Court Opinion

ID: 9639450
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 16:18:32.249426+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:18.763715
License: Public Domain

MANTON, Circuit Judge
(dissenting in part). I dissent from that part of the decision, about to be announced, which exonerates the La France. The District Court found that the two vessels were quite close together when the passing was agreed upon. The La France consented to the passage undertaken by the exchange of two whistles. Those in charge of the La France concede that she was down by the head and that it was difficult to steer her. They knew the wind was blowing strongly from the northwest when they consented to the passage, and that the Doane was having difficulty in bucking the wind. Under the circumstances, they say the La France changed her course “not more than a point.” It would not have been difficult for the La France to have gone to the eastward. She might also have stopped or reversed;' either would have avoided the collision.
I think she was at fault and should be held for damages. The Doane was properly held.