CHAPTER 272
OF PILOTAGE, NAVIGATION AND VESSELS.
AN ACT TO REGULATE NAVIGATION IN THE MOUTH OF MAHONS RIVER.
'WHEREAS, The mouth of Mahons River is the only well lighted harbor on Western shore of Delaware Bay, where passenger steamers and vessels trading in the lower counties can find a safe refuge in stress of weather, and life and property is ,endangered and made unsafe by lack of system in anchoring vessels or boats wishing to enter said harbor, therefore
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met
SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any boat or vessel of any kind or description to anchor, moor, make fast or cause to be anchored, moored, or made fast so it may swing in the western half of the mouth of Mahon's River, commencing at Mahon's Light House and ending at or abreast of the road between the store of Walter Hendrickson and the steamboat wharf. The said mouth of Mahon's River, on the western side must at all times be kept clear of all obstructions, either of vessels at anchor, or moored therein, or anchors, chains, hawsers or lines, from the shore on the west side to the middle of said river or harbor from where Mahon's Light House now stands to said road; provided however, that nothing in this shall interfere with vessels or boats made fast to wharves, or the shore loading or unloading. When they are hauled close to the wharf or shore both ends of such boat or vessel must be made fast and not more than one abreast.
SECTION 2.- Any person, either permanently or temporarily in charge of any vessel or boat who may anchor or moor or make fast, or cause to be anchor d, moored or made fast the same, or obstruct with lines, or in any manner whatsoever any part of said river or harbor herein mentioned, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any Justice of the Peace of this State, shall be fined ten dollars for each offense, together with the costs of the prosecution, and upon failure to pay such fine and costs shall be imprisoned for a term of not more than three months, if the fine and costs shall be imprisoned for a term of not more than three months, if the fine and costs be not sooner paid. SECTION 3. –That any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be liable for damages for any loss to life or property or for any injury to person or property caused by such violation of the provisions of this Act.
Approved March 16, A. D. 1899.