Section VIII Bargemasters chargeable for any Mischief done to Locks, &c. by their Bargemen, &c.

Damages and Costs.

And for the better preventing the damags and mischeifs frequently done and co[m]mitted by the rude and disorderly persons rowing and manageing the said barges and that the owners of such barges may bee more careful to prevent the same bee it enacted by the authority aforesaid That every Bargemaster and Owner of any Barge or Boat shall bee and is hereby made answerable and responsible for any damage or mischief that shall bee done by his barge or boat or the whole or any of the crew of his bargemen to any X1of the weares locks bucks winches turnpikes dams floodgates and other engines in and upon the said River And the said Bargemasters or Bargeowners shall and may bee sued and prosecuted for the same and if found guilty the Pltiffe shall not onely recover his damages thereby sustained but his full costs of suit any former law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.