English v. The S. O. Pierce

The evidence leaves no doubt that -while the libelant’s canal-boat S. A. Derrick, loaded with ice, was lying moored alongside the bulk-head at Whitbeck’s Ice-House dock, North river, August 23, 1887, she received something of a blow, or contact, from another canal-boat, the Hummel, which had been towed to that dock by the tug S. 0. Pierce, and was cast off there by the tug. There is great contradiction as to all the details of the occurrences at the dock,—as to the tide'; the object of landing the Hummel; the maimer and kind of contact or blow; the number of other boats in tow of the Pierce;…