Johnston v. Mowatt

J. B. McPHERSON, District Judge.

On July 30, 1901, the libel-ants shipped at the port of Philadelphia as seamen on the American bark Matanzas, of which the respondent was master, for a voyage to Havana and elsewhere, returning to a port of discharge in the United States within six calendar months. The ship arrived at Havana on September 15th, and after she had come to anchor the respondent went ashore. During his absence the libelants, with others of the crew, refused to work, Johnston declaring that he wanted to be in a safer ship, while Gronland said that he was sick and not fit to work.…