Case Name: The Carrie. Jones v. The Carrie
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1891-07-01
Citations: 46 F. 796
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Carrie. Jones v. The Carrie.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 46
Pages: 796–797

Head Matter:
The Carrie. Jones v. The Carrie.
(District Court, E. D. New York.
July 1, 1891.)
Maritime Lien—Enforcement or—Laches—1Transfer of Ownership.
A material-man held to be entitled to enforce his lien against a vessel, notwithstanding a subsequent transfer of the ownership of the boat, which the evidence did not show to be bond, fide, and notwithstanding a delay of between two and three years in enforcing the lien.
In Admiralty.
Suit to enforce a maritime lien.
Alexander & Ash, for libelant.
D. D. McKoon, for mortgagee.

Opinion:
Benedict, J.
This is an action to enforce a lien for a material-man. It is defended by one Buckley, who claims an interest in the lighter by reason of an unpaid' mortgage held by him. Buckley has set up the defense of laches, and transfer ot the vessel to one Costigan since the incurring of Jones' lien. No other defense is set up. The owner of the lighter interposes no' defense: So far as concerns the transfer to Costigan, it is sufficient to say that the evidence does not show it to be bona fide, nor could it in any event avail Buckley. As to Buckley, his interest in the vessel is by way of a mortgage that attached to the lighter long prior to the claim of Jones. The case, therefore, is the same as if a prior owner of the vessel were defending upon the ground of laches. In such a case a lien will not be held lost by laches simply by reason of a delay of between two and three years in enforcing it. A decree must be entered for the libelant, with costs.