§ 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.