Whitehurst v. Norfolk Southern Railroad

BeowN, J. On 22 December, 1909, the defendant company by its contractors, the construction company, was constructing a railway bridge about 6 miles long from Mackey’s Ferry, across Albemarle Sound to its northern shore near Edenton. The bridge was not entirely completed nor in use by the railroad company. In the northern part of this bridge is located a large drawbridge, over deep water intended for passage of vessels. This was about completed, but could not be opened on day named because the cement had not had time to # set. There is also another pivot drawbridge in southern portion of the bridge about 1% miles from the southern shore. This drawbridge is over 70 feet long. It turns upon a central pillar and leaves 35 feet clear space open on each side of the pillar for passage of vessels. On date named the pivot draw was opened, that is, extended east and west, the main bridge run *50 ning north and south. The 35-foot space on northern side of the pivotal pillar was obstructed by a pile driver at work on the bridge abutment. The other side of the draw was clear and open for passage of vessels. There was nothing to prevent a vessel passing through it, wind and weather permitting. The evidence of the plaintiff shows that on date named he was beating (tacking) his schooner Alva up. Albemarle Sound bound for Avoca loaded with 2,000 bushels of oyster shell. The wind was blowing from west northwest, being almost dead ahead for Avoca, which is some miles west of the bridge. The plaintiff was tacking back and forth, making for the large northern draw at 9 a. m., when he was told by the skipper of the Waterboy that the northern draw was closed. Plaintiff at once steered south for the southern draw. When he was opposite it he saw that the northern side was blocked by a pile driver at work. He attempted to tack and stand away from the bridge so as to lay his course and go through the open space on southern side of the long drawbridge. When he put his helm down to tack, the Alva “missed stays,” that is, failed to “go about” and put her bow into the wind; instead, she fell off before the wind, and her sails filling in a strong breeze caused her to be wrecked on a shoal. The Alva was 25 years old and the plaintiff, her owner and captain, 62, with 40 years experience on the waters of Albe-marle Sound. It is admitted the bridge in question was constructed under the authority of the General Assembly of this State and under the supervisory powers conferred on the Government of the United States in, such cases by act of Congress. The right of the State, subject to the power of the National Government, to authorize such structures across navigable bodies of water within its borders is too well settled to be now discussed. Pedrick v. R. R., 143 N. C., 486, and cases cited; Works v. R. R., Fed. Cases, No. 18046. It is settled beyond controversy that where, a bridge over a navigable stream is erected by authority of law for public purposes and benefit, and leaves reasonable spaces for the *51 passage of vessels, it is not a nuisance, but a lawful structure. Pedrick v. R. R., supra. For tbe convenience and safety of navigation, it is well known tbat tbe plans and specifications of sucb structures as tbis and its drawbridges must be approved by tbe proper Federal officials. It is manifest tbat plaintiff bas no cause of action arising out of an illegal obstruction of Albemarle Sound by tbe erection of tbis bridge across it. Nor are we able to perceive tbat tbe defendant was guilty of negligence and wanting in tbe discharge of any duty it owed tbe plaintiff, while constructing tbis bridge. Its “draws” bad not been completed and could not be used with tbe facility for passing vessels tbat they now afford.. It is manifest tbat in constructing these draws navigation must necessarily be much more inconvenienced and impeded than when they are in a completed state and properly operated. Such temporary inconvenience must be suffered for tbe public weal. It is manifest from plaintiff’s evidence tbat tbe proximate cause of bis loss was an accident which neither be nor any one else could foresee or prevent. Tbe plaintiff was beating to windward against a strong north nor’westerly wind, beading for tbe northern draw. Before be reached it be was informed from tbe Waterboy tbat it was closed. Tbe plaintiff doubtless “eased off bis sheets” and pointed towards tbe southern draw. It was no trouble for bim to “stand away” from tbe bridge as far off as be pleased, for tbe bridge was to bis windward and tbe wind was blowing bim away from it. Plaintiff says be was given no notice or signal tbat tbe northern side of tbe southern draw was blocked by a pile driver. It was 9 o’clock in tbe morning and any reasonable vigilance could have discovered sucb a lofty object as a pile driver 100 yards away. Plaintiff, however, says be did see tbe obstruction when be got opposite tbe draw. At tbat time be was in open water and in no danger in ease bis vessel worked all right. He then “tacked ship” with tbe evident intention of getting in a position and then laying bis course through tbe open draw, but unfortunately tbe Alva failed bim at tbe critical moment. Instead of “coming about” *52 in obedience to ber helm, she fell off, and before he could recover her she grounded on the shoal, which according to the uncontradicted evidence was 250 yards from the bridge and 2,000 feet from the southern draw. The failure to answer her helm and tack at the critical moment has wrecked sailing craft before the Alva. Her misbehavior was plainly the proximate cause of her grounding on the shoal. It is a superstition among sailors that sailing craft have their individual peculiarities and idiosyncrasies and become unmanageable when least expected. Some one, doubtless a crusty and disappointed bachelor, has said that is the reason they are given the feminine gender and called “She.” This plaintiff, an experienced sailor, knew his craft and that she was heavily laden and not so active as when light. It may have been the part of wisdom to have dropped anchor and waited for a more favorable breeze rather than attempt to beat through a drawbridge against a strong head wind. However that may be, we see nothing in the record which justly renders the defendants liable for the loss of plaintiff’s vessel. The motion to nonsuit is sustained and the action dismissed. Reversed.