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The Steamboat New World v. King

United States Supreme Court

57 U.S. 469 (1853)

Facts

King (plaintiff) was a former waiter on the Steamboat New World (Steamboat) (defendant). In June 1851, the master of Steamboat granted King free passage on the boat from Sacramento to San Francisco. It was a custom practice for the master to allow employees free passage. While en route, a boiler flue exploded and scalded King. King sued Steamboat in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for negligence in admiralty law. Steamboat’s witnesses testified that the boiler was allowed to carry up to 40 pounds of steam and that at the time of the explosion, it was carrying 23 pounds. Steamboat’s principal engineer did not remember how much steam there was. The master did not comment on how much steam was aboard or the speed of the boat. The district court ruled for King, and Steamboat appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Curtis, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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Dissent (Daniel, J.)

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