Reliable Marine Boiler Repair, Inc. v. Frank B. Hall & Co.

MEMORANDUM

CROAKE, District Judge.

This possessory action in admiralty presents an unusual and unfortunate situation. Plaintiff, a marine repairman, obtained and performed a certain repair contract, but has never been paid. This finding serves merely as the introduction to a complex legal dispute.

Besides plaintiff, the parties involved in this action are Frank B. Hall and Company (“Hall”), and the Mastan Company, Inc. (“Mastan”). The action was tried in personam as against Hall, although Hall had not defended, and in rem as against Mastan. However, plaintiff has now asserted, for the first time…