In February 1916 the British steamship Appam was captured at sea by the German raider Moewe. A prize crew was put on board and the vessel was taken into Hampton Roads. The British owners of the Appam filed suit to recover possession of her from her captors. Federal Judge Edmund Waddill of Virginia, in a 15,000-word opinion, directed, 29 July 1916, that the vessel, with the cargo remaining aboard her and the proceeds of the perishable cargo already sold, should be restored at once to the British owners.