Brassell v. Atlantic Towing Co.

HOLMES, Circuit Judge.

The Egbert H, a small diesel tug, suffered engine trouble in the Savannah River, a tidal stream, while engaged in towing. Powerless to navigate, she was borne by the incoming tide beneath a bridge spanning the river, and became wedged thereunder. The vessel had a freeboard of only ten inches, and, since the tide had approximately three more feet to rise, she was in imminent peril of sinking. In response to her distress signals, the Cynthia No. 2, a much larger tug-operating in the immediate vicinity, came to her rescue and towed her to safety in the harbor. On this…