The Addison E. Bullard

(after stating the facts as above). The question to be determined is whether the vessel was seaworthy at the commencement of the voyage. As preliminary to the- determination of that question, the appellant suggests another. It argues that, as the vessel and her owners were private carriers the burden was on the libelant to make affirmative proof of negligence in failing to make the vessel seaworthy at the commencement of the voyage, and that libelant should prove conclusively that the alleged damage was the direct result, of acts for which the vessel and her owners were responsible by the…