Connorton v. Harbor Towing Corporation

NORTHROP, District Judge.

Melvin A. Connorton (Connorton), a tugboat engineer, brought this libel against Harbor Towing Corporation (Harbor) because of an injury he sustained when he slipped and fell, striking his chest against a quarter bitt, while on Harbor’s Tug INDIAN. This blow, he claims, activated a dormant tubercular condition.

Connorton contends:

1. The INDIAN was unseaworthy because

a. ice was on the deck;

b. a tow strap parted; and

c. the INDIAN was undermanned.

2. Harbor was negligent in allowing ice to accumulate on the deck even though at sea, and in using a tow strap which it knew or…