Erie R. v. Invader

SWAN, Circuit Judge.

This litigation arises out of a collision between the ferryboat Youngstown, owned by appellant, and a loaded carfloat in tow of the tug Invader, owned by appellee. The collision occurred at the entrance to appellant’s ferry slip between piers 19 and 20 on the Manhattan side of the North River near Chambers Street. Applying the starboard hand rule,1 the trial judge found the Youngstown solely at fault From the decree of dismissal the libellant appeals, contending that the case was one of special circumstances2 and the Invader solely at fault.

*649There is no substantial dispute…