Columbus Ins. v. Curtenius

DRUMMOND, Distinct Judge.

This is an action brought by the plaintiffs as insurers of a canal-boat and cargo of wheat, which *187were lost by tbe canal-boat’s striking tbe piers of tbe bridge built by tbe defendants, near Peoria, while on tbe passage from Peru to St. Louis, and which loss tbe plaintiffs have been obliged to pay. Tbe canal-boat was towed by tbe steamer Falcon at tbe time of tbe loss, 19tk March, 1S49. Tbe declaration alleges that tbe defendants placed piers in tbe principal channel of tbe Illinois river, a navigable river free to all tbe citizens of tbe United States, so as…