N.Y. Navigation Law § 134: When owner may sue

§ 134. When owner may sue. The rejection by the court of any claim for

wrecked property shall not preclude the claimant from maintaining an

action for the recovery of such property or its proceeds against the

officer in whose hands the same shall be; but if the plaintiff in any

such action shall prevail, there shall be deducted, in addition to the

salvage and expenses charged on the property, from the damages

recovered, the costs of the defense.