The Rhode Island

On the twenty-sixth of December, 1883, the canal-boat Helen, loaded with coal, was lying along the bulk-head at the loot of Sixty-second street, East river, being the outside boat of four that lay along-sido. Between 10 and 11 o’clock in the forenoon the large passenger steamer Rhode Island, coming down the East river, caused a large swell, which broke over the canal-boat and filled her with water so that she sank in four minutes. This libel was filed to recover the damages.

The principles of law applicable to the conflicting rights of large passenger steamers and of canal-boats about the…