Canadian Pacific Railway Co., a Corporation v. United States

This action was instituted by a libel in personam in admiralty filed by the United States against the Canadian Pacific Railway Co., as owner and operator of the SS Princess Louise. The United States had suffered damage in the breaking of its submarine cable lying beneath the waters of Puget Sound and forming a part of the Alaska Communications System. It alleged fault on the part of the Princess Louise in fouling the cable with its anchor while maneuvering in an attempt to dock at Pier 64 in Seattle.

Judgment of the District Court was in favor of the United States in the sum of $6,954.23. Cross-appeals have been taken from this judgment. Canadian Pacific contends that no case for damages has been made. The United States contends that judgment should have been for $8,-937.50.

The contentions of Canadian Pacific relate to the sufficiency of the evidence to establish either liability or damage.

The cable involved commenced at Pier 57, Seattle,- and, lying on the bottom, crossed Elliott Bay and Puget Sound in a westerly direction to Bainbridge Island. Its existence was shown on navigation charts by a designated “cable area” extending from the seawall out into Elliott Bay a distance…