Knott v. Botany Worsted Mills
United States Supreme Court
179 U.S. 69 (1900)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
Botany Worsted Mills (Botany) (plaintiff) sued James Knott (defendant), the owner of a vessel, to recover for damage caused to wool owned by Botany when the wool came into contact with wet sugar that was also part of the vessel’s cargo. Under the Harter Act, shipowners were not liable for errors in navigation or ship management while a ship was underway, but they were liable for failure to provide a seaworthy vessel or for improperly loading the cargo. The district court found that Knott was liable because the damage to the wool was caused by negligent loading of the wool and sugar. The appeals court affirmed. Knott appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Gray, J.)
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