Samuel Blatchford

“ It is very clear that the services rendered by the libelant to the Excelsior constituted a salvage service of a meritorious character. The telegrams sent to the libelant, by virtue of which it entered upon the service, summoned it as a salvor; and the services detailed in the finding of facts constituted salvage services. No agreement was made for a fixed sum to be paid, nor any binding engagement to pay at all events, although there was an agreement to submit to arbitration the amount to be received by the libelant for the service, in case the two companies could not agree upon a sum. ”

“ Baker Salvage Company
1. It is contended, on the facts found, that the question of salvage was fairly raised and settled between the parties before any work was done on the vessel; that what passed amounted to an announcement by Capt. Stoddard, the master of the libelant's wrecking steamer, that he must be paid for his services at all events; that this proposal was assented to by the master of the Excelsior; that the work proceeded under that arrangement; and that, therefore, there could be no claim for salvage. ”