The George H. Jones

(after stating the facts as above).

Prima facie the Jones stands at fault. Minnesota S. S. Co. v. Lehigh Valley Transportation Co., 129 F. 22 (C. C. A. 6). She left her course, came at least 100 feet in shore, and collided with a tow which was on a steady and obvious course safely on her port hand. The Jones’ pilot frankly concedes that he did this because, in a choice of evils, he preferred taking the chance of hitting the tow to risking a collision with a tanker full of explosive cargo. We do not necessarily charge him with fault in making that choice, because, if he had been otherwise…