Johnson v. Wurthman

KILKENNY, District Judge.

Claimants challenge the right of a Court of Admiralty to entertain jurisdiction of petitioners’ claim for exoneration or limitation of liability. 1 To be resolved is whether a small inland body of water in the State of Oregon, known as Lake of the Woods, constitutes navigable waters of the United States.

In July, 1961, a motor-boat, utilized for pleasure, was being operated by Morgan Johnson, Jr., on said lake, at which time it caught fire. One infant died from burns received, while other claimants professed personal injuries. Actions were commenced in the Oregon…