Facts: P found logs floating in the Delaware Bay and moored them from the water on to
the mouth of a creek with the intention of taking them for himself. The logs then were
taken by D who refused to give them up, alleging they had found the logs adrift floating
up the creek.
Holding: Verdict for P
The finder of a chattel retains ownership over that which he finds over everyone save the
rightful owner.
Even if D had found the logs adrift, P does not lose ownership over them because he did
not abandon them. This would be the same if the rightful owner were to claim them had
P retained them in the first place.