LONG ISLAND R. CO. V. KILLIEN.
365
examine the injury sustained; and that this is the whole foundation of the story that a light was put up after the accident. The witnesses from the ship are corroborated by the testimony of Pilot Maule, who says he passed down shortly before the collision, and saw a vessel at anchor in this vicinity without an anchor light, that he did not recognize her as the "Armonia" or know who she was, but that he saw no other vessel at anchor near; that he spoke of the fact on reaching his destination; and it is testified that he did 80 speak. This testimony is certainly important; butit is not more so than that of Pilot Roland who says he passed down a little earlier and saw the bark at anchor, recognized her, and that her light was up burning brightly. Of course, it is possible that Mr. Maule saw another vessel, but this is not probable. "What is rema,rkable, however, is the fact that he too says the vessel had no light whatever -a statement that it is difficult to credit. The ship's forward lookout testifies that he saw three lights ahead when approaching the vicinity in which the bark lay, two large ones, apparently shore lights, and one small, apparently a vessel's light, which he reported to the pilot When asked the direct question whether the latter was on the bark he said, "No." But how could he know? He did not see it elsewhere,and says he did not observe it after passing. The pilot recollects the report, but explains that the light was not on the bark. explanation, however, is not very satisfactory. I will not pursue the inquiry. It is sufficient to say that after careful examination and reflection I am convinced that there is a decided preponderance of evidence in favor of the libelant's allegation that the light was up; and I therefore, so find the fact. It results that the ship must be condemned-that she had no excuse for colliding with the bark. It is tMle that those on board testify to a full .discharge of duty, as is common in such cases; but this testimony cannot be credited, in view of the collision, under the circumstances stated. 'While it is unnecessary to determine what tihe ship's fault consisted in, more particularly than that she failed to keep off, I incline to believe that it was in her fanure to give proper attention to the report of her lookout. I see nothing in the suggestion that the bark should have changed her position when the dang'er became apparent. She could not do so without raising her anchor and this required time-much more than the circumstances afforded. A tlecree must be entered for the libelant. TJONG ISLAND R. CO. et al. v. KILLIEN. (Circuit Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. April 16, 1895.) 1. COLLISION IN EAST RIVER-TUG AND FERRYBOAT SUDDEN WUEELSMAN. OVERTAKING VEllSEL-
Where a tug coming down the East river, upon emerging from the eddy into the flood tide at Corlear's Hook, was swept by the current against an overtaking ferryboat, hdd, that the tug was in fault, being in charge of an incompetent wheelsman. either because he neglected to port his wheel in due season, or to do so sufficiently to neutralize the .effect ot the cross current. 63 Fed. 172, affirmed.
366.
FEDERAL REPORTER,
vol. 67.
a
SAME--QVERTAKING VESSEL-DUTY TO KEEP AWAY.
The law does not impose upon an overtaking vessel the obllgatiolS of anticipating improper navigation on the part of the other vessel. Held, therefore, that a ferryboat, coming down the East river, which attempted to pass a tug on the port side, just as the latter was emerging from the eddy into the croSl!I cUITent created by the flood tide at Corlear's Hook, was not in fault in not allowing more than 100 feet between them. 63 Fed. 172, reversed. A vessel which violates the state statute requiring vessels to keep RlJ near as possible in the center of the East river is not, on that account, to be condemned for a collision which would not have occurred If the other vessel had exercised ordinary care. 63 Fed. 172, reversed. OF EAST RIVER-VIOLATION OF STATUTORY RULES.
8.
Appeal from the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. This was a libel in personam by Mary Killien, as administratrix of Martin Kll1ien, her husband, to recover damages under the :New York statute for the death of the deceased, who was a fireman on the tugboat 'Vll1iam H. Walker, on the afternoon of June 13, 1893, through an alleged negligent <.-'Ollislon between the Walker, owned by the respondent Hyde, and the ferryboat Garden City, owned by the respondent the Long Island Railroad Company. The district court found that both vessels were In fault for the collision, and entered a decree against both for $5,000, being the full amount allowed by the statute. 63 Fed. 172. collision occurred on the East river, from 200 to 300 feet off the New York docks, about opposite the marble yard, just below the turn of Corlear's Hook. The weather was clear and pleasant; the tide, strong flood. Both boats were going down river,the Garden City, on one of her regular trips from Hunter's Point to James' slip; the Walker, going down under one bell, near the docks, looking for a job. About 200 feet In front of them was the transfer tug No.5, also going down. All three boats had come to a stop, just above the Grand Street ferry, for two ferryboats of that line on the New York side, one coming out of that ferry, and another going in. At that time the Garden City was a little outside of the Walker, and about 200 feet astern of her. As soon as the inward-bound ferryboat at the Grand Street ferry would permit them to pass, the three boats started ahead, the Garden City sheering at first somewhat outwards into the river, but soon putting her wheel to port, and turning her head down the river. When the tug reached Corlear's Hook, and emerged from the eddy Into the flood tide, she lost control of her movement.'l, and took a sheer of about 100 feet to port, striking the Garden City,_ and causing the death of libelant's husband.
