Minnesota Jury Awards $4.7 Million in Ship Lawsuit

A Duluth, Minn., dock company owes nearly $4.7 million for repairs and lost profits to the owner of a coal freighter that partially sunk in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.

The Duluth News Tribune reports the jury made the decision on Feb. 21, after a trial that began Feb. 5.

In a 2009 lawsuit, American Steamship Co. claimed negligence by Hallett Dock Co. and Fraser Shipyards Inc. of Superior, Wis., caused the 1,000-foot-long Walter J. McCarthy Jr. to sink in January 2008. The McCarthy hit a submerged concrete structure, which tore a hole in the hull, causing it to take on water.

After three hours of deliberations, the jury absolved American Steamship, Fraser Shipyard and a Superior contractor from damages.

Hallett attorney David Hornig says they plan to ask for a new trial.