The Winkfield

The Winkfield and the Mexican collided off South Africa, sinking the Mexican; while the crew, passengers, and some mail and luggage were saved, the rest of the cargo was lost. After the Winkfield's owners admitted liability, the Postmaster-General sought the value of lost mail for which no other claim had been made, but the claim was refused on the ground that the Postmaster-General bore no liability to anyone with an interest in the lost mail and therefore could not sue for its value; the Postmaster-General appealed.