care
lessness on the part of the ''Itasca:" that
the 'itasca'' at once put about, picked up
the dory ana delivered it to the ''lda
Groyer;'' and finally that the collision was
caused by the negligence of the libellant
himself.
For the .'Itasca' appeared Benjamin
Thompson, Esq.,. of this city and Fred /.
Campbell, Esq. of Cherryfeld.
Witnesses were examined at considerable
length yesterday afternoon.
After the case had been argued Judge
Webb. in summing up indicated that both
parties were somewhat at fault, but that
some damages should go to Captain Berger
son. The counsel decided to have Judge
Webb determine the damages, rather than
have the amount go to an assessor.