United States v. Wood Towing Corp.

WYCHE, District Judge.

In this case the United States of America, as owner of the derrick boat Benning, has filed a libel in admiralty against the Wood Towing Corporation in personam and its tug Atlas in rem, in which they assert a claim for damages resulting from the foundering of the Benning at about 2:30 o’clock a. m., on December 8, 1939, while in tow of the tug Atlas, at a point northwesterly of Smith Point Lighthouse and near Buoy C-l. A claim for the loss of the personal effects of the crew of the eight men on board the Benning is also asserted.

The facts are substantially as follows: In…