Although in many cases admiralty proceedings are in personam, proceedings in rem are a prominent and distinguishing feature of admiralty practice.[i]  The libelant may sue either in rem or in personam.  Moreover, there may be proceedings both in rem and in personam.[ii]  A libel in personam can not stand where there is no assertion of liability in personam.[iii]  A proceeding in personam may be converted into one in rem, and vice versa.[iv]

[i] Mangone v. Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc, 152 F. Supp. 848 (E.D. N.Y. 1957);
 Matson Nav. Co. v. U.S., 284 U.S. 352, 52 S. Ct. 162, 76 L. Ed. 336 (1932);

[ii] The Gothland, 64 U.S. 491, 23 How. 491, 16 L. Ed. 516 (1859); The Isonomia, 285 F. 516 (C.C.A. 2d Cir. 1922).; Guerrido v. Alcoa Steamship Co., 234 F.2d 349 (1st Cir. 1956);

[iii] Schnell v. U.S., 166 F.2d 479 (C.C.A. 2d Cir. 1948).

[iv] Copp v. De Castro & Donner Sugar-Refining Co., 6 F. Cas. 520, No. 3215 (E.D. N.Y. 1875); The Monte A., 12 F. 331 (S.D. N.Y. 1882).