Marshall v. International Mercantile Marine Co.

The libel contains two counts — the first seeking indemnity for personal injury; the second, expenses of maintenance and cure. It does not clearly appear whether the first count relies upon the Merchant Marine Act (Act June 5, 1920, c. 250, § 33, 41 Stat. 1007 [46 USCA § 688]), or the general maritime law. If the first alternative be assumed, the two-year limitation of the statute creating the cause of action necessarily precludes maintenance of the suit. Engel v. Davenport, 271 U. S. 33, 38, 46 S. Ct. 410, 70 L. Ed. 813; Reading Co. v. Koons, 271 U. S. 58, 63, 46 S. Ct. 405, 70 L. Ed. 835.…