Lawson v. United States. Retz v. United States

SWAN, Chief Judge.

This litigation resulted from a collision on the high seas on March 30, 1945 'between two vessels owned by the United States. The collision caused the death of two seamen, whose administrators brought suits under the applicable federal statute, 46 U.S.C.A. § 761 et seq. The suits were consolidated for trial and an interlocutory decree was entered holding the United States liable and referring the matter to a commissioner for report as to the loss sustained by the persons for whose benefit the suits were brought. The final decree entered upon the commissioner’s report awarded…