Case Name: The Sylvan Grove. The Dr. J. P. Witbeck. Wall v. The Sylvan Grove and another
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1886-07-16
Citations: 29 F. 336
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Sylvan Grove. The Dr. J. P. Witbeck. Wall v. The Sylvan Grove and another.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 29
Pages: 336–336

Head Matter:
The Sylvan Grove. The Dr. J. P. Witbeck. Wall v. The Sylvan Grove and another.
(District Court, E. D. New York.
July 16, 1886.)
1. Collision—Steam-Boat and Small Boat Astern of Tug—Overtaking Vessel—Liability for Personal Injury.
Libelant’s small boat, wbicb was being towed astern of tbe tug W., was run down by tbe steamer S., wbicb was on a course overtaking tbe tug. Libel-ant’s arm was thereby broken, and bis boat damaged, for wbicb injuries be brought suit against both the steam-boat and tbe tug. Held, that tbe steamer, being tbe overtaking vessel, was bound to have kept out of tbe way, and was in consequence solely liable for tbe collision.
2. Same—False Testimony—Allowance for Injury to Property—For Injury to Person.
Libelant swore falsely that bis boat was wholly destroyed. Held, that nothing should be allowed for tbe injury to property. Held, also, that be should recover §500 for tbe breaking of bis arm.
In Admiralty.
Thomas D. Cottman and Biddle & Ward, for libelant.
A. P. & W. Man, for the Sylvan Grove.
Benedict, Taft & Benedict, for the Dr. J. P. Witbeck.
Reported by R. D. & Wyllys Benedict, Esqs., of the New York bar.

Opinion:
Benedict, J.
It is plain enough that the libelant cannot recover against the D?* J. P. Witbeck, at whose stem he was towing in his boat. It is equally plain that he can recover against the Sylvan Grove. The Sylvan Grove was overtaking the Witbeck, and the Wit-beck, with the libelant's boat astern, was in plain sight. The duty of the Sylvan Grove was to avoid collision with the libelant's boat. If, as she contends, there was a change of course on the part of the Wit-beck, which brought her on a course crossing the course of the Sylvan Grove, then it was the duty of the Sylvan Grove to stop, on seeing such change, and, by porting her wheel, avoid running over the libel-ant in his boat. If she was at a proper distance from the Witbeck, there was no difficulty in doing this. If, however, as is more probable, the Sylvan Grove approached so near to the Witbeck, holding her course, that a shift of the Witbeck's wheel, made to allow the Sylvan Grove to pass her to port, threw the Witbeck's stern a little off shore, and thereby pulled the libelant a little off shore, and under the paddle-wheel of the Sylvan Grove, then the Sylvan Grove was in fault for approaching so near the Witbeck. The libel must therefore be dismissed as to the Witbeck, with costs, and the libelant must recover his damages of the Sylvan Grove. He had one of his arms broken, and he swore falsely that his boat was wholly destroyed. I give him nothing for the injury to his property. For his broken arm I give him $500.
Let a decree be entered for the libelant against the Sylvan Grove for $500, and costs.