Cope v. Vallette Dry Dock Company - 119 U.S. 625 (1887)

U.S. Supreme Court

Cope v. Vallette Dry Dock Company, 119 U.S. 625 (1887)

Cope v. Vallette Dry Dock Company

Argued December 6, 1886

Decided January 10, 1887

119 U.S. 625

Syllabus

A fixed structure contrived for the purpose of taking ships out of the water in order to repair them, and for no other purpose, consisting of a large oblong box with a flat bottom and perpendicular sides, with no means of propulsion either by wind, steam, or otherwise, and not designed for navigation, but only as a floating dry dock, permanently moored, is not a subject of salvage service.

This was an appeal from a decree of the circuit court dismissing a libel for salvage for want of jurisdiction. The case is stated in the opinion of the Court.