The Adriatic, 107 U.S. 512 (1883)
U.S. Supreme Court
The Adriatic, 107 U.S. 512 (1883)
The Adriatic
Decided March 19, 1883
107 U.S. 512
Syllabus
1. Under the Act of Feb. 16, 1875, c. 77, a finding in a case of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction on the instance side of the circuit court has the effect of a special verdict in an action at law, and although no exceptions are filed, its sufficiency in connection with the pleadings to support the decree rendered is open to consideration on appeal.
2. A sailing vessel meeting a steamer should keep her course unless it is manifest that she would thereby occasion a collision. Where, therefore, as in this case, by her unnecessary changes of course, she misled and embarrassed an approaching steamer that was laboring to keep out of her way, and a collision occurred whereby she was sunk, whereas had she kept on the course she was sailing when first seen by the steamer or adhered to her first new course afterwards taken, a collision would not have happened, held that the steamer is not liable.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.