Morrison Waite

“ It was not her duty to signal the movements of the 'Connecticut,' under whose exclusive control she was. The 'Connecticut' is alone responsible for the consequences of her own faults.
Without doubt the 'Connecticut' had the right to go to her landing place, and for that purpose we see no reason why she might not have taken the courses she did. But she was navigating in a crowded harbor with a cumbersome tow, and, do the best she could, her presence would necessarily be an embarrassment to other vessels passing through the channel in which she was. ”

“ Morgan' sued all three of the vessels for the loss, and upon the facts as above stated the Circuit Court gave judgment dismissing the libel as to the 'Stevens,' but holding both the 'Connecticut' and 'Othello' responsible, and dividing the loss between them. The 'Connecticut' was held in fault for not giving her signal at or before the time she changed her course, and the 'Othello' for not heeding the signal when it was given, or taking the necs sary precautions against a collision before. All parties have appealed ”

“ To avoid the consequences of accidents of this kind, a system of signals has been adopted and lawfully promulgated, which navigators are required to use when the circumstances are such as to make them necessary. ”