UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

THE IRA M. HEDGES, 218 U. S. 264 (1910)

218 U. S. 264

U.S. Supreme Court

The Ira M. Hedges, 218 U.S. 264 (1910)

The Ira M. Hedges

No. 18

Argued October 27, 1910

Decided November 7, 1910

218 U.S. 264

Syllabus

Where the decree of the lower court is founded on denial of jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court, this Court has jurisdiction of the appeal. The right to contribution is not a mere incident of a form of procedure, but it belongs to the substantive law of the admiralty.

The right to contribution in the admiralty cannot be taken away because the claim is asserted against one of those causing the damage at common law and put into judgment.

Where two vessels cause an injury to a third, the fact that the injured party obtains judgment against the owners of one of the vessels in fault does not deprive the admiralty of jurisdiction of a suit brought by those against whom the judgment is entered against the other vessel to compel contribution.

Quaere as to what, if anything, such judgment conclusively establishes.

The facts, which involve the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court, are stated in the opinion. clubjuris

Page 218 U. S. 269


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