Intagliata v. Shipowners & Merchants Towboat Co.

Plaintiff brought this action for damages for the harm to his fishing boat “San Giuseppe” resulting from a collision with a car float bearing thirteen railroad cars towed by defendant’s tug “Sea Rover.” The action was tried before a jury. Defendant appeals from a judgment awarding plaintiff $2,000 damages and from an order denying a motion for a new trial.

Plaintiff left Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco alone in his fishing boat about 4:30 a.m., half an hour before the collision, and proceeded in a westerly direction. The boat displayed running lights. Since the night was clear there was…