Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 9.djvu/943

 928 FEDERAL REPORIES. �During the final hearing, counsel for respondents took the ground that there was no proof of ownership by the libellants, H. J. Dicker- Bon and others. It was ruled in 4 Wash. 651, that if the facts alleged in the libe] are not denied in the answer, they are net, there- fore, to be taken as confessed. But the twenty-seventh admiralty rule provides that the answer shall be full, explicit, and distinct to each separate article or allegation in the libel. I am of opinion that the question of ownership should have been made in limine, by a negative plea, in the nature of a plea in abatement, in analogy to pleading in chancery; or by plea of no title or no property; or by deniai in the answer. But if this view is found to be erroneous, the court can correct it by causing the money awarded to these libellants to be placcd in the registry until the ownership is settled. �DECBEE. �It is ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the court that the defend- ants pay to the libellants, H. J. Dickeraon and others, the sum of $700 for the salvage services performed by the steam tug-boat Bramell ; and also pay to said libellants the sum of $200 for the salvage serv- ices of the steam tug-boat Forest City ; and pay to the intervenor, the American Dredging Company, the sum of $700 for the salvage serv- ices of the steam tug-boat Mary T. White, and costs. The clerk, as assessor, will apportion each sum decreed upon the several interests at risk. ���END OF CASES IN VOL. 9 ��� �