Gilbert Dalldorf v. Higgerson-Buchanan, Inc., Gilbert Dalldorf v. Higgerson-Buchanan, Inc.

SOBELOFF, Circuit Judge:

Dr. Gilbert Dalldorf brought an action against Higgerson-Buchanan, Inc., to recover for damages to his sloop, the WANIGAN, sustained when the sloop’s mast came into contact with power lines of the Virginia Electric & Power Company passing over a new channel then in the process of being dredged by the defendant. After trial on the issue of liability, the District Court entered an interlocutory decree in which it held both parties guilty of negligence and equally at fault. Since this was an admiralty action, the court applied the doctrine of comparative negligence and…