Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 10.djvu/595

THE SANDRI.VGHAM. 583 �the important ingredients of salvage services, yet the court allowed one-tenth. �In the case of The Camanche, 8 Wall. 448, valnable property de- signed for the construction of a naval monitor was sunk in or near a dock in the harbor of San Francisco. The libel was for salvage on that proportion of the property which was not insured, worth |75^- 000 ; the service for the proportion which was insured having been compensated by contract. The service coiisisted in saving heavy material from the bottom of the harbor by means of diving bells and lifting machinery. It could only be done by skilled men, and by the uqe of expensive machinery, The labor was arduous. The work was attend ed with danger and great difficulty. It lasted from Jan- uary 28 until May 20, 1864, nearly vfour months. The amount allowed was one-third of the value saved; the salvors receiving pro- portionate compensation in addition from the insurance companies. �I need not pursue the examination of reported cases further. I have referred to these that have been named only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of my present decision. �The case of the Sandringham was one into which every ingredient of a true salvage service entered materially. The ship herself was m great peril ; indeed, her condition was well nigh hopeless. In the event of her sinking in the sand, filled with compressed cotton tightly compacted, the cargo could only have been saved partially, with dif- ficulty, and in a damaged condition. The task of the wreckers was full of toil and risk, performed as it was on a dangerous coast, liable to sudden storms and sea-swells. The work was bravely undertaken, perseveringly and faithfully pursued, and successfully accomplished. There were several steamers engaged, which are always accorded a higher compensation than other vessels. 8 Wall. 471; The King- alock, 1 Spinks, 267. There were schooners, barges, surf-boats, and much valuable wrecking material also at hazard, without insurance. There was no loss to the owners; every baie of cotton was saved, and not a baie was damaged. �I think the services and the precedents concur in justifying an award of one-fourth of the aggregate values saved, estimating that aggregate value to be $193,000. I will decree one-fourth of that amount and costs. �I have been thus elaborate in setting forth the grounds of my award in this case because of the language used by the supreme court of the United States, (8 Wall., on page 479 :) ��� �