Libelant repaired and reconditioned a steamship belonging to the United States, but at the time under charter to United States Mail Steamship Company, Inc., a corporation now insolvent if not defunct. The charterer was an intending purchaser, and had agreed with the United States as owner to pay for the expected reconditioning. Knowing or having the opportunity of knowing these facts, libelant contracted in writing with charterer for the said repairs and reconditioning, and, not having been paid in full, brought this suit under the Suits in Admiralty Act (Comp. St. §§ 1251%-1251:J4Z) to enforce payment by the owner.
We perceive no material difference between the facts at bar and those in Morse, etc., Co. v. United States (C. C. A.) 1 F.(2d) 233; and under United States v. Carver, 260 U. S. 482, 43 S. Ct. 181, 67 L. Ed. 361, there can be no lien.
There is a strong moral obligation upon the government to pay this admittedly just claim, but there is no legal liability.
Decree affirmed, without costs.