Blackton v. Gordon

The issue is whether the master of a vessel is entitled to the benefit of § 12 of the Act of March 4, 1915, 1 exempting wages of seamen from attachment.

The respondent recovered judgment against one Find-lay, the captain of the tug Waverly, a registered vessel of the United States operating in New York Harbor. Under a state statute Findlay’s wages due from his employer, the Erie Railroad Company, were attached by the service of an order on the petitioner, superintendent of the marine department of the railroad company. It is not disputed that if Findlay’s wages were subject to garnishment the…