Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 5.djvu/475

 NEW HARBOE PKOiEÔ'N CO. V. STB. CHAS. P. CHOUTEAU. 463 ���New Haebob Pkoteotion Co. v. Steamer Charles P. Chouteau. �{District Court, D. Louinana. January, 1881.) �1. BaIiVAGB— BuBNiNG VasBEir— Services DBCLiuBa). �Salvage cannot be claimed for aid tendered a burning vessel, when such assistance was absolutely declined. �2. Same — Attempt to Compel Acceptancb op Services. �An attempt to compel an acceptance of such aid will forfeit ail right to compensation for expenses incurred in going to the relief of the burning vessel.— [Ed. �In Admiralty. �On the twenty-fourth day of March, 18S0, about 8:15 p. M., a fire was discovered, which had originated in some bales of jute stored on the larboard guards of the Charles, P. Chou- teau, some 50 feet aft of the boilers. The officers and crew immediately assembled and conimenced to put it ont, and in about two minutes the fire-engines of the boat^vere in opera- tion and playing three streams of water on the fire. Twô Babcock extinguishers were also playing on the fiames, and the crew were so alive and vigilant that in about five minutes after the fire was discovered it was put out by their efforts, without aid from any one else. Soon after the fire was dis- covered the watchman rang the bell several times as a signal to the pilot to stop the boat. The sound of thi& bell, and the smoke rising from the fiames, drew to the scene the Pro- tector, a fire-boat belbnging to libellàiits, which is always kept in a state of readiness to render service at any point on the city front. Altbough the fire was nearly extinguiS'hed, the Protector came along-side, and, without any hailing or the usual inquiry if any aid was needed, endeavored to force her aid in putting out the remainder of the fii*e. The captain of the Chouteau told the crew of the Protector thàt he did not need their aid, and ordered them todesist. In spite of tMs- order, they began to pump water on the burning vessel, whereupon the captain of the latter threatened to shoot them if they did not stop. The Protector was finally driven off, ����