Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 9.djvu/730

 THE LEVI DAVIS. 715 �even after the torch was shown, the collision would have been pre- vented. It is true that, by reversing the wheel ■without some change in the direction of the steamer, she would have been somewhat im- perilled by her tow, but that was a matter which the master should have had in mind all the time, and made the necessary maneuver with due caution ; still, that does not relieve him from the obligation to reverse, if the occasion or necesaity demanded it. He should have been ready to slacken speed or stop, as the exigency required, but made no effort to do so. �It therefore seems very clear to me that the collision in this case was caused by the negligence on the part of those in command of this steamer. I have very carefully read the testimony, and have carefully considered the arguments which have been made on the part of the respondents in support of their exceptions to the finding of the commissioner, and muet say that I am wholly content with the con- clusions at which the commissioner has arrived, in bis report, and shall overrule the exceptions, conhrm the report, and enter a deeree for the libellants, in accordanoe with the recommendations of the report. ���Thb Levi Davis. {DisMet Court, B. D. New York. December 13, 1881.) �1. Salvage— Tua and Tow. �The amount of salvage determined where a tug assisted another tug that ■was temporarily disabled while the two were landiag a low, and rescued her from peril and helped to bring her into port. �In Admiralty. �The tug Leonard Eichards was employed to assist the tug Levi Davis in towing a raft and catamaran, loaded with lumber, from New York to Barnegat inlet. The Davis was able to go over the bar at Barnegat, but the Eichards was not. The tow was in charge of a pilot supplied by the Davis, which was the leading boat. The agreement with the Eichards was to help transport the tow to "off Barnegat inlet." When the tow arrived off Barnegat, a storm was threatening and the sea was heavy. Presently the Eichards struck the bottom, when she at once cast off the hawser to the Davis and eut the hawser to the tow. The Davis then proceeded to the tow, and in so doing struck the bottom herself and broke her rudder. She ��� �