Sinclair v. Cooper

Citations

• 108 U.S. 352
• 27 L. Ed. 751
• 2 S. Ct. 754
• 1883 U.S. LEXIS 1046

Syllabus

<p>Salvage — Statutes.</p> <p>1. A ship, towed by ft steam tug down a river, came to anchor in the evening, and the tug was lashed to her side. In the night, no watch having been set, a passenger on board of ber was awakened by a smell of smoke arising from a fire, which had broken out in part of the cargo stowed in the poop, and which endangered the ship and cargo. He gave the alarm to the officers and crews of the ship and of the tug ; and h'e and the officers, crew and passengers of the tug, working together, and by means of a' steam pump and hose upon the túg, and unaided by the officers and crew of the ship, put out the fire in twenty minutes: Held, That this was a salvage service, and that the passenger on. board the ship, as well as the. owner, officers, crew and passengers of the tug, might share in the salvage.</p> <p>2. Under the act of Congress of 16th February, 1875, e. 77, a decree of salvage by the circuit court is not to be altered by this court for excess in the amount awarded, unless the excess is so great that, upon any reasonable view of the facts found, the award cannot be justified by the rules of law applicable to the case.</p>