Kiernan v. The Norma

The Norma was libeled in this court in 1881, and seized by the marshal, under process of this court, while she was made fast, as the proof shows, to the wharf in the Morris canal basin, Jersey City. The answer alleged that the Norma was not, at the time of seizure, within the jurisdiction of this court, but within the waters of the state of New Jersey. The answer also contained a defense upon the merits. Under various decisions, up to the time when this libel was filed, the Norma was understood to be within the jurisdiction of this court, being outside of llio original low-water mark of the…