137 F. 780 | 2d Cir. | 1905
The work performed by the libelant, though skillful in execution and successful in result, was in no sense a salvage service. It had in it no element of danger to person or property, which is the principal factor relied on in sustaining large awards in salvage cases.
The problem of raising the sunken dredge was an exceedingly simple one; no new or difficult questions were presented for solution. The sinking occurred in summer, no storm was raging, the water was comparatively shallow, the bottom wai soft mud. The moment the wreckers saw the situation they knew exactly what to do. It is true that the jamming of the spuds prevented the. chains from being swept under the dredge in the usual manner, but the tunneling process was well known and had been frequently resorted to on prior occasions. In short, the pretense that there was anything extraordinary about the work cannot be sustained.
The decree is reversed arid the cause is remanded to the District Court with instructions to deduct the sum of $1,405, being the amount of interest on the recovery, and in other respects to proceed in accordance with this opinion.