Olsen v. Cahill

Citations

• 119 F. 468
• 1902 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 277

Syllabus

<p>1. Towage—Negligence of Tug—Liability for Loss of Tow.</p> <p>While a tug was engaged in towing two scows from New York to the dumping grounds and return in the evening, one of the scows went adrift, and was lost with the man in charge. The tug did not discover the loss until four hours afterward, on the return trip. The sea was rough, requiring vigilance, and the night was clear. Also, after the scow went adrift, two other vessels in the vicinity blew alarm signals to call the tug’s attention to her, and the master noted that two lights were absent from the tow, but no further investigation was made. ■Held, that the tug was chargeable with gross negligence and inattention to her tow, which rendered her liable for the loss.</p> <p>8. Admiralty—Torts Causing Death—Recovery of Damages.</p> <p>The next of kin of a seowman, lost through the negligence of a tug, were two sisters who supported themselves, but it was shown that the deceased had promised to take them back to Norway to live and to supply the money required. Held, that such evidence was sufficient to warrant the court in awarding damages for the death against the owner of the tug in the sum of $500.</p>