Keokuk Northern Line Packet Co. v. True

Citations

• 88 Ill. 608

Syllabus

<p>1. Carrier—liability for injury to passenger going off boat. Where a passenger on a steamboat, on its stoppage at a point on the river to remain for two hours, *n ^tempting to get to shore on the staging leading from the boat to-the shore, was struck by the handle of a loaded box of coal and severely injured, and it appeared that on reaching the lower deck he stopped to see if it was safe to go off on the staging, and saw the servants of the boat going off and coming on the boat bringing coal on board in boxes, those having loaded boxes coming in on the forward staging, and those going off with empty boxes on the after staging, which was placed close by the side of the other, and, perceiving no danger, started to go to the shore on the after staging, following the servants going out with an empty box, and other servants, coming on the forward staging with a loaded box, just before meeting him crossed- over to the staging he was on, and, coming at a rapid speed, struck him, inflicting the injury, it was held that the company owning and running the boat was liable to him in damages for the injury caused by the negligence of its servants.</p> <p>2. Same—reasonableness of rule or regulation of steamboat. When a steamboat lands at a city, there to remain for two hours, the court say, if the company operating the boat had a rule or regulation requiring a passenger to a more distant point to remain in the cabin, and not go on shore on the staging put out, under penalty of being run over by its servants, they are not prepared to hold the same reasonable or obligatory on the passenger.</p> <p>3. Same—degree of care required for safety of passenger. ' A steamboat company, as a carrier of passengers for hire¡ is, through its officers and servants, bound to the utmost practicable care and diligence to carry its passengers safely to their place of destination, and to use all reasonably practicable care and diligence to maintain among the crew of the boat, including deck hands