Not to confuse the issue even more but I think it could be argued that the Eastport wasn't 'scuttled'. At least I have never seen that term used by any of the parties involved in the OR. In fact Porter more than once refers to it as being 'sunk by a torpedo' and 'destroyed' to prevent it falling into enemy hands.

It became stranded the second time directly as a result of the damage from the 'torpedo'. (and i am not at all 100% certain that a torpedo caused the damage).

but here is a link to La. Civil Code and Civil Procedure.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/toc.htm