United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

L. Littlejohn & Co., Inc. v. United States, 270 U.S. 215 (1926)

L. Littlejohn & Co., Inc. v. United States

No. 94

Argued January 7, 1926

Decided March 1, 1926

270 U.S. 215

Syllabus

1. Damages are not recoverable from the United States under the Suits in Admiralty Act (March 9, 1920) for a collision due to the fault of a vessel owned and in possession of the United States and being operated in transporting supplies and troops. P. 270 U. S. 223.

2. In the absence of convention, every government may pursue what policy it thinks best concerning seizure and confiscation of enemy ships in its harbors when war occurs. P. 270 U. S. 226.

3. The Joint Resolution of May 12, 1917, authorized the President to take over to the United States the immediate possession and title

Page 270 U. S. 216

of any vessel within the jurisdiction which, at the time of coming therein, was owned by any subject of, or was under register of, an enemy nation, and this was within the power of Congress. P. 270 U. S. 227.

Affirmed.

Appeal from a decree of the district court in Admiralty dismissing libels for damages due to collision.

Page 270 U. S. 223