Hefferin v. The Illinois

BUTLER, District Judge.

I find the facts to be as follows: The libelant, a laboring stevedore, who was employed to assist in stowing cargo on the steamship Illinois, was ordered into the forward hold to work. In passing down the hatch he got off on the “orlop” deck, immediately above the hold, and going forward about twelve feet to strip and leave Ms clothes, stepped into an open and unguarded hole, four to six feet long, and four to six inches wide; and was seriously hurt. This deck is dark, and around the hatch for a considerable distance was covered with dunnage, which consisted of blocks…