Petition of Canada S. S. Lines, Ltd.

JONES, Chief Judge.

This is an action for exoneration from or limitation of possible liability arising out of the Noronic disaster.

On September 17, 1949, the steamship Noronic, owned by petitioner, was destroyed by a fire at its dock in Toronto. As a result 119 passengers died; many others suffered personal injury and probably all sustained damage to their personal property.

Two lawsuits asking some $337,000 in damages were shortly thereafter filed in the Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio and in this Court, 93 F.Supp. 549. Petitioner believing these to be the first of many to be filed…