Court Opinion

ID: 6830717
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-23 19:52:13.420097+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:04:33.115189
License: Public Domain

HOUGH, Circuit Judge
(after stating the facts as above). That libelant wholly failed to prove the story of the libel is plainly true. The only arguable point is whether any fault was shown on the part of No. 26.
In support of the libel the master of the Barton was naturally the principal witness. He confirmed his distance from Manhattan shore as 450-500 -feet, averred that No. 26 was nearer that shore than he was; that she blew two whistles, and he promptly assented, and went further from the Manhattan shore, while No. 26 in violation of agreement sheered in the same direction, yet collision happened “probably 150 feet” off shore, a dis- ‘ tance subsequently changed to 400-500 feet.
This is a flat impossibility. There, wah a collision, of course. There had been an agreement to pass starboard to starboard, and all agree that No. 26 was nearer Manhattan than was the Barton; but no collision could have happened 150 feet offshore unless the Barton, in violation of agreement, had turned inshore from the course she was pursuing when whistles first blown; and no such collision as undoubtedly did happen could have resulted merely from a change of course by No. 26. This master also deposed to a sequence of whistles wholly at variance with Ms report to the local inspectors, the making of which he at first said he was not sure of; something we do not remember ever having heard before from the lips of a “licensed man.” In sum, no one can place any confidence in the statements of this m.aster.; corroboration is necessary for belief.
On the vital point of where collision happened, the outside evidence is all in favor of No. 26. Traffic in the channel between Battery and Governors Island was as active as it usually is on a fair day in early autumn, and the observers agree on two points. No. 26 did not sheer away from Manhattan, and the place of collision was nearer Manhattan than the course of the Barton, as sworn to by her own master and by the No. 26. We think it proven that the proximate cause of collision was a sheer by Barton toward Manhattan — a grave and plain fault.
The question of No. 26’s contributory fault depends on whether that vessel stopped and reversed in time. According to the sworn libel, No. 26 backed before the Barton did; according to the latter’s master, he is uncertain whether No. 26 ever backed. The outside witnesses agree that what presented the, starboard side of the Barton to the starboard corner of the float was the Barton’s backing,, and the evidence from No. 26 is direct and unanimous that Barton’s backing produced the situation that-required No. 26 to back, as a last resource.
We are inclined to believe it affirmatively shown that No. 26 backed as soon as Barton’s misconduct developed danger, and we are certain that there is no evidence affirmatively showing No. 26 as at fault for not backing earlier.
Decree affirmed, with costs.