Oriental (Propeller), collision, 20 Oct 1856

Propeller ORIENTAL and Brig NEBRASKA, collided off Milwaukee, latter total loss, $6,000. Damage to Propeller $250.
      Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
      January 31, 1857 (1856 casualty list)

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COLLISION. - The propeller ORIENTAL, belonging to the Western Transportation
Company, last night run down the schooner NEBRASKA in the Bay during a fog, and
sunk her. - Milwaukee American, 21.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Thursday, October 23, 1856

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The wreck of the NEBRASKA, sunk in the bay a week ago, is broken up, and part
of the hull and spars have floated into the river. - Milwaukee Sentinel, 25.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Tuesday, October 28, 1856

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IMPORTANT DECISION IN A COLLISION CASE. - In the United States
Court at Chicago, a decision has been rendered by Judge Drummond, of much
important to owners of steam and sail vessels. The parties to the suit were John
Volk and Horatio A. Turner, va. the propeller ORIENTAL. The decision of the
court, was in brief terms.
      This was a case of collision in the fall of 1856, on Lake Michigan, near
Racine, which occurred in the night, and an account of which has been before
published. By the collision the brig NEBRASKA was sunk by the propeller.
      The Court ruled the following points:
      1. "By the act of Congress of March 3rd, 1849, a steamer and sail vessel are
required to carry distinct lights during the night. Those on board of a vessel
when they see the light of a steamer, know it is the duty of the steamer to
avoid them. They therefore can keep their course. The light of a sail vessel
apprising those in the steamer of the same facts, it is their duty to use all
needful vigilance and care to avoid a collision. If one occurs the presumption
is that the steamer is at fault.
      2. "Though, as usual, there was much conflict in the evidence, the weight of
it is, the steamer in this case was in fault, and that proper precautions were
not used to keep clear of the brig; consequently the former is liable for the
damage sustained.
      3. "The value of the brig, which was a total loss, was fixed by the Court a
$5,500 - for which a decision, with costs, was rendered against the propeller.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Tuesday, March 17, 1857

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