WILSON v. WINCHESTER.¹

District Court, E. D. New York.

October 22, 1886.

SALVAGE—FIRE—SCHOONER AT PIER—HAULED INTO STREAM—AWARD—ADDITIONAL COSTS.

A fire broke out in oil-works not far from the pier where the respondent's steam-schooner lay loaded with case-oil. Libelant's tug took hold of her, and drew her out into the stream. Held, that the service was a salvage service, for which libelant should recover $200, besides $25 added to his taxable costs.

In Admiralty.

Alexander & Ash, for libelant.

Benedict, Taft & Benedict, for respondents.

BENEDICT, J. The service rendered by the libelant was clearly a salvage service, entitled to be compensated as such. The bill of $200, presented by the libelant for his services, was, in my opinion, a reasonable bill, under the circumstances, and should have been paid. I award the libelant, therefore, that sum as his salvage reward. For that sum, together with his costs, he may have a decree, and I add $25 to the taxable costs, in order to reduce by so much the libelant's expenses of the litigation made necessary by the defendants' refusal to pay the libelant's reasonable bill.

¹ Reported by Edward G. Benedict, Esq., of the New York bar.

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