Belcher Towing Co. v. Board of County Commissioners of Dade County

The appellee, Dade County Commissioners acting as the Dade County Port Authority, sued the appellant, Belcher Towing Company, for damage to a draw bridge. The damage occurred when a tug owned by the appellant took a tow through the draw. The trial judge entered extensive findings of fact, from which we quote:

“7. The major or predominant cause of the accident was faulty navigation on the part of the lead tug, which had permitted the dredge Windham to drift off course and into the west span of the draw bridge. The major fault lies with the tug Orr in that:(a) It is admitted that there were no…