Johnson v. United States

This is a libel in admiralty filed under the Suits in Admiralty Act of 1920 (46 USCA § 741 et seq.) to recover damages for the death of Harvey Johnson. The latter was a seaman on the motor ship West Honaker, a vessel belonging to the United States, who was washed overboard July 9, 1929, in the Indian Ocean during heavy monsoon weather, and died shortly after being rescued. The suit was brought by the father as administrator of the estate of the deceased seaman, and was based upon alleged negligence of the United States in failing to provide safeguards for members of the crew and in failing to…