Woolf v. The Oder
District Court, D. Pennsylvania
A voyage was broken up by a seizure for the debts of the owner. A claim for the wages, pro tanto, to the time of seizure was brought forward and allowed. Two months’ pay in addition were also claimed, under a practice in such cases: damages for the seamen’s boarding and expenditures were also demanded.
1Opinion of the Court
THE COURT
not being satisfied entirely with the allegation, that the seamen were about returning to Europe, granted only one month’s additional pay, it appearing, that although they were foreigners by birth, they had for some time past sailed out of America. THE COURT held, that the granting this additional pay, was discretionary, both in quantum and principle. It varies in amount, according to distance from home, or the customs of different nations, and must entirely be controlled by circumstances. There have been frequent claims for damages, including boarding, loss of time, &c. while suits…
2Cited by2 opinions
- Carmona v. The Esteban de AntunanoU.S. Circuit Court for the District of Eastern Louisiana · 1887
- Gourley v. Matson Navigation Co.District Court, D. Hawaii · 1903