Vessels Not Liable
But Owners May Pay When They Cause Loss of Life
A federal appeals court ruling on a Lake Michigan collision established that ships themselves could not be held liable for deaths caused by negligence—only their owners could be sued.
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Daily Inter Mountain · April 11, 1901 · Page 1
1 min readChicago, April 11.
Vessels cannot be held liable for the loss of life by negligence, according to the decision of the United States court of appeals in the Mary Ayer-Onoko case. Recovery can only be had against the owners of the craft, there being no lien against the vessel itself. The case arose over the collision between the steamer Onoko and schooner Mary D. Ayer on lake Michigan two years ago. The Ayer went down, carrying three of its crew. Suits were instituted for $15,000 against the steamer and it is these suits that have just been defeated.
Numerous similar suits are pending around the lakes, and under the court's ruling it is expected that they will be dropped.
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