Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 5.djvu/112

 100 FEDERAL EBPORTEK. �Bradley, C. J. The questions in this cause are — First, whether it is a case for salvage ; secondly, if it is, how much compensation ought to be allowed to the salvors; thirdly,ho-w it ought to be apportioned amongst them; and, fourthly, who are to contribute thereto. �Very little need be said on the first question. It being dis- covered shortly before 6 o'cloek on the morning of the twenty- eighth of March, 1879, that the ship Suliote was on fire, the signal of distress was immediately given by ringing the alarm- bell, and messengers were sent out for assistance. In re- sponse to the call the tug-boat Belle Darlington, lying a short distance above, backed down alongside of the Suliote, and threw her hose on the deck of the latter, and commenced to play into the hatchway ■«'here the smoke was seen to issue, and was shortly afterwards joined by the Maud Wilmot and the Protector, and by their joint efforts the fire was extin- guished. When a vessel is in distress, and in danger of destruction, and calls on others for help, or, being abandoned, is saved by their voluntary efforts, it is a case of salvage, unless the salvors act in the performance of a mere duty, as where they are employed by the public authorities to perform the very service. Had the fire department of New Orleans estinguished the fire whilst the vessel was lying at the wharf, no salvage could have been claimed. But, although the services of the department were offered, they were not accepted by those in charge of the ship. The vessel and cargo were eaved by the voluntary efforts of those who came to her relief. We think the case is clearly one of salvage. �The amount of salvage that ought to be allowed for the services performed depends on several considerations ; aB,first, the extent and danger of the services ; secondly, the risk to which the vessels and other property employed in the service were exposed; thirdly, the value of the property saved, and the risk of destruction by which it was imperilled. �The extent and danger of the service were inconsiderable. The Belle Darlington and Maud Wilmot were actually em- ployed in throwing water only a few minutes — less than half au hour — though they stayed in the vicinity until the fire was ����