The Kennebec

THOMAS, District Judge.

At the entrance of the river flowing into the harbor of New Haven are three docks, — the coal dock, the water dock, and the steamboat dock. The total distance from the coal dock to the steamboat dock is about 350 feet. On the nighi: of October 26, 1899, there were lying off the coal dock a schooner and two barges, and at about half past 8 on such night a tug added five barges; making in all eight vessels abreast said dock with their bowTs pointing upstream. The outside barge — No. 1— belonged to the libelant; next inside was the barge called the “shell boat”; next lay…