In all cases of wreck, or where a ship is stranded, or deserted by the crew, the Admiral and his deputes have the sole right of keeping and intromitting therewith, Falc., 2, No. 200. Arg.:—The quantum of salvage was, in two cases, anno 1749, struck by the Admiral at one-fifth part, 22d September 1749, Brandt and Factor against Earl of Findlater; 19th December 1749, Brandt and Factor against Magistrates of Aberdeen. But, in a case decided anno 1762, Magistrates of Aberdeen against Dunnet, the Lords restricted it to his expense, and what was a reasonable gratification for his trouble.
In the famous case of the Dutch East India ship, wrecked on the coast of Barra, anno 1728, it was not disputed by the Dutch proprietors that salvage was due; and accordingly, in that case, the Admiral decerned for £3000 in name of salvage, and for £8000 of expenses.