sooner seen a pamphlet, just published by Mr. Harper, of Lloyd's, called "The Rule of the Road for Steamers," which contains some important criticism and useful diagrams.

In addition to the regular Admiralty Reports, I have availed myself of the excellent Reports of Admiralty judgments given in Mr. Mitchell's Maritime Register, which appear immediately after the judgments delivered, so that the law of collision may be considered as brought down almost to the present day. I desire also to express my acknowledgments to Mr. William Byrth, of the Middle Temple, for valuable suggestions and assistance.

LIVERPOOL AND LONDON
CHAMBERS,

Liverpool, May 29, 1867.

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1

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

General principles of liability for collision damage

CHAPTER I.

STEERING RULES FOR SHIPS AT SEA.

Subject divided between common and statutory law

SECTION I.-COMMON SEA LAW.

Common sea law founded on custom and equity

Ships meeting end-on pass by porting helm

Ship going free makes way for closehauled ship

When both closehauled, port-tack ship gives way

Rules for ships crossing at an angle

Summary of common sea-law rules

Points left undetermined in these rules

SECTION II.-STATUTORY REGULATIONS.

Extent of statutory jurisdiction.

Rules introduced by the first Merchant Shipping Act

These rules now superseded

Present statutory rules

Points of difference between these and the common sea

law

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steamers going alone

Steamers having ships in tow are not bound to act like

Ship towed and tug are treated as one vessel

When ship towed meets ship closehauled on port tack,

At present there is no statutory rule expressly relating to

Going too fast in fog, as to steamers in roadsteads

Look-out less essential for ship closehauled on the star-

board tack.

ib.

69

Of the manner in which the position of lights seen must