Augustina Seijo, as of the Estate of Juan Seijo, Deceased v. Donald L. Hobbs

An action in admiralty was filed on January 4, 1957, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Southern Division, by the Security-First National Bank of Los Angeles, hereinafter the bank, against the Oil Screw Sun King and seventeen co-owners of the vessel, one of whom was Juan Seijo. The action was for foreclosure of a preferred mortgage on the vessel, which mortgage secured a promissory note which the co-owners had agreed to pay.

Three intervening libels to enforce maritime liens against the vessel and for judgment against its owners were thereafter filed by J. T. Siler, Star-Kist Foods, Inc., and San Diego Marine Construction Company, called intervenors.

After respondents had answered, all seventeen respondents being represented by the same counsel, hearings were had before the Court on February 25 and April 22, 1957. Counsel for all parties were present at those hearings. On May 3, 1957, the District Court signed the interlocutory decree, which established the validity, priority and amounts of all claims, determined that respondents were in default on the note, fixed the amount of attorney fees and costs, and decreed that the vessel be sold…