Bonifay v. Steamship Paraporti

HOFFMAN, District Judge.

On April 11, 1956, the Costa Rican Steamship Paraporti ran aground in the vicinity of Lynnhaven Inlet in Princess Anne County, Virginia, during a violent northeast storm. In effect, the vessel was beached with its port side flush with the sand bathing beach. Despite efforts to float the ship, she remains in approximately the same location although her stern has angled out to sea with the bow remaining firmly embedded in the sand and clay beach.

The libellants and owners.of-the Para-porti entered into a written contract on May 1, 1956, wherein salvage arrangements were…