Johnson v. Boston Tow-Boat Co.

The defendant is a corporation engaged in the business of moving cargoes and merchandise by means of lighters furnished with hoisting apparatus. The lighter on which the plaintiff was employed was equipped with a steam engine and derrick for hoisting merchandise, and, at the time the plaintiff was injured, was taking on a load of iron rails. There were six men employed upon it, — Moore, the captain, Burns, who had charge of the engine, and four laborers, of whom the plaintiff was one. The plaintiff was injured by the falling of a rail upon him in consequence of the giving way of a rope called…