The Joseph M. Clark

Citations

• 119 F. 459
• 1902 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 274

Syllabus

<p>1. Collision—Steam Vessels Crossing—Leaving Wharf When Another Vessel is Approaching.</p> <p>The steamer Belle Horton and the tug Joseph M. Clark were both making regular passenger trips, from a wharf, across Hampton Roads. In the evening, at a time when the Horton was due, and was in fact approaching the wharf, fully lighted up, and only 400 or 500 feet distant, the Clark cast off and started on the return trip, attempting to pass across the bows of the Horton, which, being to the starboard of the Clark, was the privileged vessel, under the navigation rules. A collision resulted, in which the Horton was damaged. Seld, that the Clark was in fault, both for leaving the wharf at the time and under the circumstances, and for violation of the rules thereafter; the danger of collision being such as to impose upon her the duty of exercising the greatest care and skill from the time of leaving. Also held, under the evidence, that the Horton was not in fault.</p>