United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

The Steamboat New York v. Rea, 59 U.S. 18 How. 223 223 (1855)

The Steamboat New York v. Rea

59 U.S. (18 How.) 223

Syllabus

Where a vessel was lying at anchor in the port of New York, and a steamboat came down the Hudson River with wind and tide in her favor and also having several heavily loaded barges fastened on each side of her, and came into collision with the vessel which was lying at anchor, it was a gross fault in the steamboat to proceed, at night, on her way with a speed of from eight to ten miles per hour.

Moreover, the steamboat had not a sufficient lookout.

The statutes of the State of New York regulating the light which the vessel lying at anchor was to show have no binding force in the present case. The rule for the decision of the federal courts is derived from the general admiralty law.

Police regulations for the accommodation and safety of vessels in a harbor may be enacted by the local authorities.

The district court decreed that the libellant should recover against the steamboat the sum of $3,875 and costs.

The circuit court affirmed this decree, and gave judgment for $4,174 and costs.

Page 59 U. S. 224