In re Reading Co.

COXE, District Judge.

These suits grow out of a collision in the East River, near Grand street, on January 15, 1930, at about 7:46 p. m., between the steamship Exbrook and the tow of the tug Bern, consisting of twelve loaded coal barges. The Exbrook was proceeding down stream and the Bern tow up stream at the time of the collision; and the Perth Amboy No. 1 was acting as a helper tug to the Bern. The tide was strong flood, running about 3% knots an hour, and the weather clear. Six of the twelve barges in the tow were sunk; and the' owners of the barges, as well as the owners of the respective…