William J. Kelly, for appellants. E. H. Taft and T. M. Taft, for appellee. Before WALLACE, LACOMBE, and SHIPMAN, Circuit Judges. WALLACE, Circuit Judge. We agree substantially with the opinion of the district judge in regard to the facts of the collision out of which this suit arises. The appellant's ferryboat, the Garden City, had nearly overtaken the tug "Walker, and was about to pass her on her pact side, upon a course not more than one hundred feet away from her, when the tug, as she emerged from the eddy into the flood tide at Corlear's Hook, lost control of her movements, and was swept by the strong current against the starboard side of the Garden City. That the tug was improperly navigated is clear. In rounding the Hook on such a course as the tug took, when there is a flood tide, a strong cross current is encountered as\loon as a vessel passes out of the eddy into the true tide, which
LONG ISLAXD R. CO. V. KILUEN.
"367
will sheer the vessel to port. The tendency to such a sheer Is 1:0 be anticipated, and is usually neutralized by keeping the vessel sufficiently under a port wheel. The tug on the occasion in tion was temporarily in charge of an wheelsman; and either because he neglected to port his wheel in due seaSon, or to do so sufficiently, she took a rank sheer, and he lost command of her movements. We fully agree with the district judge that the tug was in fault for the collision. We are unable, however, to agree with his conclusion that the ferryboat was also in fault. The master of the Garden City was at the wheel of his vessel, as was also a wheelsman. They were watching the movements of the tug. There was ample room to enable the Garden City to pass the tug safely on her port side, no vessels were approaching to embarrass her in the effort to do so, and there was no conceivable reason why her master should attempt to direct the course of his vessel dangerously near to that of the tug. The sheer of the tug was observed, and, as soon as the master and wheelsman of the Garden City saw that there was danger of collision, they reversed her engines and starboarded her wheeL Doubtless the Garden City was not beiug navigated as near as possible in the center of the river, as the terms of the state statute, applicable to the East river, required; but this, as we have frequently had occasion to decide,should not condemn her for the consequences of a collision, which, notwithstanding her presence there, would not have occurred if' the other vessel had exercised ordinary care to avoid it. 'Only such vessels can invoke the violation of the statute as an actionable fault as have been prejudiced by it, either because their own movements have been embarrassed by the presence of the offending vessel, or because they have omitted to take some precaution in ignorance of her presence, which they might otherwise have avoided danger by adopting. As an' overtaking vessel, it was the duty of the Garden City to keep out of the way of the tug; and in this behalf it was incumbent upon her, when shaping her course to pass the tug, to allow a sufficient margin for safety, taking into consideration all the incidents of the situation; among them, the tendency of the cross current to deflect the course of the tug. The master of the Garden City was an experienced navigator. His vessel was on one of her regular trips, over a route which he had pursued for 27 years. He was perfectly fa· ,miliar with the tides and currents around the Hook. Intrusted, with the responsible command of a ferryboat, he had every incentive to beprudent. His vessel could gain no advantage by hugging the shore or crowding upon the course of the tug. He undoubtedly imew what ,reasonable allowance ought to be made for the influence (If the cross current upon the course of the tug, and the dictates of <lrdinary prudence enjoined upon him the necessity of making such ,allowance. He deliberately chose a course which in his judg;ment at the time was 8uffieiently ontside the tug's course to be a saie and prudent one. We think his judgment, formed under such circumstances, was not a rash one, or one which Sh01l1d be pronounced erroneous merely because subsequent events have shown
868
that there would not have been a collision if he had pursued a course further to port. The witnesses do not attribute the col· lision to an ordinary contingency of navigation. The master of the tug testifies that, just as the Garden City began to come abreast of the tug, her bo'w lapping the stern of the tug, she took a sheer of 100 feet to starboard. The wheelsman of the tug testifies that the Garden Oity took a rank sheer, and came right for the tug. The testimony of these witnesses, although generally discredited, is of some value, as showing the best theory they can invent in exculpation of their own vessel. The evidence amply supports the opinion of the district judge that the tug swung to port because of the faulty navigation of her wheelsman. In view of all the testimony in the record, we are satisfied that the .cOUl'fle of the Garden City was shaped sufficiently far on the port hand of the tug to have enabled her to pass the tug safely, allowance being