B. D. Wood & Bros. v. Harbor Tow-boat Co.

The plaintiffs were the owners of a coal barge, alleged to be worth $100, and to have in it, say 1200 barrels of coal, worth $600. This barge, so laden, was lying, on the morning of July 11th, 1875, in the Mississippi river, nearly opposite Jackson Square. Being desirous of removing it to some other point, the plaintiffs employed the defendant, who was a corporation engaged in the towing business in the harbor of New Orleans and in and about the Mississippi river, to make such removal. The defendant undertook to do so with one of his steam tug-boats, called the “Reliance,” “but by *122and through…