UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

In a collision which took place at sea between a steamship and a schooner by means of which the schooner was sunk and all on board perished except the man at the helm, the evidence shows that it was not the fault of the steamer.

Although the night was starlight, yet there was a haze upon the ocean which prevented the schooner from being seen until she came within a distance of two or three hundred yards. She was approaching as close-hauled to the wind as she could be. Under these circumstances, the order to stop the engine and back, was judicious.

The circumstances of the case are particularly set forth in the opinion of the Court.