Woodworth v. Insurance Co.

72 U.S. 87, 18 L. Ed. 517, 5 Wall. 87, 1866 U.S. LEXIS 921

• Court: Supreme Court of the United States
• Decided: February 18, 1867
• Status: Published

Opinion

72 U.S. 87 (____) 5 Wall. 87

WOODWORTH
v.
INSURANCE COMPANY.

Supreme Court of United States.

Mr. Hibbard, for the appellant.

Mr. Rae, contra.

Mr. Justice MILLER delivered the opinion of the court.

The litigation to establish the liability of the Ross was troublesome and expensive to the Corn Exchange Company. Mr. Woodworth did not, in any manner, aid, or offer to aid in it. His interest was against the liability which the company sought to establish; for, if the Ross was declared not liable, he received these proceeds and remnants as mortgagee of that vessel. But, after permitting his own libel to sleep during this struggle, he attempts, when it is over, to revive that libel, and claims to share in the fruits of a victory won without his aid, and against his wishes. The District and Circuit Courts both thought he was not entitled to do this, so long as the Corn Exchange Company remained unpaid. In this view we concur.^[‡]

Our remarks are meant to apply to the libel filed April 1, 1863. But all that we have said in reference to that libel applies with additional force to the one filed 14th April, 1864, arising from the longer delay in asserting the claim.

DECREES AFFIRMED WITH COSTS.

NOTES

[‡] See The Saracen, 6 Moore P.C. 56; The Clara, 1 Swabey, 1.