UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

THE MERRIMAC, 81 U. S. 199 (1871)

81 U. S. 199

U.S. Supreme Court

The Merrimac, 81 U.S. 14 Wall. 199 199 (1871)

The Merrimac

81 U.S. (14 Wall.) 199

Syllabus

1. The fact that a steamship is in charge and under the control of a pilot taken on board conformably to the laws of the state is not a defense to a proceeding in rem against her for a tortious collision, the laws of the state providing only that if a ship coming into her waters, refuse to receive on board and pay a pilot, the master shall pay the refused pilot half pilotage, and no penalty for the refusal being prescribed. The China, 7 Wall. 58, affirmed.

2. A steamship of 2000 tons having a tug, each of 500 tons, on each side, condemned as guilty of a rash act for sailing in a place from 70 to 75 feet wide, which was little or no more than the width of the ship and tugs abreast, between a buoy which indicated an entire obstruction of navigation, and a ship aground with a steam tug on each side.

Appeal from the Circuit Court for the District of Louisiana in a case of collision condemning the Merrimac for damages done to the Gladiator. clubjuris

Page 81 U. S. 200


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