Samuel Freeman Miller

“ It is quite evident that the statute intended to modify the ship-owner's common-law liability for everything but the act of God and the king's enemies. We think that it goes so far as to relieve the ship-owner from liability for loss by fire, to which he has not contributed either by his own design or neglect. ”

“ By the language of the first section the owners are released from liability for loss by fire in all cases not coming within the exception there made. The exception is of cases where the fire can be charged to the owners' design, or the owners' neglect. ”

“ The American Transportation Co. The policy of the act, its relation to the act of 53 George III, and other British statutes, are there discussed; and it is decided-that being the principal question before the court-that the act embraces vessels engaged in commerce on the great northern lakes as well as on the ocean. ”