US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

1. A ship, towed by a 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 chanrobles.com-redchanrobles.com-red

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set, a passenger on board of her 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 he and the officers, crew and passengers of the tug, working together, and by means of a steam pump and hose upon the tug, 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.

2. Under the Act of Congress of 16th February, 1875, c. 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.

In admiralty. Libel for salvage. Decree below for libellants, and appeal. The act of salvage was done on a voyage down the River Mississippi, the vessel being fully freighted for Liverpool. The salvors were a tugboat, the officers and crew of the vessel, and passengers on the vessel. The main contention was as to the amount of the salvage and as to the right of a passenger to participate. chanrobles.com-redchanrobles.com-red

Page 108 U. S. 354