The Omaha and Somers Receive Last U.S. Navy Prize Money for the Odenwald Capture

From Wikipedia.

The Odenwald was carrying 3800 tons of scarce rubber for Germany's war effort when captured by the Omaha and Somers November 6, 1941, one month before U.S. entry into the war. At the time, the Odenwald was disguised as the American merchant ship Willmote.

Of course, being captured while America was still officially neutral led to some question as to the seizure's legality. The Odenwald was taken to Puerto Rico where an Admiralty Court ruled that since the German ship had an illegal American registration, there were sufficient grounds for its confiscation. As such the American crews could claim prize money.

A legal case began concerning salvage rights. Since the Odenwald's crew was trying to scuttle the ship, that was considered the equivalent of abandoning the ship.

The case was finally settled in 1947 with members of the boarding parties and prize crew entitled to $3,000 apiece in prize money while the crews of the Omaha and Somers received two months pay and allowances. I imagine there was some partying after that decision.

This was the last-ever prize money awarded by the U.S. Navy. Prize money was also a big deal during the Civil War and War of 1812.

--GreGen