Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 2.djvu/276

 COEWIN V. BaBGE JONATHÀK CHASE. SeÔ �had approached, and by her powerful engines the fire was subdued. The Niagara remained by until the fire was extin- guished, holding the barge in position at the pier by one of her lines. �An hour or so of time elapsed between the breaking eut of the fire and its subjugation. The time in which the Niagara was occupied in making fast to and getting the barge to the pier was but a few minutes. What would have been the resuit, had the Niagara followed the example of the Starbuck and declined to aid the barge, is left somewhat in doubt by the evidence ; but, considering the inflammable nature of the cargo, it is plain that at the time the Niagara took hold every moment of delay added greatly to the risk of the total destruction of the cargo and serious injury to the barge. As it turned out, the barge was damaged to the amount of between $100 and |200. Twenty-three barrels of alcohol were lost, and 73 barrels so badly charred as to require new barrels. The value of the barge after the fire was $900 to $1,000. The Sound value of the cargo before the fire was $3,060.84i �For the service thus rendered by the tug Niagara the libel- lants claim salvage compensation. The claimants deny that the service rendered was of value or entitled to be compen- eated as salvage. It cannot be doubted that the service rendered was a salvage service. It was a voluntary service, rendered in aid of property in danger of destruction on the eea. The only question open to serious discussion relates to the amount proper to be awarded. i �The libellants claim that the property was derelict, and claim to be rewarded as in cases of saving derelict property. But while it is true that no person was on board the barge at the time the Niagara took hold of her, still the Havemeyer, a vessel maintained at the public expense for the sole purpose of affording aid in such a case, was within reach, and waa sure to be able to come to her aid within a very few moments. And while it is true that the barge had been abandoned by those in charge of her, still she was in the East river, where fihe could not fail to receive assistance, if assistance could ����