Millard v. The Schiedam

The compensation awarded in a court of admiralty for salvage services is not giveu as a mere quanUim meruit for the work and labor done, but on grounds of public policy, in ilie interest of navigation, and for the safety of property and life, and as an encouragement and reward for the readiness, promptitude, and energy necessary to secure those ends, both in the conduct of the salvors personally, and for the vessels and other appliances previously'' provided for such service. Viewed as a reward, therefore, salvage is not properly a subject of any binding contract in advance, except as a…