John Monteiro, Libelant-Appellant v. Sociedad Maritima San Nicolas, S.A. And the S.S. Euryviades, Her Engines, Boilers, Tackle, Appurtenances, Etc.

FRIENDLY, Circuit Judge.

Libelant is a Portuguese seaman. Respondent, a Panamanian corporation, owns the S.S. Euryviades, a freighter flying the Liberian flag. Libelant shipped on her at Baltimore in April, 1952 as a fireman; he continued to be employed on the Euryviades until September, 1956. He was then discharged at Galveston and, respondent claims, signed a paper acknowledging that he had “received all moneys and wages due me from this vessel” and that “my sole reason for leaving the ship is to visit relatives in this country.” Monteiro does not deny the receipt of all regular monthly…