458

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAPTER 292.

Passed March
10, 1856.

A SUPPLEMENT to an act to incorporate a com-
pany for building a bridge over Choptank river, at
or near Denton Ferry, passed at December session
eighteen hundred and eleven, chapter one hundred
and thirty-nine, and supplements thereto.

Preamble.

WHEREAS, the Denton Bridge Company have suffer-
ed great damage and loss by reason of the care-
lessness of captains of vessels going through the
drawbridge with sails set and without due care and
caution, frequently running into and against the
bridge, and thereby rendering it impassable for
travellers; therefore,

Captains re-
quired to low-
er and take in
sail.

SECTION 1. fie it enacted by the General Assembly
of Maryland, That all captains, owners, masters and
sailors of vessels going through the said drawbridge
hereafter shall be required to lower and take in as
much sail as shall be necessary to prevent damage
by carelessness before going through the same, and
at a sufficient distance therefrom to remove liability
of injury or damage to said drawbridge, by the head-
way of such vessels, and shall use in the manage-
ment of said vessels reasonable care to prevent in-
jury.

To walk horses
across bridge.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That all persons pass-
ing over said bridge on horseback, in carriages, cart,
waggons, sleigh or other vehicles shall be required to
put their horses in a walk; otherwise to be fined two
dollars for each and every such offence.

Penalty.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That any person or
persons by reason of gross neglect or inattention shall
violate the first section of this act shall be fined twenty
dollars for each and every such offence (the said fines
to be recoverable before a Justice of the Peace,) and
pay all damages that may be done to the said bridge.

In force.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the said act shall
go into full force from its passage.