Ellis v. The Katy Wise

HUGHES, District Judge.

This collision happened in a broad, deep, straight channel, much frequented, accurately surveyed and charted, well known, and within a few miles of the ports of Alexandria, Washington city, and Georgetown. It occured in broad daylight, an hour after daybreak. There was a thick fog, but not a very dense one. Otherwise there was no vis major, and the collision ought not to have happened. If this collision was inevitable, then a total interdict would have to be put upon the navigation of the great river Potomac during every one of the frequent fogs that come over it.…