Case Name: The Prince Leopold
Court: United States Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1881
Citations: 9 F. 333
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Prince Leopold.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 9
Pages: 333–333

Head Matter:
The Prince Leopold.
(Circuit Court, E. D. Louisiana.
1881.)
1. Towage' Services — Liens.
Towage service must be rendered to carry alien; an unexecuted contract to perform towage service is not enough.
In Admiralty.
I. R. Beckwith, for libellant.
Emmet D. Craig, for claimants.
Reported by Joseph P. Horner, Esq., of the New Orleans bar.

Opinion:
Pardee, C. J.
An unexecuted contract of affreightment gives no maritime lien. 18 How. 188; 19 How. 90. An unexecuted contract for furnishing supplies carries no lien. The Cabarga, 3 Blatchf. 75. An unexecuted contract for wages, where the voyage was never begun and no services rendered, furnishes no lien. 1 W. Rob. 89, cited in 19 How. 90. Admiralty and maritime liens aro not given by implication. 19 How. 89. No reason is given why an unexecuted contract to furnish towage to a vessel should stand on any better footing than though the contract related to freight, wages, or materials. It is claimed that towage is a part of the voyage, (22 How. 244;) but that must be understood as towage actually furnished. The owners may have contracts with a dozen different tow-boats thaeach shall tow the ship, but it is only the ones actually towing the vessel that help begin or complete the voyage.
Let there be a decree maintaining the exception filed,' and dismissing the libel, with costs.