American Tug Boat Co. v. Washington Toll Bridge Authority

This case presents the single question whether the owner of a tug which is towing a raft of logs belonging to other parties, pursuant to a contract of towage, may maintain an action against the owner of a ferry boat for damages to the tow caused by the negligent operation of the ferry.

This question comes to this court as the result of the trial court’s sustaining a demurrer to a complaint alleging, in substance, as follows:

On February 7, 1954, plaintiff’s tug “Gwylan” had in its exclusive possession and control a tow. of four rafts of logs consisting of boomsticks (owned by Weyerhaeuser…