American Towing & Lightering Co. v. The Alfred J. Murray

MORRIS, District Judge.

If the claimants of the barge were the same owners who contracted the debts for which maritime liens are asserted by the libelant and petitioners, there would be no doubt of the respective rights of the libelant and petitioners to enforce their liens in rem against the barge. The only ground of defense is that, by laches in allowing their respective claims for towage and* supplies to run on, accumulating during the year preceding the sale to the present owners, they have been guilty of such laches as estops them from now asserting the lien against the barge in the hands…