Almirante Steamship Corp. v. United States

SWAN, Circuit Judge.

The Almirante was outward bound from New York to Havana, and was proceeding down the coast at a speed of about 12 knots an hour. She claims that her port and starboard side lights were burning; otherwise, she was dark. The tanker Hisko was proceeding up the coast from Philadelphia to New York at 10 knots an hour, and was running without any lights. Because of the possible presence of hostile submarines the Navy Department had authorized all vessels to run without lights, unless deemed necessary to avoid collision. The collision occurred shortly before 2 a. m. standard…