Jacob Rice & Sons v. The Marion A. Meseck

GALSTON, District Judge.

Some time prior to January 20, 1943, the libellant had chartered its scow George R to the McAllister Lighterage Line, Inc. The charterer caused the scow to be loaded with a cargo of copper and then towed to Pier 97, North River, at which point it arrived on January 18, 1943. Under the orders and control of the harbor master, or the stevedore boss, it was shifted from place to place at that pier.

On the morning of January 20, 1943, the scow, having discharged part of a cargo and drawing about four feet of water, was lying on the north side of the pier. The harbor master…