made for all the ordinary exigencies of navigation, if the tug had not been guilty of an unnecessary and culpable sheer to port, and that the collision would not have taken place if the tug had been handled with reasonable care and skill. The law does not impose upon an overtaking vessel the obligation of anticipating improper navigation on the part of the other vessel. By this we do not mean that the overtaking vessel may not be guilty of contributory fault, when the circumstances indicate that the other vessel is under incapable management, or is about to neglect in any respect the duty of reasonable care and prudence. There are circumstances under which one person ought to foresee and provide against the negligence of another; but ordinarily an act, though negligent, is not the proximate cause of an injury, when but for the intervening negligence of another the injury would not have been inflicted. Lane v. Atlantic Works, 111 Mass. 136; Ouff v. Railroad Co., 35 N. J. Law, 32; Vicars v. Wilcocks, 8 East, 1; Daniel v. Railway 00., L. R. 5 H. L. 45. "A finding that negligence, or an act not amounting to wanton wrong, is the proximate cause of an injury, is not warranted unless it appear that the injury was the natural and probable consequence of the negligence or wrongful act, and that it ought to have been foreseen in the light of the attending circumstances. Where there is no intermediate efficient cause, the original wrong must be considered as reaching to the effect, and proximate to it." Railway Co. v. Kellogg, 94 U. S. 469. In the present case there were no circumstances to indicate to the master of the Garden Oity that those in charge of the tug were not competent to navigate her properly, or that there was any reasonable likelihood that they would lose control of her movements. We conclude, therefore, that the owner of the Garden Oity was erroneously adjudged liable fOf.' the consequences of the collision. The decree of the district court is reversed, and the cause remitted to the district court, with instructions to dismiss the libel as to the Long Island Railroad Company, the appellant.
LOOMIS
v.
ROSENTHAL.
8G9
LOOMIS et a1. v. ROSENTHAL.
(CIrcuit Court, D. Oregon. March 28, 1895.) No. 1,935. FBDEBAL COURTS-JUBIsDICTION-CITIZENSHIP-CUANGE OIl' RESIDENCL
L. and S., who alleged that they were citizens or the state or WasbIngton, brought suit In the United States circuit court against R., a citizen of Oregon. It appeared that L., ror six years berore her husband's death, resided with him in Oregon; that before her husband's death she had contemplated bringing the suit; that In a few months after his death she- removed with her children to her mother's home in Washington, taking BOme articles of personal property, but leaving the bulk of her furniture In Oregon, where she owned a house and lot; that she remaIned a few months in Washington, and then returned to Oregon, ostensibly to secure the benefit of better schools for her children. L. testified that she intended, some time, to return to Washington, and that she regarded her mother's farm, In that state, as her home, but her testimony, as to her purpose in returning to Oregon and her stay there, was ambiguous. Held, that L. was a citizen of Oregon, and the federal court had no jurisdiction of a suit between her and another citizen of that state.
This was a suit by Katie J. Loomis and Olive S. Swafford against Lewis Rosenthal to have the defendant declared trustee of certain real estate. The cause was heard on the pleadings and proofs as to the citizenship of one of the complainants. Deady & Metcalf, Dell Stuart, and Mary A. Leonard, for complainants. Joseph Simon, C. J. McDougall, and Wallace McCamant, for defendant. GILBERT, Circuit Judge. The complainants, as the heirs at law of J. V. Clary, deceased, bring a suit against the defendant, and pray the court to have him declared the trustee of certain real estate, which was sold by him as administrator of the estate of said J. V. Clary, at which sale it is alleged the defendant was indirectly the purchaser, and to require him to reconvey the same to the complainants. The bill alleges that the said intestate left surviving him three children and his widow, and that the widow and the other heir have conveyed their interests in said land to the complainants. Upon the final hearing the defendant moved to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction, upon the ground that one of the complainants is a citizen of the same state with the defendant. The complainants alleged in their bill that they were citizens and residents of the state of Washington. The defend· ant made no formal plea to the jurisdiction, but in his answer traversed these averments of the bill. Upon the issue so made, the parties took testimony concerning the citizenship and resi· dence of Katie J. Loomis, one of the complainants. The evidence, in substance, is that she and her husband had resided in Oregon for six years preceding the latter's death, which occurred upon the 13th day of February, 1892. Before that time she had con· templated bringing the present suit, and had engaged counsel for v.67F.no.4-24