The Auchenarden

THOMAS, District; Judge.

The libelant, a longshoreman, was employed by the Atlantic Stevedoring Company, who contracted with the charterers to load the steamship Auchenarden. The ship was new, and at the time of the accident was taking her first cargo, which in part consisted of iron rails. The libelant fell through the cross-bunker hatchway at the after end of the No. 2 hold. There was no cover for this hatch, although for the corresponding hatches immediately above there were covers, which were in position. The bunker hatch was usual in kind and in location, although there was no partition…