Cope v. Vallette Dry-Dock
District Court, E.D. Louisiana
Action in rem for salvage. The libel alleged that the Yallette dry-dock, lying in liew Orleans, on the right bank of the Mississippi river, was run into by a steam-ship that was about leaving port, and was considerably damaged and left in great danger of sinking. The steam-tugs of libellant and others came and rendered assistance by pumping, which saved the dry-dock, and they were therefore entitled to salvage.
1Opinion of the Court
Billings, D. J.
This case has been heard upon a plea to the jurisdiction. The question submitted is whether the thing libelled is of such a nature or character as to make it subject to a claim for salvage in the sense in which that word is used in admiralty.
The subject of this libel is a dry-dock — a floating dock susceptible of elevation or depression in the water by means of pumping the water out or in. Its design and use is to be sunk under a vessel and then to be pumped out so as to become dry, leaving the vessel in a position to be inspected and repaired. It is incapable of…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- Insurance Co. v. DunhamSupreme Court of the United States · 1871
- The BelfastSupreme Court of the United States · 1869
- Ex Parte EastonSupreme Court of the United States · 1877
- The Hendrick HudsonDistrict Court, S.D. New York · 1869
- Fifty Thousand Feet of TimberDistrict Court, D. Massachusetts · 1871
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by4 opinions
- Charles Barnes Co. v. One Dredge BoatDistrict Court, E.D. Kentucky · 1909
- EVANS v. STARBUCKDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania · 1894
- Broere v. Two Thousand One Hundred Thirty-Three DollarsDistrict Court, E.D. New York · 1947
- Arnold v. Eastin's TrusteeCourt of Appeals of Kentucky · 1903