Post v. Jones
United States Supreme Court
60 U.S. 150 (1857)

- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
The whaling ship the Richmond (plaintiff) foundered in the remote and icy waters of the Behring Sea. The crew and the ship’s cargo survived, but they were 5,000 miles from the nearest port, and advancing sea ice soon would have made rescue impossible. Fortunately, other whaling ships arrived and saved the crew and salvaged the cargo. The Richmond’s captain agreed to sell the cargo to the rescuers. The rescuers safely transported both crew and cargo to port, where the crew sold the cargo. Jones (plaintiff), the Richmond’s owner, sued Post (defendant), one of the rescuing ships’ owners, to recover the sale proceeds. The federal district court ruled in Post’s favor. The appellate court reversed. Post appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Grier, J.)
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