Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 3.djvu/406

 DOUGHERTT P. STEAMBB FRANOONU, 89Ô �tide, to pass each other to the right. In coming from the eastward, towards Negro Point, the effect of the flood tide is more and more to set a vessel towards the Long Island shore. At the bluff the navigable channel is about 250 yards wide, the shore being boldon both aides, with deep water quite close to the shore. �The Franconia, just before coming up to the steamer, star- boarded a very little to give her a wider berth. She then ported a little to come back to her former course, and kept a port wheel, but without anymatpial change in her course up to the time of the collision, Af ter passing the schooner, those in charge of the steamer obseryed what appeared to them a very sudden and unexpected change in the course of the tug. Her red light disappeared, and her green light appeared. She was then, as it appeared to them, not more than 500 or 600 feet from the steamer, and still on her port hand. She was evidently crossing the bows of the steamer to pass her on the fltarboard hand. Immediately after this movement was ôb- served, the tug gave a signal of two whistles, indicating this pûrpose on her part. Thereupon bells were instantly rung on the steamer to slow, stop, and back at fuU speed. Thô bells were promptly obeyed, but the distance was too short to àvoid a collision, and the tug, keeping on her sheer to port, came in collision with the bluff of the steamer's port bow. The Unes between the tug and the barge were parted by the sudden stopping of the tug; the barge shot ahead of the tug; the steamer was nearly or quite still by the land. The tug and barge were carried by the tide up the river, the tug oii the eteamer's port side, and the barge on her starboard side. Both received injuries, from the effects of which they sunk in about 15 minutes. �The crew of the tug, and theman in charge of the barge, were xescued by a boat from the schooner. Up to the time those on the steamer saw the red light change to green, they had heard or observed nô signal from the tug. Up to that time it is certain the steamer had given no signal to the tug. The only signal the steamer gave at ail was a single whistle, upoh jreceiving the signal Of two whistles after the change of light ����