Snyder v. A Floating Dry-Dock

This suit is in rem, and is in the nature of a possessory action to recover the possession and delivery to the libelant of a floating dry-dock and floating pump, alleged in the libel to be her property. Her right of ownership is not denied in the answer, but the respondent, Thomas W. Mabb, claims that he has a lien upon the structure lor wharfage, and has the right to retain the possession until his demand is paid. The answer also raises the question of jurisdiction, and denies the right of the libelant to maintain such a suit in the admiralty. It must be conceded that the thing libeled is…