The Whitecastle

PORTERIE, District Judge.

We believe our findings of fact will be a sufficient narrative so that a formal statement of the case will not be necessary.

Facts.

I. On March 3, 1945, at about 8:30 p. m., the pusher type towboat Whitecastle was proceeding in a northerly direction in Harvey Canal, Louisiana, bound in the canal towards the Mississippi River locks. The Whitecastle was pushing two loaded oil barges, the BBL 106 and BBL 107, in that order. The entire flotilla was owned by cross-libelant. The BBL barges were each 200 feet long and forty feet in beam.

II. At the same time the tug Leta was…