Loftus v. . Union Ferry Company of Brooklyn

Andrews, J. The charge of negligence is based solely upon the alleged insufficiency of the guard on the side of the bridge or float adjoining the passage-way for passengers going upon or leaving the ferry-boat. It is not claimed that the bridge was not in other respects properly constructed. It did not fill the entire space between the piers. On each side there was a space open to the water of from eight to twelve inches between the bridge and the adjoining pier. This space was left for the movement of the bridge caused by the tides and the impact of the boat on entering the slip. The guard was a frame of wood constructed by laying a' sill lengthwise of the bridge along the outer line of the passage-way and rising six or eight inches above the floor of the bridge, and spanned by an arched rail extending from end to end, which at the center was about three feet above the sill, with stanchions in the sill about six feet apart, and intermediate the sill and the arched rail' was another .rail parallel with the sill and about twenty-two inches above it. This left a space in the guard above the sill six feet wide and twenty-two inches high. The bridge was constructed five or six years before the accident, and was similar to the bridges at the other ferries of the defendant. It was conceded on the trial that over forty millions of people passed annually over the defendant’s ferries, and until the occurrence in question no accident had happened from any person falling or getting through the spaces in the guard. The intestate was a child six years old. On the evening of July 3,1878, the intestate’ s mother with her two children (the youngest, an infant, nineteen months old), entered the defendant's ferry-boat at Brooklyn to go to Rew York, and on reaching the Rew York side of the river, after the boat had been secured and after most of the other passengers had left the boat, she started with her children to pass over the bridge. The intestate *460 walked in front of or near his mother, who had the other child in her arms. In some manner not clearly explained, the boy fell into or got through the opening in the, guard, and falling into the water between the bridge and the pier, was drowned. The evidence perhaps justifies the inference that the child, frightened and startled by the boisterous noise and the running of two other boys who were leaving the boat, tripped or stumbled over the sill, and falling toward the pier, was precipitated into the water. We think this case is governed by the cases of Dougan v. Champlain Trans. Co. (56 N. Y. 1), Crocheron v. North Shore Staten Island Ferry Co. (id. 656), and Cleveland v. New Jersey Steamboat Co. (68 id. 306). The defendant was bound to provide suitable and safe accommodations for the landing of passengers. The rule of the strictest diligence in this respect is the only one consistent with a due regard to the value of human life and with the relation which the defendant assumes to the pubr lie. But the rule does not impose upon the defendant the duty of so providing for the safety of passengers, that -they shall encounter no possible danger, and meet with no casualty, in the use of the appliances provided by it. It was possible for the defendant so to have constructed the guard, that such an accident as this could not have happened; and this, so far as appears, could have been done without unreasonable expense or trouble. If the defendant ought to have foreseen that such an accident might happen, of if such an accident could reasonably have been anticipated, the omission to provide against it would be actionable negligence. But the facts rebut any. inference of negligence on this ground. The company had the experience of years, certifying to the sufficiency of the guard. That it was possible for a child or even a ma,n to get through the opening was apparent enough. But that ■ this was likely to occur was negatived by the fact that multitudes of persons had passed over the bridge without the occurrence of such a casualty. If the structure was intrinsically insecure, the fact, that it had'been used without in *461 jury before this would not exempt the company from responsibility, when an accident did happen from its defective condition. The guard was concededly sufficient for .grown people. A small child might more easily get through the opening than a man, but small children are usually in charge of parents or guardians; and this is entitled to some weight in determining the question of the company’s negligence. W e think the exemption of the defendant in this case rests upon the fact which we think clearly appears as an inference from the other facts, that the company had no reason to apprehend an accident like this, and that the arrangements made were such as experience had, up to.that time, shown to be safe and suitable, .and sufficient to meet the requirements of its duty. The line which separates a pure misdaventure resulting in injury, for which no one is responsible, from accidents creating responsibility, by reason of negligence; is often narrow and difficult to be drawn; but we think the casualty in this case is of the former and not of "the latter class. It results from these views that the defendant was not liable, and that the verdict was properly set aside. The order of the General Term should be affirmed and judgment absolute ordered for the defendant on the stipulation. All concur, except Bapallo, J., absent. Order affirmed and judgment accordingly.