Johnson v. Westerfield's Admr.

Opinion of the Court by

Judge Miller

Reversing.

The appellant, P. H. Johnson, was the owner and T. K. Bowles the pilot and master, of the steam tug boat “Samuel,” which plied Green River and Ohio River between Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana. While ascending Green River on the night of January 4, 1909, a short time before midnight, the “Samuel” collided with a raft tied to the eastern bank of Green River near Woods’ Landing, and drowned Frederick Westerfield and three other men, who were asleep upon the raft.

The Samuel was towing three empty barges, abreast of each other, having…